Freesound Forums

Hello!

I'm interested in recording all kinds of sounds from shoes walking on gravel, babbling brook, field ambience (crickets & birds), rain (i love the sound of rain), thunder.... water faucet dripping.. airport.... and more...

I am not interested in recording specific bird sounds (for example).

I am considering either the Zoom H4 or the Edirol R09. Which is better as far as low self noise and gain? I plan to use an external microphone.

Also - I am not sure which microphone to buy - for ambience, I was considering the STF-B-02 (i think that is them) omnidirectional microphones. But those won't be good for water faucet dripping or shoes walking?

I really hate to buy 2 microphones, but I could consider it.

What would be a good microphone for rain and then to use for sounds of shoes walking in mud or crumpling paper or who knows what!

I have a lot of ideas and love nature and appreciate your advice!

Hi, I recently bought an Audio Technica AT822 mic for the same purpose and am really pleased with it.
Cheers.

Hi. I used the ZOOM H4 with its built-in stereo mics for various situations (but quite a new thing), including "field" recording (have a listen to the files I uploaded). What I really love of the H4 using its built-in mics is the portability and "lightness" (non need to take anything else, maybe just spear batteries). As for low-shelf to my knowledge there is a "software" one impleenmted in the H4 with the latest firmware.
kind regards,
Lorenzo.

Frogs, thunder, rain, babbling brook, birds

I visit an arboretum which has a pond full of frogs singing already as Spring approaches. Birds are all around as I walk along its paths. Also there is a creek nearby with rocks that create interesting sounds too.

If I want to record these in mono, I buy a shotgun mic, right?

If I want to record them in stereo, to listen on a stero, in the car, or on headphones, do I buy a stereo mic? ( I do not wish to buy 2 mics and have to set them up, and all of that)

I just found out the AT822 is a stereo mic.. how do i point it or level it if the frog sounds, or rain, is all around me or on 2 sides? And do you put the AT822 or another stereo mic on a tripod ?

See my problem is I can't decide between a stereo mic like the AT822 or SP-TFB-2 binaural mics. I want to record frogs, thunder, rain, footsteps, etc. in stereo for listening on headphones, in the car, in a stereo and can't decide which would be "better".

Thanks!

Thanks!!!

morvak
Frogs, thunder, rain, babbling brook, birds
See my problem is I can't decide between a stereo mic like the AT822 or SP-TFB-2 binaural mics. I want to record frogs, thunder, rain, footsteps, etc. in stereo for listening on headphones, in the car, in a stereo and can't decide which would be "better".

Thanks!

Thanks!!!

morvak,

I believe there is no 'right' or 'wrong' solution to your question, it's rather a matter of taste. You'll get decent stereo results with any of them - provided that the source is close/strong.

But I'll point a not unimportant difference, hopefully this may help you to make a decission: single point stereo mics (like the AT822 you mention, or Rode NT4) need to be placed carefully in a tripod or similar and left alone to do their job - while you keep an eye on them, obviously. In contrast, binaurals may be set up like a single point mic (static, watched), but can also be carried attached to you (ears, glasses, bandana, whatever) and record while you walk. One can even forget a recording is being made. In short you feel very free - and stealthy - recording with binaurals, whereas... well, you cannot be of the shy type to use a single point mic Hope this helps.

D