Other vocal shields use thin polyurethane foam that (I think) looks cheesy, is prone to deterioration over time, and doesn't absorb much in the low-mid frequency range right where you need it most with close-miked vocal recording.

The VISO Booth is small, lightweight (10lbs), and compact making it easier to carry and faster to setup. VISO uses a pair of 1.5-inch thick 16.5 X 11.5-inch panels rigidly joined to form a right angle with a 162-inch triangular area. There is a short, standard 5/8-inch straight microphone stand to attach a mic clip or shock mount right in the focal point of the two panels. The interior is covered in black cloth material that makes a great surface for pinning lyric sheets or dialog scripts so they are directly in your face.

GIK Acoustics VISO Booth

I found immediate use for the VISO booth in two ways. First, as originally designed to reduce the amount of 'boxy' room tone from my singer's vocal mic. I recorded her in my office using a Bock U195 Condenser Microphone and it sounded great but my office is not a friendly acoustic space. By the time I got the compressor setup and she got warmed-up and a little louder and fully energized the room, I started to hear the sound of my office on her vocal sound too much. Without changing any recording settings and just setting up VISO, the sound was remarkably better immediately! It was dryer, clearer and much easier to mix and add effects later on.

My second use was down on a short floor stand in front of my Mod-Kit guitar amp's cabinet. The cab's single Celestion Hellatone 30 can get loud and fully energize the room. I used the VISO Booth and a Royer R-10 Ribbon Mic aimed right on the speaker's dust cover. The Royer R-10 captures sound in a figure-of-eight pattern with the rear of the mic just as sensitive as the front. With the VISO blocking the rear of the mic and also absorbing, I was pleased with a very present guitar sound. Awesome.