Here you’ll find one of the most important accessories for field recording. Suspensions, blimps, windjammer, audio bags, which are essential for the work of amateurs and professionals alike.All this extra equipment is quickly becoming indispensable for any situation. Here are the accessories I recommend for field recording.
Headphones
For me, headphones are an important part of the equipment, and the experience of listening while recording, as well as capturing the details that enable the finest possible microphone placement, have led me to try out many different headphones.
My preferences are: Sennheiser HD25 & HD26, Sennheiser HD7, Beyerdynamic DT770pro…
The Sennheisers have the advantage of rendering transients perfectly.
Audio bag
Another essential accessory is the carrying bag. It’s possible to use a backpack or a shoulder bag (those for photography are very well designed with removable velcro parts) but audio bags are designed to carry all the equipment with confidence. They simplify cable management and provides access to important functions of the equipment.
Here the choice is large and it’s important that your choice fits to your equipment.
Microphone suspensions
The microphone shock absorber is the essential accessory for certain circumstances for any sound recordist. It’s main fonction is to filter the noises related to the friction of the hand on grip, the friction on the cables, the vibrations of the body when walking…
Good quality suspension are not cheap but they can filter a good part of the disturbing sounds, you just have to hold your breath;-). not even necessary if you record nature landscapes.
I recommend Rycote or Raduis winshields produts who makes very good suspensions for every microphones, they make professional recording accessories.
Microphone Winshields
An essential purchase that goes with a microphone or a portable recorder when you want to record outdoor sounds.
The microphones are ultra sensitive, the slightest breath or rapid movement of the microphone creates a rumble that ruins your recording.
In case of strong wind, the furry windscreen is a must. Some models may affect the sound and dampen treble slightly. I mainly use Comica ones that fit Earsight mics perfectly with no complaints.
Microphone Blimp/Zeppelin
The ultimate solution to protect the microphone from strong wind is a blimp. Zeppelin or blimp are more efficient than windjammers because the microphone is surrounded by an air capsule protected from the wind. Rendering is better than windjammer but the difference is second to none.
Cables
Above all, don’t neglect cable quality, even for short distances. The transparency of a cable is important, and some cables can destroy high or low frequencies. There’s no question of spending a fortune on cables, as “audiophile hifi” enthusiasts do, but avoid first-price cables.
Mogami, Canare and Somer cable are serious suppliers that I use on a daily basis, and their long-term durability and sound quality are unquestionable. In fact, it’s often these brands that equip the most prestigious recording studios.
A few of the links that I propose on this page are links affiliated with Thomann.de, the principle is that if you buy the equipment by clicking on the link. I get a very small commission that allows me to keep the website on the go, so you don’t pay more. You are free not to buy via this link or to buy where you want, I encourage you to check the prices on several websites to be sure to get the best price. I chose the Thomann affiliate program because I bought a major part of my equipment on this site and I never had any problems.
