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Hi there, I've been commissioned to record the new BMW M3 V8 car on set. I have a few questions. Let me first present my production treatment.

I plan to record the car in it's entirety. I would like stationary sound. Passing sound. In-car sound, and lastly, the sound from the outside, while the car is moving [less wind]

I plan to use a Laptop running an MBox.
These are the mics I have at my disposal:

2 x Shure SM-81
1 x RODE K2
1 x RODE NT-1
1 x Crown SASS [binaural stereo]
1 x RODE Rifle boom Mic.

We will also have some extra preamps on set to give us extra headroom in case the SPLs of the car get too much.

The exterior stationary sound I plan to use the K2 to close mic the bonnet as the V8 on this car really pushes SPL's. For the drive by sound, I plan to use the Crown SASS or the SM-81's in a stereo x-y setup.

My problem is this: does anyone have any suggestions on how to record the exterior of the car, from the car, while it is driving. My plan is to capture the wheels, skidding and engine revving BUT without the wind. I dont know of any zeppelin that could withstand the wind. Does anybody have any ideas on how to overcome this problem?

Secondly, if any of you have ever recorded something like this before, what tips/advice can you offer me to properly capture the car's sound? Should I be using any specific mic's or techniques?

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Comments

Boswell Mon, 07/30/2007 - 08:11

Years ago, when I was into rallying, I recorded a Mini Cooper S being tuned on a rolling road. I couldn't believe how much noise the engine made at full chat with the vehicle stationary. Perhaps you could approach a local performance specialist with a rolling road facility and see if anything is possible there.

anonymous Mon, 07/30/2007 - 10:00

Hi Boswell,

That's an awesome idea! A very elegant solution to my problem. That's exactly what I'll do. It will allow me to get perfect mic placement as well.

As a matter of interest, what mic/pre/recorder combination did you use?
I can imagine that the SPLs would be really intense.

Thanks very much for this excellent advice! :D

Boswell Mon, 07/30/2007 - 10:51

As I remember, the trouble was that they had to operate the rolling road with the external roller doors shut, so there was huge sound reflection off the walls and door. It's probable that more modern rolling road facilities are a bit more H&S conscious, so may have improved sound deadening.

I can't remember what I used to do the mono recording at the time (late 1960s). I had lots of recorders of different types, but I think it was one of my battery ones, probably a Loewe Optacord.