recording human heart beat
 

Has anyone captured audio of a human heart beat? Any suggestions on how to do this? [Hint: A standard vocal mic, amped to maximum is not a good method.]

Thanks for any advice!

R.Johnson
Portland, OR

I did a whole production for training nurses several years ago. We used a stethoscope and a wired lav. The sound man worked it out through trial and error. He put the earpieces right up to the lav. and wrapped foam rubber loosely around it. The sounds were great and the client loved them. It was like the heart was right there. But as I recall the stethoscope we used ran around $100 or more.

Jeff

Sounds about right - I was considering the stethoscope approach.

Thank you,

Ron Johnson
Portland, OR

Don't know if you want to use other recordings...but I found several at http://www.findsounds.com/

i actually did this not too long ago...i built a contact microphone from a piezo element, and secured it to my chest...got a good recording that way

If you are filming in a hospital ask to borrow a pocket doppler. This will give you a lovely whoosh, whoosh of the blood pumping through the heart rather than the usual thump, thump from a stethescope (love those technical terms!).

The doppler outputs to a speaker so any mic should pick it up. A full sized doppler will record onto tape so you could get access to the audio in/outs depending on the type of recording system used.

Regards

Ross

great suggestions!
 

Thanks to everyone - these have all been great suggestions.

I am curious where the piezo element was purchased? How does one specify such things?


Thanks again,

Ron Johnson
Portland, OR

the piezos i got from All Electronics (www.allelectronics.com)...you can also get them at a radio shack or something comparable...

c