Audio from inside a car...

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
I apologize if this has been asked before, but doing a search on this was a nightmare...."car audio"..."how to mic a car" etc.

If anyone wants to cut to the quick and just submit a link that answers my question, that would be great! I want to know how I mic two actors in a car...hidden shotgun(4073a) ? hidden Oktava? lavaliers (and if so which?).

Thanks everybody!

Rick
 
Rick,

You haven't quite provided us with enough detail...

1. Are you going direct into a camera? Is there a mixer in the "mix" (bad pun, sorry)? Are you recording to a separate recorder?
2. Is there dialogue in the car (presumption is yes, but it helps to make this clear).
3. What is your budget (and please don't say "as little as possible")?
4. Windows open, closed, convertable, engine running, sitting still, control of environment, lighting, etc. etc. etc.

I'm not being difficult, it's just that there are so many different ways to answer your question. For example, if budget were unlimited, I would recommend Lectro 400 series with B6 lavs running onto individual channels on a Deva 5 with a with another set of lavs running hidden in the sun visors (same setup) and then throw a Schoeps 641 hidden in front of each actor as triple redundancy. So, if you have about $20,000 for sound for this scene, that is how I would spend it. (Though I might go with the new Zaxcom Tx with the built in recorder if it were shipping in time, rather than the Lectro 400's. Also, don't forget your TC slate, and even though the Deva 5 has good mix control, I would still probably throw a mixer in -- since we're living in a fantasy unlimited budget world, probably a Sonosax or Cooper, or if it's shipping, the new Miranda from PSC.)

Phil
 
From the car situations I've done you really need more information. If it is just a simple blue screen and you're shooting through the front window it is completely different than if you're moving and shooting different angles. Lots of details in this one and there are hundreds of ways to hump this chicken into submission...

I've been trying to use that metaphor all day :)
 
Are you talking a process trailer, simple tow, poorman's process, green screen, or other method (assuming here the car is suppose to be moving)?
 
Man you guys kill me...hump the chicken into submission.....???

At any rate, its going to be a poormans process...no blue screen...I'm thinking it might be shot with a sticky pod...not sure...convertible? yes. Top down? Only if we could do that and get away with it. If we can't, then no. The top will be up.

Yes, there will be a mixer in the mix. (thanks for the bad pun).

Windows open? No. Not if the top down is too much of a problem. Basically, the story doesnt depend on the convertible factor just yet, however, I want that option open because visually, it might look better.

That is all the information I have right now. Please let me know if you need more. Thanks!

Rick
 
I guess I should have been more specific on the details since poorman's process has several different variations. Bascially Phil's advice is the way to go. If you are on a budget, do the same thing with cheaper equipment (if you can afford the DEVA, hire a sound guy :) ). If possilbe avoid using wireless but more times then not you will have to go wireless.

One thing that can save your butt is to make sure you get lots of coverage on the actors, shoot lots of reaction shots. Then get them to redo their lines in the car with all the engines, generators, etc turned off. You can avoid a lot of ADR with creative video editing and a clean recording of their lines.

Good luck
 
sometimes even 2 shotguns work for this - like two 416's. tape them x/y in the lower curve of the dash/curve leading down to the steering wheel. actors dont move too much, so cueing isnt as critical.

ive dont this before, and it worked fine. but ultimately, how can you argue with what phil said earlier? i just wish i had that stuff!
 
timapter,

Don't misunderstand...I wish I had all that gear too. That is my fantasy setup. My real setup is much more "economically pleasing". ;-)

Phil
 
i just did a car thing this weekend...

i used the oktava mk012 taped up to the ceiling just above the rear view mirror mount.

i ran the mic cable around the headliner and along the side over the handles/clothing clips etc.

then i was in the back with my sd 302 (sound device 302 - 3 channel mixer) and sd 722 (sound devices 2 channel hard drive / cf recorder)

the sound came out pretty good.

the vehicle had an abnormally loud exhaust system but when i listened to the audio later it actually sounded better than it did when i was listening to it live through my headphones.

if i hadn't had the mk012 in my bag i probably would have used a lavalier mounted in pretty much the same place or two lavaliers one mounted on each actor.

the windshield acted as a nice reflector and both actors voices came through pretty evenly without any noticable echo or excessive reflections t hat one might have expected.

basically just have a couple different types of mics in your bag and start with the mic (tool) that you think will work best.

matthew
 
i usually avoid putting lavs on the actors because of seatbelt noise - it can be a big problem, especially on the driver...

but that sounds like a simple, good, system matthewd5..
 
i've noticed that in everything from network tv to major motion pictures you just about never see anyone wearing a seatbelt unless its part of the storyline.

matthew
 
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