Field recording

This book contains information, tips, tricks and how to’s on the subject of field recording. 

Microphones

This chapter contains info on different types of microphones and their characteristics, DIY build projects and other info. 

Microphones

Types of microphones

https://www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/the-first-rule-of-contact-mic-club

https://zachpoff.com/resources/choosing-a-contact-mic-for-field-recording/

 

Microphones

DIY

Microphones

Pre-amplification and impedance

 

Contact mic and EMW recording set

This chapter explains the different parts and uses of the Contact mic and EMW recording set available at the uitleen HKU. 

Contact mic and EMW recording set

Recording set Parts

Contact microphones

The set contains 2 kinds of piëzo-electric contact microphones. One with a solid metal housing and one with a small clamp. To avoid a thin 'tinny' sound the piëzo's have to be used in conjunction with an impedance transformer which is also contained in the set. 

The metal contact microphone (fig. 1) Can be attached or sticked (with sticky gum) to resonating surfaces and objects made from metal, wood or other materials. The output gain is low, which makes it suitable for loud contactsound like industrial equipment, percussion and other music instruments. 

The clamp contact microphone (fig. 2) It can be used for more delicate recordings of wind exited plants, fences and materials like paper. This typical microphone pick's up the sound in the ultrasonic range, so it can be useful for sound design source material to be pitched down.

The impedance transformer (fig. 3) This adapter is designed to match 50K output impedance to 200R input impedance. It is ideal for connecting a hi-Z instrument to a microphone input.

• Maximizes signal fidelity when using impedance mismatched gear
• Minimizes high frequency and level loss caused by signal reflections
• Eliminates noise and hum caused by an impedance mismatch

The input is a standerd jack plug and output a XLR connector.   

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(fig.1 )piëzo-electric microphone in metal housing.

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(fig.2 ) piëzo-electric microphone with integrated clamp.

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(fig.3 ) impedance matching transformer for piëzo elements


Electro magnetic pick-up

The set contains a pick-up (copper coil with iron core) with a suction cup (fig. 4a). The pick-up can be use to record electric magnetic waves (EMW) emitted from electric devices or moving metal objects. The working principle is similar to an electric guitar pick-up. This pick-up has a small mono mini jack connector and can be connected to the big mono jack plug (fig. 4b). to work with some types of recorders.    

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(fig. 4a)

IMG_9513 2.jpeg

(fig. 4b)

Resources

This chapter wil hold a list of informative and interesting resources related to subject of field recording.  

Resources

Websites

Paul Virostek

https://www.creativefieldrecording.com


Zach Poff

https://zachpoff.com/resources/type/field-recording/


Tim Prebble

https://www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/


George Vlad

https://mindful-audio.com