How to Set Up a Recording Studio: Case Study With Genie Mixed It

vocal booth for rappers with acoustic treatment

We recently worked with an up and coming music producer out of the midwest! Here is a little info from our featured music maker:

"My name is Eugene, people call me Genie. I’m 24 years old & I’ve been making music for 8 years now but more professionally the past 4. I’m an audio engineer/recording artist/entrepreneur and a full time dad. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa."


Support Genie:

Check out the before and after hand clap test results from the booth. The results are dramatic!

In the before recording you can hear a loud noticeable echo with a long time for the sound to decay after the clap. After the acoustic treatment was placed in the room you cannot hear any echo and the overall reverberation in the room is much more subtle and not noticeable on the recording. 

With proper acoustic treatment like Genie you can get crisp and clear audio recordings!

Genie created a recording studio with a separate vocal booth and control room. This involved acoustic treatment for two separate spaces.

What are the benefits of a multi room studio space?

The benefit from having a vocal booth separate from the mixing area is that it allows the engineer to have more control over the sound of the recordings. Genie also included a window between the two room so there is a clear patch for non-verbal communication between the engineer and the rapper or singer. 

recording studio with 2 rooms - 1 vocal booth and 1 control room - control room with acoustic foam panels and bass traps - plus vocal booth room with acoustic foam panels and daw screen

The downside is that it can be more expensive and time-consuming to set up, as you need to build or buy two separate spaces and treat them acoustically. If you will make an income from your studio like Genie it may be worth it to invest into a multi room setup.

If you are simply doing some hobby production in your spare time in your basement or a bedroom then you would be fine with treating a single room. If you need a vocal recording area in your single room you can always build a vocal shield or create a vocal booth area of the room like in the corner of a room shown below. 

diagram showing a home recording studio room with a vocal booth made in the corner by putting acoustic foam panels on the wall and ceiling in the corner of the room




How do you treat a vocal booth for best sound?

The first thing to consider is the size of the room. A small room will have a very different acoustic signature than a large room, so it's important to choose treatments that are appropriate for the space you have. 

Larger vocal booths like Genie's can be more forgiving than smaller vocal booths. This is because the smaller the room, the more problems with standing waves and room modes. You will want to go with full coverage on smaller vocal booths and closet type setups. 

The pic below shows Genie's recording booth with the panels placed evenly on the walls and the ceiling creating a wonderful environment for recording vocals and more!

picture showing the inside of a vocal booth that is treated with acoustic foam on the walls and ceiling for optimal sound recording of vocals. There is also a large flatscreen on the wall of the vocal booth for the rapper or singer to see the production DAW or lyrics while recording

In general, you want to absorb as much sound as possible in a vocal booth. This means using materials like acoustic panels to absorb sound energy. You also want to make sure that the room is well-sealed so that sound doesn't leak in or out. Typically vocal booths will have up to 70% coverage in the room depending on the size of the room and the preference of the studio owner. 

The most important spots to treat inside the booth are the main reflection points, and the area around the vocal performer. Genie covered these areas with our 3 inch acoustic foam wedge panels.

Notice the carpet in the room as well. This helps to further dampen the reverb inside the room and also helps cut down on the second reflections. 

diagram showing direct sound, first reflection, and second reflection points in a vocal booth to illustrate where acoustic treatment needs placed inside the vocal booth room

What is the best acoustic treatment for a control room in a studio? 

You will need to add acoustic absorption to the walls and ceiling inside of the control room. This will help reduce echoes and sound reflections that can interfere with the mixing or mastering process. 

The first step is to find the main reflection points in the room and treat those with absorption panels. The main reflection points are shown in the diagram below.

diagram showing the reflection points in a home recording studio with 2 channel studio monitors for mixing and mastering

By treating the reflections points with absorption you will be creating what is called a reflection free zone (RFZ) at the listening position. The RFZ is the area in front of your monitors where reflections from the speakers are suppressed. This gives you a "dead" spot to work in, which is essential for mixing and mastering. 

You also want to add bass traps in the room. Corner bass traps are an effective way to deal with low frequency build up in a room. The acoustic paneling combined with bass trapping will give your room the flat frequency response you are looking for.

You can see Genie did an amazing job with the install! Make sure to hit him up if you need any professional mixing of mastering services!

genie mixed it - recording studio with acoustic treatment - control room with acoustic foam panels and bass traps

 


Don't forget to support Genie:

-------

We hope this info was helpful. If you have any questions at all please contact us! We are glad to help you with your recording studio!

-------

Read More:

What Is Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) ?

Acoustic Foam Room Calculator

Acoustic Foam FAQ

Recording Studio Acoustic Treatment Bundles

Back to blog

1 comment

I’m happy that you mention that adding acoustic absorption to the walls and ceiling inside the control room is the best way to control the studio room. My friend’s boyfriend is setting up a recording studio here in Midtown Manhattan, NY, since near his studios are establishments. All the tips and information you share here in your post are helpful. I make sure to mention it to my friend about it.https://michaelpirolimixing.com/recording-studio

Georgina Mckenzy

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Need Help?

Not sure what you need? Don't worry! One of our acoustic pros will help you get results!

Free Room AnalysisSchedule A Consultation

Shop Acoustic Panels

Upgrade Your Sound Today!

