How to avoid waving of your tripots
How to avoid waving of your tripots
This may appear a little bit strange at first sight, but the effect is very helpful!
Let's assume you want to record something interesting and have to extend your stand to its maximum height. You have your microphone(s) up there and their windprotections / "dead cats".
Now the wind comes in waves and your whole setup may stark wobbling.
As this is a quite flexible system, it may move back and forth for a long time; some tens of seconds or even minutes.
This may cause some phasing effects in your sound and also record some unwanted rumbling from the ground, like trains on their tracks, cars driving over a bridge, etc.
Cheap kitchen sponges to the rescue
Yes! You got that right! Three of these will help you more than you expect.
You can find them at almost any supermarket in the world for just a few dollars.
But how do you use them? The "main trick" is to place one under each pole of your microphone stand. To see and feel the difference, tap the stand (making sure there are no microphones nearby) and time how long it takes the stand to move.
Now, do the same and count the seconds after tapping the stand.
You will see a significant difference. An additional benefit is that your stand and the microphone won't pick up as much rumbling noise from the ground.
But ...
... this has its limitations! If you put too much weight, such as microphones, cables, and wind protection, on your stand, the poles may sink too far into your sponges and make them almost useless.
A trick is to increase the space where your pots stand on your sponges. You could use larger leaves, a small piece of wood, socks, or anything else you like. In some cases, a "sponge sandwich" is useful.
This consists of a sponge, a piece of harder material, such as a thin piece of wood, and another sponge. This can also be covered by a thin piece of wood or leaves.
It's more material, but it may help when the weight of your microphone system and tripod becomes too high.
It's always a question of what's available when you're out in the field. Sometimes, you have to work with what you have, even if it's the second-best solution.
You should always consider the weight you have to carry because you have to carry it. ;-)