Best Hydrophone For Field Recording?! Ambient ASF2 MK2

[@user-vd2is7cj6j]

Thanks for the video, I just research about the hydrophone, I just course about compare with ASF 1 and ASF 2 ,which sound is good quality

[@fragileyouth4302]

Hey guys! First of all I just want to say as a sound engineer, and sound designer, this is the type of content I love to see on KZbin. Im subscribed and I've been addicted, I've watched all your videos. I recently got into hydrophone fabrication (as in I make my own) and I also picked up the immersion sturgeon by crank. My issue with hydrophones is that every one I've tried needs to be agitated, if I put it in the water with nothing going on, then I don't hear anything. I'm curious how much gain your adding in post, and if this was even an issue with this mic

[@fragileyouth4302]

Yeah actually in that same breath I'm also curious how you work with removing noise from the recording. It's not like you can pause the water sounds for room tone ahaha

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Joseph, well if nothing is going on then there won't be anything. If you let water run or you move stuff around, you will hear that of course. Also I don't remove noise because I don't record it. But sometimes I use Bertom Denoiser which is basic, free and good for my purpose.

[@stuartchapman5171]

Hi, there needs to a high amount of gain when using the piezo disc based contact mics you're talking about. When dipping them in rubber solution ie plastidip, don't dip more than twice. And last but not least. If you want the missing lower frequencies, then you need to pre amp them properly. Piezos are a type of crystal mic, these haven't been used widely since the days of tube equipment. These devices had an input impedance of over 1meg ohm. The lower input on modern gear results in a rc low cut filter. Many top Foley artists bemoan this and use an off the shelf pre amp, £60-400, or make their own, £20-40. There's a third way, some buffered (pre amped) guitar pedals, which don't have true bypass have an input impedance of 1meg. They are reasonably portable and run on a 9v battery. You need to connect one in between the mic and the recording device, with a battery, but DO NOT turn it on!? This is because you're engaging the buffer but not the effect. This happens whilst turned off because it's not true bypass, when the effect is disengaged. You also have a fun effect to experiment with later.

[@goodmorningsam]

Thank you for your videos. Informative, fun, and inspiring. I just subscribed.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you Sam!

[@thomaslafont3696]

7:40 it's amazing !

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Oh yes that part and sound was one of my favorites. This eery sound. Adding a little bit of reverb and you're in a different space.

[@thomaslafont3696]

@@FreeToUseSounds Yes you are an inspiration for me. I am french sound designer and i want to become a sound traveler like you on day.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@thomaslafont3696 Thats awesome and if you REALLY want that you can make it happen. :)

[@rhubbardstockfootage]

Another great video! I like this sort of content! Looking forward to the next one!!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Glad to hear it! More to come!

[@josephwright5921]

I am interested in doing some underwater recording. Could you seal a standard microphone inside of a bottle and then weigh it down to counteract the floatation? What are some options for inexpensive hydrophones? The sounds of you putting the microphone into the water in the ice pocket was unique , as well that of you chipping the ice. It would cool to freeze a microphone inside of an ice block, perhaps in a bottle of non-freezable fluid, and have someone make an ice sculpture out of while recording the sounds.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

well, try it out and see how it goes.

[@fotoworkshop_stuttgart]

Love your Passion ans you great Audios. Can only recommend buying your Packs To ANY Filmmaker!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Oh thank you so much!! I'm right now preparing all Iceland sounds and keep you updated. :)

[@fafnir75]

You should put a lure on the ASF & become the first man in History to catch a fish with a mic

[@FreeToUseSounds]

lol. There always has be a first for everything! Maybe I'd make the Icelandic news?!

[@fafnir75]

@@FreeToUseSounds I'm sure you would, either way your always welcome back. Plenty of sounds left to record...we Icelandic are exceptional noisy

[@FreeToUseSounds]

I just would like to mention that the hydrophone is made for 30m max depth. If you want a longer cable 30 meter is the max too.

[@DanieleIppolito]

suuper awesome!😍

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you!!

[@kengoodwin459]

Maybe I can't tell from the video editing, but it seems like the hydrophone's cable picks up a lot of sound. Was isolating the cable noise a problem in your post-editing of the hydrophone's files?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Ken Goodwin Hi Ken, the cable has a very good isolation but yes if you touch it or you move it around it will create handling noise. But that’s still coming from the hydrophone because it’s so sensitive.

[@kengoodwin459]

@@FreeToUseSounds Was the cable picking up the strong wind when it was held above the harbor water?

[@thmkly]

13:16 pretty cool it's rated to 20k and you're getting all of that ultrasonic stuff up there

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Yeah thats the really cool thing about this hydrophone. It records much higher. Just got the ASF1 MK2. Different beast :)

[@thmkly]

@@FreeToUseSounds nice--wish I could afford it right now! Looking forward to the vid if you do one

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@thmkly Oh yes we will but it takes me a little bit since we are right now away from the coast :)

[@aons5481]

Thanks a lot for the free pack

[@FreeToUseSounds]

You are so welcome! :)

[@ilanmoreau5198]

Sweet

[@DavidGriffin]

What would you say is a good beginner stereo mic/mic-pair for soundscape recording? I can't get the USI Pro cause they don't have any.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

I would say if you like to spend a little bit more go with a Audio Technica BP 4025xy. If I would have known this microphone from the beginning I would have bought it. All you need is a wind protection from Rycote or a ball. It’s great for ambience.

