Ambient recording questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter stopmotion
  • Start date Start date
S

stopmotion

New member
Been doing my best to get recordings of quiet atmospheres, such as just sitting in a forest, or getting close to a buzzing bee.

Problem is my recordings are a bit too quiet, and when I amplify them with like Audition, the hiss becomes way too much. (I amplify something like 16-24 DB.) The recording is clearly audible if I don't amplify, and the hiss is bearable... but everything is too quiet. As I amplify, I realize the ratio of hiss to good sound is too much. If I do an EQ and lower higher freq, too much good sound is lost. The problem must be at the source, recording.

I'm using a good recorder, the Edirol R-1, with a stereo Audio Technica mic, the Pro 24. That's it. Beautiful results if recording a voice or something louder than just atmosphere. I'm wondering if what I really need is a preamp? Would that boost the sound and not the hiss?

Thanks for any feedback. I'm sure I either need a difference mic or a preamp, or maybe something else?

EDIT: I have a couple examples: (good headphones recommended)

First, no edit. Second, 18 DB amplification. The buzzing bee sounds okay (he was inches from the mic) but the birds and hiss are about equal. The train is hard to hear because of the hiss as well.


 
Last edited:
alternatives

stopmotion said:
Been doing my best to get recordings of quiet atmospheres, such as just sitting in a forest, or getting close to a buzzing bee.

Problem is my recordings are a bit too quiet, and when I amplify them with like Audition, the hiss becomes way too much. (I amplify something like 16-24 DB.) The recording is clearly audible if I don't amplify, and the hiss is bearable... but everything is too quiet. As I amplify, I realize the ratio of hiss to good sound is too much. If I do an EQ and lower higher freq, too much good sound is lost. The problem must be at the source, recording.

I'm using a good recorder, the Edirol R-1, with a stereo Audio Technica mic, the Pro 24. That's it. Beautiful results if recording a voice or something louder than just atmosphere. I'm wondering if what I really need is a preamp? Would that boost the sound and not the hiss?

Thanks for any feedback. I'm sure I either need a difference mic or a preamp, or maybe something else?

EDIT: I have a couple examples: (good headphones recommended)

First, no edit. Second, 18 DB amplification. The buzzing bee sounds okay (he was inches from the mic) but the birds and hiss are about equal. The train is hard to hear because of the hiss as well.


Click to expand...

you are recording a very low signal that gives low S/N and no room to amplify without the noise becoming a problem.

try a parabolic mike to boost the signal of what you want to hear
andor turn up the gain to maximum -- but that still may not be enough

if you can find a mike with a higher output that might help some
or
if you could find a LOW noise preamp to boost the mike you have it might help. but you need to be careful not to overload the edirol and clip the signal.
 
From the Pro24 manual:
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO1 57 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa*

57dB of S/N is like a cassette tape without noise reduction.

I have an AudioTechnica AT822 which seems pretty good.

From the AT822 manual:
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO1 70 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa*

If your noise is coming from the mic then switching to the AT822 should make it about 13dB lower.
 
bouldersoundguy, thank you... I didn't realize this mic S/N ratio was comparable to cassette! That's junky! I will look around for a mic with better S/N ratio, thank you.

I suppose I could spend $300 on a mic but the really great ones are like... 1000-3000 :eek:

miroslav, I appreciate those links they were very interesting and helpful.

newcomputeruser, thanks for those tips.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top