Recording sound from race car at DVinfo.net

Andreas Andersson · July 28th, 2005, 10:06 AM

I need sugestions on recording sound from a race car and what type of microphones I should use.

I have to record sound form a race car in race, I have done this a couple of times before but it always turn out like crap so I hope that there would be some sound experts to help me.

The thing is this is a turbo charged car and the viewers want the sound from the doum-valve located by the engine and it makes a hissing sound when it releases air.

The dilema is that I will also need to get sound from the exhaust pipe since this is where the engine sounds the most genuine (if you take the sound from the engine only you get a lot of mechanical noise) to keep in mind there is a lot of wind and noice from the track behind a car so the microphone can't tale too much surrounding noise.

The sound is recorded on a HHB portable DAT and I will have about 3-4 hours to set the sound before the actual take.

So is this possible to put one mic on the axhaust and one on the dumpvalve and later combine the both?

So now my wuestion is (I rent the equipment) what would be the best choice when it comes to the different types of microphones? It is a jungle and I don't know very much about it.

Looking forward to hear what you have to say.

Andreas Andersson · July 29th, 2005, 02:56 AM

Any sugestions on anywhere else on the web I can post this question?

Jack Smith · July 30th, 2005, 12:53 AM

You could try a parabolic for the exhaust sounds.This would give the perspective from someone on the sidelines.It takes some practice to keep it focused. As far as the engine sound ,wow thats a pretty harsh enviroment to have a mic and I don't think it will give a spectators perspective. You could do a test with a parabolic.Another you could try would be to set up a mic inside the car record to a digital recorder then in post try to simulate the spectator perspective.I would think a good percussion mic might work.But I would definetly do some testing ahead of the shoot to set levels and mic placement.

July 28th, 2005, 10:06 AM	#1
Andreas Andersson Tourist Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2	Recording sound from race car I need sugestions on recording sound from a race car and what type of microphones I should use. I have to record sound form a race car in race, I have done this a couple of times before but it always turn out like crap so I hope that there would be some sound experts to help me. The thing is this is a turbo charged car and the viewers want the sound from the doum-valve located by the engine and it makes a hissing sound when it releases air. The dilema is that I will also need to get sound from the exhaust pipe since this is where the engine sounds the most genuine (if you take the sound from the engine only you get a lot of mechanical noise) to keep in mind there is a lot of wind and noice from the track behind a car so the microphone can't tale too much surrounding noise. The sound is recorded on a HHB portable DAT and I will have about 3-4 hours to set the sound before the actual take. So is this possible to put one mic on the axhaust and one on the dumpvalve and later combine the both? So now my wuestion is (I rent the equipment) what would be the best choice when it comes to the different types of microphones? It is a jungle and I don't know very much about it. Looking forward to hear what you have to say.

July 29th, 2005, 02:56 AM	#2
Andreas Andersson Tourist Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2	Any sugestions on anywhere else on the web I can post this question?

July 30th, 2005, 12:53 AM	#3
Jack Smith Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 445	You could try a parabolic for the exhaust sounds.This would give the perspective from someone on the sidelines.It takes some practice to keep it focused. As far as the engine sound ,wow thats a pretty harsh enviroment to have a mic and I don't think it will give a spectators perspective. You could do a test with a parabolic.Another you could try would be to set up a mic inside the car record to a digital recorder then in post try to simulate the spectator perspective.I would think a good percussion mic might work.But I would definetly do some testing ahead of the shoot to set levels and mic placement.