I've just given this a go for the first time and it's not been a success. I am failing to get any bird vocalisations/ registrations at all. Even during daytime. Close range hand claps etc register but fainter sounds don't. There are birds vocalising at 40-100m from the mic and they're not being picked up. I have even tried a large homemade parabola and it makes no difference.
Admitedly I have a crude set up - a microphone linked to a laptop placed by an open window (also trialled outside where calls should be stronger). But why am I getting this problem with microphone sensitivity? Surely closer bird calls should get registered?
I am using a couple of different microphones, Samsung S2 https://www.bing.com/images/search?...608023210445635781&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0
and another similar. They are both about 15 years old but otherwise seem to be in good working order.
I am recording directly out of Audacity on the laptop and using it to review playback on spectrogram.
Firstly, why are these mobile recorders considered better than a standard laptop and secondly why is my setup not picking up most sounds even when pointing in the right direction?
many thanks
Admitedly I have a crude set up - a microphone linked to a laptop placed by an open window (also trialled outside where calls should be stronger). But why am I getting this problem with microphone sensitivity? Surely closer bird calls should get registered?
I am using a couple of different microphones, Samsung S2 https://www.bing.com/images/search?...608023210445635781&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0
and another similar. They are both about 15 years old but otherwise seem to be in good working order.
I am recording directly out of Audacity on the laptop and using it to review playback on spectrogram.
Firstly, why are these mobile recorders considered better than a standard laptop and secondly why is my setup not picking up most sounds even when pointing in the right direction?
many thanks