MiniDisk field recording problem

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:32 pm

So, there I was last night risking 240,000 volts by standing out in a severe electrical storm with my Minidisk recorder.

But curses ! Today when I listen to it there seems to have been some sort of "mic sensitivity" setting on

When there's no thunder you hear the rain; then as soon as there's thunder, the rain noise almost completely drops out.

I've got a Panasonic SJ-MR220 which has two mic sesntivity levels and a manual level adjust. Don't know what it was on last night (hey, I'm new to this), but I'm hoping that "manual" will in future eliminate this problem.

Any insights or tips on field recording with MD most appreciated !

ChrisWerner · Post by **ChrisWerner** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 2:33 am

Yes I had this problem, too.
The only thing that helped me a bit was to record the things in the manual record level mode and more quite than normal, maybe -6db or something.
You have to try to find the best record level in manual mode for your MD.

Counterparts · Post by **Counterparts** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 2:44 am

On 2006-01-03 17:32, Spirit wrote:
So, there I was last night risking 240,000 volts by standing out in a severe electrical storm with my Minidisk recorder.

But curses ! Today when I listen to it there seems to have been some sort of "mic sensitivity" setting on When there's no thunder you hear the rain; then as soon as there's thunder, the rain noise almost completely drops out.

That's just a signal-to-noise ratio issue, Shirley!

Can't say I can hear the rain in the midst or a gert thunderclap.

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 3:40 am

Looks like another storm tonight so I might get the chance to try a lower level, thanks for the tip.

And Counterparts, you're right, but there's a noticeable "lag" between the thunder and when the rain level climbs back up.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 3:43 am

Spirit, you'll get a better quality signal in an electrical storm if you hold a metal pole above your head. As long as you're not standing on the ground at the time you'll find the difference quite alarming !!

Lima · Post by **Lima** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 3:51 am

I know exacly what's the problem, because I frequently use my MD to take recordings of instruments and ambients.
When I record with my minidisc I have to disable its internal compressor/limiter. According to the manual, to do this I need to choose the record level manually and I have to do this everytime I begin a new recording.

It's quite annoing in the case of short and frequent recording, so in this case I suggest to pause the recording instead of stopping it.

I've got a Sony MD but I think it could be the same for Md of other brands.

Hope it helps!

ChrisWerner · Post by **ChrisWerner** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:13 am

Beside Shroomz note I would recommend you to stand on one foot, only.
The risk to loose life when a thunder hits a tree near you, is nearly nullified.

That´s because the voltage of the thunder moves away from its impact point in a radial way. When you stand on two differnet ESD lines you can die.

Good luck out there!

EDIT:
Damn, my girlfriend qualify my one foot hint, it depends on your footsize. But she suggested me to use stilts.

[ This Message was edited by: ChrisWerner on 2006-01-04 05:24 ]

Nestor · Post by **Nestor** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:11 am

Spirit, try to get an insurance along with your MD, just in case... it sounds dangerous your thing

next to nothing · Post by **next to nothing** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:21 am

this one is way easier:
http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... 3&forum=15
http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... forum=17&4

[ This Message was edited by: piddi on 2006-01-04 06:40 ]

Counterparts · Post by **Counterparts** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:35 am

On 2006-01-04 03:40, Spirit wrote:
Looks like another storm tonight so I might get the chance to try a lower level, thanks for the tip.

And Counterparts, you're right, but there's a noticeable "lag" between the thunder and when the rain level climbs back up.

As Lima said, that does sound like the effect of a compressor. I haven't tried using my MD as a recorder in this manner yet (actually, I don't have a mic for it)

BTW, what microphones do you use/would recommend?

Royston

@ Shroomz - LOL!

Post by **garyb** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:10 pm

of course there's a limiter and expander in almost all of those types of consumer recording devices....

a little creative editing(snip, snip, blend back with the original track) should do it....

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 3:35 pm

Portable mic preamp:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com

Then you can use the line in rather than mic in.

[ This Message was edited by: braincell on 2006-01-04 15:36 ]