#13

Thanks! No, the vintage print was just for aesthetic purposes :wink:

#14

I’ve been happy with my Naiants. DPAs are probably better, but pricier too if I recall. Eternal hunt for balance between quality and budget :slight_smile:

#15

Very true.

I first used the DPAs with an original H4. It was fine, but part of what I need to do is record quiet ambiences - and that’s really when you need more capable gear and the price shoots up dramatically. So application is also a big factor.

#16

When I was reinvesting in a new setup after years of not doing much field recording, I corresponded with Jez Riley French, a talented professional in the field and he really did NOT like the Zoom models. He was quite insistent that for my budget the Olympus LS100 was much better for field recording and had much better pre-amps. The limit is that it’s a 2 channel recorder and some of the Zooms offer more now, but I’ve been quite happy with what I’ve gotten with the Olympus,

Anyway, just a reminder that the device you’re recording onto matters to a degree too (to be clear, not saying anyone here suggested otherwise, just offering another dimension to the discussion).

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#17

I’ve also chosen olympus LS100 over zoom :slight_smile: One major downside for me is that it can record only 2 channels at a time, thats the only negative/lack of features thing I can say about it.
Also considering doing this diy project https://tombenedict.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/diy-microphone-em172-capsule-and-xlr-plug/
any experience with primo capsules anyone? :slight_smile: Thinking of em173 capsule…

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#18

To say a few things about equipment, i went a somehow “modular/extendable” way:
as a base portable recorder, i have a Sony PCM-M10 alway with me. The integrated microphones are acceptable enough to capture interesting things that might come up.
I also carry a cheap contact mic, and sometimes a good old Lem DO21 (classic french radio tool).

For “planned” sessions, i use a pair of MKH8040 in ORTF configuration, going into a Sound Devices MixPre-D, going into the M10. The whole thing plus a tripod can be transported in a photographer’s rucksack, which allows to walk for a good while before attaining a spot.

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#19

My wife and I also share an olympus ls100, and I’m mostly happy with it. Not sure if the pres are any nicer than the zoom models, but they’re definitely good enough for us. We’ve been bummed several times now by the lack of 4-channel recording though, and if I had to buy one again that would probably be a large factor (as musicians, the ability to record shows both direct from the board and using the built in mics is a big draw). Also accessories for the zoom line seem a little more readily available (in the states at least, at places like guitar center), which has been an issue a few times when on tour and needing a windscreen or whatever. When not windy, though, the internal mics have great, wide response.

1 Like
#20

For the DPA 4060 users, I’ve found that a Jecklin Disk is a great upgrade to getting a better stereo image.
http://vintageking.com/josephson-ossdisk
I have two setups. One is with the dual omnis. The other is with a mid-side setup of mics going through a very old (and heavy) but fantastic Cooper CS104 field mixer

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#21

DPA 4060’s are really very good, but make sure you buy a pair of those furry windshields! Also really nice for binaural recording are the soundman microphones. You can also use them as spaced omnis but the cable’s not very long. I use them currently with an H1 Zoom. The output of the soundman preamp is line level, so I don’t have trouble with the zoom amps.
x gus

#22

one other thing I thought to share, I’ve had a binaural head on loan for a while. I haven’t always found the right fit for location and content, but it can be interesting when it works. If you want to take a listen (with headphones!), hear below:

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#23

Another good option for binaural recording are luhd mics.

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#24

those look nice and way more practical (financially)
:slight_smile:

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#25

Hi, I do a lot of field recording and use these Omni mics, very good price and a decent sound…


Jez Riley French told me that these are basically a cheaper copied version based on more expensive £600 products, they aren’t as good but you still get a good sound.

By the way I did a great Sound recording course with Chris Watson and Jez Riley French last year in the UK. They run them a few times a year and also do the occasional trip to Iceland
http://www.wildeye.co.uk/introduction-to-wildlife-sound-recording
It was a good introductory course and led me to meet somebody on the same course and I am now recording a film soundtrack for him so its a good place to meet other like minded people as well.

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#26

https://youtu.be/kcP_jgkBYR4

I too like field recordings, both as they are and remixed like below.

https://youtu.be/oWG9bJijr54

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#27

Nice to hear some examples of field recording and compositions.

This is a bit of work in progress. I’ve been working on some new granulation techniques, specifically algorithmically triggered non-synchronous grains. This is an example using some recordings I made last autumn of tearing and crushing leaves - recorded very close, perhaps at 1cm or so. The granulation creates accelerating and decelerating patterns, which coupled with the recordings sound similar to insect stridulations.

This is 8-channels mixed to stereo:

https://soundcloud.com/mark-durham/work-in-progress-non-synchronous-granulation-of-leaf-recordings

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#28

nice, mark, to hear granulation using something other than plain old random distribution which is ok for bland textures. the patterning gives the whole thing a nice momentum. and leaves and twigs are a great soundsource -

https://youtu.be/CIB5ziSv-gE

not exactly field recording but…

x gus

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#29

If you dig this, anyone on the west coast should try to check out my buddy Tim Barnes who is touring out there with Jeph Jerman for a few more days. They do a lot of similar sorts of ‘natural’ improvisation :slight_smile:

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#30

Thanks, I know what you mean about the random distribution thing. I do love it for certain sources, but when I listen to more delicately composed granular tracks it feels there is so much more! Stuff like this (of course):

Nice to hear a new performance of that cage piece…

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#31

Nice, is this them:

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#32

Indeed. I’ve been a huge fan of both separately and now together. Tim moved here to Louisville and we’ve become pals and sometimes collaborators. He’s a fantastic force who is endlessly inspiring. Check out Jeph’s solo work too for more nature music.

1 Like