Author Topic: Rain and wind and windscreens (Read 9033 times)

Uncle Jimmy · « **on:** July 28, 2004, 03:41:58 PM »

Folks,

I am still pretty new to outdoor taping. I chose to run with no windscreens for a few sets of a festie last weekend. The shows sound great, but there was the occasional wind hit.

Is it totally crazy to run outdoors with no windscreen?

Also, it rained pretty hard and i can actually hear the rain in the softer parts of the recording. Would the windscreen have helped with this? If so, it seems that it woul dell the signal if it weren't raining, thus making it not so crazy to fly the mics naked.

Any thoughts?
-UJ

jpschust · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2004, 03:44:58 PM »

yes, you are crazy to ever run your mics outside of a studio without a windscreen. windscreens, especially good ones, would have helped with that, well... wind. duh. :-)

as far as the rain- no. your screens should have 0 effect (or is it affect) on the sound whatsoever.

Don't EVER run your mics outdoors without screens. I can go into the discussion of why if you really want.

Uncle Jimmy · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2004, 03:49:56 PM »

OK, well, the discussion should be something like this:

Me: should i use screens?

You: Yes.

Me: Really?

You: Yes.

Me: Seriously?

You: Yes.
------------------
Sound about right?

Well, I'm just kidding, but i'm guessing the bottom line is that, if they do not interfere with the sound, then there is no problem using them whereas if you don't use them you will almost certainly get wind hits.

Feel free to expand...

(So now i know why people around me were saying "Dude, you have no wind screens.")

Thanks,
UJ

jpschust · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2004, 03:52:41 PM »

its more the reasons for using them- wind, smoke, possability of falling, protection from damage from rain, the list continues :-)

good screens will never change the sound.

bhtoque · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2004, 03:58:18 PM »

Rain noise adds character to the recording.

One of my favorite recordings is Warren Haynes from Berkfest last year. The sound of the rain on my stand's umbrella makes it sound like an old lp.

JAson

jpschust · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2004, 04:28:01 PM »

funny that you mention that. i finally got my surround sound system setup (yes it has taken me 2 weeks to finish) and now when i listen to stuff with rain in it i could swear it was raining. pics of the new system will be up in the coming days.

Tim · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2004, 05:02:02 PM »

a low end rumble

Uncle Jimmy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2004, 05:16:52 PM »

it sounds like everything is fine and then you rub your mics on your sleeve.

yemncsu · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2004, 05:43:13 PM »

Watch golf on TV. Almost every time you can hear wind noise in the background.

???I have no idea why this came to mind.

Josh

mirth · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2004, 12:17:14 AM »

Drive down the freeway @ 60MPH, stick head out rolled down window. Thats what bad wind noise can sound like when it bursts.

lstringer · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2004, 10:26:32 AM »

Hey now...on rain and umbrellas...were's a good place to find a stand umbrella??
Peace Lew

Uncle Jimmy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2004, 10:48:50 AM »

i got one that was made for a folding chair. It has a clamp (which i broke the first time i used it) and is big enough to shelter a couple of rigs close together.

little kids umbrellas work well, too. i saw a bitchin spider-man one at Rockygrass and a killer Spongebob one at the store.

UJ

bhtoque · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2004, 10:56:54 AM »

Yeah, stroller umbrellas work well.

I've got two (can't remember brand) that have a base that mounts to the stand then the rest of the umbrella snaps on.

That way you can keep the umbrella off till the last minute then snap it on in two seconds flat.

I can look at them when I get home if anybody needs a brand name.

JAson

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2004, 11:36:33 AM »

personaly....
there is nothing worth taping that would require me to fly $x,000 dollar mics in the rain.
that is where the backpack and garbage bag come into play.

Uncle Jimmy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2004, 11:47:50 AM »

want to expand on that? are you saying you just pack up your stuff, or are you saying there is a better way to record in the rain?

personally, i think there is no reason to spend money on mics you won't use. it's always too hot, too wet, too much hassle, or any other reason NOT to tape, but there is only one good reason TO tape.... because you can!

Anyhoo, lemme know what the garbage bag thing is all about.

