with 9 Comments

Recorded on a breezy day at Warren Point in Dawlish Warren NNR. For the first few minutes of the recording the bird is singing in the distance. It then makes a short song flight near the microphone, falls silent for a minute and then sings close by.

20090520_whitethroat

Recorded with a Sennheiser K6/ME66 microphone and an Olympus LS-10 recorder. Gain boosted and aircraft noise removed using Cubase LE.

9 Responses

  1. kiran srivastava
    | Reply

    Hello!

    Finally I found your site which mentions you using a Sennheiser ME66/K6 with a Olympus LS-10. That’s what I intend buying as I was told not to compromise on the quality of the external microphone if I want to record bird calls in the field.

    I hope I can trouble you with some questions:

    a) Does the cable attaching the shotgun mike to the recorder come with LS-10 or with the Sennheiser?
    b) Or do I have to buy the cable separately? If so, can you advise what make/kind of cable I should buy?
    c) Can I hold the shotgun in my hand or do I need to buy a handle?
    d) How does the equipment handle winds -strong or mild?
    d) The cost of rycote or windjammer is very expensive so I intend using thick cotton socks as a substitute!

    I live in Mumbai, India where it is hot and humid. I am not a professional birder and it is only my recent interest in recording bird calls and songs which is for my own pleasure.

    Cheers,
    Kiran Srivastava
    Mumbai
    srivastava.jo@gmail.com

    • Tom
      | Reply

      Kiran,

      I find the LS-10 and ME66/K6 make a very good combination, well worth the money.

      Does the cable attaching the shotgun mike to the recorder come with LS-10 or with the Sennheiser?

      No, you’ll have to buy or make a special cable to connect the XLR plug on the K6 to the 3.5mm socket on the LS-10.

      Or do I have to buy the cable separately? If so, can you advise what make/kind of cable I should buy?

      FEL Communications make a lead specifically designed for this: http://www.felmicamps.co.uk/products/felleadsandadapt.html (the first product on that page) and you can normally find similar cables on eBay. Depending on how they’re wired you may only get sound on one channel of the stereo recording. This is easily fixed when you have the file on your computer, but can be annoying when you’re monitoring in the field.

      Can I hold the shotgun in my hand or do I need to buy a handle?

      The ME66 is quite good at rejecting handling noise, and for a short period you might get away with hand-holding. What I find though is that after a few minutes your hand and arm starts to get tired and you begin to make small muscle movements which can be audible in a quiet environment, even with a Rycote shockmount and handle. I would suggest a simple microphone clip attached to a Gorillapod (http://joby.com/products/gorillapod/slr/). This will work as a mini tripod and also allows you to fix the microphone to things like tree branches and fences, removing the problem of handling noise altogether. You’ll need a thread adaptor like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Manfrotto-1%2f4%22—3%2f8%22-Top-Quality-Tripod-Camera-Adaptor_W0QQitemZ280351346875QQcmdZViewItem to fit the microphone clamp onto the tripod screw on the Gorillapod.

      How does the equipment handle winds – strong or mild?
      The cost of rycote or windjammer is very expensive so I intend using thick cotton socks as a substitute!

      The ME66 seems fairly resistant to wind noise, but you’ll still need some form of wind protection. Rycote and similar brands are expensive, although you can pick up one of the Softie kits which includes a windshield and handle for under $200 on eBay. There’s also a company based in India who make Rycote style windshields for under $100. Do an eBay search for “windkorb” and they should come up.

      I live in Mumbai, India where it is hot and humid.

      I’m afraid I can’t give much advice on how the ME66/K6 will handle those conditions. Here in the UK we get lots of rain, but seldom combined with heat, so very humid weather is quite unusual. The microphone is designed for field use, so I would expect it to stand up reasonably well, especially if it’s protected inside some form of windshield. If you go from a cool to a hot environment (like getting out of an air-conditioned vehicle for example) try to keep the microphone wrapped up or in a bag until it warms up to the ambient temperature. This will help stop condensation forming on the microphone.

      I hope this information is helpful – if you have any more questions please get in touch, and have fun with your new recorder and microphone!

      Cheers,

      Tom

  2. kiran srivastava
    | Reply

    Hi Tom,

    This is supert! Of course, I will be compelled to contact you again in view of the detailed and comprehensive information you have given me. Thank you very much.

  3. kiran srivastava
    | Reply

    Tom,

    The cable you are talking about is the same as the one in the Amazon link below. Yes?

    http://www.amazon.com/Shure-A96F-Camcorder-Interface-Microphone/dp/B0006NMUH2 – 1st item.

    For a 2 foot cable it is expensive. A 3 meter cable looks ideal.

    I intend to procure the all the stuff from the US that’s why I am talking dollars.

    Cheers,
    Tom

    • Tom
      | Reply

      Kiran,

      Although that cable has the correct connectors on each end, it also seems to have a built in amplifier, which is why it is so expensive. I’ve been perfectly happy with the results I’m getting using a simple cable with no amplification. Wingfield Audio in the US sell one for $30, or the FEL one I mentioned earlier (which they will ship internationally) is around $16.

      As an alternative, if you have access to a soldering iron it’s very easy to make up a cable yourself. The simplest way would be to buy a cable with 3.5mm stereo plugs on each end like this. You should be able to find one of these in most audio shops. Cut the plug off one end, and you can then solder the lead into a Neutrik NC3FXX XLR connector which will plug into the K6. I should think you’d be able to find both the cable and XLR connector easily in Mumbai, and the whole thing would probably come to under $10!

      Cheers,

      Tom

  4. kiran srivastava
    | Reply

    Tom,

    Thanks! The cable will probably be cheaper in Mumbai and I don’t have to spend dollars or pounds in that case. I shall investigate. Smilarly, I will also investigate good substitutes for windjammers/rycotes (such as the one you gave me earlier) located in India or in Mumbai. That way the cost of accessories go down and doesn’t impact too much on my budget.

    Incidentally and relevant to our subject, I have been hearing many calls of Cuckoo species here in Mumbai forests. It is very hot and humid and the monsoon rains are just round the corner. The Banded Bay Cuckoo is very vocal now. If you are interested check this link for the call.
    http://www.xeno-canto.org/sounds/uploaded/LWJHHKUCCZ/Cuckoo%20Banded%20Bay%20.mp3

    Cheers,
    kiran
    Mumbai

  5. Kiran Srivastava
    | Reply

    Happy New Year Tom,

    Finally I have decided to buy the new LS-11 + Sennheiser ME66 recording package from a USA dealer. I cannot afford a rycote windshield – its too pricey – and selected a MZW-66 PRO, which I am told is more than adequate.

    I will be going to Kanha National Park (famous for tigers) in Feb and I am looking forward to recording various jungle sounds. I need to practice first as I am a complete tyro.

    Cheers,
    Kiran
    Mumbai, INDIA

  6. Tom
    | Reply

    Happy New Year Kiran,

    That sounds like a nice kit! Yes, Rycote gear is pretty expensive even here, in the country where it’s made. I should imagine the overseas prices are even higher. The MZW-66 should do a good job, especially if you’re working in a jungle environment where there probably won’t be a lot of wind. I’m too used to coastal and upland areas where a 10mph or more breeze is normal…

    Assuming the LS-11 controls work in the same way as the LS-10, I think the most important thing to practise and remember is that the record button needs 2 pushes to begin recording (IMHO this is a bit of a design flaw so Olympus may have changed this on the new model). Several times I’ve recorded what I thought was a great sound, only to look down at the recorder and see the red light flashing in “record standby”. Very frustrating!

    Have fun with the new gear, and let me know when you get some recordings, I always enjoy hearing new sounds from around the world!

    All the best,

    Tom

  7. Kiran Srivastava
    | Reply

    Hi Tom,

    Thanks for all the help so far. In the jungle we do get sudden breezes and the leaves rustle softly as if there is a light rain. Its a lovely sound to hear, so peaceful (and away from jarring city sounds) and worth recording too!

    The LS-11 comes with its software Cubase 4 LE so I guess that should suffice for downloading and making some ‘sense’ out of my field recording. I read your narratives on recordings and noted your coments on editing.

    As for winds in open areas we too have strongs winds and I guess I shall tackle it when I get to that situation. I do expect a lot frustrations and hopefully, I shouldn’t lose whatever little hair I got left. Ha! Ha!

    Thanks, noted your warning about the ‘two pushes’ rec button. I have been in touch with the Olympus customer service guys and will have this point clarified. I will even ask the company in the US who are supplying me the package deal.

    My sister comes down from the US end of Jan so I have some time to practice and familiarise myself with buttons, knobs, dials, et al before I go off on my wildlife holiday.

    I will stay in touch and I hope the harsh winter in the UK is not to awful for you.

    Cheers,
    kiran

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