Windscreen?

Hello everybody

Has anyone found a way to reduce wind in the low frequency range?

My colleague records in very windy conditions and the target animal uses low frequency sound. The recording of the wind is attached. It unfortunately covers right those frequencies we need to record (50Hz - 10000Hz).

I also was looking at recording Barred Owls - here is what I got two nights ago :

https://ebird.org/checklist/S66087247

Thanks a lot, this is very informative. I am a bit surprised though that the main difference seems to be in the higher frequencies and there is not much differences in the lower frequencies. I had expected it to be rather the opposite (or equally), but that might be due to my limited knowledge of the physics of sounds transmission.

Given that I am mainly interested in frequencies below 1 kHz (Owl calls), it almost looks like it might not make much of a difference for my application.

Best wishes and thanks again.

Arne

Hi Arne,

Here are 2 files of 30 seconds original recordings, AB-2ws has the wind screen

and AB-1 has none

Regards,

André

Hi Andre,

thanks a lot for this info. That sounds very interesting and useful. Yes, I would be very much interested in seeing an example file.

Thanks

Arne

Hello Arne,

I received yesterday a Rode Microphones Deadkitten Artificial Fur Wind Shield. I installed in it my AudioMoth AB-2 in its plastic bag and installed the package on a tree for overnight recording from 18:00 yesterday to 08:00 this morning (22:00 to 12:00 GMT) my other AudioMoth AB-1 in its plastick bag without Wind Shield was installed 156 meters south. Temperature at the begining was 15°C and was down at -8°C this morning. I have extracted one file from each AM of one minute each in which we hear a fligh of Canada Geese passing over/by. There was winds 40 km/h with gusts at 70 km/h at time of the recorded files. The wind noise is much less in the recording by AB-2 (with Wind Shield). If you want a copy of those 2 files of 1 minute each, let me know and I will make them available.

If you have the opportunity to test your windscreen, even in the rain, before I receive mine, I would appreciate knowing your results.

good point. Thinking about it, it seems stupid what I did....

My understanding is that these hairy windscreens act the same way the fur of an animal or the feathers on a bird which will dry if wet. Puttin the fur under the skin would not work - so I dont see how the windscreen could perform if put inside the plastic bag. These hairy windscreens are made out of synthetic material which should not retain water.

André

Sounds good. I did put the AM into the windscreen and then the windscreen into the plastic bag. Otherwise I was afraid the windscreen will just get soaking wet when it rains.

I has not done any tests yet since I only got my AudioMoths last week. I ordered today the model shown in my previous post. I will make the tests as soon as I receive it. Please note that I will put the complete AM in its plastic bag into de windscreen in order for it to be efficient.

Hi Andre,

thanks for your message. I have done some very limited testing with these two types https://www.kjell.com/se/produkter/ljud-bild/foto-video/mikrofoner/mikrofonskydd/mikrofonskydd-o40-50-mm-p24131

and

https://www.kjell.com/se/produkter/ljud-bild/foto-video/mikrofoner/mikrofonskydd/boya-by-b05-vindskyddspals-till-lavalier-mikrofon-3-pack-p20031

(sorry the text is in Swedish, but you can see the pictures)

When testing them under low wind conditions, it seemed - to my surprise - like they make no difference compared to no windscreen at all. Did you make any tests? I would be really curious to hear if others have done some testing.

Best wishes

Arne

Hi Arne,

I have the same problem and I was considering purchasing a microphone windshield like Deadkitten from Rode - see : http://en.rode.com/accessories/deadkitten

The dimensions are 80.00mmH x 80.00mmW x 80.00mmD, so the AudioMoth in its plastic bag would fit in.