[naturerecordists] writes:
> With some thunderstorms forecast over the next two days I'd like to leav=
e my recording gear set up in the garden overnight to hopefully catch a tap=
estry of auditory splendour (!) possibly interspersed with the now fading d=
awn chorus.
Clive,
I've had a pair of MKH 416's out in all weathers in a tent for months at a=
time. These are robust mics and use RF polarisation rather than a high
voltage or electret equivalent.
Don't risk delicate mics outdoors but you will get quite reasonable weather=
sounds on "expendable" mics. The least worry will be mic hiss.
Avoid hitting the recorder limiter on thunder peaks which leaves a hole
after each bang. Take the level way down when the storm noise will still
drown any mic hiss - and I mean 20 or more dBs.
The mics look out of the gauze end of the tent, but rain is obviously noisy=
along with tree drips after a shower. I've used an old bedspread over the
tent which makes recording rain possible but wind is the main problem,
removing the bedspread and flapping the tent.
However it has enabled me to get recordings I couldn't get otherwise, with=
the mixer and recorder in my nice warm bedroom.
You can see it, plus bedspread, on:
http://www.stowford.org/recordings.htm#aprildawn
If you want to try a rain cover, I would suggest a large piece of soft but=
acoustically transparent (try it over your head) cotton fabric or open fals=
e
fur. If you use a closed fabric cover, it will audibly alter the mic rig
characteristics.
I frequently bang on about putting the mic rig on the ground where the wind=
is less and where it can often actually sound better. A low mounting makes=
it easier to deploy a rain shield.
David Brinicombe
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