Recording Nature Sound Effects: Perfecting Audio with Keith Alexander

Ronald, a viewer asks, how do you record nature sounds? So in this episode, Keith will be going out into the beautiful Irish wilderness to look at how to record outside in nature. He is looking to achieve 3D audio and binaural sound by using a Sennheiser smart headset, a Zoom H3n 3d recorder, and a Rode stereo bar to accomplish it.
In this video, Keith will tell you what you need to prepare for this recording, what you need to think about on the day in terms of your location, what equipment you need, and professional tips on how to get the best out of your recording.
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Rode NT55
www.adorama.com/rdnt55mp.html
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone
www.adorama.com/semke600.html
Rode Microphones Stereo Spacing Bar
www.adorama.com/rdsb20.html
Rycote InVision Stereo Pair Kit
www.adorama.com/ry041125.html
Beyerdynamic DT 150 250Ohms Dynamic Closed Studio Headphone
www.adorama.com/bddt150250.html
Zoom H2n
www.adorama.com/zoh2n.html?
Zoom H3VR
www.adorama.com/zoh3vr.html
Rycote windjammer H3VR
www.adorama.com/ry055476.html
Rycote windjammer H2n
www.adorama.com/ry055422.html
Apogee Electronics Ambeo Headset with 3D Binaural Recording
www.adorama.com/aeambeossetw....
Rode iXY
www.adorama.com/rdixyl.html
Rycote Portable Recorder Audio Kit
www.adorama.com/ry046016.html
#recordingnaturesounds #audiogear #fieldrecording
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Related Episodes:
What's in my Kit Bag: Perfecting Audio with Keith Alexander
• What's in my Kit Bag: ...
Follow Keith Alexander on:
www.noiseminer.com
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noiseminer.bandcamp.com/releases
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@Jayj93pgt]

Honestly just listening to this guy talk is just as relaxing as the nature recordings.

[@keithalexander5935]

I’m blushing

[@SilentGloves]

This dude is the Bob Ross of field recording.

[@keithalexander5935]

I wish I had his hair!!!!!!

[@Spagapolis]

I could listen to you teach me about how to do calculus and enjoy it. What a soothing voice you have!

[@keithalexander5935]

That’s a million

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thank you, Keith! Your tips are solid.

[@keithalexander5935]

Mike James appreciate it Mike.

[@zarathustra6374]

This was a pleasure to listen to. Thoughtful, helpful content - thank you

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks so much Zara. I’m glad you enjoyed.

[@jamesmoore9511]

Always, as you said, bring backup equipment, always. Also some fabric (old tee shirts or sweatshirts etc ) to put over your mic setup incase the wind picks up above what your foam or dead cat can handle and a tripod or something to support the mic to cut down handling sound. Good video, thanks

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks James. Layers of clothing is always the way forward.

[@blasterbretty6385]

WOW I already knew all those things but your teaching method was fantastic, even your voice had a nice ambience about it! , thanking you very much , all the way from australia!

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks so much

[@JenRose77]

I’ve been searching for the info in this vid for awhile! Thank you!

[@keithalexander5935]

Glad you found us Jen. Best of luck with your recording

[@adamwolf4041]

Johnathan Goldsmith. The most interesting man in the world. - "I don't always make field audio, but when I do." "Keep recording my friends."

[@bandalow8381]

thankyou ❤️🙏.

[@WildWoodlandsSW]

Great advice. Ive recently started audio recording in the SouthWest,Uk,with my Zoom H5 which is a great little recorder,now that im more familiar with it. Just love being out, hunting for great sounds. Took your point about not taking unnecessary risks. I was sitting for a 5 hour recording in snow and high wind,and was starting to get a bit hyperthermic so had to beat a hasty retreat. Thanks for the great content!

[@keithalexander5935]

Wild, please mind yourself.

[@ronaldhoppus9015]

Hey ~that's me mentioned! Cool beans 😎 Looks like you picked a nice location to do this video. I'm looking forward now to the post production segment on what you might do to reduce wind noise (if possible) or other enhancements to perfect the recordings. Thanks Keith

[@keithalexander5935]

Ronald Hoppus hey, we’ll be looking at that in the near future. Thanks for your comments.

