DIY wind protection for the Sony PCM-M10 recorder

Wind noise is frequently an issue when recording outdoors. Furry windshields for the Sony PCM-M10 recorder cost between $22 and $80 on the internet. No thanks, I decided to make my own. This idea can be applied for different handheld recorders – be imaginative.

Windshield mounted on my Sony PCM-M10. The green and red peak level indicating LEDs (-12 dB/OVER) are covered. This shouldn’t be an issue because you can monitor recording levels on the LCD display.

Overview

What I’ve simply done is to cut a piece of fur to wrap around the top of the recorder and sewn it up like a sock (more details at the bottom of this post). If you’re stuck in the field without any kind of windshield, a thick woolen sock would be better than nothing!

Here are some recordings with my homemade windshield. WordPress won’t let me upload mp3s, you can listen to them on Stephen’s Archive.

Windy recording with naked Sony PCM-M10, Manual Gain=5. This was about the maximum gain without clipping. The mic was fixed on a tripod and all recordings here have not been filtered or edited.

Windy recording with Sony PCM-M10 and homemade windshield, Gain = 5. The wind noise has been reduced by about 19 dB.

Windy recording with naked Sony PCM-M10, Manual Gain=10. Recording was impossible at maximum gain without a windshield.

Windy recording with Sony PCM-M10 and homemade windshield, Gain = 10. The wind noise has been reduced but is still apparent with high gain.

Making it

To make this you need faux fur, elastic, a sewing machine and a sewing machine operator (my mum sews for me). I think that faux fur can be bought from craft shops.

Homemade windshield turned inside out. The vertical seam should be positioned roughly symmetrically between the left and right mics.

Windshield performance may be better with longer fur. I just used what I could scavenge. Another improvement would be to sew a tab at the base of the “sock” to help pull it over the recorder.

Here’s a sketch of how I constructed the wind shield. Exact measurements are not required. I used “guesstimation” to get a good fit. You don’t need a close-fit over the top. A dead-air cavity should not harm your recordings (zeppelins use dead-air cavities).

DIY windshield instructions.