ML148008

Media notes

Subtitle: Melampsalta muta. Captured very early in the season by Mrs. Ward who found it on the cement driveway. It was brought inside, laid on the carpet on the floor, and the microphone placed as close to the insect as possible. When touched, it made the noises on this tape. Note: While the above microphone is an omnidirectional dynamic, when it is brought this close to a cicada it appears to exhibit the 'proximity effect" that a cardoid does; that is, it emphasizes low frequencies at the expense of the highs. The same effect will be obtained by placing the human ear close to a cicada. Hence, in playback, attenuate the treble control and back off the bass; doing the same on the 3-way speaker if possible. *"Fragments of NZ Entomology" (There is much that is wrong in this publication now being revised by Dr. Charles A. Fleming & J.S. Dugdale.). Melampsalta muta. Crawled around in my hand. Alarm from handling. Equipment Notes: Tapesonic 70-C recorder. 1.5 kc high-pass filter.