I have long been busy with chasing the sounds of nature with my semi-professional equipment. I am really happy with my shootings, but would like to get some feedback on the equipment I use and ideas on how I can improve the same equipment - also other experiences related to field recordings in general are more than welcome.

My gear:

-AKG C568EB condenser microphone
-Tascam DR-100 recorder
-AKG K271 MKll headphones
-Millenium PP2B external phantom power supply
-Reinhardt Soft-Zep MKll zeppeliner/blimp
-Lowepro compact AW bag
-Best cables money can buy

NB: I record everything in 24/96.

If any are interested I´ll add a few examples of what I have recorded so far!


Cheers

 

Last edited: Oct 29, 2016

This right here... is a controversial topic. I'll just be over here with my popcorn, watching your thread get derailed

btw field recording seems like a cool idea. I love making drums with foley sounds. Just can't find the justification to spend....what... $150 on a recorder and carry it around with me. So I'll be content to just use what other people have recorded

 

-Get derailed
Just an experience you have in general that my threads or threads like this gets derailed?

-I'll be content to just use what other people have recorded
It´s pretty refreshing doing recordings like this .... I my case: Lot of fresh air, curious ppl you have conversations with, and the pleasure of testing what you have hunted down

 

I like the idear of an old sock ! Zoom makes great recorders and even their cheap ones are brilliant!

 

@ArticStorm 10 bux for this one.. but it looks like a geriatric troll wig...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Movo-WS2-...screen-Muff-Fits-up-to-3-X-80mm-/141201699476

@phloopy you gonna put up some examples?
would be cool to hear what quality your gear is capturing


I have the DR-1 so maybe not so useful for this... but I have been known to set up
a mic and laptop in a breezeway to catch some rain sounds..and windchimes
came out fine for me even with a cheap USB mic

and this looks like a good starter kit from B&H , windscreen included.. plus

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/849173-REG/Zoom_H2n_Portable_Recorder_Value.html

 

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 29, 2016

I surely will .... but going from 24/96 to a MP3 is not really my cup of tea!! I´ll look into it and see if I can find a good solution!

 

I just think the benefits, lack thereof, of expensive cables is one of those topics that just steals the focus from other threads. Lots of different opinions there

 

@phloopy I have some apps that will play wav and flac...


@Cav Emp since you have mentioned the cables issue x2 now...
what is your position on these? of course GC always wants to sell you the
most expensive gar-on-teed fo' life cables...

but what is your position on the matter... do tell.. (vis a vis field recordings, of course,

just mention those words..and you are technically still on topic )

 

Well I don't have any experience with high end cables (or field recording for that matter), so I'll try and abide my own advice, which goes something like: if you can't form an informed opinion, it's better not to have an opinion at all.

But I can apply what I think is a very valid rule of thumb to this topic: If you can't afford high end monitors, and you need high end monitors to really hear a difference, it's a waste of money. I always point to who the end consumer is: probably somebody streaming from a smartphone/laptop 65% of the time, someone in a car with a stock sound system 25% of the time, hifi home/car system maybe 9.9%, and other producers/engineers probably 0.1%

I've never listened to a great mix and thought, boy, I bet he used really expensive cables to make that. Not saying it doesn't make a difference. But it's probably one of the very last things I'd spend money on, only when I have everything else squared away

 

Who here actually talkes about cables besides you


?????

 

I recall one guy bragging about having *duh duh da daaaa* the very best cables money can buy

More importantly, I didn't come here to argue with anybody, been keeping things light and friendly/silly. So why the confrontational tone?

 

Last edited: Oct 29, 2016

Having good cables are essential. As well as plugs and jacks (I use Neutrik). "Weakest link" and all that. I tend to used George L's because I know they are good (as they greatly improve my electric guitar tone). I solder my own and try to keep the length down to minimum, as it will improve the overall sound.

I record field sounds and Foley for an upcoming green-lit game. I currently have a Tascam DR-100mkII, AKG k271mkII, Line Audio CM3 mics (in mono, X/Y or A/B), DIY binaural mics (Primo EM172), contact/piezo mics, induction coil mics, etc. I'm currently looking for two suiting large diaphragms with figure8 option, as I want to record with Blumelein setup (it sounds fucking fantastic).

 

@phloopy I have seen some rather detailed arguments about cable quality on different gear sites..
so it apparently does matter ( in theory).. but I like to ask people here.. e.g. @Cav Emp , who have real world experience
to see if the quality of their sounds in enhanced as stated in the "pro" opinions.. who of course.. have a monetary
interest in selling more pricey cables... reality checks can save you in a lot of ways bro..

and who knows , it may even get you better quality field recordings as well..

@Baxter did you ever put up any of your field stuff? SC ?

 

No. Never really needed to. Well, I have two examples. One is a track made entirely from sounds recorded with a semi-crappy Zoom H4n (the handling noise is pretty absurd) as an assignment when I studied sound design at university:

A second clip is a recording with two piezo/contact mics taped to an aluminum tray, left outside when it was raining.

 

thanks.. cracking those babies open now..

@Baxter part of that reminds me of some stuff Zappa used to do..
I swear they could use that in theme music for a kids show or something..


don't know what it is about rain.. it almost always sounds good.. no matter what
treatment it gets... nice

 

Interesting setup Baxter!

 

Thanks Bater! A lot of informations in a few words!

 

Last edited: Oct 29, 2016