"It does the job of improving vocal recordings in sub-optimal acoustic spaces": t.akustik PET Vocal Booth review

t.akustik PET Vocal Booth: What is it?

Thomann’s acoustic treatment sub-brand t.akustik has been releasing a slew of PET-based products for some time, with the likes of the Desktop Absorber and Vocal Head Booth already passing through our doors. What has struck us with t.akustik products in the past is that they’re very cost-effective, by and large, its products offer great value for money, so will we be able to say the same thing about this latest PET Vocal Booth?

This is the third phonebox-sized booth to come from t.akustik and at a price that sits between the previous t.akustik Vocal Booth and t.akustik Isolation Booth, although firmly at the former end of the scale. At just over £100 dearer than the polyurethane-foamed Vocal Booth, this PET variant comes in slightly larger dimensions and 4kg heavier.

In isolation

Let’s be clear, there is a huge distinction between a vocal booth and an isolation booth, the latter designed to cut out the external environmental audio altogether. Isolation is achieved by a fully enclosed construction. Of course, whether it achieves that feat or not is another matter entirely. In this instance, a vocal booth is purely to aid in the capture of vocals in sub-optimal acoustic spaces. The main difference here is that this is not a full enclosure. There’s no floor and part of the wall is taken up with a thin curtain, so you’re not going to be blocking out huge amounts of sound from within the booth.

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t.akustik PET Vocal Booth: Performance and verdict

The booth arrives in kit form with a build akin to a 3D puzzle, but nowhere near as difficult or time-consuming. From unboxing to completion it took around 30 minutes to construct and even less time to dismantle. All the pieces interlock with no tools required to complete the job and you’ll only need to add six AAA batteries for the two magnetic interior LED lights. The finished article features a small shelf, magnetic curtains, a wall-mounted magnet to attach lyrics or a script, a headphone hook and holes to run cables in from the rear. 

Unlike the previous model, the booth is laid out isometrically, with the curtained opening in one corner and the internal shelf in the opposite corner, which makes it feel a lot bigger than it is. The shelf is big enough to hold an iPad or a small vocal effects unit, but you’ll struggle with getting a laptop on there. 

t.akustik claims that this booth is also suitable for instrument recording although we’re not sure exactly what sort of instrument you’ll be able to squeeze into that space. Trying to wield an acoustic guitar feels very cramped and leaves very little room for movement, let alone a mic and stand.

In conclusion, it really matters where you are placing the vocal booth as it doesn't cut out the room ambience completely. By simply erecting it in the corner of a large warehouse-like area, you will still notice some of the reverberations from that space at high volume. This might have something to do with the very flimsy curtain material used and unfortunately, the PET Vocal Booth’s weakest point. A heavier material here would be much better at curtailing some of the wider ambience. That said, in a close-micing situation with vocal recording it’s barely noticeable on the recordings themselves, with minimal post-production required. It does the job of improving vocal recordings in sub-optimal acoustic spaces.

Its overall size, weight and price beg the question: who is this for? Home-based studios and productions would be better served with something along the lines of the Vocal Head Booth at best and at worst, building a DIY vocal booth using a duvet and a couple of mic stands. The cost and size of the PET Vocal Booth make it far too cost-prohibitive for the bedroom producer. 

So more professional spaces, then? Well, the problem here is that if you’re looking to create a space to record vocals on a professional scale then you’ll want to be dealing with full isolation. Even a semi-professional space would be far better served with a bespoke hand-built solution which might cost less in materials and labour. 

Where the PET Vocal Booth excels is that it’s useful in a temporary scenario. The ease of build and lightweight construction make it the ideal choice should you need to shift its positioning once erected. Now, t.akustik’s blurb states that the PET Vocal Booth is transportable which would elude to the fact this is an easy thing to carry about, which it is not. What would be great is if the company made some kind of bag with wheels, which would also help with storage should you need to pack it down for any length of time.

MusicRadar verdict: If you ever need to record vocals in a large open space then this self-build booth is ideal for creating a useable recording environment.

t.akustik PET Vocal Booth: Video demos

t.akustik 

PET Vocal Booth | t.akustik - YouTube

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t.akustik PET Vocal Booth: Specifications

• Simple assembly, no tools required
• Integrated shelf (40 x 40 x 30 cm, distance to the floor 103 cm)
• Headphone holder
• Opening for cable management
• Integrated magnet for holding notes
• Two Curtains with magnetic closure (195 x 45 cm)
• Material: PET 25 mm 3000g/m², Euroclass B1 S1-d0 NRC : 0.9
• Interior dimensions (H x W x D): 204 x 100 x 100 cm
• External dimensions (H x W x D): 206.5 x 110 x 110 cm
• Weight: approx. 29 kg
• Includes two magnetically mountable LED lamps
• Contact: Thomann