From: Jim Lee <>
>
> Here is an even cheaper alternative, half serious, half just for kicks,
> but it works!
> http://www.bambooturtle.us/ParabolicMicrophone.html
One of the things to think about in coming up with a mic choice is how
long you might use it.
For most the umbrella parabolic is just kind of a fun experiment, they
do work, more or less. Then they pick up their regular parabolic and go
back to recording. I'd guess the average use expectancy of the umbrella
parabolic at days to weeks.
In contrast, something like a Telinga has a use expectancy in terms of
years to decades.
Of course any microphone will have some who use it long term. But it's
well worth thinking just how fast you might outgrow a mic as your
experience and skill develops.
In the first three months when I started recording for frog survey I
went through three different mics. The third, a homemade parabola
costing about $100 lasted three years. Then I spent a great deal more on
a Telinga, which I soon will have used 3 times as long as the homemade,
and will keep on using. It's much harder to outgrow.
I also reached the point where no one mic could do all I wanted. So, I
carry and use multiple mics as appropriate.
That does not mean I don't experiment. I still make mics I use just a
short while. Mostly to try out a idea. Or just for fun. They just don't
have much chance of becoming permanent in my collection.
Walt
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