Re: Distortions when recording tibetan singing bowls/gongs

["Scott Fraser" scottbfraser]

<< The situation is that sometimes when I record tibetan singing bowls/gong=
s I get distortions in the recording that sound like if the recording is cl=
ipping, >>

It's always tricky to diagnose a sound issue without hearing it, but I've d=
one a lot of recording of these singing bowls & I believe there is no clipp=
ing in your signal chain. That's the way these bowls actually sound when cl=
ose miked. The method of playing is to rub a wooden dowel around the perime=
ter of the bowl, which excites the bowl into vibration as a bow excites a s=
tring. The vibration of the bowl pushes the dowel off the rim, as the playe=
r applies pressure to keep it in contact with the rim, & the result is a co=
nstant chattering or buzzing of the wood against the metal. Your mics are j=
ust picking up the sound that is really there, but often inaudible to anyon=
e more than a few feet away. Move the mics further back & try angling them =
in from a higher angle.

Scott Fraser