Freesound Forums

I need to create sound sequence illustrating someone's fall to water - so first we hear some background ambience, then there is underwater splash sound, then we hear short emerging on surface (underwater sounds and ambience sounds exchanging), and again some underwater sound.

I tried some cheap foley tricks (mic in condom thrown to bathtub, then little slowdown/pitchdown added) and VST effects, but results are not satisfacting. So I plan to jump to a nearby lake with my whole gear. I have question before I go underwater: how to protect sound recorder? Mic will be covered by two condoms, but I have no idea how to protect my Zoom H6. And second question: does anybody tried to (re)create such sound effect without jumping to lakes? Any tips, suggestions?

I would advise against that You don't want to risk your gear. Try to rent a hydrophone (underwater microphone) and record somebody jumping into water from "underneath" with a long cable. And then a few meters away, above the water surface. If that is not enough, buy a cheap dynamic mic and try to suspend it as close to water splash as possible (so there's no phantom power, it may damage the recorder if the mic gets wet). If it gets damaged, there's no big financial hit. That's how I would approach it. Good luck and please let us know how it went.

I agree with VlatkoBlazek on his point; definitely don't risk your audio equipment.

I also highly recommend you get yourself a hydrophone, here is a guide to build one: Hydrophone instructions.

The guide above is a method that doesn't use a piezo transducer which is another (better) design.

Here are some outlets for purchasing:

http://jezrileyfrench.co.uk/jrf-audio-supplies.php (Respected independent producer UK)
http://www.aquarianaudio.com/hydrophones/stock.html (top range hydrophones USA)
http://www.contactmicrophones.com/ (another independent USA)

OK, I will try this hydrophone: http://hydrophones.blogspot.com/2011/05/c-series-pro-hydrophones-new-addition.html (I already use contact microphones from this producer and they are very good).
Using H6 I will be able to record from two inputs to two separated tracks at the same time, so recording the same splash underwater and over the surface using two microphones (as VlatkoBlazek suggested) will be possible.

Thank you for your help!