Field recording

zoundsabar · 2024-07-04T22:58:16.111Z

I’m not sure which pins are carrying power, but from a noise POV this may be useful.

You want the shield on an audio cable to be grounded at the mixer/amplifier and not elsewhere. That means it does not connect to the shell on an XLR plug at the far end or any connecting points. Effectively, this extends the shield from the mixer/amplifier out to the microphone.

You can use the recorder in place of the mixer/amplifier he mentions. I have done this successfully in the past when using XLR to connect balanced and unbalanced equipment/

Thhhh · 2024-07-05T00:30:27.652Z

timp:

Did you take the XLR apart to confirm?

I did, that’s how I found the most likely culprit.

Mailing might be a good way to go!

timp · 2024-07-05T01:46:10.820Z

I was going to suggest trying an XLR> 1/4" but the line inputs are balanced TRS too, so not sure going XLR>1/4" would solve the issue.

Mic: XLR active-balanced; 4k input
Line: XLR active-balanced; 4k input
Aux/Mic in: 3.5 mm TRS, 2-channel unbalanced; 2.2k
Line: ¼-inch TRS active-balanced; 4k input

@Thhhh One thing to check: with the MixPre, input gain has different roles depending on how the MixPre is setup. By default it is different to every previous Sound Devices recorder, and in fact every recorder I have ever used. It completely stumped me when I got my MixPre as I could not make it work the way I wanted to…
Thanks to Robert Keilbar, on SD FB group: “try custom mode and in the submenu set Gain Basic, that should solve the problem”
Longer explanation with photo:
https://hissandaroar.com/v3/sound-devices-mixpre-10-ii-tip/

Only suggesting this incase it is noise you are hearing in headphones/monitoring. Is that same level of noise present in the recordings too?

Thhhh · 2024-07-05T11:03:32.673Z

It does affect the recording as well, but I will anyway try it when I get access to another MP6.

One idea, I just ordered a pair of C-cm+ mics and impedance adaptors from Jez Riley French, perhaps that can be an idea: to retrofit a TS plug on the hydrophone and use this adaptor instead? Admittedly, I don’t know enough about impedance…

oliodnb · 2024-07-05T12:13:01.538Z

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Sometimes I work with a small local natural science museum centered around bees, I tried to record the inner noise of the hive mostly made by bees working on the honeycomb.

KHAGE · 2024-07-07T14:07:32.053Z

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Field recording with Zoom F3 + FEL Communications Limited Pluggy XLR EM272Z1 Matched Pair Primo EM272Z1 Omni-Directional Low Noise (14 dBA Self-Noise) & High Sensitivity (-28 dB) Microphones

Ecoustic · 2024-07-07T15:14:54.325Z

How do you like the F3?

KHAGE · 2024-07-07T17:51:38.101Z

My very first Zoom device.

It’s all I need : two XLR inputs, 32-bit and pocketable.

I’m delighted.

TanaBarbier · 2024-07-08T18:15:09.229Z

Those mics do require 48V phantom power, right ?
How do you power the zoom, AA batteries ?
Did you find a solution that allows long recordings ?

Very curious about the F3 myself…

KHAGE · 2024-07-08T19:43:19.828Z

I just take a spare pair of rechargeable AA batteries with me. It’s just fine for a full day of field recording.

disquiet · 2024-07-08T20:08:44.664Z

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Yesterday’s strip

Ecoustic · 2024-07-11T17:39:43.139Z

The FEL Communications Limited Pluggy XLRs are obviously the right-angle version of the mics? (I just like saying the words Limited Pluggy). I have a Zoom H4n pro, which has provided a nice gateway to field recording. Your rig suggests a logical upgrade path.

noisejockey · 2024-07-13T22:16:37.275Z

Just wrapped a field recording project for a documentary film. Might do a BTS self-featurette when the film is out, but until then, here are some moments, showing a variety of mic placement techniques (does not include the “screw it, throw each mic into the grass as far as you can” technique that yielded some insane frog recordings)…

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DuellingAnts · 2024-07-14T08:35:56.960Z

noisejockey:

insane frog recordings

would love to hear some of that !

vhall · 2024-07-14T12:14:19.437Z

Quite interested in this setup as I’ve been eyeing the F3 as an everyday carry device for a while. Do you have any recordings available?

noisejockey · 2024-07-14T14:04:04.364Z

@DuellingAnts, sometime next year. Film needs to get announced first.

@vhall, which setup? There are several featuring the F3 in the photos. And see my comment about (not yet) sharing audio.

KHAGE · 2024-07-14T17:02:04.981Z

Not yet… but very soon.

IOSISdrone · 2024-07-14T17:02:20.041Z

Fuck yeah man, thanks for sharing, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to that BTS featurette!

vhall · 2024-07-14T18:12:40.403Z

I was enquiring about the setup @KHAGE is using. I’d previously thought about using the F3 with a compact stereo bar but the Pluggy XLR mics are new to me and look like they could provide an elegant and quickly-assembled replacement for what I had in mind.

@KHAGE, thanks! Looking forward to hearing how it performs.

noisejockey · 2024-07-15T01:58:47.766Z

Oh @vhall, hahaha, so sorry about the crossed wires!