Recording sound on driving video

[anonymous-user]

In professional car vids I've noticed that there is a mixture of engine and exhaust sounds. Question is how to do this? I've seen people post about running an external mic into the engine bay to record that but is there an easy way of also capturing the exhaust sound without wind noise at the same time? Thanks

[Fordo]

I'd use a small external sound recorder, and mount a couple of different microphones in different places, and mix the sounds for the desired results. In pro videos, if the footage is edited, sound will tend to follow picture - so a shot of the exhaust will carry more exhaust note sound, an 'in the cabin shot' will be muffled engine noise, an exterior shot will most likely have the sound taken from the trackside cameras top mic, to pick up tyre squeal, and a more distant sound of the car itself.

For mics on the car itself, its all about placing the mic out of the wind where possible, and also using wind-jammers / dead-cats / fluffies, on the mic to reduce wind noise.

Pro videos will often also have sound design in the mix too, where the sound recordist will record a lot of extra foley sound, to mix in later.

I did some filming for BMW a while ago, and the press car we were filming only had a short window of time that we could use it - so most of the foley sound like tyre squeal was actually recorded from my car

[anonymous-user]

Thanks, been reading up on various forums and going to purchase a cam with an external mic. I guess it will just take some experimenting on the location to get the best sound recorded.

[anonymous-user]

Whenever I mount an gopro type camera either inside or outside the car for filming I just plug in a mini lapel type mic on a long cable and tape it to the bodywork near the exhaust or shut it inside the engine bay.

Always have a good foam sock on it though.

[drophead]

I've recently got an EDGE HD10 to use as a posh dash cam and to record rides and drives out with my mates, fun days, track days etc etc.

I am looking for an external mic (for my driving videos) so I have more choice on what sound I want to be the most prominent. It will mostly be exhaust noise that I want.

I have absolutely no clue on what brand is best, but have heard that the cheapish eBay ones aren't actually as terrible as most thought. Just need an idea of the stages of quality

Could any of you offer advice to a beginner on how to improve the sound of their driving videos?

Thank-you.

[dtiom]

I went through the same process last year and bought an Ultradisk 4033 mic for my Gopro. Nice long cable, good sound quality and works well on the bike. Testing the mic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd41B6dLTdQ

[drophead]

dtiom said:

I went through the same process last year and bought an Ultradisk 4033 mic for my Gopro. Nice long cable, good sound quality and works well on the bike. Testing the mic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd41B6dLTdQ

Thanks. Helps that I have a 325ti so I know what my exhaust will now sound like.

[Cactussed]

I often think sound is one of the most overlooked things when doing car videos.
An external mic input jack is essential if you want to record decent sound.

On all my videos, I've used a basic stereo lapel mic taped somewhere out of the wind. It also needs LOTS of wind noise reducer around it. I've tried foam, wind socks, dead cats etc.

the best stuff I've found is lots and lots of cotton wool held in place with electrical tape. Looks like a miniature sheep on the back of the car, but works wonders.

Also, check input levels and adjust (if you can) as the exhaust can be v loud depending on where you mount the mic, meaning you may be better off positioning slightly further away.