View all

Frequently Asked Questions

Do acoustic panels really work? ▶
Yes, acoustic panels absolutely work when used correctly. Acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound waves, which helps reduce echo, reverb, and unwanted reflections in a room. This creates a cleaner, more controlled sound environment.

Whether you’re treating a home studio, podcast room, home theater, or office space, acoustic panels can make a noticeable difference in speech clarity, mix accuracy, and overall listening quality.
How do I know which panels are right for my room? ▶
Every space is unique. You can contact us for a free room analysis, or check out our guides under the “Learn” section.

Absorption panels help reduce echo and reverb. We offer foam panels and fabric covered panels.

Diffusers scatter sound for a more balanced feel.

Bass traps help control low frequencies that tend to build up in corners.

If you’re trying to block sound from entering or leaving a room, you’ll need soundproofing materials, which are different from acoustic treatments.
Can I order samples? ▶
Yes, we offer acoustic foam samples and well as fabric color swatches. If you are looking for something else please Contact Us.

Order Foam Samples
Order Fabric Swatches
What’s the difference between soundproofing and acoustic treatment? ▶
Soundproofing blocks sound from entering or leaving a room. Acoustic treatment improves sound inside the room by reducing echo and reverb.
Can acoustic panels improve speech clarity? ▶
Yes! Acoustic panels are commonly used in offices, conference rooms, and classrooms to reduce echo and improve speech intelligibility. By absorbing excess sound and reverb, panels make it easier to hear and understand spoken words—even at lower volumes.

Want help improving clarity in your space? Contact us here.
Do acoustic panels block outside noise? ▶
Standard acoustic panels don’t block sound—they absorb it. Acoustic panels reduce echo and reverb inside a room but won’t stop external noise from entering or leaving.

If you’re looking for soundproofing, you’ll need materials designed to block sound transmission like mass loaded vinyl, or decoupled wall systems. We offer select products for this—Contact Us to learn more.

Learn the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption here.
Where should I place acoustic panels? ▶
The best placement depends on your room and goals. For general echo reduction, aim to cover 20–30% of your wall space. For recording studios, home theaters, or listening rooms, focus on:

• Front wall behind speakers
• Back wall behind the listening position
• Side wall reflection points
• Ceiling above your desk or seating area
• Diffusers at key reflection points for natural sound

Need help with placement? Contact us for a free custom recommendation.
Do these panels work for podcasting, streaming, or music production? ▶
Absolutely. We serve customers across all industries — from home offices to professional studios.
What fabric is best for wrapping acoustic panels? ▶
To get the best sound performance, use acoustically transparent fabric—material that lets sound pass through easily. A simple test: try breathing through the fabric. If air flows freely, it’s likely a good choice. Avoid dense materials like heavy denim or canvas, as they can block sound instead of letting it be absorbed.

Looking for a proven solution? Our professional-grade acoustical fabric is highly rated by customers and perfect for DIY acoustic panels.

Shop acoustic fabric here or contact us if you need help picking the right fabric for your project.
Can I order custom-sized acoustic panels? ▶
Yes! In addition to our standard panel sizes, we offer custom-sized acoustic panels for unique spaces, specialty builds, and large-scale projects. Just let us know your dimensions and design goals—we’re happy to create a solution that fits your space perfectly.

Contact us here to tell us about your project and get a custom quote.
Do you offer custom sizes or colors? ▶
Yes, we offer custom sizing and a variety of colors on select products. Just reach out and let us know what you need.

Contact Us for custom quotes.
Are your products easy to install? ▶
Yes! Our fabric-wrapped panels include mounting hardware. For acoustic foam, there are several easy mounting options, including double-sided adhesive squares, spray adhesive, or Command strips for installation without damaging your walls.

Check out our install videos here.
Do I need professional help to install acoustic panels? ▶
Most acoustic panels are easy to install with basic tools and a little DIY experience. We make it simple by providing tutorial videos. Check out our install videos here.

For more complex projects, we’re happy to guide you—or your contractor—through the process to ensure everything is done right.

Contact us here if you need help with installation planning.
How do you maintain acoustic panels? ▶
Acoustic panels are low-maintenance and built to last with proper care. Here are some general tips:

• Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth
• Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment
• Clean gently with compressed air
• Spot clean with minimal moisture and dry immediately

Always check your panel’s product specs for specific cleaning recommendations.

Have questions about cleaning or care? Contact us here.
How much do acoustical panels or soundproofing materials cost? ▶
The cost of acoustic panels and soundproofing panels depends on your space and goals. We offer everything from affordable DIY acoustic foam to high-end custom panels for professional studios and luxury interiors. For an accurate quote, let us know your room size, usage, and sound goals—we’re happy to help you find the right solution for your budget.

Fill out our free room analysis for personalized acoustic advice.
How fast is shipping and fulfillment? ▶
Most orders ship in 1-3 business days. Cut to order foam may take a little longer. If you need something in a hurry please Contact Us.
Can acoustic panels be customized for my space? ▶
Yes! We offer custom acoustic panels tailored to your exact dimensions, layout, and design goals. Whether you’re working with an odd-shaped wall, a unique room layout, or a specific aesthetic, we can create panels that fit perfectly.

Choose from a wide range of colors and fabrics to match your space without sacrificing performance.

Contact us here to tell us about your space and get a custom solution.