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Re: First attempt at thunderstorm recordings

Subject: Re: First attempt at thunderstorm recordings
From: Doug Von Gausig <>
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 11:10:54 -0700
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?

Doug
Doug Von Gausig
Clarkdale, Arizona, USA
Moderator
Nature Recordists e-mail group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naturerecordists



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