You think I know anything 'bout that? Holy Cow! It took me nearly ten
years to figure out the approach. If I'm recording thunder I use two
types of systems at the same time, both of which are set at extremely
low levels at the input. In fact, just cracked and often with the
-10dB pad switched on. One system is our fave rave Sennhesier MS
version so we can get the lo freq roll-around effect if we're lucky.
Also, these mics, along with a Sound Devices pre-amp can take a
pretty good "hit." I prefer the MS Senns because they provide a
better illusion than any other type of system we've found so far. As
a back-up and if I'm really on the line to capture something, I set
up, at the same time, a pair of Beyer dynamics in an XY pattern.
Dynamic mics are really insensitive and if the Senns fail (mostly
because I've failed to set them properly), the dynamics will almost
certainly pick up the loud crash and what's left of the lo freq
roll-around. Problem with the dynamics is that they're really short
on definition and detail. Some of our thunder recordings can be heard
in the movies "Castaway," "Perfect Storm," and "Mosquito Coast,"
along with others which I've long forgotten. Also on our albums
"Distant Thunder" and "Rainstorm in Borneo," the last of which has
the loudest crack I've recorded (132dBA at the input) if one would
like a reference.
Whatever you do, DON'T wear headphones during an electrical storm!
Bernie Krause
Wild Sanctuary, Inc.
P. O. Box 536
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
707-996-6677 tel
707-996-0280 fax
http://www.wildsanctuary.com
>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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>
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