Topic: Taping outside in the rain- is it worth trying?

[kylieshotpants]

Hi

Aside from making sure your (recording) equipment does not get wet- is it worth trying to tape in the rain or should I pack up?

[T-90]

let it roll baby....never pack up, if you are well prepared, unless there is lighting involved!

[acidjack]

You can make a fine recording.  Assuming you're running a stand, get a good light stand umbrella to protect your mics, and trash bags and a waterproof gear bag to protect your rig (put the rig inside the trash bag so it doesn't get wet from the bottom).

Obviously, if the rain is actually hitting your mics, it's up to you whether to keep going.  I put heavy windscreens on, but if my screens were getting more than the occasional drop of water, I'd pull my rig down depending what rig I was running.

I've even made one good pull where I had stealth mics on a hat and had to throw a couple of shirts over my head and make a makeshift hood around my head.... and it was POURING that day.

[u2_fly_2]

Go for it, if it rains too much then ofcourse don´t risk your equ.: Good luck:-)

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I've even made one good pull where I had stealth mics on a hat and had to throw a couple of shirts over my head and make a makeshift hood around my head.... and it was POURING that day.

"Note to self: do not buy acidjack's mics."

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I've rolled in some pretty heavy storms at Red Rocks (with a TON of wind). Had to stand there and hold on to my stand to keep it from taking off. My gear still works fine.

For me the key is to keep your umbrella as low as possible (i.e. as close to your mics as you can get).

Moving on down the line, I like to put duct tape on your connectors from the mics to cables to keep moisture from getting in there.

Cables are already waterproof so nothing to worry about there.

Next I keep my gear in my bag covered with CONTRACTOR GARBAGE BAGS. These are extra thick. They cost a little extra but they are wort hit. Buy the smallest box possible and hand some out in the section...you'll probably get a beer or 2 in return.

I make sure that my cables run into the CONTRACTOR BAGS from the bottom (that way rain can't get into the hole in the bag from above...still not a bad idea to tie up the opening, or even seal it up as best you can with more duct tape).

If you can get your gear off the ground that is a bonus, but you'd need to hang it off something or set it on something. I've thought of using a milk crate. Haven't had the chance to try that. I'm not sure security would be too keen on you bringing a milk crate in, but if you explained what it was for, hopefully they'd understand.

[bryonsos]

These are your friend when taping in the rain:

http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/BigBags.aspx

[DigiGal]

This stuff is great to use on your gear bags and umbrella.

[mfrench]

I have mics that the manufacturers North American CEO has personally suggested to me, these cleaning instructions; To clean them, swizzle the mics in a cup of distilled water, and then plug them in to assist in drying. They'll hear again when the dry out
Would I run in the rain?
Not a chance.

[ashevillain]

It's always been worth it to me to record in the rain. However, I won't record if it's raining sideways or if there's much thunder/lightning.

In addition to the above suggestions, I would make a loop in your mic cables (somewhere in the middle) so water can't run down the entire length of cable and into your gear bag. It will drip from this loop though so keep that in mind.

[Myco]

If it's raining hard, you can also just throw a small towel or some sort of loose fabric over the top of your umbrella so that you muffle the sound of the rain hitting your hit also. 

[tgakidis]

I've even made one good pull where I had stealth mics on a hat and had to throw a couple of shirts over my head and make a makeshift hood around my head.... and it was POURING that day.

"Note to self: do not buy acidjack's mics."

 

[Myco]

I've even made one good pull where I had stealth mics on a hat and had to throw a couple of shirts over my head and make a makeshift hood around my head.... and it was POURING that day.

"Note to self: do not buy acidjack's mics."

 

Aquaman, engaging hydrophones. 

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Hey, wait a minute. I have hydrophones!

[Myco]

Hey, wait a minute. I have hydrophones!

I bet you probably do.