Recording your bells

The first Fun with Bells Podcast Season ends with a generous double helping as show host Cathy Booth interviews young ringer Charlie Linford and audio engineer David Richards.Charlie (11) explains to Cathy that bell ringing is a rewarding hobby for all ages as she throws light on some of the theory behind ringing, including some tips on how to start learning methods.With seven quarter peals under her belt already and an impressive list of towers she has rang at it seems only a matter of time before Charlie is ringing at the National 12 Bell Competition. Talking of which, if you’ve ever been interested in recordings are made to help judge a striking competition, or indeed the best way to record any bell ringing, then the interview with David will fascinate you.Packed full of practical tips and suggestions, David talks Cathy through making detailed recording of bells for analysis, ambient recordings of bells to remember a special occasion and spur of the moment recordings when you just happen to be passing a tower and the ringing is brought you joy. This interview will really make you want to get you out and about making your own recordings.Of course, Charlie doesn’t need to do this as her ringing has already been recorded – on Newsround!LinksRecording on a mobileVoice Record Pro (for iPhone): https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/voice-record-pro/id546983235Audio Recorder (for Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonymobile.androidapp.audiorecorderBells on SundayCCCBR guidance (28 Jan 2022): https://cccbr.org.uk/2022/01/28/bells-on-sunday-guide-to-making-a-recording/CCCBR advice: https://www.ringingworld.co.uk/news-articles/general/504-bells-on-sunday-74.htmlZoom H4n pro: https://www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/zoom-h4n-pro-handy-recorderBehringer XM1800s: http://www.musictribe.com/Categories/Behringer/Microphones/Dynamic/XM8500/p/P0120Behringer C2: http://www.musictribe.com/Categories/Behringer/Microphones/Condenser/C-2/p/P0263Beyerdynamic M201TG: https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/m-201-tg.htmlTop Five takeawaysYou don’t necessarily need any special equipment to record tower bells as you can capture the sound on a mobile phone, just be careful to record in a sheltered spot to avoid any wind noise.By far and away the easiest way to record bells is to take a video – you can then just take the audio out, if that’s what you’re after.If you’re recording hand bells indoors, consider the environment you are in. Be aware of hard walls or floors that could distort the sound or produce an unnatural reverberation.If you’re able to invest in some equipment the Zoom H4n Pro recorder comes highly recommended. If it’s mobile phone apps you’re after, take a look at Voice Record Pro for iPhone or Audio Recorder for Android.Bell ringers often celebrate their ringing achievements with a pint – but if you’re 11 years old a bacon sandwich can do the trick!Sponsor: This podcast is sponsored by the Association of Ringing Teachers (ART).  To find out more about learning to ring, learning to teach or other resources to support your ringing go to bellringing.orgPodcast team:Anne Tansley ThomasEmily Roderick John GwynneEmily WattsCathy BoothRinging by:The Cambridge Youths (supplied by David Richards) and for later episodes, The Liliputters Guild (supplied by Simon Edwards).For bellringing training and support for teachers and ringers see: bellringing.org