BY GEORGE PETERSEN
This year marks the 15th anniversary of VocalBooth.com, a leading supplier of portable, modular sound rooms, studios and recording booths. The company was founded in 1997 by singer-songwriter Calvin Mann, who wanted more control and sound isolation for his recordings, so out of this need, Calvin created his own modular sound room—the first VocalBooth™. But it’s gone a long way since the early days of those humble beginnings.

The first models were 4×4-foot units. The line later expanded to include units up to 16×16-feet, custom heights and a wide range of options including: choices in woods, single/double-wall designs, windows, AC venting, non-parallel walls, interior/exterior colors, lighting—even ceiling-mount mic booms.

But the name “booth” is somewhat of a misnomer, especially with the number of customized units that have seen action as freestanding control rooms, either in fixed installs or moved in backstage as temporary facilities at major events, concerts, award shows, telecasts, sports, etc. Modular and portable by design, VocalBooths can be moved, shipped, rearranged, expanded and upgraded when necessary—unlike hard-built booths—to provide an acoustically isolated production space wherever and whenever needed.

HOW IT WORKS
Start by figuring out what you need. Some styles are only offered in stock sizes (such as the 4×4-foot Silver Series) and the pentagonal Diamond series (four sizes in equivalent volumes from 4×4 to 7×7 feet). However, Gold and Platinum Series VocalBooths range from 4×4 to 16×16, offered in custom sizes as well as giving the option for later expandability. All VocalBooths designs are fully enclosed rooms including wall, floor and ceiling panels. Sizes for the optional wall window are 3×3 or 3×6, and door windows can be 2×2.5 or 1×2-foot. Once you’ve determined all your other options (lights, venting, electrical, cable pass thrus, etc.), put in your order and set up a delivery date.

Panels arrive in a large plywood crate, via truck freight. Individual panels have a maximum 4×8 size for transport through standard doorways and halls. Two people can assemble a basic 4×4 Silver Series unit in an hour (larger systems obviously take longer). Door panels in some of the larger double-walled designs may require more than two persons to move. Doors and windows are preinstalled into the panels, and with the clear included instructions, assembly is uncomplicated.

NEED MORE… OR LESS?
For recording, live broadcasting, mobile production, VocalBooth.com offers the VB Mobile Studio, with customized 20- to 54-foot trailer designs with eight-foot ceiling heights and a slide-out expansion trailer system. Options are many, including climate control, AC generator, custom lighting, acoustical treatment, control room, restroom, bar/lounge area, performance space, exterior trailer graphics and more.

Of course, not everyone needs a production trailer, or a standalone control room or isolation booth or a rehearsal/scream room. So if your needs are slightly less involved, the VB Amp Box and VB Speaker Box let you place loud guitars amps into sound controlling isolation enclosures that come in various sizes and allow miking your fave amp at any volume (without sacrificing tone)—and all without driving the neighbors crazy. Noted music journalist Barry Rudolph put the VB Amp Box through its paces. Click here and check out Barry’s review.

INDUSTRY ACCEPTANCE
And the company’s website has a long and rapidly growing list of top industry pros and artists who have adopted this modular approach for recording, voice-over, broadcast, studio control, audio post production, drum isolation, rehearsal, audiology, scientific testing, industrial sound dampening, conferencing and podcasting. For more info, visit VocalBooth.com
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Interested in creating great audio for video/film?
Check out George Petersen’s current and archived articles from HDVideoPro/CineSoundPro magazine.
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