This is a great/easy question since the quality of the preamps etc. is
defined and good enough to handle any available microphones.
Most of my recording is divided between individual
birds/mammals/insects and ambiance. I hope I haven't mis-remembered
the original question, but I believe that recordings of individual
species was a consideration, so that's what I'm talking about here.
What I've settled for is a parabola with a decent omni in it (for bird
songs etc. in mono) and an "Olson" parallel barrier rig with two
omnis. There hasn't been a "definitive" statement about these barrier
set ups (certainly they distort frequency responses a bit) but
everyone I know thinks they sound pretty darn good. Especially if mono
compatibility isn't really important, and it often isn't in nature
recordings, I'd consider these barriers _very_ seriously.
So I'd go for a parabola with an quiet omni and (for stereo) a pair of
omnis on a barrier. ( here I mean < 15dBa omnis like eg. ME62's of
MKH 20's or MKH 80202's depending on budget and availability ). And if
the barrier wasn't perfect, eventually the omnis could be used in
some more appealing barrier/"SASS" like set up.
That said, a MS setup with Rode's was the other alternative I
considered seriously. Only rejected since I really needed a parabola
for individual vocalizations.
--- please and weight my comments less than those from the likes of
Rob and Walt who have much more, wider, experience that I do. Whatever
I know I owe to experience and the likes of them.
Please post and say what you decided and how it worked out!
Steve P
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