Field Recording USING A DIY CUSTOM BLIMP
DIY Sound Recording blimp
OK, it may be heavier, but it's a lot cheaper.
Sitting on a Tripod
Using a dual flash brackets. 1 to mount the feeder to the tripod and the other to mount the microphones.
Internal View
The use of flexible arms, means that all kinds of configurations can be achieved. Here with 2 Clippy microphones in ORTF configuration.
Internal View with Zoom H3VR Ambisonic recorder
The Zoom H3Vr is a very capable budget Ambisonics recorder. It comes supplied with a foam wind shield or one can purchase a better after market windshield that will fit. However, I've personally found both to be pretty useless if there's wind. Here, the zoom H3vr is mounted to a stereo bar or dual flash bar. Then secured using cable ties. It is positioned far enough to the cage front so that it is perfectly possible to reach the controls. Overall not the quickest system, but certainly gets rid of wind noise. For reference, the optional Bluetooth adapter can be used to remotely set record or stop, but it can NOT alter the levels. Hopefully we will soon see a 32 bit version of this recorder, which will mean it is unnecessary to set recording levels . All in all , the Zoom H3Vr is a very capable Ambisonic recorder. There's a link to Amazon here, where we will earn a small commission if purchased. Thank you
Windcover blimp using a squirrel proof bird feeder
I have used a Chapelwood Ultra Squirrel Proof Suet Ball Feeder £14 , two Dual Flash brackets £20, 1 second-hand false fur jacket £5, two flexible cold shoe extention arms £15 and two universal wavy microphone shock mounts £8.
Chiff-Chaff and other woodland birds
This field recording gear sound example
Field recording made in April 2025 using the pictured home made blimp. Although there was only a moderate breeze, I'm pleased to report that there is zero wind noise on this recording. The equipment is configured thus: Home made blimp with two Clippy microphones with 'plug-in' power configured in ORTF 110 degrees, and 17cm apart to give a wide stereo image.Connected to a Tascam DR05XP 32 bit recorder.
