How to build your own sound booth at home for under $100

Home recording is much more affordable than ever, due to the rise of cheaper and more effective computer systems and a plethora of software applications. However, no software program can simply mimic one essential aspect of a recording: a clear vocal take. With a little ingenuity, a trip to the local home improvement center, and some hard work, you can build a multimedia sound booth that will help you nail that solid vocal take, with negligible background noise.

Here are the things you will need:

9 x 10 Foot by 1 Inch Schedule 40 PVC Plumbing Pipe
12 x 1 Inch PVC Tee Couplers
6 x 1 Inch PVC 90 Degree Elbows
24 x 1 Inch PVC Pipe Caps
4 x 72-inch by 60-inch moving blankets
6 hand clamps to tighten (more if desired)
1 light clamp
1 CFL bulb
Pipe cutter/Hacksaw
measuring tape
marker pen
bungee cord (optional)

Step 1

Cut the larger pipe in the following increments: Cut three of the 10-foot PVC pipes in half to produce six 5-foot sections of PVC pipe to be used as the top and bottom of the frame. Cut the remaining pipe in 6 foot increments making 6 6 foot pieces of pipe to use as the sides of the frame. Cut the remaining tubing in 1-foot increments resulting in 24 1-foot pieces of tubing to use as feet.

Step 2

Attach a pair of 6-foot sides to two of the bottom and top 5-foot parts. Use two 90 degree elbows to join the sections at the top corners and two tee couplers to connect towards the bottom corners.

Step 3

Build your kickstands by connecting 1 foot increments of pipe to a tee coupler. The pipe should be attached so that it forms the base of a vertical letter T when connected to the coupler. Place the end caps on the open ends of the tee coupler.

Stage 4

Attach the feet by reversing the tee and connecting the tubing to the open coupler.

step 5

Repeat steps 2 through 4 to make two more frames.

step 6

Arrange the frames like an open-sided box. Hang the mover’s blankets over each frame and hold them mounted with clamps.

step 7

In case more stability is required, connect the frames together using bungee cords.

step 8

Attach a light clamp to the front frame and fit a bulb. Hang a final blanket over the top of the frames.

Advice

While this specific setting can be extremely good at limiting background sounds, please understand that location is very important. Try to use this booth in as quiet a place as possible.
Always record with the vocalist facing a frame with two frames on either side. The vocalist’s body should form a natural barrier, effectively becoming the fourth wall when recording.
If space is at a premium, you can set up your booth with just two frames. Set up two frames lined up in one corner, making a “V” shape, while your vocalist records, facing the corner.
These individual frames are extremely easy to store, take down, and move. Don’t feel obligated to use them in one area.