The Watering Hole

(Where "SQ" stands for Stoopid Question! ;) )

What do you guys think about amp shields?  At the concert last night, all of the cabs had one (albeit smaller and probably privately made types) about 6" away from the speaker being mic'ed.  Here's a couple more complex ones to know what I'm talking about:



Obviously this is supposed to allow you to mic the amp cranked while blocking some of the sound coming forward.  However, I'm wondering how effective it would be for a smaller area like a bedroom (or a dining room area in my case) for example.  Wouldn't it only cause some of the frequencies to be blocked as well as having reflections returning to the mic?

Needless to say, the amps last night sounded great so there is that, but I'm not completely convinced yet.  Also, I'm guessing clear plexi-glass was used so the audience could still see the amps and cabs.  Wouldn't the effect be even better using some other material (preferably, at least in my case, something cheaper that I already own like wood, moving blankets or a type of foam)?

Craig,

I don't think these would "work" that well at home.  They ARE reflective.  They stop sound from blasting the audience, but in a smaller environment, they don't attenuate.  

If you want to actually attenuate, you'd need to use the blankets, foam, etc.  

yeah those won't do you much good.

A gobo trap in front of the amp would help, but to what degree will vary on type, size and volume.

here is a link to a place that makes amp gobos
http://www.realtraps.com/p_minigobo.htm

I wonder if they were recording and just trying to minimize leakage?

dunno, but I think those traps are very usable, well for sure...

The Aladdin isn't a large theater so they were probably trying not to blast the people right in front of them (I guess).  The sound was great though (especially Jorma's new Louis Electric Ferrari amp! :o ) so I was curious.