[@adrianthomas387]

Great video Keith. As an amateur video maker who loves the ambient sounds within woods, which budget system would you recommend?

[@keithalexander5935]

The Tascam DR40x has a lot of bang for your buck. I love mine

[@marieta.s]

Can you elaborate a bit more regarding settings, recommend gear and post processing? This is a subject that interests me but I don’t know anything about sound. All I know so far is what I’ve learned from your series of videos 😀

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Marietta. I will look a little deeper into what might suit you in a show dedicated to what your asking, that’s what we are here for!

[@marieta.s]

Keith Alexander Thank you very much! Sounds great. I cannot wait for a follow up video 😀

[@keithalexander5935]

Here's amoce more involved look at nature sfx. Join me on Wednesdays at 3pmEST and 8pm GMT for the live show. You can ask me any questions you may have there www.twitch.tv/adoramaxp/v/756698700?sr=a&t=19s

[@maverickf13]

Great video - is there a “recommended kit” for the sound bar and mics? I am new but have a good camera and will be adding nature recording to my hobby in the next month ☺️

[@keithalexander5935]

Hi Lizz. Beg, borrow or rent a handheld recorder like a Tascam DR40x. Its super versititle. It will be perfect for starting out. Don't forget the windshield.

[@heblyfauzannaufal8845]

Thanks for the tips, so useful

[@keithalexander5935]

Hebly Visuals thanks Henley I hope you have fun with what you may have learned. If there is anything you may be stuck on, ask us here.

[@heblyfauzannaufal8845]

@@keithalexander5935 Yes, It's time to get the most of my audio gear. Also, Henley is not my name by the way, haha

[@ieugiandi6830]

Hi, thank you very much for your sharing, please tell me how to record the sound of falling rain, without getting the microphone wet?

[@keithalexander5935]

Depends on the surface you want record can you be under cover as you record? You could cover your mic (which I always recommend) with a windshield you protect them fine

[@SM_zzz]

New sub! Thanks, Keith. Greetings from Galway.

[@keithalexander5935]

😊

[@JacksonJDoyel]

what kind of microphones do you recommend for the "place and leave" scenarios like the lion carcass?

[@keithalexander5935]

All depends on your budget. Be aware of the range of the wireless mics and is the signal ‘Line of sight’. Sennhiesser H5 for large budget Saramonic blink 500 setups for the budget user

[@christiebass2400]

Looking for a set up to record bird songs. Im not looking for and extremely expensive set up and honestly want something to record to my phone. I could listen to you speak all day by the way.

[@keithalexander5935]

Hey Christie, sorry for the late reply. Try the Zoom AM7 or iQ7 or the more expensive Rode iXY for iPhones

[@StingrayProductionsZone]

How would you rate the Zoom H2N for recording ambience sounds outside, including winds, distant birds, or a city ambience? (i'm curious if it can pick up distant sounds well)

[@keithalexander5935]

Close up its a great mic. For distance you'll need something more substantial

[@AnOn-hh8tu]

@@keithalexander5935 Keith Alexander, what do you recommended ?

[@diegocarrer4890]

Hi Alexander, thanks so much for your tips and your teachings!! I'm looking for a mic designed for capturing outdoor SOUNDS, mostly nature sounds, and not speech or dialogues in any movie settings or some sound related to images on a camera or a video. I want to record specific sounds and no more (sea waves, waterfalls, birds, sounding insects, and so on...). I have a handy recorder (tascam dr100 mk2) and I need an external mic for these purposes. My budget is about 500 eu. What device do you suggest? Thanks for all!!!

[@keithalexander5935]

I Absolutely adore the new Rycote HC mics. A beautiful response with water etc

[@davidhodgin8900]

“don’t put yourself in the place of danger its only sound recording” needed this to get past my ego. Thank you!

[@HpBeck_Fieldrecordings]

Nice upload!!Thanks for the tips***

[@keithalexander5935]

My Pleasure 🙂

[@keithalexander5935]

Just to let you know Adorama also have a channel on Twitch called Adorama XP. I am LIVE on there every Wednesday looking at technology, techniques and lots more in between to help you get creative. Some weeks we bring it right back to the basics and other weeks we will deal with more advanced stuff. It is all led by the audience so join me on Adorama XP available from Twitch, Wednesdays 3pm EST/ 8pm GMT. See you there!

