Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?  (Read 3384 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline mjj

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« on: February 20, 2018, 01:36:17 AM »
Hi,

I have some quite noisy downstair neighbours who often scream, speak loudly. Sometimes I can hear what they are saying, sometimes I can't distinguish single words. When I put my ear to my wooden floor I can hear what they are speaking. I tried recording them with ZOOM H1, ROLAND R-05, but no much success as there are too much hiss from recorders.

Is it possible to record that without hiss? Are there any sensitive affordable recorders which would do that? Any help would be appreciated!  :shrug:

Offline twatts (pants are so over-rated...)

  • <://PHiSH//><
  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 9941
  • Gender: Male
  • Lego made a Mini-Fig of me!
Re: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2018, 02:37:34 AM »
Try using a large cone.  Make one out of a large piece of cardboard.  Make sure it has very little gap between it and the floor.  Cover the outside with a bathmat (fuzzy) to block outside sound.  Place your recorder at the very top...  Experiment from there...

Then ask yourself:  Do you really want to hear your neighbors conversations???

Terry
***Do you have PHISH, VIDA BLUE, JAZZ MANDOLIN PROJECT or any other Phish related DATs/Tapes/MDs that need to be transferred???  I can do them for you!!!***

I will return your DATs/Tapes/MDs.  I'll also provide Master FLAC files via DropBox.  PM me for details.

Sony PCM R500 > SPDIF > Tascam HD-P2
Nakamichi DR-3 > (Oade Advanced Concert Mod) Tascam HD-P2
Sony MDS-JE510 > Hosa ODL-276 > Tascam HD-P2

******

Offline mjj

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2018, 02:55:27 AM »
Thanks for reply! The goal is to record their noises and play them back with speakers. Maybe that will make them think...

* They are over 60, they drink, they speak some dumb things at night loudly and their voices are some of the ugliest in the world. And when this bitch shouts at night I wake up and have some stress.. They are driving me nuts! That's the last thing I am doing before contacting the police with my problem.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2018, 03:07:56 AM by mjj »

Offline Limit35

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 337
Re: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2018, 02:56:44 AM »
Try using a large cone.  Make one out of a large piece of cardboard.  Make sure it has very little gap between it and the floor.  Cover the outside with a bathmat (fuzzy) to block outside sound.  Place your recorder at the very top...  Experiment from there...

Then ask yourself:  Do you really want to hear your neighbors conversations???

Terry

When I clicked on this topic I wasn't expecting such a specific request for advice, but the answer? Right on, those are words of experience there!  :clapping:

I also agree about listening to neighbors, that's Rear Window level stuff there. Unless you care to elaborate on the reason?

edit: Just saw the reason after the post. Don't worry about hiss, they won't hear it from speakers through the floor. Though it may be fun to anonymously mail, or doorstep, them a CD of whatever disturbance they are causing. That is if there are others who may be disturbed and can be suspects. I wouldn't advise taking disturbance to harassment, but anonymous pranking would be great.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2018, 03:04:27 AM by Limit35 »

Offline mjj

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2018, 03:14:53 AM »
When I clicked on this topic I wasn't expecting such a specific request for advice, but the answer? Right on, those are words of experience there!  :clapping:

I also agree about listening to neighbors, that's Rear Window level stuff there. Unless you care to elaborate on the reason?

edit: Just saw the reason after the post. Don't worry about hiss, they won't hear it from speakers through the floor. Though it may be fun to anonymously mail, or doorstep, them a CD of whatever disturbance they are causing. That is if there are others who may be disturbed and can be suspects. I wouldn't advise taking disturbance to harassment, but anonymous pranking would be great.

Great idea  :bigsmile: But to do this, I must get as clean sound as possible. If they hear too much hiss, they won't be shocked as much as I want :)

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15700
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2018, 08:41:40 AM »
You want a "contact microphone" which is typically affixed to the face of an acoustic musical instrument, translating the vibrations directly from the surface.  They typical stick to the surface with a bit of putty or tape.  Stick it to the floor and you'll get a much clearer recording with better signal level (less hiss).  You don't need a high quality one, an inexpensive one should do the job just fine.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline heathen

  • Trade Count: (23)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3528
Re: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2018, 08:47:24 AM »
Reminds me of this, which is definitely worth watching if anyone hasn't already: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1766085/
Mics: AT4050ST | AT4031 | AT853 (C/SC) | Line Audio CM3 | Sennheiser e614 | Sennheiser MKE2 | DPA 4061 Pre: CA9200 Decks: Zoom F8 | Roland R-05

Offline Gutbucket

  • record > listen > revise technique
  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 15700
  • Gender: Male
  • "Better to love music than respect it" ~Stravinsky
Re: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2018, 08:54:04 AM »
Added to watch list.
musical volition > vibrations > voltages > numeric values > voltages > vibrations> virtual teleportation time-machine experience
Better recording made easy - >>Improved PAS table<< | Made excellent- >>click here to download the Oddball Microphone Technique illustrated PDF booklet<< (note: This is a 1st draft, now several years old and in need of revision!  Stay tuned)

Offline earmonger

  • Trade Count: (5)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
  • 20-20000 Hz
Re: Recording quiet sounds without hiss?
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2018, 09:33:01 PM »
How about post-processing? Audacity is free--you can Amplify or Normalize and then try Noise Reduction or a Low Pass setting to cut the hiss.

https://www.audacityteam.org/

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.092 seconds with 38 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF