How to spot a professional vocal booth from a closet with foam.
Great vocals make or break a song. You can fix a bad snare sound, but you can't really fix a bad vocal performance captured in a bad room. Here is what to look for in a vocal booth.
1. Dead, but not 'stuffy'. A vocal booth should stop reflections (echo), but it shouldn't sound like you are underwater. Cheap foam can suck all the high end out of a voice, making it sound muddy. Professional treatment absorbs evenly across frequencies.
2. Sight lines. Can you see the engineer? Can you see your bandmates? Visual communication is key for vibe. A dark, isolated closet can kill the energy of a performance.
3. Headphone mixes. A pro studio uses a system like HearBack or Aviom that lets YOU control your own headphone volume. If you have to ask the engineer every time you want 'more me', it breaks your flow.
4. The Mic Locker. A great studio has choices. Not every voice sounds good on a U87. Maybe you sound better on a Shure SM7B or a C800G. A studio that offers you options is a studio that cares about the result.
5. Comfort. It sounds silly, but is there water? A stand for your lyrics? Adjustable lighting? If you aren't comfortable, you won't sing your best. The physical environment matters just as much as the gear.