Thanks for that, Max. I really like what I see in the Tascam HD-P2 recorder.
You're right, the question of type in microphones gets complicated - and you
suggest buying in pairs, but matching is not essential. Are you referring to
type? Or something else? For example, a Telinga Stereo mic paired with a
Sennheiser shotgun? It looks like the Telinga mics work both in stereo and
mono, depending on if you use the dish. Or would I want two Telinga mics or
vice versa? I'm ready to go forward with either pair.
It's amazing to live so close to these birds! Parrots are not particularly
melodic but they are acutely sensitive to sound and change in the house, which
they detect through what they hear. My parrots are rescue birds and have far
different life experiences with sound and environment. Zeke is a Red Lored
Amazon in his 20s. He was wild caught before the 1992 legislation prohibiting
importation. He responds enthusiastically to all the bird tracks I play for
them. Lima on the other hand is a hand raised caique who literally dances when
I play contemporary music. She also responds to wild bird tracks, but sometimes
she is only responding to Zeke. Jazz is a conure and a whole other story...
Cheers,
Niki
--- In "Max" wrote:
>
> Hi Niki,
> Sorry for the delay in replying to you. I love the sound of your home, and
> particularly the parrots!
> I think probably several of us use photography as an adjunct to our
> recording, but likely not in the manner that you intend to use it.
> A major thing you mention in your 'requirements' is to be able to record at a
> distance. I don't know if you've considered how you intend to do this. There
> are basically two methods; either you place mics close to your subjects, and
> trail a lead to your recorder, or you use a parabolic reflecter. If the
> latter, then there's really only one recommendation that any of us would make
> I feel, and is to obtain one of the superb Telinga units. The maker of these,
> Klas, is a member of this group, and would of course be happy to answer any
> questions. Of the recorders that you've listed, my personal opinion is that
> you discard Roland from the equation; they don't as far as I'm aware make a
> recorder that's adequately quiet for nature recording. Both Fostex and Tascam
> do; I use a Tascam HD-P2 myself. I would recommend the latter, and probably
> even more members would recommend the Fostex FR2-LE; I have owned one of
> these myself, and can testify to the quality of their pre-amps.
> If you decide to use mics close to subject, the answer becomes much more
> complicated! To some degree it depends on how much money you're prepared to
> spend. The advice here is always the same; spend as much as you can afford. A
> top quality mic will last you a lifetime; it will stay with you no matter how
> many times you change your recorder. This of course brings us to whether or
> not you intend to record in mono or stereo. If you intend to your recordings
> to have ambience, and as a backdrop to your photographs, then the
> recommendation has got to be stereo. This of course means you have to buy any
> mic you choose in pairs (no, matching isn't essential). And here we come to
> choice of type, meaning generally the area from which the mic pics up it's
> sound. An omni pattern will pick up sound from all around; a standard
> cardioid will reduce pickup from behind (see Wiki for both types) there are
> others, but it becomes unnecessarily complicated. It's at this point that
> things can vary also. The manner in which your pair, assuming you're using
> stereo, are arranged together can make a difference to the sound produced,
> particularly the stereo separation of the stereo image. You are perhaps by
> now realising that this isn't a straightforward science!! I won't go into any
> more detail here, but wait for you to ask further questions. One major thing
> I realise I haven't mentioned, is wind-proofing your mics. Unless you are in
> unusually still surroundings this is essential. Any good quality mic will
> pick up wind noises via one of it's orifices, even if they're not much more
> than a breath. In fact breathing near a mic is something to avoid!
> Contact us with ANY questions, and hopefully you'll get a more prompt reply
> next time.
> Cheers
> Max
>
>
> --- In "nikifaller" wrote:
> >
> > Greetings all,
> >
> > I'm new to this field and have been reading your threads and sifting
> > through information online about field recording and equipment. I am
> > planning a trip to Puerto Rico in February that will include three days of
> > solo recording in El Yunque - I'm anxious to make my purchases so I have a
> > little time to practice.
> >
> > A bit of background. Eleven months ago my husband and I got married in Peru
> > and spent our honeymoon at a National Reserve where I remembered how much I
> > love the tropics. This year we've adopted several parrots who live with us
> > now in our tiny North Dakota town. I work from home, and they share my
> > workspace with me. When I can find suitable vocalizations of parrots online
> > they love it - but it's hard to find good recordings of any duration. Part
> > of my intention for my recordings is to create a collection of parrot
> > sounds in their native habitats - another is to record ambient sound in the
> > wild - and a third is to maybe, one day, make music with portions of it.
> > When I was in college I picked up a CD by Manuel Obregon at Monteverde
> > cloud forest in Costa Rica. It was a "conversation" between his piano and
> > the forest. I'm not a piano player but that particular recording has
> > haunted me, in a good way, for a long time and been part of what led me to
> > try this now. I've been an avid photographer for a long time, and can't
> > wait to get out there and see what develops with sound.
> >
> > It's important to me to be able to record specific sounds, probably at
> > quite a distance, as well as wider soundscapes. I'd also like my gear to be
> > as compact as possible. Brands I've looked at include Roland, Fostex and
> > Tascam. Does anyone have any specific advice or comparisons between brands?
> >
> > Also wondering, I'll have a laptop on the trip, but don't want to haul it
> > around during the day. Should I be prepared with additional memory? Are
> > there small devices you can keep in the field to transfer or back up files?
> >
> > All the best,
> > Niki
> >
>
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