Jet Aircraft?

[dgpretzel]

Noob alert!

I would like to take some video of jets as they approach and land. Takeoffs, too.

There is a fantastic spot, on the centerline, and near the end of a runway. I can get great video (coming right at me-whoosh overhead--straight down the runway--touchdown), but how might I do the audio? Of course, it's very quiet when they are far off. Builds to a tremendous overhead roar. Quite exciting. I'd like to do better than the in-camera mics on my Canon Optura PI camcorder.

I wonder if anyone here might have thoughts on how I might get a good audio recording.

I have no experence with "real" videography and sound recording. But, I wonder if it might work to place a couple of mics (I think Naiant has some inexpensive, high SPL omnis), say, maybe 20' apart and as near as I can get to the runway, with me in the middle shooting the video. I have a Zoom H4 I could use for the audio.

Any thoughts by folks who actually know about recording?

Thank you.

Regards,

DG

 

[BushmasterM4]

Here is a link to a site that may have audio clips you can apply to your video

http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/index.php

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

If you're going to shoot in stereo like that, I'd set the mics up parallel to the runway rather than tangential to it, just for added potential effect. You can always adjust the panning as you like it in post.

Mic selection shouldn't make a whole lot of difference here as far as quality of sound (as long as it's decent quality to begin with), but you'll want to pick polar patterns to suit your needs; omnis will pick up more street noise, reflection off nearby buildings, etc., whereas cardioids might isolate the plane more as well as the channels more.

Chances are you won't hear touchdown, you can add that later, I'm surre the Freesound web has it.

let your friends and family know what you're up to and bring bail money just in case. Filming airplanes from the end of a runway is not something the authorities feel good about these days.

G.

 

[SonicAlbert]

let your friends and family know what you're up to and bring bail money just in case. Filming airplanes from the end of a runway is not something the authorities feel good about these days.

Right, and while your at it, why don't you just wear a t-shirt that says "I'm a terrorist scoping out my next target".

I hear Guantanamo is lovely this time of year.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Right, and while your at it, why don't you just wear a t-shirt that says "I'm a terrorist scoping out my next target".

I hear Guantanamo is lovely this time of year.

lol . I suppose if the OP wanted to cross his I's and dot his T's, he could ask for official permission/give official notification to do the filming. Might save a little time and spare him the necessity of having to take off his nipple ring at airport security.

G.

 

[tomica]

Hy dgpretzel!
I don't think this will help but it is the way I would do it:
Film (video) the damn thing landing/taking off and bypass the audio problem by ....e hmm hope nobody sues... taking a piece from a movie or a more legal way buy a sound from or a whole sound bank containing sound fx or I could send you one(the sound fx i mean not the whole bank) and edit it in some sofware to get the illusion going

Hope it remotley helps
good luck

 

[dgpretzel]

Thank you all for your comments.

I guess some ideas are better left as, well, ideas.

DG

 

[Cosmic]

Before the thread drowns in legal paranoia, how about this:

Either spaced mics like you suggested or a stereo unit facing the approaching planes. Do manual level control on the Zoom and let a couple of flights pass over to get good recording levels. Then start taping.

Call out a take number with some reference so you can hear it both in-camera and on the Zoom, for when you edit. Sync up in post and you should have good stereo sound with your video.

Re the opening remark: I am a broadcast shooter and I live in the minimum security prison known as Washington DC. I have done landings outside National Airport, and so far the cops haven't come knocking.

If you have doubts, find the appropriate authority and tell them what you want to do and why.

Best
C.

 

[TimOBrien]

I tape a lot of airshows (both full-size and R/C) and I've never had to use anything other than the built-in mic on my Canon GL-2.

Jets are SO loud that you don't need to mic the end of the runway; if your anywhere within a few hundred yards you're not going to get anything but the jet on the audio track anyway....