J----

PS While we are on this, how much is too much stuff to bring into a show? I saw someone pull a portable CD burner out of their gear and hook it to their laptop and burn a disc between sets. I mean, that is REALLY cool and all, but dang......................

grider · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2004, 12:10:09 PM »

get the windscreens I use and you will love them, they are the gigantic Shure pop screens, in my use they have completely eliminated all noise caused by wind and rain, and they are so big they will absorb the raindrops and keep your mic caps dry, you can get them from james@oade.com, tell him you need the really big Shure pop screens and he will take care of you

Brian · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2004, 01:42:46 PM »

Quote from: grider on July 29, 2004, 12:10:09 PM

get the windscreens I use and you will love them, they are the gigantic Shure pop screens, in my use they have completely eliminated all noise caused by wind and rain, and they are so big they will absorb the raindrops and keep your mic caps dry, you can get them from james@oade.com, tell him you need the really big Shure pop screens and he will take care of you

AHHHH WHAT?

put an umbrella over your mics don't let the rain hit the windscreens. they are windscreens, not sponges

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2004, 01:52:31 PM »

Quote from: Uncle Jimmy on July 29, 2004, 11:47:50 AM

want to expand on that? are you saying you just pack up your stuff,

thats right.
if i'm in a section w/other tapers who are willing to fly in the rain...that is all the more reason for me to yank down the mics.
I tape outside maybe 2-3 times a year. Maybe...that much at best.
I'm not leaving mics....that were ment for a studio...out in the rain.

but thats just me. its not worth the risk.
the garbage bag was something to wrap the gear in, btw.

Uncle Jimmy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2004, 02:00:12 PM »

cool. i see your point, of course.

And i am a novice at outdoor taping myself. like i said, though, I don't see the point in having them if I'm afraid to use 'em. (I haven't always been that way, but now i am. go figure.)

The smart ass in me wants to say:

I'm not leaving... mics meant for capturing audio... in their boxes... during a show.

But i won't.

jpschust · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2004, 02:11:53 PM »

i dont htink you realize how thick the shure screens are. i own a pair. one of them is bigger than both my dpas.

Brian · « **Reply #20 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:25:02 PM »

Quote from: jpschust on July 29, 2004, 02:11:53 PM

i dont htink you realize how thick the shure screens are. i own a pair. one of them is bigger than both my dpas.

oh i fully realize..... just trying to help someone save their microphones

but if you want to run your mics with the shures without an umbrella in the rain, be my guest

jpschust · « **Reply #21 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:34:05 PM »

Quote from: S_TL-Taper on July 29, 2004, 04:25:02 PM

Quote from: jpschust on July 29, 2004, 02:11:53 PM
i dont htink you realize how thick the shure screens are. i own a pair. one of them is bigger than both my dpas.

oh i fully realize..... just trying to help someone save their microphones but if you want to run your mics with the shures without an umbrella in the rain, be my guest

Never would run w/o an umbrella over them, however even with an umbrella, wind is going to move water towards your mics.

Brian · « **Reply #22 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:37:30 PM »

ok just making sure jonny, you and grider were scaring me there for a bit

jpschust · « **Reply #23 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:45:27 PM »

dude, you should hear my in-bathtub tapes. run that shit at ortf...dpas... get that nice warm bubble bath sound... whoo boy,

Brian · « **Reply #24 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:48:55 PM »

no thanks i'll pass .... get me some tapes of Lance biking up the mountain with ease and i'll love you forever

jpschust · « **Reply #25 on:** July 29, 2004, 04:54:32 PM »

ill do you one better, want to borrow last years tour on dvd? i just ordered the entire thing. it's like 8 dvds.

Brian · « **Reply #26 on:** July 29, 2004, 05:00:50 PM »

i'd honestly rather watch paint dry in rainstorm and tape the audio with big windscreens on my mics

j/k sorry i couldn't resist

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #27 on:** July 29, 2004, 05:35:49 PM »

imo, its just not a good idea to risk the mics.
sure, they are replacable...what what are you recording that is worth risking your german condensers?

the humidity *definately* affects the performance of the mic capsules. Especialy on higher end mics and LD's.
my soundfield used to go freakin' heywire if I used it on a very humid day outside.

