Live audio was added to the Webcam project in January, 2004 after numerous requests from Webcam viewers. The audio portion of the project uses a fixed position directional microphone in a weather proof housing on the pilothouse roof.

The exposed location on the river presented a unique challenge dealing with wind noise. The protective housing uses three levels of windscreens to block wind noise. Once the audio is brought into the museum it is sent through a 10 channel equalizer to further enhance the quality and remove noise. At higher levels the microphone  will pick up the sound of the roof top heating & cooling units. We are currently researching ways to shield the microphone.

Building on experience gained from the group's webcast of programs from the museum, the audio is then processed using using a Windows based encoding computer and streamed across the Internet to a viewers home computer. Viewers can enjoy the sounds of the river, the crackling of ice, geese honking and even the occasional blast from a passing ship's whistle.

The audio portion of the expansion was funded by a grant from Marine Publishing Co.,  publisher of Know Your Ships, the annual guide to boatwatching on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Launch audio from the Detroit River (Can also be launched from the main Webcam window by clicking on the sound icon)