Parabolic Microphones

A parabolic microphone is a highly directional microphone that uses a parabolic dish to capture and amplify sound from a specific direction. This allows sounds at a distance to be recorded more precisely than with a standard microphone.

 

Sound waves falling on the dish from the direction of the subject are directed to a central focal point. The microphone is located at this focal point. The parabolic dish thus ensures targeted recording and acoustic amplification of the sound.

 

Parabolic microphones are widely used for recording bird sounds, mammals, and other nature sounds from a distance. They are suitable for bird research, bioacoustic research, nature documentaries, and nature observation, among other applications. An important advantage is that a specific sound source can be better isolated from ambient noise. For example, a bird's song can be recorded from a distance without disturbing the animal.

 

The maximum recording distance cannot be linked to a fixed distance. This depends, among other things, on the volume and frequency of the sound and on the ambient noise present. In a quiet environment, sound can be recorded usably from a great distance, whereas the effective distance in a noisy environment can be significantly smaller.

 

An amplified parabolic microphone features a built-in, very low-noise preamplifier that amplifies the microphone signal directly. This allows the parabolic microphone to be easily connected to, for example, headphones, a camera, a smartphone, or a compact audio recorder.

 

The amplification ensures a stronger output signal, which limits the influence of self-noise from lower-quality recording equipment. Additionally, some models feature a built-in mixer that allows multiple audio signals to be combined and sent to a recorder via a single 3.5mm jack.

 

Models with an XLR output also offer the option to connect the parabolic microphone to professional audio equipment. As a result, amplified parabolic microphones are suitable for both compact field setups and more extensive professional recording configurations.

 

When choosing a parabolic microphone, several characteristics are important:

 

Mono or stereo: Mono is primarily suitable for recording a single sound source as directly as possible. Stereo, on the other hand, offers more spatial information. As mentioned in a previous question, mono is useful for research setups. This is, for example, for recording migratory birds at night (Nocturnal Migration, NOCMIG). There is no redundant data in this case. Our most sensitive parabolic microphone for this purpose is the Hi-Sound Mono Evo from Dodotronic. This parabolic microphone is compatible with the Tascam DR-05XP (3.5mm PIP connector) or the Tascam DR-40XP (XLR connector). This microphone is so sensitive that no additional pre-amplification is required.

 

Disc size: A larger dish can offer greater directivity, while a compact dish is easier to carry around. The size of the dish also largely determines which frequencies are focused. The larger the dish, the more lower frequencies are amplified by the dish. In the case of bird sounds, a smaller dish is often sufficient.

 

Connection: check if the microphone connects to the recorder, camera, or smartphone being used. Common connections are 3.5mm and XLR.

 

Self-noise: for soft nature sounds, low self-noise is important to properly record subtle sounds. All built-in microphones have a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 80dB, which is very good.

 

Wind protection: for field recordings, good wind protection is essential to limit wind noise.

 

Weight and transport: a lightweight or foldable parabolic microphone can be practical when working in the field for extended periods.

 

Compatibility: some systems are complete, while others are intended to be combined with a separate microphone or recorder.

 

At Veldshop, parabolic microphones are available in various designs and price ranges.

 

BirdFox offers compact models specifically aimed at observing and recording birds. Due to their practical size, these systems are suitable for birdwatchers and for fieldwork where portability is important.

 

In the higher segment are, among others, the professional parabolic microphones from Dodotronic. These models are aimed at users who place higher demands on sound quality and recording performance. Both mono and stereo models are available within this product line.

 

For professional field recordings and bioacoustic research, Wildtronics and Telinga are also interesting options. Wildtronics focuses, among other things, on low intrinsic noise and a good signal-to-noise ratio. Telinga distinguishes itself through modular systems in which the parabolic microphone can be combined with various microphones and configurations. This makes these systems suitable for intensive fieldwork and advanced recording setups.

 

Which parabolic microphone is most suitable depends on the intended use, the desired sound quality, the distance to the sound source, portability, and the available budget. For occasional bird observation, a compact model may suffice, while for professional field recordings, a more comprehensive system offers more possibilities.

 

Various parabolic microphones can be used in combination with a smartphone. This offers a compact solution for recording, listening to, and analyzing bird sounds and other nature sounds.

 

The BirdFox BirdMic is an example of this. For this model, a smartphone kit and a BirdMic Pro Package with an audio interface are available, among other options. Depending on the version, the sound can be listened to live, recorded, and analyzed via a smartphone or recorder.

 

An external audio recorder can also be combined with a parabolic microphone. The connection and any power supply required for this vary depending on the microphone and recorder. Therefore, always check whether the connections and power supply of both devices are compatible.