Topic: Field Recording Fireworks

[rebaputastopper]

Well, it’s coming up on that time of year again where things go boom. I have a very close (practically underneath) view to the local fireworks display and was planning on running my only pair of omnis, WA47jrs. I was wondering how far I should space them? 10’? I also have some Rode M5s and SM57s as well (ORTF?). I know the 57s could handle the SPL of the explosions and I’d guess the 47jrs might be able to as well since they’ve a max capacity of 157dB with the pad engaged. Of course, my Zoom F3 ought to handle anything big or small that’s thrown into it. Let’s hear some thoughts. This is entirely just for s&g, I’m curious to see what kind of a result I could produce on the cheap, lol.

[rocksuitcase]

I'd go with 10 feet spacing. Anything over 6 feet should be great. I once placed mics too close to where they shoot them off. You then get the whoosh of the canisters almost impeding the explosion sounds. Sounds like a window such as yours would make for some nice sound pickup. (traffic and local noise aside)

[SmokinJoe]

I once recorded fireworks with Sonic Studios Binaurals (stealth mics on my glasses), just for the heck of it.  When I played it back with headphones, it sounded very realistic, with a nice sense of space... including some echo/slapback from buildings behind me. I thought it was pretty cool.  YMMV

Last track of this
https://archive.org/details/amorphous2010-07-17.at853.flac16f

[spyder9]

Last track #24.  "Stars & Stripes Forever"  My only recording of fireworks.

https://archive.org/details/gd50ftw2015-07-04.spyder9.flac16