Need advice-recording fire

[renec]

So I have a project in the house where I'm going to need to do a moderate amount of fire recording. Things like torches, primitive incense burners, and other small to medium sized flame sources.

Most of these sounds are going to be pretty exposed, and library stuff just won't come close to getting the job done here. I'd really love some advice about the following:

1- safety
2- flame sources
2a- non flame sources that may also sound good
3- mic techniques
4- any issues with the quick temperature changes that fires create

thx!

[sysyphus300021]

I was watching the anime bleach and one character has a fire ability thing. From what I can tell they used rocks to make the low rumble on the fire. Sounded like a rock slide. That is all I know sorry I can not help more.

Also found a site that says this " Breaking matches or the air bubbles in plastic wrapping sounds like the louder pops from (undried?) firewood. David Filskov



Crisp (potato chip) packets very slowly compressed with hands make a convincing crackling of fire."

[dsteinwedel]

Do it in outside. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Lighter fluid is your friend. Also, using a blimp and furry system should give you an indication if you're getting too close/hot. If the furry starts to singe, it might be time to pull back. If the blimp is melting, get it the hell out of there!

--Dave

[gmarinov]

i recently recorded some small fire sounds indoors. a candle did the trick, but i had to act it a little. stick the microphone really close, then gently blow onto the flame (mind the mic, needs windshield). record at 96+ kHz, inject into your favourite sound mangling software. =)

[idahorecordist]

for small fires you don't have to worry about temp to much. large fires, another story. I try to keep my mic low to the ground if it sounds ok. I also pull the mic away at times if I feel it's getting too hot.

I've recorded lots of fires and it can get quite hot. I usually do not use the furry wind jammer as it will singe or burn.

I have some photos here:

The Recordist Sound Effects - Photo Gallery Main Page

and:

Fire Recording 2010 - a set on Flickr

Fire is great to record. very cool sounds can be had. can be dangerous!

Frank

[Uncle Bob]

I have used birch tree bark - it has a great crackle when fresh.

Make your own "candles." Melt several candles or get a candle-making kit and use a shallow can (like a tuna fish can). Put in eight or ten wicks. When you pour the wax into the can mix a little water into it (or spray a little on top with a mister) for sputtering and popping sounds.

A cheap charcoal grill is a great too. Get a decent charcoal fire going, put on gloves, safety glasses, etc. and douse the fire with lighter fluid for "whoomps."

[renec]

dig the home made candle and lighter fluid ideas!

Also, that's cool video you have up there idaho. how well did the sanken hold up to the heat?

[Big Andy]

Great slideshow! God I love fire...... I mean, that must've been fun.

[idahorecordist]

The Sanken held up great. I've only used it a couple of times with large fires, started to worry after I used it to record 2 massive 25 foot "slash" piles from some loggers, that was hot! Mic was OK.

Now I use my AT-835ST (expendable I guess) and a PCM-D1 as a backup.

If you want some good "wizard magic poofs" wait until the brush pile has burned down to coals and stir them up a bit. I grabbed a jumbo coffee mug and some camp stove fuel and threw it up in the air and onto the red-hot coals and it worked quite well. I also "whooshed" the fuel on the coals for great flame bursts.

-Frank

[Fred Pearson]

Hold your hand in front of the fire, if it's too hot to keep it there - then it's too hot for a microphone!

Just be aware of the heat/distances from the fire and experiment! Also, the crisp packet trick works a treat!

Peace

[Berolzheimer]

If you want to experiment with getting close, get yourself some stunt mics- There are some good & inexpensive mics available from Niaint & Karma, for instance. Don't risk melting the mylar diaphragms of your expensive mics.