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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHIu3uS-VoQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt74GnXZ86M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx7P4sQkzu4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQotAYSlBdM