How do you record strong bad weather?

Denis Haineault

Denis Haineault

Well-known member
Hi,

I'm just curious how one goes about recording in really bad (strong) weather. For example, let's say you want some strong winds sounds as if you're in the middle of a field, how do you protect the mic to prevent that wind-hitting-the-mic sound while still getting a clean result? Surely, even a zeppelin and deadcat have their limits?

Can this be done in the wild, or are people usually layering more manageable bits in post?

Just curious...thanks.
 
You obviously cant do anything about the "sound" of wind hitting objects (trees, clothing..etc)
but you should pretty much be able to keep the wind from hitting the mic.

I'll throw a foam windscreen on the mic inside of the zep so if anything gets through
it hits that.
Also when ya have to start to roll off the low end.

Also try to block the mic with peoples bodies if needed by coming in from underneath

Even if you want windsounds to be there, do your best to get rid of them on location.
Adding them in post will sound much better in my opinion.
 
I think he's talking about picking up wilds to use in post, not dialog recording.

So, to echo Rippie, it's about windscreening. Use a zepplin, and slap a foam windscreen on the mic as will if you need to. You can also try to position your mic next to a windbreak... tree, barn, fence, wood pile, to help cut down on some of the direct hits.
 
Thank you for the replies. C2V is correct: just wild sounds, no dialog.

I kept thinking that whatever I use to shield the mic would end up generating wind noises itself...my mind was stuck in that groove.

But the answers provided here make sense.

thanks
 
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Yea if this is just wild recording there is nothing to it.
Position the mic so its not "fighting" the wind. Put objects between the zep and the wind.
(body, blanket, car, anything)
 
I was under the impression that putting on a foam screen inside a zep would be counterproductive because it decreases the amount of dead air inside the zep, lowering the effectiveness of that system.
 
Actually, one more question.

What about (wild) rain sounds? I saw this Rainman cover:
http://www.trewaudio.ca/store/product.php?productid=905&cat=39&page=1

which seems to be made of soft material, so there shouldn't be any rain impact noise coming from the cover.

Do people actually use this item, or can you just use something like a plastic bag sandwiched in the middle of some soft material, or something else...?

My main concern is (obviously) to avoid impact sounds on whatever it is one might use to shield the equipment and/or your own body.

I've just ordered some gear and have no practical experience (just theory), so maybe my worrying about (say) picking up the impact of rain on my raincoat is not really a concern?

I'd just like to know what to expect before I venture into the wild...for wilds.
 
Two things. Wind doesn't make much sound except when it is going through, over, or around something. Some of the "clasic" wistling wind is actually the sound of wind going over a Rycote zep. So while you do want to avoid wind blasting into your mic you do want to find places where the wind is having to work it's way over stuff or you will end up with very light (and not very interesting) wind sounds.

Rain is a bit of a challenge. Yes you will pick up the patter of drops hitting your coat, umbrella etc. But again the "sound" of rain is it hitting things. Truthfully "real" rain is a pain because it's hitting so many things that you can only use it often for foundation tracks. If you want serious big rain it usually "man made" rain. Garden houses (and fire houses if you can get them) can give you just about any intensity of rain hitting just one kind of thing (window, mail box, lake, etc) and you don't have to worry about soaking your equipment at the same time.
 
If you can hear wind outside your window, just aim the mic out the window. Your room will protect the mic. I did that with rain sounds and it worked just fine. Same with bird sounds. Of course you need to quiet your room of all computers and people walking/breathing loud etc. It works better if you are pointing the mic in the same direction the wind is blowing.
 
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