Editor’s Note: Here’s an interesting thread from the PSW Live Audio Board (LAB) forums. It’s lightly edited for grammar and formatting. Enjoy.
Posted by JC
I’m going to set up some mics to record the impending “weather-pocalypse” tonight. What should I use?
Here’s what I have available:
2x AT3035
2x AT3031
1x SM57
1x Audix i5
1x R0DE NT2A
2x dBx RTA-M
3x Audio-Technica handheld dynamic mics.
Unfortunately, I don’t own any kick drum mics.
Reply by David
I’d put the Rode at the top of the list. 3031s as a crossed stereo pair would be my next choice.
How many record channels do you have? If you can record three channels, or a stereo and separate mono, I’d do both. HPFs off. No comps, go for dynamic range.
Reply by JC
I have 8 channels available on my Focusrite 18i20. But that depends on where I set up. If I set up in the house I’d have to cable out to the field. If I set up in my truck, then I could conceivably do up to 8 channels.
Reply by Cailen
I’d try to find a sub that has a super low response… Run it into a mic preamp…. So much of thunder is soooo low…
Reply by JC
Man…that sounds really complicated. Plus subs are heavy.
Reply by Scott
More weatherproof than most microphones, though.
Reply by Jason
Get a Zeppelin (or blimp) with a “dead cat” cover. They’re essential for good outdoor nature recordings. Oh, and I really like (Avlex) ORTF configured SDC or MDC for such things. They also sound superb as drum overheads on your day gig, justifying the expense and effort.
Reply by Roland
A friend of mine, recorded a storm using a couple of DPA 4060’s in a “dummy head” arrangement, and it sounded great. Omni’s are good as they tend to have a flat response and good bass end.
Reply by Jerome
Another option is to setup a MS pair. One Omni for the M and one figure eight for the sides. EV 635a and two EV CO4 wired in series and out of polarity pin 2 to the mixer. Pin 3 to pin 3 on second mic, pin 2 on second mic to pin 3 on mixer.
You will have the figure 8 pattern on the two CO4 mics and the EV 635a. Middle side can be translated from mono to all the other stereo patterns.
You could also place in a large garage and leave the doors open. Keeps them a little dryer depending on the wind direction. Wind guards would help to clean up the sound.
Reply by Jason
Am I the only one thinking that intentionally putting wired mics out in a thunderstorm is a bad idea?
Reply by Glen
It can’t be any worse than intentionally putting mics in front of most musicians, can it?
Reply by JC
I guess the plus side is that you don’t have to plug in the mic in front of the musicians.
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