Simple stereo setup for high humidity situation?

Sticky Shed · 19th February 2009

Hi.

I’m looking for some inspired suggestions regarding mic’s for a challenging field-recording situation.

I’ll be in Amazonian Colombia in May for what is essentially a holiday, but I’d like to do some wildlife recoding whilst there for an upcoming educational resource.

There are several issues as far as I can see: humidity, size and insurable value being the main ones; I’ve already been robbed once in South America so I’m very keen to keep gear cheap-ish an inconspicuous.

I have a Telinga dish with MKH20 but would rather not take the dish due to its size: I’ve been playing with a $3 collapsible umbrella and while not great, is a lot better than nothing. So that’ll be OK.

My real problem is what to do about a stereo pair that’s humidity-resistant. I want a small, cheap (under $500) method of grabbing ambiances without being too blatant.

I’ll be taking a Sound Devices pre into an Edirol R-09 – so perhaps another MKH20? Though I do have an old Rycote zeppelin I could cut down if I could find a smaller, cheaper pair of somethings that could fit inside.
So, any suggestions on the mic's issue welcome.
Many thanks
SS

John Willett · 20th February 2009

An RF condenser like the MKH 20 are the only really safe mics to take into a humid atmosphere like this.

Normal AF condensers tend to go crackly and noisy.

NorseHorse · 20th February 2009

Protecting Gear in Tropical Climates?

Shadow_7 · 20th February 2009

Shure SM81's claim high humidity tolerance in their specs and aren't too terribly expensive (used). Just be sure to get the larger wind foams, and possibly DIY some fake fur or get a commercial zeppelin. Beyond that I'm curious myself. I know I'll eventually get rained on and I want to be immune and still recording. But outside of seran wrap, condoms and/or plutheras of electrical tape, I'm not sure how to achieve that myself. I certainly don't want to be recording from inside a dog house on location.

Sticky Shed · 21st February 2009

Thanks guys. I've had someone suggest a pair of Sony ECM-55b's for a compromise, low visual impact solution. Anyone else used these for this sort of work?
Cheers
SS

NorseHorse · 21st February 2009

Stereo mic for jungle snap-shooting!

19th February 2009	#1
Sticky Shed Gear Head Joined: Aug 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 43 Thread Starter	Simple stereo setup for high humidity situation? Hi. I’m looking for some inspired suggestions regarding mic’s for a challenging field-recording situation. I’ll be in Amazonian Colombia in May for what is essentially a holiday, but I’d like to do some wildlife recoding whilst there for an upcoming educational resource. There are several issues as far as I can see: humidity, size and insurable value being the main ones; I’ve already been robbed once in South America so I’m very keen to keep gear cheap-ish an inconspicuous. I have a Telinga dish with MKH20 but would rather not take the dish due to its size: I’ve been playing with a $3 collapsible umbrella and while not great, is a lot better than nothing. So that’ll be OK. My real problem is what to do about a stereo pair that’s humidity-resistant. I want a small, cheap (under $500) method of grabbing ambiances without being too blatant. I’ll be taking a Sound Devices pre into an Edirol R-09 – so perhaps another MKH20? Though I do have an old Rycote zeppelin I could cut down if I could find a smaller, cheaper pair of somethings that could fit inside. So, any suggestions on the mic's issue welcome. Many thanks SS

20th February 2009	#2
John Willett Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 5,291	An RF condenser like the MKH 20 are the only really safe mics to take into a humid atmosphere like this. Normal AF condensers tend to go crackly and noisy. __________________ John Willett Sound-Link ProAudio Ltd. Circle Sound Services President - Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons (and lots more - please look at my Profile)

20th February 2009	#3
NorseHorse Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2008 Location: DC Posts: 2,095 2 Reviews written	Protecting Gear in Tropical Climates? __________________ http://www.facebook.com/ArtsLaureate I-95, I-64, I-85

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20th February 2009	#4
Shadow_7 Banned Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 595	Shure SM81's claim high humidity tolerance in their specs and aren't too terribly expensive (used). Just be sure to get the larger wind foams, and possibly DIY some fake fur or get a commercial zeppelin. Beyond that I'm curious myself. I know I'll eventually get rained on and I want to be immune and still recording. But outside of seran wrap, condoms and/or plutheras of electrical tape, I'm not sure how to achieve that myself. I certainly don't want to be recording from inside a dog house on location.

21st February 2009	#5
Sticky Shed Gear Head Joined: Aug 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 43 Thread Starter	Thanks guys. I've had someone suggest a pair of Sony ECM-55b's for a compromise, low visual impact solution. Anyone else used these for this sort of work? Cheers SS