Home
Sounds
Native Forest Birds by Island
  Seabirds
  Raptors
  Waterbirds and Waterfowl
  Waders, Shorebirds
  Non-native Bird Species
  Mammals
  Crickets & Bugs
  Herps and Amphibeans
  Water
  Soundscapes
CDs & MP3s
Services Offered
Listening Gear
Links
Conservation Issues
Credits
Who is SoundsHawaiian?
     
     



Listening Gear

My field recording is basically done in one of two modes--for individual creatures, or for ambience or soundscapes. For these purposes I have several microphones but use primarily these:
Telinga Stereo Parabolic Microphone
The Swedish-made Telinga Stereo Parabolic Microphone is the tool I use most for recording individual creatures. It is highly directional and sensitive, and yields a fine stereo image.
Sennheiser MKH 20 microphones For recording stereo ambience or soundscapes I use a pair of Sennheiser MKH 20 microphones in various configurations. For high sensitivity, low self-noise, and durability these are the best omni-directional mic's made.
Modified SASS My most-often-used set-up for soundscape recording is this tripod-mounted SASS (Stereo Ambient Sampling System) modified to use the Sennheiser MKH-20 omni microphones. The cage is a further mod to allow placement of a windscreen over the unit.
Raingear Here is the modSASS with long-fur wind screen, set up for rain--not pretty but it works--an ordinary umbrella covered with two layers of garden shade-cloth (changes rain-drop sound from "pop" to "fft"); umbrella struts are re-inforced with strips of split pvc pipe. This is what heavy rain sounds like:
Stereo hydrophone rig This rig is for stereo hydrophone recording, to be suspended from a drifting boat, or from a boat anchored in little current. A ballast weight hangs from the 3 foot disc, while the hydrophones are suspended by bungee cord from the outriggers. The whole rig folds in half for transport, with or without hydrophone elements deployed. Material is bubble-wrap sandwiched in Lexan, with liberal use of Velcro.