Posted on 04/19/2015 8:02:12 AM PDT by Auslander154
I am trying to set up a system for my bedridden and hard of hearing aunt so that she can hear her beloved chimes in her backyard. The chimes are heavy mothers.
Has anyone set up a system in their backyard to hear birds and sounds of nature and piped it into their house?
I ordered and tried a product called Nature's Window NW3 monitor. I sent it back as it had a defect and for $350 probably had about $50 worth of electronic parts.
On the internet I found lots of microphones and naturist setups geared for recording purposes. I don't care about recording wildlife - just want to get the sound from outside to inside and be able to amplify it so my aunt can hear it.
Would an outdoor microphone connected to a guitar amplifier do the trick? The chimes are about 30 feet from her bedroom window.
I would really appreciate any help or recommendations as to type of mic and amplifier/speaker that might get this project off the ground. Many thanks.
Thanks for taking a peek.
The microphone with cable looks very much like the one that was with the NW3 Nature’s Window except it is longer and thicker cable. The NW3 had a real thin wire - almost brittle.
I’m hoping that this mic/cable will be accepted by the amplifier speaker without hum or distortion. thanks again
Keep in mind that what you hear and find to be objectionable is not necessarily so to her. My dad had a similar problem. I ended checking his stereo equalizer settings to gauge where his dropuot occured. Finally got him to the audiologist. For some reason people accept reduced vision more readily than any amount of hearing loss.
That’s a very good point. I have taken my aunt to an audiologist and that is how I know she can’t hear the low tones. She can hear the chimes if she is up close to them.
I hung some chimes on her porch,and when I help her to the porch she can hear those chimes, but I am not always there with her.
I’d just like her to hear her chimes in bed or on her recliner, and she can adjust the volume on a speaker to her liking. It seems to be so relaxing for her.
Someone suggested recording and playing a tape of chime sounds. It’s just not as authentic or spontaneous and lacks the sudden peal and gentle surprise of wind rustling through the chimes.
No you'll need some kind of powered amplification it doesn't have to be huge. Something like THIS would work, you could also use one that has fewer channels. If you are shopping around you definitely want a "powered" amp or preamp. Multiple channels will help create a more realistic backyard sound indoors.
That’s such an important connection to maintain.
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