[@DavidGriffin]

@@FreeToUseSounds thank you. Gotta save an additional $1k

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@DavidGriffin Its a good investment but you can also check out the Clippys.

[@DavidGriffin]

@@FreeToUseSounds clippys

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@DavidGriffin Yes! Here you can check: micbooster.com/clippy-microphones/99-xlr-stereo-clippy-em172-microphone.html

[@andreb.1378]

Beautiful sounds! Can you tell me which camera did you use for this video? Cheers

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Of course I can André. All shot on the Sony A7iii with a 35mm 1.8 Sony lens.

[@andreb.1378]

@@FreeToUseSounds thank you! Love your work

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@andreb.1378 Thank you so much André. Having a new video up soon but maybe not this week.

[@brynjarmyrtveitosgjerd6355]

WOW!!! :O

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Thank you!

[@charleskenwright7036]

Hi, thanks for the video! I've been using 2 JRF hydrophones for a number of years. Do you know how the Ambient compares with the JRF? Thanks! Charles

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hi Charles, I never used the JRF hydrophones so I can't give you a fair answer or share own made experience. I would assume the ASF2 or ASF1 are much more sensitive and you can go much deeper with them. The Ambient needs pp and I believe the JRF don't?

[@theoliviaarchives4794]

Cool. Do you know how hot of water you can use it in?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

DON"T! You will damage the microphone.

[@theoliviaarchives4794]

Did it do any damage when you put it in the hot tub?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

@@theoliviaarchives4794 Yes

[@theoliviaarchives4794]

Oh man! I didn’t hear the warning in the video. Thanks for telling me.

[@seraphims3219]

Thank you for sharing your experience with this hydrophone! I have some questions. Does it come with a bag or where can I find a bag? Have you also used Aquarian hydrophones and are they comparable with the Ambient hydrophone in terms of sound quality, low noise, sensitivity and durability? I am new to field recording and currently I am looking for a hydrophone and a recorder with preamp. I have been checking up on both Zoom F3/F6 as well as Sound Devices Mix Pre II series and wanted to ask you if there are any major differences when it comes to sound quality/low noise preamps and durability? I am looking for something easy to handle (beginner) that I can mainly use for underwater recordings and some other ambient sounds in nature. So far the F6 in combination with the bag that you showed in the other video sounds quite interesting to me. Any other devices that I could check up on before deciding?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Hello! I'm glad to know you found the hydrophone review informative. I'm happy to clarify your questions: The Ambient hydrophone doesn't include a bag, but it should comfortably fit in any standard microphone pouch. I haven't had the opportunity to test out Aquarian hydrophones, so I can't provide a comparison. In terms of recorders with preamps, both the Zoom F3/F6 and Sound Devices Mix Pre II series are fantastic options. The Sound Devices models are renowned for their excellent preamp quality and durability. However, the Zoom models offer greater affordability and are generally more beginner-friendly. They also have superior battery life, integrated ambisonic functionality (F6), and support 32-bit recording for ambisonic. The MixPre series, although capable of 32-bit recording, only supports 24-bit for ambisonic, and you would need to purchase this feature separately. However, this factor is only relevant if you're planning to upgrade to ambisonic recordings. Let me know if you have any more questions. Happy recording!

[@seraphims3219]

@@FreeToUseSounds Alright, thank you so much! That already helps a lot :) Happy weekend

[@RileyGein]

What’s a good beginner/inexpensive hydrophone you’d recommend

[@FreeToUseSounds]

I had a cheap one in the past but it failed and only use high quality hydrophones since then. Just got the ASF1 and love it. I can't recommend anything I never used or disappointed me.

[@paulasciuk5504]

What equipment are you using to record video underwater?!

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Go Pro Hero 8

[@thanaphatp.1451]

Hello from Thailand , What camera and effect did you use to record this vdo ? I like it feeling : ) kub Khun krub

[@FreeToUseSounds]

Sawadikap Than! :).. Effect? Well its all edited in Final Cut Pro and we are using the Sony A7iii and for this video it was only handheld with a 35mm prime lens.

[@Hendrik513]

craaaaazy *_*

[@FreeToUseSounds]

:)

[@atokenbeast3927]

First?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

There is always a first.

[@atokenbeast3927]

@@FreeToUseSounds found my new youtube bender.

[@FreeToUseSounds]

AtokenBeast What’s a KZbin Bender?

[@atokenbeast3927]

@@FreeToUseSounds Binge watching lol

[@raccoon6072]

No whale squealing sounds?

[@FreeToUseSounds]

No I didn't; feel like taking a boat getting out.