Sound Recording Advice Needed: Location has a huge difference in volume!

[goodgoings]

I'm recording at a pro wrestling gym and the difference in volume is large. Most often the camera is outside the mat because wrestling mats have a lot of foam and this induces shake and bounce. It is a small gym, so most shots can only be taken from one side of the rink using a zoom lens. Wide shots are common so the boom pole cannot get in very close. Obviously the loudest sounds are when hitting the mat and then there is normal conversation when practicing.

On films and most things, I would record dual tracks, one being a safety track at a lower dB. But in this case I am not sure this would work, unless someone tells me I should mix the two tracks. I have never done this before, so I have no clue if this is the best option or would even work.

Otherwise, should I just go ahead and use the limiter while cranking the gain up to compensate for the distance even if it induces extra preamp noise?

I have a Tascam DR-70D at disposal. Lavs are out of the question as it is an impact sport.

Thanks in advance!

 

[paulears]

If you have a wide dynamic range like this and lots of transients, plus the actual noises coming sources you are not expecting, is simply more microphones each on separate tracks. AND preferably a person with headphones sorting them out. Linking two tracks at different record levels is a fudge. It doesn't increase dynamic range just removed some of the distortion products. Can you put directional mics on stands pointing up from ring level towards the participants. I did audio on just one, where the one man operator needed better sound and I just used 4 small hypercardioids in this way, and voices in the ring were much clearer, being closer. His camera audio was mainly crowd noise and the big slams. I really don't think any on camera solution from a distance is going to work. Ears are required and you are concentrating your effort on eyes. Auto sound on camera is only good for some things. It fails miserably on others. On visually tough work, you don't even notice one audio channel dropping out on the meters in some cases!

 

[goodgoings]

Thanks Paul.

I'm working with a limited crew and equipment, it makes sense to use multiple mics planted around the rink. Could be a little difficult to hide, but I don't have an extra mic at the moment(maybe can get another) as I am already using one on camera and one on a boom pole.

I have an extra H1 recorder I could hide closer on the far side. Is this better than nothing? If I plant a directional mic, should the levels be adjusted to get the best signal for dialog and let the loudest sounds get hot since the camera mic will cover the loudest sounds from afar?