One of the many obstacles in learning to sing is finding a private space where you don’t embarrass yourself in public or irritate the people close by.

Let’s start from our own homes, our family members hearing us screaming especially when you need some dynamics to your singing, like volume and high notes.  Evidently, we can’t just tell them to leave and go somewhere when it’s time for you to practice. Sometimes that might work, but if you’re a singer for the long haul, that might cause some problems.

I suppose it’s forgivable if the singing is pleasant, but like me, I usually spend hours of practice.  And that, ladies and gentlemen, might not be too considerate to people around whether they tell you or not.

Now, an apartment or dormitory situation can even be more complicated.  There might be someone above you or behind the two opposite sides of your wall who is sleeping because he/she works on a night shift.

As such, you could miss out on occasions when you could have done you vocal exercises, let alone practice singing an entire song.

This article is about a product to solve that problem.  I have it myself and use it almost regularly.  This is the Beltbox Review: Soundproof Singing.

Product Specifications and Features – What’s in the Box

• Price: $50
• Cheapest to buy: Amazon.com
• The Beltbox sound dampener
• A carrying bag made of a removable strap cloth
• Includes removable strap for hands-free u se.

Features:

• Reduces sound by 30 decibels
• Portable – it is only as big as a mask
• Waterproof
• Lightweight – only six ounces

 

The Belt Box – What Is It?

Alex Pepper, the founder of Belt Box, made what he calls a sound-dampener so people can practice their singing and yet maintain peace and quiet for the people around. Essentially, it is a mask that does not really silence your voice per se, but it does wonders in reducing the volume of your voice.

It is a small device that you can pull out any time and sing if you do not have the time or the means for a studio or rehearsal room to do your warm-ups. You hold it with one hand or use the strap to do hands-free singing.

 

I was watching the TNT Boys last week.  These boys stay in hotel rooms as they travel around to perform.

It dawned upon me that, yeah, there is a potential of upsetting people in the other rooms with the noise they make warming up and practicing their songs, don’t you think? I’m sure their handlers schedule rehearsal rooms for them, but singers can’t wait to fix some troubling notes on spot and make it right before even going, or sometimes, driving to a separate practice room.

You may find it funny, but yes, you may find people getting entertained, but the opposite may also be true when they are quietly sleeping.  And there is no way to find that out unless you knock on their door to let them know your situation unless want to be yelled at for waking them up.

Who is it Specifically Meant For?

This product is best for individuals who live in crowded areas. Most of the time, myself included, we feel embarrassed to bother people regardless of how good we sing.

A singer needs to sing almost all the time. And you cannot advance in this career if you do not have adequate time to practice. Boxers have gyms, and they can build their own in their homes. I guess if you’re a singer, you might just have to build a home studio as well and not everyone has the means to do that.

Our main equipment is our voice, and yet we cannot use it for fear of making noise. Surely, you do not want your neighbors calling the police on you, do you?

It is also a great tool for those who are always on the go, as in a lobby just before entering a room for an audition. You cannot just sing without warming up. You’re a singer, you know this. The problem is that you always cannot find a spot to practice because everyone in the audition lobby just wants to be private and have a quiet time.

And this is where the Beltbox comes in. It lets you practice in public places, without irritating anyone.

 

The Device – Does it work?

I have mentioned the benefit of it here in this article and the only way you can prove this is by having it in your hand to try it out or watching product demonstrations of it. It is made of dense materials that are used for soundproofing.

No, it does not have asbestos, so you are perfectly safe. It has dense rubber, neoprene, vinyl, and acoustical sealant.

 

Verdict – Is it worth it?

I have the Beltbox myself, you can see me holding it in the photos I took last night.  I use it almost every day and I hear no one complaining.  The product is definitely worth it for you as a singer. Many of us know that the first thing we need to do in the morning is warm up our vocal cords if you know what I’m saying. But we cannot do it while our children and spouses are asleep, let alone our neighbors.

The Belt Box is perfect also for use to sing in the shower, or you can whip it out in the living room and close all the doors. With the powerful soundproofing used in this device and the walls around your house, it is very likely that your neighbors will hear you. I can guarantee that.

The downside is that you don’t hear your real voice and there’s just a little mark around your mouth after a long period of usage.  As long as you are aware of that and you’re after the sensation of good and correct singing, then you should be fine.

If you are a busy person, you can also use it while working in your office (well, I suppose your colleagues would be so curious where that little muffled sound is coming from); practice with the strap on while cooking, or sing along with your favorite star while watching TV, etc.

The best part is that you can do this any time of the day, anywhere, and not worry that you are causing domestic disturbances.

And no, it will not make you sound like Bane (The Dark Knight Rises). You are a singer, and you surely sound better than Tom Hardy in his rendition of the villain.

Kidding aside, if you want to learn more about the Beltbox, click here.

I would love to hear what you think of the Beltbox, or what you don’t like, either way.  Please leave a comment or any question about singing in general and I’ll be more than happy to help you out.