Topic: Rycote BBG Windshield, BBG Windjammer and very strong winds

[gihl]

These days I'm recording urban sounds with AT822 mic and a Zoom F3 recorder.
It is my hobby, and I am very satisfied. 
I put Rycote BBG Basket Windshield and Rycote BBG Windjammer on the AT822 mic.
But I'm wondering if there is a way to further reduce the very strong wind noise while minimizing the sound loss.
Your input would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[if_then_else]

Code: [Select]

Polar Pattern. Cardioid.
Omnis? Less susceptible to wind.

[EmRR]

Omni, and larger full-surround blimps that increase the airspace between mic and blimp.

[heathen]

larger full-surround blimps that increase the airspace between mic and blimp.

This right here.

[gihl]

I will find a suitable blimp for my setup.
Thanks for all the replies.

[if_then_else]

If you're into ambient or wildlife recordings, you might want to have a look at George Vlad's blog(s).
Good reviews of gear and various setups.

https://mindful-audio.com/blog/best-microphones-recording-nature-wildlife-sounds
https://www.creativefieldrecording.com/2020/02/12/field-recording-gear-and-travel-george-vlad/
https://www.asoundeffect.com/field-recording-guide/

[gihl]

Thank you for the information.

[Gutbucket]

The BBG with windjammer fur is quite effective as windscreens go, so if you are getting too much wind noise, using omnis may be the best option for you when it gets too windy.

To optimize wind noise rejection in your current setup:
1) Make sure the opening at the back of the windscreen where the microphone body exits is completely snug and absolutely wind-tight (test with a fan).
2) Make sure the front opening to the diaphragms and rear vents behind them are positioned as close to the center of the BBG airspace as possible (not too close to the front).
3) Look into a windjammer which uses longer fur.

[gihl]

I'll check the things you said. Thanks for your valuable advice.

p.s. I was thinking of putting a large Windjammer(like Windjammer for Rode Blimp) over the mic and the BBG Basket Windshield.

[Niels]

I'll check the things you said. Thanks for your valuable advice.

p.s. I was thinking of putting a large Windjammer(like Windjammer for Rode Blimp) over the mic and the BBG Basket Windshield.

The windjammer without the blimp will just have excess fabric and space to move around and possibly create friction noise.
I have seen Rycote Cyclones in use during very strong wind with amazing results, but haven't tried myself (and they are expensive).

[gihl]

Thanks for your advice.

[heathen]

I'll add that at this stage I think a bigger enclosure is the best bet not only because it's likely to solve your problem in the short term, but also if you want to continue doing this sort of recording in the long term you'll want it anyway.  It will accommodate more mic choices than just the BBG will in the long term. 

[crunchy]

What stand is that?

[gihl]

I see your point. Thanks again.

[gihl]

What stand is that?

Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Boom Pole for VR Camera(Medium) and INNOREL PW70 Monopod Base.

[mjwin]

I don't have an AT822, but use a similar kind of stereo mic (AT BP4025) which I find excellent for handheld use when out and about - City ambiance, etc. Typically, I use this with a Rycote BBG & fur, which is pretty effective for most situations. For the next step up in wind protection I have an original Rode Blimp. It works well in pretty extreme conditions and provides a much bigger airspace around the mic. The internal suspension also makes a difference.  The Rode Blimp is quite a bit less expensive than the Rycote modular windshields, mainly because it's a "one size fits all" design.  It comes with a variety of mic clips & there are no other options. I think the newer version uses the Rycote "lyre" suspension, which is an improvement over the rubber band arrangement used in my original.

If your signal is actually clipping from the wind bursts,  the problem might be as much with your recorder input stage as the mic. One thing that I've noticed, moving from a Tascam DR100 mkIII to a Mixpre 6, is that the Mixpre's high-pass filter actually works to prevent much of the low-frequency overload. When I first got the recorder I was actually very surprised, since I'd assumed that it was the mic which was clipping! The Mixpre filter operates in the  preamp stage of the recorder before the digital conversion and prevents the latter from clipping.  I'm not sure about the Zoom F3 and a cursory internet search doesn't tell me much about its filtering. But this is something to bear in mind.

Of course, sometimes no amount of wind protection will help,  but don't forget that getting close to the ground,  standing in the lea of a large object, or using your body as a windshield, are all useful tactics.  An ordinary fleece jacket thrown over the mic can be effective, too. The slight high frequency loss can be compensated for in post and anything is better than distortion!

[gihl]

I just saw your post and thanks for your advice! 

[Gutbucket]

Dealing with windnoise that makes it past whatever windscreen- If the recorder's input stage isn't overloading you can play around with low cut filtering and/or DSP wind noise reduction routines afterward.  That way you can dial things in while listening to minimize the impact of the filtering as much as possible. If the input stage of the recorder is overloading, or the wind noise is triggering the limiter unwantedly, better to apply low-cut at the recorder or at the microphone itself if that's an option.  The recorder's high-pass/low-cut filtering may offer more options (F8 allows for a wide range of low-cut corner frequencies that can be set differently for each channel, not sure about F3), but it depends on where it is applied in the signal chain as to whether it will prevent input-stage overload / limiter-triggering or not.  You can monitor with headphones out of the recorder while playing around with that setting on a windy day or in front of a fan to determine where best to set it. Low cut applied at the microphone itself will affect the signal before it even reaches the recorder but is usually a simple off/on switch with a non-adjustable corner frequency.

[gihl]

The AT822 microphone has a low-frequency roll-off switch.
The Zoom F3 can also use a high pass filter.
I will test it!
Thank you so much!