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Re: First attempt at thunderstorm recordings

Subject: Re: First attempt at thunderstorm recordings
From: Walter Knapp <>
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 15:05:59 -0400
Doug Von Gausig wrote:
> At 10:35 AM 8/22/2003, you wrote:
> 
> 
>>Visit www.richardsfault.com NEW ENTRIES (then to be moved to
>>RELAXING) for six examples of thunder recorded last night. The mic
>>was (sort of) protected by the roof overhang.
>>
>>The main problems I encountred were a loss of the first hour due to a
>>power failure, from which I though Cool Edit Pro could recover!
>>
>>Other problems included heavy clipping on the low frequency after-
>>rumbles, which is audible is several of the MP3's.
>>
>>What have been the thunderstorm recording experiences of others? Any
>>good examples posted anywhere?
> 
> 
> There are some examples on my site at http://www.naturesongs.com/misc.html 
> - they're not great, but they are thunder.
> 
> Thunder and rain, like surf, are emotional experiences (especially if 
> you're in the desert of Arizona, like me!). That emotional component is not 
> recorded by any mic/recorder combination, I'm afraid. Another problem with 
> thunder and surf are that they are very low-frequency, high-energy sounds. 
> If your recorder isn't set just right, you'll clip the loudest parts, so be 
> sure to set the record level much lower than you would for other 
> environmental sounds. The mic's maximum SPL can also be exceeded by thunder 
> - so mic choice is critical. I find it best to use a low-sensitivity mic 
> that can take a high SPL.
> 
> I'll bet Bernie can tell us just how to do it right - Bernie?

My problem this year with recording frogs in a thunderstorm was that we 
had pretty whimpy thunderstorms when the frogs were calling.

I did have one evening at my house where it was raining nicely, the 
Cope's Grays were going great and there was some thunder. I recorded 
several long takes at that time that came out nicely. I'd not planned on 
posting them as to really hear them properly requires a longer sample, 
way too big a file even in mp3.

I use the SASS/MKH-110. The MKH-110 has a frequency response down to 
1hz, and picks up a lot more of the character of thunder, which is very 
low frequency for most of it's sound energy. I'm limited by the 
Portadisc, which bottoms out for frequency at about 10hz. Recordings 
made with the SASS/MKH-110 are definitely different with a more complete 
thunder sound than with the SASS/MKH-20. The MKH-110 handles the energy 
of thunder quite well.

You also have to make sure all the processing steps are ok. Some stuff 
cuts off the bottom frequencies without telling you.

Of course listening to the recording is tricky too. Most speaker systems 
don't do a good job. The Magnaplanes I have in my livingroom system do 
well. Otherwise I listen with my Sony MDR-V900 headphones.

I too recorded from under a roof overhang, the rain was falling just a 
inch or two in front of the mics but they were in the dry.

There are some of my early SASS recordings of rain and thunder on my 
SASS page, just short clips. Each time I get a chance I pick up a little 
more about doing this.
http://frogrecordist.home.mindspring.com/docs/my_mod_sass.html

Walt





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