This post was updated on: May 10th 2024
Working with a home studio provides you with extra comfort, however, a lot of trouble for recording audios.
Many users have chosen the famous Kaotica Eyeball to deal with unwanted room ambiance and noise.
They love the concept of it, but not the price. So, what about having the best Kaotica Eyeball alternatives at a budget-friendly price with similar performance? This article will tell you the secret.
Last update on 2024-05-10 at 12:13 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Why Choose An Alternative To The Kaotica Eyeball?
Kaotica Eyeball is a special take on the virtual vocal booth concept. It is designed to keep the unwanted off-axis sound away from the microphone, creating cleaner recordings.
However, if you have used the Kaotica Eyeball before, you will notice the problem of coloration.
Many people are looking for alternatives when they realize the issues of greater tonal coloration due to the unique design with close proximity to the microphone.
In this article, you can find the top five best options for an alternative to Kaotica Eyeball. With the same purpose, these products will minimize the unwanted room sound when recording.
They will also isolate your voice and block out other damaging frequencies, resulting in a clear record.
It’s important to note that these alternatives are not the perfect options since they are unable to diffuse most coloration completely.
However, these products are worth investigating when comparing their price and performance.
Best Kaotica Eyeball Alternatives
sE Electronics Reflexion Filter PRO
Ranking as the leading brand in portable, effective acoustic treatment, sE Electronics knows what users need to make a clear and dry record at home like a professional.
Their best-selling product, the Reflexion Filter PRO is designed for making recording in an improperly treated studio as pure as possible.
With the sE sound booth, your mic will be protected greatly when being installed in front of the filter.
Compared to the Kaotical Eyeball, which is installed in front of the mic, this Reflexion Filter PRO performs slightly more effective in minimizing the pickup of reflections.
In terms of construction, the Reflexion Filter PRO sound booth is backed with the sE’s patented multi-layer technology, which will work perfectly across different frequencies.
Besides, the sE sound booth is built by the meticulous hands of the team at the factory, making this product last for years and years.
However, many users have complained about the bracket mount of this product.
When the reflector is installed, the weight is off-centered and will tilt away from the right position.
- Record vocals, guitars, and more with a 'drier' sound without an acoustically treated room
- The Reflexion Filter 3
Last update on 2024-05-10 at 12:59 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Alctron PF8PRO Professional Mic Screen
The most popular Kaotica eyeball alternative, Alctron mic screen has received a lot of compliments from the experts and users.
It is elected to be the best alternative for Kaotica due to the similar structure and design, but with a significantly lower price.
The Alctron PF8 consists of three parts, porous filter plates, filtered wool cloth, and a hollow cylindrical shape.
Combining with the 360-degree design, this mic screen will reflect and absorb any unwanted noise white recording.
Moreover, a double-layer, anti-spray cover integrated into the recording surface as a pop filter to prevent saliva and plosive sounds.
Its high-density sponge will aid in preventing the mic from capturing ambient noise. Also, it works perfectly to reduce wall reflections, resulting in a clearer and dry record.
Although the Alctron PF8 seems like the perfect Kaotica Eyeball alternative, it still possesses some weaknesses. The biggest problem with this model is the coloration during recording.
It is as noticeable as the coloration problem with the Kaotica Eyeball sound booth.
Pros
Cons
Last update on 2024-05-10 at 12:30 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Aston Halo Microphone Reflection Filter
With a reputable performance, the Aston reflection filter is one of the best options on this list.
Although this product ranks at the high price range, it offers you the exceptional performance that you can hardly find in other high-grade products.
Contributing the most to the performance of this filter is the 360-degree design that can filter both vertical and horizontal planes.
Besides, the approximately 40% bigger surface area than the main competitor ensures this filter to stop most reflections and ambient noises.
Moreover, the Aston reflection filter features a Hi-Tech construction with a PET-felt halo, making it the most lightweight and efficient.
The side benefits of recycled PET plastic makes this option a sustainable and environment-friendly product for go-green users.
However, the bigger size leads to some problems of flexibility and compactness.
It cannot be unassembled and folded for storing when not in use, which will cost you some space in your home studio.
- Radically improved isolation
- 360 degree filtering (vertical, not just horizontal plane)
Last update on 2024-05-10 at 12:49 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Aokeo Studio Recording Isolation Shield
If you are looking for a cost-effective Kaotica Eyeball alternative, the Aokeo isolation shield might be a nice choice.
