Mic to Record Loude engine sounds ??? HELP

D

da//media

Active member
Hi,
I am in need of a system or way to record very loud engine sounds on Offroad race trucks and Motorcross bikes so that it comes out clean and clear..

anybody got any ideas??

Matt
DA//
 
I take it you're using the mic mounted on the vehicles.
  • You need to find a mic that can take high SPL
  • If the mic has an attenuation pad, try it to lower recording levels.
  • Isolate the mic from all vibration.
  • Use wind screens to stop air-mass overloading.
  • Set a -20dBFS average levels during normal vehicle operations.
  • Positioning the mic to find the best quality engine sound would be my first step.
  • Also, the doppler effect from the observer view point is really nice sound.
Beside the sound a of tight Ferrari engine winding out, my favorite engine sound is the P-51 Mustang. There's nothing else like it!
 
You need a large diaphragm dynamic mic like the Sennheiser MD421.
Most mics that are designed to mic a drum kit should work.
 
As far as I know, omni mics are as susceptible to gusting and wind noise as cardioid mics.

For handheld micing (exterior passby's, interiors) I usually stick with a Sennheiser MKH416t/MKH30 M-S pair in a Rycote modular suspension. This kit works beautifully for most engines that have mufflers. If an engine's crazy-loud, I may swap the `416 for an MKH50.

If I have to mount a mic directly to the vehicle (eg. close-mic the tail pipe or engine intake), I usually reach for an Electrovoice 635a(b). They're dynamic omni mics designed to laugh off abuse that would crush other mics. The built-in shock-mounting and wind supression is pretty efficient, and I often need only wrap the mic body in foam pipe insulation when I'm taping it directly to a vehicle's body. They're a bit mid-rangey, but they really come alive when they're in close to something loud. I've had them inches away from an electric draw-bridge engine (ambient SPL well in excess of 130 dB), with marvelous results.

In general, try to keep the engines in low gear. High RPMs will give you that nice angry sound, while lower speeds will keep things safer and make wind noise more manageable. Of course, driving flat-out will give you a more dramatic dopplar effect.
 
Mr. Mandarino said:
what about a omnidirectional?
They're not affected by air pressure, am I wrong?
Click to expand...

If they weren't affected by air pressure they wouldn't record any sound.

Dynamics are what I have used. Large diaphragm would probably not be my first choice but the Sen. mentioned isn't a large diaphragm but pretty standard dynamic mic and should work well. The SM58 is also a good choice.

OK I looked at Semn.'s site and they call it a large diaphragm dynamic. But this is a bit advertising hype. The mic is not that large and "large diaphragm" is generally used to describe condenser mics that actually use a diaphragm. Dynamics use a voice coil, and part of the voice coil could be called a diaphragm but this is a bit apples and oranges. Anyway I would bec surprised if the voice coil on a MD 421 is over .75" and "large diagram" as a term is used to talk about condensers with diaphragms over 1".
 
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