How to make giant DIY sound panels that you can also use for lighting

When you shoot video, the sound is as important as the picture. If you want to improve both the sound and the lighting, you can kill two birds with one stone with this awesome DIY project. In this video, Caleb Pike of DSLR Video Shooter will show you how to make your own sound panels that will help you improve audio, but you can also use them for lighting.

When it comes to the sound, these sound panels will stop echo and reverb from effecting your audio, and block sound depending on where you place them. And as for the lighting, you can use these panels in two ways: as a negative fill with the black side, or as fill light with the white side. Pretty versatile, isn’t it? Let’s dive in and see what you need and how to make them.

You will need

• Two sound blankets
• A folding wheel base stand
• a 6-foot board (Caleb uses a red oak 6’ x 4” x 1” board, it’s pretty strong)
• A Kupo adapter
• 1/2 course thread bolt (1-1/2 inch long)
• 1/2 course thread washer (2 inches wide)
• eye screws (Caleb used #6 1-15/16 inch eye screws)
• Carabiner clips
• A drill and drill bits
• A screwdriver

How to make

The build is pretty simple, just make sure to be precise and mark the places where you’ll drill holes. First, you’ll need to drill a hole in your board and mount it onto the stand using the Kupo adapter. Next, drill smaller holes on both sides of the board and add the eye screws through them. A screwdriver will help you to get those eye screws nice and tight. Lastly, use the carabiners to hang the sound blankets onto the board. And you’re done!

Make sure to watch Caleb’s video so you can hear the difference between the audio with and without the sound blankets. You’ll also hear how well it blocks the sound, but there are also examples of how it works as a light modifier. So, if you need a versatile tool for your videos, I believe these panels are definitely something to make.

[GIANT DIY Sound Panels For Better Audio and Lighting! via ISO 1200]