Tips On Getting a Decent Sound In a Garage

[colbyAKAbobby]

Is it possible?

 

[Marko 1]

Keep the volume to a minimum.

 

[Marko 1]

Share the challenges you’re facing at the moment, that might help get the answers you’re looking for.

Acoustic drum kit? Just amps or PA support? Vocals?

 

[colbyAKAbobby]

Acoustic drum kit and a very loud drummer! Haha. PA support and vocals. Just have problems cutting through and sounding beefy without being boomy.

 

[sadeau]

The acoustics of an unfinished/uncarpeted garage will cause all low end to be too boomy. Try cutting your lows and boosting low mids (around 250hz) and high mids (800-1000hz). That will be as beefy a sound as you will get and it will now cut through a lot better. Also, find a polite way to ask your dummer to play a bit lighter, let him know that volume does NOT = energy. Maybe set some time aside to practice band dynamics? In my experience many inexperienced (and some experienced) drummers play too loud and don't think about dynamics at all. The band is supposed to play together, not by themselves in their own world.

 

[Bert Slide]

Cover floors and walls with anything you can to soak up sound. In my basement practice area the sound was terrible until we covered the floor with that foam flooring you piece together and covered all the walls with blankets. Carpet on the floor and walls would work too.

 

[Bassbubble11]

We used to cover the floors with area rugs. We also
had use of moving blankets that we hung up wherever
we could (guitarist worked for a moving company).

I also remember my older brothers band hung commercial
egg cartons on the wall of our garage (dad owned a deli).

 

[spigmu]

There are two main problems with a garage for playing in, which are 1) that the walls are all parallel and the ceilings are parallel and low, and 2) concrete! Bouncy, boingy bouncy waves from both! : )

Cut the reflections down as much as you can. Fill the area with soft clutter that will break up the waves. Cover bare walls with something soft and random, as opposed to equally smooth covering.

 

[klokker]

I've practiced twice in a garage. Next to the boat and everything.

Best way to improve the sound I discovered was to wear earplugs.

 

[colbyAKAbobby]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Ear plugs, IMO, cut important parts out of the sound. I'm sure once we have all of our gear in there, plus all of our bodies, it'll soak up the sound better.

 

[Marko 1]

Adding materials (fire-rated) on the walls/floor/ceiling helps make everything sound better, and helps with mic feedback, but won’t address boominess. That takes thick foam, especially in corners where it builds up.

Large upholstered couches and furniture might help with that if there’s room.

+1 to EQing out the lows.

+1 to earplugs, but cheaper ones take out more highs than lows.

+1 drummer needs to learn how to control (play) his drums.

 

[testing1two]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Ear plugs, IMO, cut important parts out of the sound. I'm sure once we have all of our gear in there, plus all of our bodies, it'll soak up the sound better.

Please reconsider earplugs. There are earplugs that sound pretty decent for around $20. A loud drummer in a small enclosed space is the very definition of hearing loss.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Acoustic treatment will make the room sound better, not quieter. So please, be kind to your ears.

 

[colbyAKAbobby]

Please reconsider earplugs. There are earplugs that sound pretty decent for around $20. A loud drummer in a small enclosed space is the very definition of hearing loss.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Acoustic treatment will make the room sound better, not quieter. So please, be kind to your ears.

Yeah, you're totally right. I plan to be a musician for a very long time (I am only 17) so I guess I should take care of my ears. I'll have to get some earplugs that are meant for musicians, not construction workers.