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Headphones: to seal or not to seal?

Subject: Headphones: to seal or not to seal?
From: Syd Curtis <>
Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 18:27:21 +1000
Here we have two opposing preferences, and I think I know why.  My wife can
happily listen to two simultaneous conversations and get the sense of both
of them.  If I try, I don't get either of the two.  And I think this is a
pretty general male/female thing.

Syd Curtis



> From: Dan Dugan <>
> Reply-To: 
> Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 19:13:06 -0800
> To: 
> Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Beginner
> 
> Vicki Powys, you wrote,
> 
>> I know some people do use sealed headphones, but personally I can't stand
>> them!  I use open-air headphones with no feedback problems.  In the field I
>> can also hear what is happening in reality, as well as what I'm recording.
>> If I need a directional cue I simply turn back the headphone volume to 0
>> (which doesn't affect the recording level), then I can hear what else is
>> happening around me.
> 
> I'm of the opposite school, I want to exclude the real sound so I can
> be fully aware of what my mics are hearing. I use Sony earplugs that
> block the ear canal completely. I've heard the Etymotic Research
> earplug phones are flatter, but more expensive.
> 
> -Dan Dugan



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>From   Tue Mar  8 18:26:57 2005
Message: 3
Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 02:20:13 -0000
From: "Rich Peet" <>
Subject: Re: what is "shrill"

The photo was a set photo. I do record this way after a full day or 
when just on scan.
The test was done at same level for each mic.
Also when I am on "alert" for a good sound the mic is at head level.

Rich

> 
> How does this apply to your case? Well maybe nothing at all, but I 
note 
> your photo with the large parabolic that it's sitting relatively 
close 
> to the ground. And if you use the Telinga like I do, near head 
height, 
> then you may have the sort of differences we had. We did note when 
we 
> did our stuff that the attenuation was causing a shift toward low 
> frequencies, but did not measure the extent of the shift. We were 
only 
> interested in overall sound levels. You might see if you like the 
sound 
> of the Telinga better if it's held at the same height as your big 
dish.
> 
> Something to mull over...
> 
> Walt
> 



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>From   Tue Mar  8 18:26:57 2005
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 21:31:44 -0500
From: Walter Knapp <>
Subject: Re: King Rail vs. Virginia Rail

From: "Martyn Stewart" <>


> Tell me Lang this isn't true? I would never harm an animal, bird 
> just for the benefit of a recording or picture! It makes a mockery 
> of everything that is said about playback and all!
> So go on, it was a joke yes?

I've seen Lang work a site. The birds probably lined up and called 
properly for him because they were tired of his trips out into the marsh 
to get his mics positioned just right for the perfect soundfield. The 
pairs drew straws for which pair would do it. ;-)

It is, on a more serious note, something for those who propose outlawing 
playback. Used to be beaters or herders or worse were used to get the 
animals where the tourists could see them. Playback was found to be 
easier and cheaper...







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