Topic: Recording nature outside Mic Stand vs Tripod?

[darkfry]

Recording nature outside Mic Stand vs Tripod?

Both of course would be just the recorder attached to the end, i'm leaning towards the mic stand because it can be higher.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Does it matter?

[page]

Does it matter?

only in terms of how wide in diameter the base can go.

I use my standard mic stand (assuming you were referring to what we call a mic stand and not what singers call a mic stand). Unless you are aiming for stuff in the trees (and need to get closer), I'm not sure what height has to do with it.

[darkfry]

Mic stand.



I think a mic stand would be better for recording birds, and even rushing water as you could angle the recorder closer to the birds, or closer to the water without it sitting right at the edge.

[page]

oh

I'd personally ditch both unless you are hanging the mics from something like a small tree (and use the joby which I like but only for certain situations) and get a light stand like a Manfrotto 5001B (for example). I've actually used it's predecessor (the 3373 I think it was called) for nature recording before because the minimum height to max diameter is so great that it's really difficult to tip over, especially when combined with a weight bag.

I guess part of what creates that opinion is when I do that sort of thing, I setup, hit record and come back in an hour or two. If you're just doing samples, then folding up the mic stand illustrated and using it like a boom arm would work.

[FrozenSounds]

Has to be a photo tripod.

A mic stand will not be stable on rough or soft ground and will sway in wind.

Though unless I had a ambient wide field stereo subject in mind,
I would be carrying a short 5' boom pole and the mics protected and suspended in a blimp (ENG style).

Wind and handling noise will likely be your biggest technical problems.

[darkfry]

Has to be a photo tripod.

A mic stand will not be stable on rough or soft ground and will sway in wind.

Though unless I had a ambient wide field stereo subject in mind,
I would be carrying a short 5' boom pole and the mics protected and suspended in a blimp (ENG style).

Wind and handling noise will likely be your biggest technical problems.

What about a light stand like mentioned above?

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Do whatever works for you.

But if you're using built-in mics, the stand is among the least of your worries.

[FrozenSounds]

What about a light stand like mentioned above?

It does look to have a good wide base.
But unless your field is bowling green flat, you may still have problems:
How do you get it pointing straight up on uneven ground ?

[page]

What about a light stand like mentioned above?

It does look to have a good wide base.
But unless your field is bowling green flat, you may still have problems:
How do you get it pointing straight up on uneven ground ?

it works surprisingly well but it's not fool proof. Depending on weight above it and how high your extension is, you can get upwards of 30 degrees off vertical before you encounter serious problems, but you have to keep it low in those instances. When I hit that sort of incline, I keep the height at a minimum, spread the legs as far as they will go without inducing a touch point other then the 3 rubber feet, and barring finding a spot thats better, use my clamp as an extension to try and counter balance the stand plus weight bags (all on the uphill side). My shockmount & clamp setup is versatile enough that the stand doesn't have to be level for me to get a recording where the soundstage is level which is why I don't worry as much about the pole. This won't work when you are on a steep hill and need vertical height, but I'm not sure anything will other then a boom pole.

[rastasean]

Mic stand, tripod, light stand can all work. Just depends on what you want to do.

Here is an example where you would need a tripod:
http://environment.feedfury.com/content/46709643-sass-stereo-ambient-sxampling-system-binaural-microphone-for-nature-soundscape-recording.html
http://www.trackseventeen.com/mic_rigs.html
http://diystereoboundarymics.blogspot.com/

If you want spaced omnis, it would need separate stands and same goes if you want spaced cards.

[darkfry]

Mic stand, tripod, light stand can all work. Just depends on what you want to do.

Here is an example where you would need a tripod:
http://environment.feedfury.com/content/46709643-sass-stereo-ambient-sxampling-system-binaural-microphone-for-nature-soundscape-recording.html
http://www.trackseventeen.com/mic_rigs.html
http://diystereoboundarymics.blogspot.com/

If you want spaced omnis, it would need separate stands and same goes if you want spaced cards.

Though a good tripod is $100+ and im too cheap to buy one at that price. Anybody have any suggestions?

[rastasean]

Who said it needed to be a good tripod? Yes, it needs to be stable but not $100 for the things I sent. We're providing very valid solutions for you and its not answering your questions. Perhaps you already know the answer and are prodding us for information. What do you want to tell you?

[H₂O]

I'd go with a photo tripod with individually adjustable legs (for uneven ground) and I would think you would want one that can go at least 3 feet high - both the mic stand and tripod you have pictured are less than ideal.

Think of a Surveyor's tripod but a little smaller.