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6. Re: OLYMPUS LS-10 VS DAT RECORDINGS UPLOADED

Subject: 6. Re: OLYMPUS LS-10 VS DAT RECORDINGS UPLOADED
From: "Rob Danielson" danielson_audio
Date: Mon Jul 7, 2008 1:26 am ((PDT))
Vicki--
Based on your tests so far, is this rule of thumb correct for when to 
use High of Low Sensitivity on the LS-10?

Use the High Sensitivity setting on the LS-10 if the meter (in High 
Sens mode) indicates that level of "4" or higher is required. Use a 
Low Sensitivity setting of "10" if the meter (in High Sens mode) 
indicates a level of "3" or lower is required. Rob D.

  = = = = =

At 4:51 PM +1000 7/7/08, Vicki Powys wrote:
>Sorry that my last message to Rob was not quite right! I herewith
>make a correction.
>
>More indoor tests today (using a softly beeping electronic
>metronome): For loud sounds e.g. lyrebirds, if you have a strong
>signal at high sensitivity volume 2, you will get a better (less
>noisy) result if you switch to low sensitivity and volume 10. The
>signal will be about the SAME, but the noise a lot less. This rule
>applies if you are using ME67, WL-183s, or built-in mics.
>
>However if you need the recorder on high sensitivity volume 5 to get
>a decent signal, it is not worth trying to use low sensitivity on
>volume 10 then boosting the signal later (if you do, the noise levels
>will be very roughly the same).
>
>I have done more tests with the WL-183s, on high sensitivity volume 5
>(a good average level for recording birdsong). They give a very
>slightly LESS strong signal than the built in mics, but when the
>signal levels are equalized, the 183s are still a bit less noisy.
>The 183s seem to work best (less noise) with the low cut ON,
>alternatively they need a bit of low roll off below 500 hz.
>
>Vicki Powys
>Australia
>
>On 07/07/2008, at 9:17 AM, Vicki Powys wrote:
>
>>  Hi Rob,
>>
>>  Yes I have tried lining up two files, one recorded in high
>>  sensitivity volume 2, the other on low sensitivity volume 10. I then
>>  increased the levels of the low sens. file by 5 dB (also 7 dB) to
>>  match the levels (of the recorded bird sounds or whatever) of the
>>  high sens. file. The exact amount of increase needed I am still
>>  working on, but it seems to be about 5-7 dB. Even with this
>>  increase, the noise levels are still lower with the low sens. file,
>>  especially the FIZZ noise.
>>
>>  Vicki
>>
>>  On 06/07/2008, at 2:01 PM, Rob Danielson wrote:
>>
>>>  At 11:52 AM +1000 7/6/08, Vicki Powys wrote:
>>>>  All,
>>>>
>>>>  Using an ME67 connected to my LS-10, I have done a bit more testing
>>>>  in the field (and indoors) of noise levels using high vs low
>>>>  sensitivity. For lyrebirds, I do seem to get a better result using
>>>>  low sensitivity at volume 10, instead of high sensitivity at volume
>>>>  2. There is much less FIZZ.
>>>>
>>>>  But also, surprisingly, I seemed to get better results yesterday
>>>>  when
>>>>  recording Regent Honeyeaters (they have a soft melodious call),
>>>>  using
>>>>  low sensitivity at volume 10, then raising the levels to match
>>>>  what I
>>>>  had recorded at high sensitivity at volume 5. Again, much less FIZZ
>>>>  on low sens.
>>>
>>>  Did you confirm this with matched playback levels? If not, place the
>>>  tests made with high and low sensitivity one after the other on
>>>  different tracks in a time-line. Boost the playback volume of the low
>>>  sensitivity one to match the playback level of the louder (high
>>>  sensitivity) one. You should be able to hear the difference in the
>>>  "fizz" noise level where the two files join.
>>>
>>>>
>>>>  This seems to be a very complex issue! More testing needed!
>>>>
>>>>  I haven't tried these tests with the WL-183s, but would suspect a
>>>>  similar result.
>>>
>>>  Perhaps. The WL-183's are fairly sensitive mics but not in the same
>>>  ballpark with the ME-67.
>>>
>>>>
>>>>  Re my binaural setup, and your comment Rob (see below), where do I
>>>>  find Aaron's DSM temple mount set up?
>>>
>>>  Aaron uses a WHB/N Windscreen
>>> 
>>><http://www.sonicstudios.com/access.htm#whb>http://www.sonicstudios.com/access.htm#whb
>>> 
>>>I'm not sure if Leonard
>>>  sells just the mount-windscreen or not but you can see how his design
>>>  works in the pictures. Rob D.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>  >>> Vicki Powys
>>>>  Australia
>>>>
>>>>  On 03/07/2008, at 12:31 AM, Raimund Specht wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>  Rob Danielson wrote:
>  >>>>>
>>>>>>  A metronome at 5 metres might be a pretty "hot" reference signal.
>>>>>>  Its possible that the "Low Sensitivity" setting might not provide
>>>>>>  sufficient gain for quieter sounds and environments. Its worth
>>>>>>  further investigation, for sure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  Coincidentally, earlier today, I thought of Aaron's DSM temple
>>>>>>  mount
>>>>>>  preference in relation to your WL-183 rig priorities. Rob D.
>>>>>
>>>>>  Yes, this is a relatively loud test signal. Though, I believe that
>>>>>  this is an adequate model for a loudly singing Lyrebird.
>>>>>
>>>>>  For recording softer sounds, one should perhaps better use the
>>>>>  HIGH
>>>>>  MIC SENSE setting. The problem with the Lyrebird was obviously
>>>>>  that
>>>>>  the REC LEVEL was turned down to 2, which caused the higher
>>>>>  overall
>>>>>  noise level. In other words, it is not appropriate to attenuate
>>>>>  the
>>>>>  microphone signal and then amplify it again in the next stage.
>>>>>
>>>>>  Note that the MIC 2 input of the TASCAM DR-1 also provides a
>>>>>  relatively low gain (input clipping level: -28 dBu), while its
>>>>>  inherent noise floor (-115 dBu(A)) is still good enough for the
>>>>>  K6/ME6x series.
>>>>>
>>>>>  Regards,
>>>>>  Raimund
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>
>>  ------------------------------------
>>
>>  "While a picture is worth a thousand words, a
>>  sound is worth a thousand pictures." R. Murray Schafer via Bernie
>>  Krause
>>  Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>
>


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