Although this product offers you a sweet deal of only one-fourth the price of Kaotica Eyeball, its performance shouldn’t be underestimated.
Constructed with industrial-quality aluminum, this isolation shield can stand the test of time with excellent ruggedness.
To add to this, the shield is padded with absorbing cotton insulation to minimize reflection sounds when recording.
Moreover, the isolation shield comes with a microphone crossbar to attack the microphone firmly to it. Besides, this integrated adapter can be adjusted to fit most shock mounts and microphones.
You will also have the control of the soundproof cover with a handy fixing clip. However, many users are not satisfied with the size of this shield.
It is quite small for protecting the mic from reflections and ambient noises. But in general, the performance of this shield is far more than what you can expect at this price range.
Last update on 2024-05-10 at 12:49 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Auray ISO-ARMOR-2 Isolation Chamber
Last but not least, the Auray ISO-ARMOR-2 isolation chamber offers you an easy-to-set-up choice for a home studio.
With the design of a closed chamber, this option will only take you less than one minute to get things ready for recording.
All you need to do is to unassemble the bottom of the chamber and put your mic inside.
This chamber can fit microphones with diameters up to 2.3”, making it compatible with almost every type of microphones.
Moreover, it significantly aids in producing a focused vocal without the annoying reflections and ambient noise.
In terms of performance, the high-density acoustic foam will work its best to protect your mic from unwanted sounds like echoes from walls and noises inside the studio.
A side benefit of the open-cell foam is the incredibly lightweight of only 1.4 lbs. However, this isolation chamber doesn’t come with a stand or a mounting.
You might need a separate mounting to install this chamber up. It’s recommended to purchase a three-legged boom for keeping the mic and chamber at the right angle.
- Reduces Ambient Noise & Room Reflections | Yields a More Dry, Direct Sound | Use Without Acoustic Treatment | Fits Microphone Diameters up to 2.3"
- High-Density, Open-Cell Acoustic Foam | Perforated Aluminum Shell | Built-In Nylon Pop Filter Screen| Integrated Suspension Mount | Lightweight and Compact
Last update on 2024-05-10 at 12:13 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
FAQs
Are reflection filters worth it?
Reflection filters are designed to minimize the unwanted reflections in a record when the sound bounces off the walls and goes back to the mic.
They are not the complete problem solvers, but they can do the job excellently to some extent.
However, reflection filters alone are not enough to kill all the disturbing noise.
When combined with good absorbers on the back of the artists, it can help to lower the level of off-axis reflections, making your sound clearer and crisper.
What does a pop filter do?
A pop filter is quite similar to a reflection filter in terms of usage. It is a noise protection filter for microphones to reduce the popping sounds caused by plosives.
It is necessary for anything voice-related, especially with sounds like ‘P’ or ‘B’, which cause a heavy breathing sound.
If you are working to produce professional records, a pop filter is a must-have equipment.
It will act as a barrier between the annoying plosive sounds and your record, which then leads to clearer and high-quality performance.
What can I use instead of a pop filter?
You might have known about the importance of a pop filter. But what can you do if you don’t have one?
There are many alternatives that you can use. The first one is a pop filter made from wire hangers and pantyhose.
You can simply bend the wire hanger into a circle and wrap the circle with a pair of pantyhose.
If you don’t want to bend a wire hanger, you can use an embroidery hoop as the frame for a filter.
With this DIY filter, you should use only nylon embroidery and screen door material to cover the surface.
Reusing the coffee plastic lid is another option for creating a pop filter. You can cut out the middle of the lid and use the rim as the frame for filtering plosives.
Wrapping nylon materials or pantyhoses will finish this DIY filter. Many YouTubers and users claimed that socks are a good alternative.
However, the real testing performance of socks is not impressive compared to other methods you have seen above.
Final Words
The five products you have seen above are the best Kaotica Eyeball alternatives. They have their strong points and weaknesses that are hard to compare.
However, if we had to choose one, the Alctron PF8PRO might be our choice due to its cost-effective price and excellent performance.
Further reading:
https://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/20-recording-tips-569280
https://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/25-pro-tips-for-better-home-recordings-169382
https://www.izotope.com/en/learn/7-home-recording-studio-hacks-for-the-bedroom-producer.html