BC · « **Reply #28 on:** July 29, 2004, 05:47:06 PM »

Whaddya think about scotchguarding/waterproofing one's big-ass windscreens to offer an extra degree of protection against rain seeping in?
Been thinking about this for a while but never tried it... I would think scotchguard would have a minimal effect on sound.

Ben

jpschust · « **Reply #29 on:** July 29, 2004, 05:49:56 PM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on July 29, 2004, 05:35:49 PM

imo, its just not a good idea to risk the mics.
sure, they are replacable...what what are you recording that is worth risking your german condensers?

the humidity *definately* affects the performance of the mic capsules. Especialy on higher end mics and LD's.
my soundfield used to go freakin' heywire if I used it on a very humid day outside.

i've got insurance on my mics that covers weather too.

Brian · « **Reply #30 on:** July 29, 2004, 05:50:38 PM »

one way to find out is to scotch guard a speaker and play some music out of it. if you hear a difference you will most likely here a difference in your recording.

then again if a condem over a microphone has a supposed little effect than i think scotchguard would be probably be fine as well. however i still have a tough time believing the condem solution.....

fozzy · « **Reply #31 on:** July 29, 2004, 09:56:30 PM »

Quote from: jpschust on July 29, 2004, 05:49:56 PM

Quote from: Nick's Picks on July 29, 2004, 05:35:49 PM
imo, its just not a good idea to risk the mics.
sure, they are replacable...what what are you recording that is worth risking your german condensers?

the humidity *definately* affects the performance of the mic capsules. Especialy on higher end mics and LD's.
my soundfield used to go freakin' heywire if I used it on a very humid day outside.

i've got insurance on my mics that covers weather too.

I talked to my insurance agent a few weeks ago and he said i couldn't insure my gear. What type of plan/coverage do you have. shoot me a pm

BobW · « **Reply #32 on:** July 29, 2004, 10:13:42 PM »

Quote from: jpschust on July 29, 2004, 05:49:56 PM

Quote from: Nick's Picks on July 29, 2004, 05:35:49 PM
imo, its just not a good idea to risk the mics.
sure, they are replacable...what what are you recording that is worth risking your german condensers?

the humidity *definately* affects the performance of the mic capsules. Especialy on higher end mics and LD's.
my soundfield used to go freakin' heywire if I used it on a very humid day outside.

i've got insurance on my mics that covers weather too.

Great 1d34 !
Can regular people get this insurance , too ?

jpschust · « **Reply #33 on:** July 29, 2004, 10:38:47 PM »

yah, i need to find their website. it wasnt cheap, but they only do musicians/recording insurance.

fozzy · « **Reply #34 on:** July 29, 2004, 11:21:55 PM »

Quote from: jpschust on July 29, 2004, 10:38:47 PM

yah, i need to find their website. it wasnt cheap, but they only do musicians/recording insurance.

cool LMK

jpschust · « **Reply #35 on:** July 30, 2004, 09:33:51 AM »

www.clarionins.com

1-800-vivaldi

they were always very good to deal with.

BobW · « **Reply #36 on:** July 30, 2004, 10:26:04 PM »

There's a waterproof soak for fleece clothing, there's Nikwax water-based softshell proof, mess of stuff out there in the outdoor stores.
I'd still have a hard time watching a good set of mics get wet.

The bodies should be sealed at the seams with clear RTV silicone sealant as well.
A roofer once told me "water has a way" meaning that it will get into anything it possibly can.
It drips in, capillaries up, soaks in, accumulates just from condensation, it has a mind of it's own.

Uncle Jimmy · « **Reply #37 on:** August 02, 2004, 10:26:32 AM »

Quote from: officedog on July 30, 2004, 01:51:13 PM

Shit, the band is going to be off their game too probably.

yeah... ive never been to a good show in the rain.

anyway, thanks to eveyone for weighing in on this one. lets shut er down now...

Author Topic: Rain and wind and windscreens (Read 9033 times)

Uncle Jimmy

jpschust

Uncle Jimmy

jpschust

jpschust

Uncle Jimmy

Uncle Jimmy

Uncle Jimmy

Uncle Jimmy

jpschust

jpschust

jpschust

jpschust

jpschust

BobW

jpschust

jpschust

BobW

Uncle Jimmy