Recording the 'Environment'

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microchip

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Greetings,

I am an ambient/New Age artist and I am looking to get out of my studio to record 'Earth sounds' for a CD I am working on.

Some of the recording would take place at a park, a forest, a recording of a running stream, etc.

This recording will only be used for minutes at a time as a background for music, but occasionally at the begining of a track it will be the only thing playing, so the recording quality needs to be good enough for that.

So, my question is, what are the basic items I need to be able to record these sounds outdoors and have CD quality? (And how would I power the equipment?). Would love to have responses give me the cheapest as well as a standard set of equipment for this might be.

Thanks for the help and if I need to add any info to this to help in getting answers, I will respond to any questions.

D. B.
Electric Insomniac Records
www.electricinsomniac.com
 
Portable DAT recorder and a stereomic.
Is this a trick question ?
 
No, not a trick question at all...

The fact of the matter is that up to this point, I have recorded strictly with synths and modules, so I have not used any microphones.

I would like to know any suggestions for mics good for this sort of recording outdoors.

I figured a DAT would be used, but since I have not used one, I don't know much about using them...what kind of power supply would they have using them outside?

I assumed recording outside would create a lot more variables than I am used to in my studio, especially when I have not recorded in 'open air' before.
 
Most portable recorders have their own battery power. There are also portable external preamps for improved quality. To be honest you would probably find better info on a BBS that caters to film sound effects recording.
 
I was watching the bravo profiles show on Bjork once and she spends lots of time recording the environment with this little hand held recorded....that she then dumps into a DAW, manipulates the sounds and uses them on her albums......Unfortunately they didn't name the piece of equipment she was using, I really couldn't tell you what it was....Definately not DAT......maybe some one else knows.....but anyhow, I don't really like Bjork all that much and I don't know if you do but I would go online and try and search for some of her recording techiques and equipment...you never know what you might find....on this program she was doing exactly what you are talking about, all with this incy bincy tiny handheld job....
 
Do a search for binaural recording on the web. Search for somebody like gordon hempton you'll be able to find some great recording techniques.
 
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