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Re: Shotgun microphone

Subject: Re: Shotgun microphone
From: Klas Strandberg <>
Date: Sat, 05 Apr 2003 17:55:09 +0200
All:

Just remember that when you record a bird - an owl, for example - you don't
record just a bird, but an acoustical situation.

The Great Grey Owl sound "nothing" when the mic is close. It's low frequent
sound has a very low amplitude. But when it's sound gets amplified by the
acoustics around, it sounds "big" and "powerful".

A directional microphone will tend to attenuate this resonance.

The Bittern also has a very low frequent sound. Recorded at a distance,
together with the resonance, it's sound is fascinating! But recorder very
close, it sounds ridiculous!
In such a case, using an omni at a distance of 40 meters might turn out muc=
h
better than the same omni at a distance of 5 meters, or using a shotgun at
20 meters.

Even a bird with a higher frequency range, like the common Cu-Cu, sound lik=
e
he had a matrass over him when recorded close-up. He needs the echo!

Sometimes you want to record "a bird". That is one approach.
Mostly you record a situation, - an acoustical event, in which a bird is
involved. That is a totally different approach.

When discussing low frequencies and parabols, don't forget that many low
frequent sounds also have overtones in the area when the dish starts to amp=
lify.


Klas.
Telinga Microphones, Botarbo,
S-748 96 Tobo, Sweden.
Phone & fax int + 295 310 01
email: 
       



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