Instructions, Demos, and Samples

Step-by-step instructions

Standing Gobo

Specific materials used:

  • Standard picnic table
  • Down comforters/ duvet covers
  • Enough string/ Something long enough to wrap around the picnic table

Instructions:

Step 1 – Get a picnic table and open one set of legs

Step 2 – Stand table up on its legs and secure

Step 3 – Take the duvet cover/ comforter(s) and wrap it over the top and around the sides to fully cover the picnic table

Step 4 – Take the long string and tie it around the table to hold the blanket snug

Step 5 – Place gobo where needed to best block sound escaping into the room


Drum Gobo

Specific materials used:

  • Down comforters/ duvet covers
  • Four microphone stands
  • Small to medium-sized picnic table

Instructions:

Step 1 – Take picnic table and extend one set of legs

Step 2 – Take one comforter and wrap around the front of the table and over the bass drum

This helps isolate the kick drum and to reduce sound-bleed into overhead microphones

Step 3 – Place two microphone stands next to the upfront cymbals

This helps create the wings for the blankets to spread out on

Step 4 – Take other two microphone stands and put them towards the back sides of the drumset

Step 5 – Take one comforter and drape it over the tops of the microphone stands on one side of the drumset

Repeat Step 5 for the opposite side once secure


Improvised Reflection Guard

Specific materials used:

  • Standard eye-level kitchen cabinet
  • Down comforters/ duvet covers
  • Four to standard six pillows
  • Two microphone stands
  • Standard string
  • Standard clip
  • Bath/ doormat (for optional step)

Instructions:

Step 1 – Open cabinet doors and empty cabinet of any dishes/ cups

Step 2 – Stuff empty cabinets with pillows

Remaining pillows can be placed on countertop  

Optionally, place bath/ doormat on kitchen counter

Step 3 – Take microphone stands and fully extend them

Place two to three feet back of opened cabinet doors

Step 4 – Take one blanket and hang it from the inside of cabinet door and extend over the top of adjacent microphone stand

Step 5 – Secure blanket to microphone stand with string and place clips on top of cabinet doors

Step 6 – Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for opposite side

  

Improvised Isolation Booth

Specific materials used:

  • Walk-in closet
  • One to two large blankets/ comforters
  • Minimum of two nails

Instructions:

Step 1 – Clear closet of anything hard/ reflective and anything covering the floor

Step 2 – Take one blanket and nail it up on one wall

Step 3 – Take other blanket and wrap it around closet shelves

Secure blanket to something in closet to help hold it up


Constructed Isolation Booth

Specific materials used:

  • One medium blanket/ duvet
  • Two large blankets/ duvet
  • Minimum of 4 small nails or thumb tacks
  • Two microphones stands
  • Standard string
  • Standard clip
  • 1 – 2 bath/ door mats

Instructions:

Step 1 – Find open section of wall

Fold medium blanket in half and nail to wall above head-height

Step 2 – Fully extend microphone stands in vertical position

Place 3 – 4 feet back from wall

Step 3 – Tack one corner of large blanket to the corresponding top corner of wall cover

Repeat Step 4 for opposite side wall

Step 4 – Hang and secure (with string) opposing blanket corner to vertical microphone stand

Repeat Step 5 for opposite side wall

Leave 1 – 2 feet of excess blanket for closing the Constructed Isolation Booth

Step 5 – Place floor mats inside of the Constructed Isolation Booth (if not already carpeted)

Step 6 – Use clips to close Booth around the desired source

 

 




Demonstration Videos


Treated and Untreated Comparisons


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