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Re: Green Frog Chorus

Subject: Re: Green Frog Chorus
From: "Mark Brennan" markbrennanfinear=
t
Date: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:09 pm ((PDT))

Hi John, thanks

I dont use any cut off filters, either on mics or the Fostex Fr2le, I used =
to
though, but no longer.


As for the gain. I usually sit for a few minutes and watch the levels befor=
e I
start recording but also listen too, I am looking to make the recording as=

natural as possible. I suppose it comes down to=A0what we hear ourselves an=
d what
we like. I=A0dont like the gain way up,=A0for me when the gain is pushed it=
 reduces
the tranquillity of the=A0recording and it becomes much less what i am feel=
ing and
hearing. When i first started I=A0used to push the gain in the false hope t=
hat it
would be a better=A0recording (perhaps it is to some ears, but not to mine!=
). I am
getting better=A0at judging what I am looking for.

So I do use the levels but also my ears, I keep the=A0headphones volume at =
half
and then adjust the overall gain knob on the fostex, first turning it up an=
d
then bringing down to the point where I feel it=A0reflects the 'soundscape'=
 when i
listen without headphones. I only push the gain slightly above what I am
hearing. I know there are technical ways to do this, I have spoken to Marty=
n
Stewart and I hope to read some of Bernies stuff on how to accurately and
consistently record soundscapes - =A0but the=A0equipment and our own senses=
 vary so
much I=A0think we may all differ slightly in our approach. As Martyn says, =
get it
right in the field and it makes life easier in post. I am no expert though =
and
am still learning! I think it also depends what you are looking for, if it'=
s an
actual biological record of an eco-system using=A0the soundscape then=A0the=
re are
parameters that must be followed, but right now my goals are more to genera=
te
interest in the general public about nature and nature awareness, so for th=
at
reason, I think i look at it as a bit of an art form right now, but that ma=
y
change as time ticks by.
great question!

I am sure others on the list would have different ways of doing this that s=
uits
their own ideas and feelings about being in nature. I supose in a nutshell =
its
an expression, from where I place the mics, to where I want to go that morn=
ing
right=A0down to what captures my imagination. One thing though that is real=
ly key
is finding the sweet spot. Its like the focal point in a painting. I take m=
y
time to do this and move the mics around with the headphones on, listening=

intently to 'find' what I think works for me. But sometimes its just plain =
luck!
Hope this helps

cheers


Mark



=A0
Mark A. Brennan
Canadian Landscape Painter - web
Nature Recordist - web
Follow me on:
twitter=A0 facebook=A0 soundcloud=A0 bandcamp




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