[@pandoraefretum]

Hi, Alexander, thx for the clip. Every single mic on the market seems the wrong type ( for voice, or intruments ) but I do have an NTG5 which I like and have used in nature... would getting another NTG5 for stereo recording make sense ? I tried to get a LOM basicUcho but clicked pay about 5 seconds too late !! if you know of a high sensitivity low noise pair of omni mics please let me know... I cannot find any anywhere !!! Thx for your Channel

[@keithalexander5935]

If you have the budget look at the Rycote HC 22 or 15’s. I love them for ambiance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYjdY6GYZtd9ZpY

[@relaxwithme1648]

Am new to recording nature sounds and have just experienced a mistake of recording. stream too close and as a result it's too loud. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I only use a DSLR though

[@keithalexander5935]

Keep an eye on those levels 🙂 Its all a learning curve, the adventure begins here. Keep moving on up.

[@jeonsansil]

thanks for the good video I have a question, can I know the model name of the handheld stand you used in the video? 02:41

[@keithalexander5935]

Its a customised handle made up of a Rycote Handle and a Rode stereo bar.

[@EmoEmu]

Awesome video. Thanks.

[@EmoEmu]

What are those Sennheiser headphones? I got my hands on a Zoom F3 and need some field headphones that can run without a boost so not too quiet. I figured these might work?

[@keithalexander5935]

@@EmoEmu Those are my trusty beyerDynamic DT150s. Better bass response. F3! fancy.

[@justinscott8566]

Hi, Would you recommend the Zoom H1n or H2n for rain, ocean, stream etc sound recordings? TIA

[@keithalexander5935]

The H1 is great little recorder but the H2n is much more versatile. I had a few of them and I loved them. Not the highest quality recorder in the world but certainly gives you options and they are lots of fun especially for the surround recording.

[@spir1ted]

Does anyone know what @Adorama is using to connect the boom to the stereo mic bar? I am new to this and having trouble figuring out how to get my mic sound bar at a 90-degree angle from the boom, so my mics are horizontal to (parallel with) the boom.... Thank you

[@keithalexander5935]

I use a Rycote suspension mount to reduce vibration and resonance through the boom or stand and that’ll give you the angle you require

[@alexandrevaliquette1941]

If we have a lavalier, does the phone quality influence the recording? Can you heard the difference with the same lavalier recorded by different phone?

[@keithalexander5935]

The response should be the same from the mic no matter what recording device you use

[@Cukito4]

Hello, any tips for buying a microphone for recording ambient noise and sensitive enough to pick up noise from a loud stereo maybe 90 feet away? Please help!

[@keithalexander5935]

Try some thing like the Tascam DR40x or the DR100 mkIII (amazing sound) For distance you will need good shotgun mics or if the situation allows a wireless setup that would have that range.

[@davejones4740]

I've been waiting on the edge of a pier for the fishermen to come back off the trawler for months, I'm still waiting now. Just wanted their opinions on sounds out at sea...

[@keithalexander5935]

I adore designing seascapes. You lucky thing to have to tune to sit and contemplate by the sea. Heavenly. BTY see if you can get to see Ken O Sullivans 'Ireland s Deep Atlantic' documentary, amazing

[@petermsull]

And keep a butane soldering iron handy (and know how to solder!) for the inevitable; Mr Murphy is always along for the ride!

[@keithalexander5935]

Butane and solder. Gaffer. The round wheel. We'd still be in the tree's.

[@petermsull]

@@keithalexander5935 Yes, a soldering iron isn't much good without solder, indeed. I've had to actually effect repairs in S.E. Asian jungle; and not the tourism kind, the "no sounds of man" anywhere near kind. Gaffers tape is an axiom and goes without saying!

[@FrederickDunn]

How convenient that I already get all of my photo/video gear from Adorama :) I need to record the ultrasonic frequencies of rodents and other animals that communicate above 20k cps.

[@DavidGodibadze]

May I know how are you or any other human is going to listen to sounds above 20k?

