OUTDOOR SAMPLING TIPS PLEASE

[Factory all stars]

I am wanting to get int sampling the great outdoors to then be put through delays reverbs etc but need advice on what mic to use.I have had a yamaha su10 for a decade now and its not been out the box let alone the house so any advice will be gratefully recieved.Many thanx

[hollandturbine]

What you want is a field recorder, you want to record the source material first then sample it, you could go pro (DAT, or data card), or use an I-pod or mini disk recorder, as for the mic it all depends on what you want to record, a good Shotgun microphone would do the trick for sounds of nature, another good one is the binaural head mic but you will look like a total nutter if anyone spots you with one, as it is shaped like a human head.

[daddio]

I am wanting to get into sampling the great outdoors ...

Try this book:

http://www.wildernesspress.com/Book172.htm

or google "Bernie Krause", one of the master field recordists

his website:
http://www.wildsanctuary.com/

[Dr. Sound]

be mindful of wind.

nothing is more annoying than a great field recording being ruined by a heavy gust of wind into your mic.

i speak from experience, and have some great recordings of downtown NYC to show for it - though a few parts need to be edited out when i pull up the files due to WIND!!!

[scope4live]

http://www.lineaudio.se/linemic.htm The ST6Li is a great stereo mic. Get a couple of windscreens though.

For mid-side, you usually need two mics, one a figure-8 pattern, either a dual diaphram condenser or ribbon, and a cardioid or omni condenser at 90degrees to each other with the figue-8 at 90degrees to the source.

I use to trade and roll my own w/ the Emulator II, III, IV, and e5000. Then came Gigastudio, and I soon grew weary of hardware samplers limited memory. I occasionally record samples which are specific to a project, and have used the M/S style of recording as it allows more sonic possibilities when adding EQ / Filters, and ambience to the separated signals.

The last time I did the outdoor thing I needed some good crickets and night creature ambience. The desert in Las Vegas is perfect for that. One could actually get some really great stuff while watching the runways at Area 51, or Nellis Air Force Base.

Come to think of it, I would like to capture a squadron of F-22's screaming off of the runways.

May You Be Sucessful In Your Endeavors.