Any audio concerns for gunfire? at DVinfo.net

John McManimie · March 27th, 2007, 07:59 PM

I may be shooting (pun intended) at a gun show where there will be a LOT of automatic weapons being fired at once and also some western gunslinger stuff (fanning). Should I be concerned about damaging the mic on my camcorder (HDR-HC1) and, if so, what should I do to avoid damage?

Allen Williams · March 27th, 2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John McManimie

I may be shooting (pun intended) at a gun show where there will be a LOT of automatic weapons being fired at once and also some western gunslinger stuff (fanning). Should I be concerned about damaging the mic on my camcorder (HDR-HC1) and, if so, what should I do to avoid damage?

I don't think you will have any problems that will create damage. The only problem that I see is the microphone limiters clipping the sound and the end result is the guns sounding like cap pistols.
Allen W

John McManimie · March 27th, 2007, 10:47 PM

OK, I can always control the recording level manually.

Any recommendations for getting decent sound in such an environment?

Dennis Khaye · March 27th, 2007, 11:37 PM

Just for a reference...

40 DB A WHISPER
60 DB NORMAL CONVERSATION
85 DB BEGINNING OF HEARING DAMAGE, EARPLUGS SHOULD BE WORN
133 DB GUNSHOT (WILL VARY GREATLY TO SIZE AND TYPE OF GUN)
PEAK LEVEL MAY REACH 140-160 DB
215 DB BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY FIRING ALL 9 SIXTEEN INCH GUNS

I do not think you'll be able to manually control the recording level unless you can also control when these guns go off.

Sean Schult · March 28th, 2007, 01:03 AM

If you can individually set the manual levels, I would set one channel really low and one channel about normal... Then mix in post. Use the quiet channel during periods of gunfire, and the louder channel when you want speaking to be heard. This way you won't have to ride the levels as you walk around with the camera.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · March 28th, 2007, 08:12 AM

There is also concern regarding diaphragm compression, but if it's all small arms fire, it's probably not an issue.
This article may provide some insight for you.

March 27th, 2007, 07:59 PM	#1
John McManimie Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 314	Any audio concerns when recording gunfire? I may be shooting (pun intended) at a gun show where there will be a LOT of automatic weapons being fired at once and also some western gunslinger stuff (fanning). Should I be concerned about damaging the mic on my camcorder (HDR-HC1) and, if so, what should I do to avoid damage? Last edited by John McManimie; March 27th, 2007 at 08:36 PM.

March 28th, 2007, 08:12 AM	#6
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	There is also concern regarding diaphragm compression, but if it's all small arms fire, it's probably not an issue. This article may provide some insight for you. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

March 27th, 2007, 10:47 PM	#3
John McManimie Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 314	OK, I can always control the recording level manually. Any recommendations for getting decent sound in such an environment?

March 27th, 2007, 11:37 PM	#4
Dennis Khaye Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 255	Just for a reference... 40 DB A WHISPER 60 DB NORMAL CONVERSATION 85 DB BEGINNING OF HEARING DAMAGE, EARPLUGS SHOULD BE WORN 133 DB GUNSHOT (WILL VARY GREATLY TO SIZE AND TYPE OF GUN) PEAK LEVEL MAY REACH 140-160 DB 215 DB BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY FIRING ALL 9 SIXTEEN INCH GUNS I do not think you'll be able to manually control the recording level unless you can also control when these guns go off.

March 28th, 2007, 01:03 AM	#5
Sean Schult New Boot Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Berlin, WI Posts: 21	If you can individually set the manual levels, I would set one channel really low and one channel about normal... Then mix in post. Use the quiet channel during periods of gunfire, and the louder channel when you want speaking to be heard. This way you won't have to ride the levels as you walk around with the camera.