Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

[some_dude]

I've recently moved and my practice space is now down in the basement.....lots of room compared to my old space, but the reverb is horrendious.

Anyway, the room has a concrete floor, unfinished ceiling, and drywall on the outer walls (it's otherwise open and unfinished).

I'm figuring that putting down some sort of carpet would be the best option, but I'm wondering what else I can do? It's a rental house, so I can't make any permanant modifications to the structure.

 

[Jeff Dunne]

Re: Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

Carpet on the floors will do wonders for the reverb, u-haul blankets should cover the rest.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

That reminds me, I have a couple of U-Haul blankets in my shed.....

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

U Haul Blankets really work. One time, I made a rehearsal space look like an insane asylum by using zipties to sew together a pallet-full of packing blankets.
Mixing some hard walls with Uhaul blankets will give a more balanced wet/dry sound.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

Stuff some of those blankets in the corners.

To me, bass traps make the biggest difference in a room.

 

[therizzla]

Re: Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

Save time and money and play Surf Rock.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

I've seen guys hang moving blankets from the ceiling like curtins in basements and it helped stop the reverb effect

 

[some_dude]

Re: Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

Use an condesor mic as an area mic while recording! Get's you that "live" feel!

Gets you the "live in an empty concrete room 'cause you suck so bad nobody came to your show" sound.

 

[baritone]

Re: Playing in a basement.....how to tame the reverb?

I read an article on this a long time ago. I don't remember the specifics, but the parts for you to construct and place or hang up in the room can be taken with you if your move, e.g., bass traps and blankets on the wall. The article described what to use for each wall and window, and where to place everthing. It was from some audiophile magazine.