[@dexoutrage8434]

@@DavidGodibadze if you isolate the sounds and then make them a little more audible using software, you'll probably hear some of the sounds that these animals make, maybe not the 20k plus ones but the ones that don't reach that high

[@rakuvlogs2805]

I want to record birds sounds which device is good for that

[@keithalexander5935]

You’ll need some sort of shotgun mic to record over a distance. Super cardioid or hyper cardioid.

[@rakuvlogs2805]

Ok thank you 😊

[@skakdosmer]

A-B, X-Y, ORTF … or NOS or DIN. I know, the latter two aren’t massively different from ORTF - they’re just a Dutch and a German variation. But they’re there, if you like them.

[@keithalexander5935]

Thank you

[@user-jg5jo8og4q]

I wonder what device should I purchase

[@keithalexander5935]

What are you intending to record? How many inputs will you need? What’s your budget?

[@naturalambiance4219]

I'm struggling with noise pollution trying to make nature video's, mostly trying to get away from traffic, even miles away I'm picking it up

[@keithalexander5935]

It’s tricky especially around the city. You’ll need to travel a bit

[@EdwinRucci]

I want to start. have the gear but dont know where to start!!!

[@fuglbird]

Just start

[@keithalexander5935]

Edwin. Walk out the door.

[@lana0210]

Does anyone know how to fix this: so Basically I have an Olympus WS- 853 digital voice recorder, which I use for meetings and regular stuff, (although it's not as good as I thought it was despite being £85), I once recorded rain sound with it while outside just by using the handheld recorder alone but the noise capture was not the best of quality and the wind seemed to really mess up with the sound too. Does anyone have any suggestions for external microphones or other cheap but really good bits of equipment I could buy to fix the wind and quality problem especially when recording outside noise. If so I would really appreciate it 💛 if you could give full names of recommended products or equipment, or full details in advice. Thank you!

[@keithalexander5935]

You will always need a windshield. You can get a windshield from Rycote for every mic and recorder.

[@sweetnature9331]

I want to record seawaves sounds , raining sounds , waterfall sounds , relaxing asmr dripping water sounds

[@keithalexander5935]

For ASMR try a biaural Mic set like the Zoom H3 or the Amber Headset ( www.adorama.com/us1412676.html) or my fav the 3Dio series of mics

[@geofflongford2008]

As covid 19 is lessened the air traffic increase unfortunately. The opportunity to capture quite atmospheres has gone in most places.

[@keithalexander5935]

Agreed. It’s all about timing in between the planes

[@vocabamigo]

lol the sound of his voice is actually a bit scratchy no? :D

[@keithalexander5935]

Thats only my wheezy old self 😉

[@IsaiahMays]

He sounds like he has a very particular set of skills... skills that make him an inconvenience for people like you...

[@berk7138]

seems like he can pull a gun and shot you immediately. what an ambiance and voice :D

[@keithalexander5935]

Thank you @berk 😊

[@thenaturefamily3488]

Fantastic video - thanks Keith. My ambient nature channel is still in its infancy so this is particularly useful information. Please check out The Nature Family channel if you get a chance. Would love to get your feedback.

[@keithalexander5935]

Send me a link

[@oddities-whatnot]

How do you record the background ambience but need to block the wind out ? This video looks like the wind jammer blocks everything except his voice, but I want to pick up sounds of people, nature, cars, everything thats going on around me but not the wind. Any help appreciated.

[@bidyutmanna3900]

You are handsome...❤❤

[@keithalexander5935]

Bless you. You've made an old man very 😊

[@DanielaTocan]

Sorry Rode is realy trash in my mind. I did record in the UNESCO Danube Biosphere arround 10000 recordings. Rode you can shine as KZbin Influencer that appear most death. In case you go a little advanced level above of Chinese trash special with long shotguns than you leave this way soon. Ok there is a personal taste in parts. But muddy sound you can not ignore. My private favourite is still a good old vintage mic. I prefere the Sennheiser 816 t. No longer available but get used for not much money with the a 48V to 12V Converter. Next level is going Gefell or 😮Schoepf but here is a pricey level the match not a hobby Sounddesigner and most get not the 10000 hours of listening to Sounds a professional have.

[@keithalexander5935]

Thanks Daniel