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Re: Research Project

Subject: Re: Research Project
From: "Steve Pelikan" pelikan45224
Date: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:06 am ((PDT))
Travis:

Interesting project! Phoebes (in Ohio, at least) do show some variation in =
their songs so there's some hope...

I agree that the ME 66/67 or omni in parabola would work well for this sort=
 of thing. The advantage of the omni is less handing/wind noise and parabol=
a gives better signal/noise. THe disadvantage is that the parabola can be u=
ngainly.

I also encourage you to consider the ergonomics of the recorder with attent=
ion to the requirements of field recording of birds. I did a lot of work wi=
th a Sony MD recorder that required lots of fine-motor control (and removal=
 of gloves) to start recording, adjust gain levels etc. It is much better t=
o have a recorder that starts with the push of a single (big) button.

Another thing to consider is that, if you're using one microphone, it is ve=
ry nice to be able to set the gain levels for the two channels independentl=
y to protect against clipping.

And, given a choice in connectors, I'd suggest XLR's over trs and especiall=
y over mini trs.

What works nicely indoors (and even what sounds the best) in a dry run can =
become a problem in the dark and cold after being dragged through the bramb=
les.  On the other hand, if you plan to simply set up a recorder near a nes=
t and walk away for several hours, these factors aren't too significant.

Again, good luch with your Phoebe study!

Steve P
 --- In  Travis Wood <> wr=
ote:
>
> Thank you for the articles on the topic, I have quite the extensive colle=
ction at this point.=A0 Most of the research completed to date has been don=
e on song-learning birds so I am going to study the Eastern Phoebe, a non s=
ong-learning bird to see what, if any vocal adjustments take place in the u=
rban environment.=A0 Thanks to all for the suggestions so far, I'm chewing =
on what equipment to pursue.
> =A0
> Travis
>
> --- On Mon, 3/9/09, Raimund Specht <> wrote:
>
> From: Raimund Specht <>
> Subject: [Nature Recordists] Re: Research Project
> To: 
> Date: Monday, March 9, 2009, 5:34 PM
>
>
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>
>
>
> Here are a few articles on this interesting research topic:
>
> http://www.livescie nce.com/animals/ 061204_urban_ birdsong. html
> http://www.conserva tionmagazine. org/articles/ v8n2/not- so-silent- spri=
ng/
> http://findarticles .com/p/articles/ mi_qa3793/ is_200607/ ai_n16629432
>
> Regards,
> Raimund
>
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