Recording Mother Nature

S

Student

Well-known member
I have been using a stereo Mic NT4( xy configuration) to record waterfalls, wind blowing through trees and corn fields, wolves howling, etc.
But I'm not very happy with my results so far. Would I not have better luck with a hyper or shotgun Mic like a Sanken or Schoeps.
Along the same lines, I am not happy with using a stereo Mic for recording musical instruments outside. I'm trying to capture the feel of the instrument outdoors. The instrument should take on a completely different ambiance outside. Can anyone help?
 
You have'nt really explained the nature of your unhappiness. That would help.

Instruments are not capable of creating ambience. They are what they are. Perhaps your imagination exceeds the approach you are using.

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
if you need very quiet directional microphone , the mkh-60 is one of the solutions
for stereo image the 30 is good choice , just remember you need good preamp for that that will bellow the mike self noise
 
HorseFilms said:
I use a Shure SM81 for instruments. You might want to give that a try.
Click to expand...
nice mike - but far away behind mkh-40 or schoeps 64 or the akg 480+63
mostly good for close pickup and not for distance (SELF NOISE)
IAM VERY LIKE ITS BROTHER THE vp88 WHICH IS ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS FOR LOWD Environments ( urban noise , machines ,traffic , football fields ) - not so grate when you need to rise the gain dramatically
working extremely well over drums or as aditional mike for stereo image over all ( not for classic music - jazz mostly)
the mkh 60 could be replaced by any dyrectional mike of its quality - 60 or 40 or even akg 480 with directional pick up
the mkhs ate the best for humidity environment , all the rest you need to pray :-)
 
Ty read carfully what i write - its good almost for every urban sound - this is my favor for everything i do inside the city and over the jazz bands it is not replace my schoeps rig for different stuff
not only that this is one of the best i know for interview man on the street - i never found something better( mid only)
 
Ambience or reverb is created when sound reflects off surrounding objects. If you have an instrument in the outdoors, lets say in a wide open field, then there will be no ambience to record. A hyper or shotgun seems like it would defeat the purpose of capturing the natural sound of the instrument you were going for in the first place.

As far as the stereo field recordings go, using a couple small condensers in X/Y is pretty much the way to go. Sometimes when I am recording music in my studio, I will use an ORTF configuration for a different stereo feel, perhaps you should try that.

Maybe give an example of what you want to hear.
 
Thanks Everyone for your replies,
I am recording solo instruments in open areas.
I am also recording waterfalls in the distance, wind blowing through trees and corn fields, wolves howling in the distance, etc.
A very quiet directional microphone such as Exile suggested (Mkh 60) is what I think I'm looking for.
And you guys are right - Instruments are not capable of creating ambience, I now realize I should of ask How do I capture the sound of silence.
I think the instruments I'm using have too much self noise to capture the very distant sounds I'm trying to record.
 
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