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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: stevetoney on March 08, 2008, 11:11:06 PM

Title: Mic Umbrella
Post by: stevetoney on March 08, 2008, 11:11:06 PM: I had intended to go to Langerado but couldn't. Looks like they might be getting a little wet, so with that in mind and with festival season just around the corner, this post is dedicated to the folks that are currently slogging through Langerado. I've copied at the bottom a link to the retail section where I posted a link to the Drizzle Stick Golf Club Umbrella.

This little thing is the perfect sized umbrella for protecting gear in the rain. Last year at All Good, I had this installed about a foot over my mics...it rained pretty heavily during the Yonder set and my mics never got a drop of water on them.

Just tape the hosel of the umbrella to the mic stand and you're good to go! I also like the extra rounded design because it's harder for the wind to get underneath and start whipping the mic stand around from the top in case there's some wind that accompanys the rain, which there often is at the start of a weather front.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,100326.0.html
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: John Willett on March 10, 2008, 08:21:54 AM: I think I would prefer the Rycote Duck as it stops the rain silently - with an umbrella the mics will pick up the drumming of the raindrops on the umbrella.
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: stirinthesauce on March 10, 2008, 10:45:02 AM: ^^

another solution to the umbrella pitter patter of the rain is to put a smalll towel, or more likely available at a festi, a t-shirt on top. That deadens that miserable sound.
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: stevetoney on March 10, 2008, 01:56:46 PM: Quote from: stirinthesauce on March 10, 2008, 10:45:02 AM
^^

another solution to the umbrella pitter patter of the rain is to put a smalll towel, or more likely available at a festi, a t-shirt on top. That deadens that miserable sound.

Plus the Drizzle stick is only $15.
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: manitouman on March 10, 2008, 08:17:35 PM: I've been eying these two, nice and small as to not obstruct people's view. Venues like Red Rocks are sloped and people behind you may bitch about the obstructed views.

http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?cat=VIDEOEQUIP&subcat=CAMERAGEAR&prodClass=RAINCAPES&search=0&off=0&baseItem=UMB%2DPM

I may get the smaller one at 12" diameter. A little pricey, yes, but small and compact.
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: Javier Cinakowski on March 10, 2008, 09:08:20 PM: I hacked the end off of my drizzle stick and crimped the end so it would fit in the 5/8" adpter hole of the windtech clamp...
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: RobertNC on March 10, 2008, 09:45:17 PM: Quote from: Javier Cinakowski on March 10, 2008, 09:08:20 PM
I hacked the end off of my drizzle stick and crimped the end so it would fit in the 5/8" adpter hole of the windtech clamp...

I did the exact same thing with a $5 umbrella from Walmart. Works like a champ!
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: digifish_music on March 14, 2008, 06:29:38 AM: If anyone want's to hear what it sounds like without a towel over the umbrella, or Rycote duck...

http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=31961

::)
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: Brian Skalinder on March 14, 2008, 11:00:42 AM: Here's a rain sample, under an umbrella (no towel or such), at a concert.

ftp://ftp4all:ftp4all@tapers.org/drive1/z_rain/rain.flac

First clip is -very- heavy rain (with a nice thunder clap, taboot), second in the sequence is moderate rain.

Granted, it's a bluegrassy / old-timey and fairly quiet band, but gives an idea of how the rain will sound during a performance. Better than nothing, but...I'll line my umbrella with a towel or some such next time. For the very few instances in which I might encounter rain when recording, the duck just isn't worth the expense. Now, if I was a pro field recordist...the duck would be a no brainer.
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: Jammin72 on March 17, 2008, 11:02:35 PM: Personally... if it's raining. Thousands of dollars of gear is going back into the waterproof pelican cases. In my broke-ass world it's just not worth it. Great excuse to just let go and grab another beer.
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: bhtoque on March 18, 2008, 02:54:33 AM: Quote from: Jammin72 on March 17, 2008, 11:02:35 PM
Personally... if it's raining. Thousands of dollars of gear is going back into the waterproof pelican cases. In my broke-ass world it's just not worth it. Great excuse to just let go and grab another beer.

You're very likely to get everything soaked while breaking down though. Being properly prepared and waiting it out is the best choice for sudden downpours.

JAson
Title: Re: Mic Umbrella
Post by: tms on March 18, 2008, 02:52:54 PM: Saw these two tripod mounting umbrellas today and thought of you guys:

http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/SearchDetail.asp?productID=14966

http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/SearchDetail.asp?productID=14965

When shooting pictures or video outdoors, PRObrella can be invaluable. Mounted to your tripod, it helps protect your digital camera or camcorder from the elements. It can also block sunlight from causing lens flare or making the LCD view screen unreadable. This lightweight and sturdily built mini umbrella folds down to a very compact size.