kite surfing sound at DVinfo.net

Larry Vaughn · September 4th, 2007, 09:36 AM

I'm looking for a recommendation for brand of mics/blimps to record sound from the beach of people kite surfing. 20 knot peak winds. Would like to pickup the sound of the board slicing throogh the waves, jube, etc.

At this point the camera is on the beach, along with the mic.

Bill Davis · September 4th, 2007, 02:10 PM

Sorry to report it Larry, but this is impossible.

Sound obeys physics. Physics tells us that increasing the distance from the sound to a microphone diminishes the intensity of the sound reaching the mic by roughly the inverse square of that distance.

A surfer 300 feet away generates sound that reaches your mic 90,000 times quieter than a sound 1 foot away.

Given that your in a noisy location already (wind, people, etc) it's simply impossible to get those sounds with ANY mic on shore.

You'd need to move an (obviously waterproof!) mic ON TO the surfboard to get anything close to the sounds you're looking for - and even then, I'd suspect that those specific sounds would get burried in the general noise profile.

"Shotgun" mics that pick up sounds with "laser like focus" at great distance are imaginary movie props - not real.

Emre Safak · September 4th, 2007, 02:21 PM

What about those dishes that spies use to concentrate the sound? I'm not joking.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · September 4th, 2007, 02:35 PM

Big Ears (and similar) will help capture more sound, but the quality leaves a lot to be desired.
Were it my gig, I'd probably put a mic and transmitter in a condom or other sort of waterproof cover, and use it this way. I've done something similar with skydiving, works very well.

Seth Bloombaum · September 4th, 2007, 02:56 PM

Also, consider getting out there in a boat to do some sound efx recording (non-sync). Get a cooperative surfer to do some close passes. Maybe you could do some good following with an electric trolling motor. A wood boat is much quieter in the water than aluminum.

You might get a season's worth of sound efx in a couple hours...

Paul Cronin · September 4th, 2007, 03:04 PM

Put a helmet cam on the kite boarder with a mic. There are loads of options on the web that will work great just do a search for helmet cam.

I have had great success with Helmet Cam on windsurfing, 49er's, 18' skiffs, kayakers, and Kite Boarders. The audio will be fine and you can cut between the helmet cam and your camera on the beach.

September 4th, 2007, 09:36 AM	#1
Larry Vaughn Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 201	kite surfing sound I'm looking for a recommendation for brand of mics/blimps to record sound from the beach of people kite surfing. 20 knot peak winds. Would like to pickup the sound of the board slicing throogh the waves, jube, etc. At this point the camera is on the beach, along with the mic.

September 4th, 2007, 02:10 PM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Sorry to report it Larry, but this is impossible. Sound obeys physics. Physics tells us that increasing the distance from the sound to a microphone diminishes the intensity of the sound reaching the mic by roughly the inverse square of that distance. A surfer 300 feet away generates sound that reaches your mic 90,000 times quieter than a sound 1 foot away. Given that your in a noisy location already (wind, people, etc) it's simply impossible to get those sounds with ANY mic on shore. You'd need to move an (obviously waterproof!) mic ON TO the surfboard to get anything close to the sounds you're looking for - and even then, I'd suspect that those specific sounds would get burried in the general noise profile. "Shotgun" mics that pick up sounds with "laser like focus" at great distance are imaginary movie props - not real. Last edited by Bill Davis; September 5th, 2007 at 01:32 AM. Reason: Just clarifying

September 4th, 2007, 02:35 PM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Big Ears (and similar) will help capture more sound, but the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Were it my gig, I'd probably put a mic and transmitter in a condom or other sort of waterproof cover, and use it this way. I've done something similar with skydiving, works very well. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

September 4th, 2007, 03:04 PM	#6
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Put a helmet cam on the kite boarder with a mic. There are loads of options on the web that will work great just do a search for helmet cam. I have had great success with Helmet Cam on windsurfing, 49er's, 18' skiffs, kayakers, and Kite Boarders. The audio will be fine and you can cut between the helmet cam and your camera on the beach. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

September 4th, 2007, 02:21 PM	#3
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	What about those dishes that spies use to concentrate the sound? I'm not joking.

September 4th, 2007, 02:56 PM	#5
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Also, consider getting out there in a boat to do some sound efx recording (non-sync). Get a cooperative surfer to do some close passes. Maybe you could do some good following with an electric trolling motor. A wood boat is much quieter in the water than aluminum. You might get a season's worth of sound efx in a couple hours...