Recording the guitar - custom ISO boxes

Jai · #1 07-09-2004, 11:36 PM

I want to talk about the custom built isolation boxes that Dave had built to record the guitar parts in his apartment. I believe he had boxes built to house 1x12 speakers. I'm very curious about this, how it works, how to build them, any special materials required. Does anybody know more about these? I know Dave must. If anybody knows let's discuss it here.

I'm in a similar situation and am living in a house with other people that I don't want to disturb with my music, and most of the time the night time is the only time I have to work on music, and of course that's not very convenient as it truly disturbs in the late hours. I'll be moving to an apartment in coming months as well, so I'll be in the same situation. I want to build something that might muffle the sound outside while possibly improving recording within. I have a 2x12 combo amp right now, can I build a box for this or do I need to go with single speakers? Alright, enough talk from me, let's hear from you guys.

Peace.

DavejWeiner · #2 07-10-2004, 08:49 AM

Hey Jai.

Yes my iso cabs were designed to hold 1, 1x12 Mesa Rectifier cabinet. They were hard-wired to house 3 mics each (although I only used one mic on each cab).

I designed it, but Kriz Kraft in Hollywood built them for me. It's basically thick wood, acoustic foam (soft and hard), hard-wiring on the inside (so you just have to plug the cable directly into the jacks onthe outside of the box), and metal latches.

Since my record, I sold them to a friend of mine (becuase I moved) and plan to have different ones built on the East coast.

This time, I'm not having and metal parts puton (becuase they rattle), and I'll have them built longer for more mic'ing options.

Hope that helps.

Dave

Jai · #3 07-11-2004, 08:08 PM

Well, what I'm wondering is how well these boxes muffled the sound. Dave, you said you recorded in your apartment, so loud noises must be avoided. I'm in a similar situation, and while recording I need to be as quiet as possible. I'm thinking of building a box to house my 2x12 combo so I can record at higher volumes while maintaining a relatively lower volume outside the box. Is this the route I should go? If so, I'm looking for some specific instructions/materials required so I can make this box correctly. Based on my needs, is this the solution for me?

Gresh · #4 07-14-2004, 11:03 AM

Jai, great question and I'd like to learn more about the construction myself. My interest lies in getting stage volumes way way down and mic'ing cabs in an isolation environment much like Petrucci was doing on the Six degrees tour. I would also like more options when recording in my little humble studio rather than always having to use my POD Pro.

I know this was directed to Dave, but we might get more answers if Mods moved this to Gear and Equipment????

Gresh · #5 07-14-2004, 11:48 AM

Just thought I would add that Randall sells an isolation cabinet housing a celestion vintage 30. Don't know about he dB reduction stats on it, but it retails for $499, so street would likely be something less....that's not bad at all, and it is prewired for XLR and 1/4" cabling, just pop in the mic of your choice. Again, don't know how they sound though, or don't sound as the case may be

Jai · #6 07-14-2004, 09:22 PM

Thanks for the reply Gresh, that's interesting about the Randall iso cab, didn't know any company made them for purchase. I agree, we should get this moved or added to the appropriate general section of the forum, get more people talking about it. I'll make a post there and link it to here for the time being.

GonWild · #7 09-13-2004, 06:24 PM

whta hell is this stuff about building boxes ? get yerselves a pod xt and you're good to go

(oh..and dave..gotta love your EP!(got it from a friend for now...meant to buy it after the g3 show in Oslo, but it was sold out.) Exactly the type of guitar instrumentals I'm falling for these days!! Is there a story behind the title Ghost of denmark st. ? This is THE denmark st. in London right? )

-eirik

DavejWeiner · #8 09-23-2004, 06:17 PM

Hey Erik.

Yes there is a story about T.G.O.D.S. It's on my site. I think at http://www.daveweiner.com/stsasongs.html.

Back to the iso-box set-up.. there are many many ways to record, but it's been my experience that there is no substitution for a nice tube amp.

Dave

Jai · #9 09-23-2004, 09:34 PM

I recently got a Carvin Legacy 100W head. I knew it would be loud...but ****! This thing is to the point of ridiculous, it's hard to know what the amp can do because I can't set the volume past 1.5!

But the Legacy has a cabinet voiced line out jack, so I'm excited to see how that method works for recording this baby.