Once you understand your gear, the next step is the space your gear lives in.

In this chapter, we’ll cover room reflections, reflection filters, and noise control.\

1. Reducing Room Reflections

In your current room, clap your hands loudly once. You’ll likely hear an echo-like tail after the clap—that’s your room’s reflections.

Reducing those reflections is extremely important for vocal recording.

If your goal is a “clean vocal with minimal room sound,” you don’t necessarily need an expensive isolation booth. Even simple, realistic steps that reduce hard reflective surfaces can make a huge difference.

For example:

• Hang thick fabric on multiple sides of the room
• Surround your recording area using a clothing rack and blackout curtains
• Cover the floor with a rug or thick carpet
• Add a simple layer of absorbent fabric on the ceiling
• Put up fabric posters to reduce hard wall reflections
• If you have a built-in closet, open the doors and use the hanging clothes as absorption
• Stack blankets in corners to reduce low-frequency reflections, even slightly

The most extreme—and often most effective—method is recording under a blanket. It can remove a surprising amount of room sound and improve results dramatically, but it’s uncomfortable and hard to use for long sessions.

2. Reflection Filters