The wind is an invisible force, but it's effects are not. When wind strikes the surface of a microphone, it causes an effect known as "wind noise". Wind noise is very similar to the noise you would produce if you were to rub your finger on the microphone's surface while recording. Solving the wind-noise problem usually becomes a high priority once someone has attempted to record sound outdoors. You may not hear the wind with your ears while recording, but later, during play-back, you will notice a very frustrating, low-frequency huffing sound that drowns out dialogue and sounds that are key elements of your project.

Preventing wind noise

Recorded wind noise is a blatant sign of an amateur. With just a little know-how, it's entirely possible to achieve good quality audio recordings, even with consumer-quality equipment.

To prevent wind noise, all you need to do is prevent wind from striking the microphone's sound element. The black foam windscreens that come with most microphones helps to reduce noise caused by mild air movement indoors.

Foam windscreens are made from special open-cell foam. "Open cell" means you can blow air through the foam's cells. These cells create an airspace around the microphone, dampening the effects of air movement, while still allowing sound waves to reach the mics sound element. Foam windscreens are usually fine for use in barely perceivable wind, and they certainly do a great job of protecting your microphone from damage, but the surface of a foam screen is just too dense to adequately dampen the strike of wind against your microphone the way a fur windscreen does.

Fur windscreens

Fur windscreens, (like the WindCutter) when used over a foam windscreen, provide maximum wind noise reduction. A fur windscreen's synthetic hairs, being a soft and pliable material, soften the wind's effect on the mic. The fur breaks up the wind and dampens (quiets) it. Think of striking a solid surface, like a door, with your hand. It would be fairly loud, almost drum-like sound. Now imagine knocking on someone's door that is covered in a soft plush fabric like the synthetic fur that the WindCutter is made from.

Instead of a reverberating beat, your knock would be silenced by the sound absorbing outer layer of fur. The WindCutter is made of a special acoustically transparent fur that allows good, clean audio to pass through while eliminating the physical noise causing effects of the wind.

We offer several models of WindCutters. Our Standard WindCutter is made from a shiny, black fur that has approx. 1 inch long hairs. This model is ideal for recording in mild wind. For those who routinely record in stronger winds we recommend either the Bronze Pro (approx. 1 1/4" long hairs) or SoundMaster models (2" hairs). These both do an excellent job in most situations.
	The StormChaser Model with a denser, longer hair (approx. 2 inches) offers the highest level of wind noise reduction. This model is even endorsed by a couple of professional storm chasers who are shooting video dangerously close to some very severe storms.

The StormChaser model is available in two colors, white and black.

When you use a WindCutter for the first time you'll  be amazed at how effective they really are
at eliminating unwanted wind noise. It can be very costly and time-consuming to replace poor quality audio (especially dialogue) in post production. The relative low cost of a foam windscreen and a fur WindCutter is a wise investment for anyone who ever records outdoors.

Hopefully you've found this information helpful. Just email us if you have any questions.

What is WindNoise?
© TheWindCutter.com
05/02/2008