Billy W Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I have a potential upcoming job that would require recording sound on a a commercial airliner while it's in flight. Thoughts that come to mind: - Lav's will be the only reliable source of audio - Perhaps the AC, air blowing systems can be shut down or minimized for sound purposes while in flight. - Film at cruising altitude for reduced noise - Talent will need to talk very loudly - I'm wondering if wireless is an issue while flying - Overdubs may be required Does anyone have any experience recording in this sort of atmosphere? Any ideas how to deal with the crazy amount of noise on an airplane? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olle Sjostrom Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 First off, I think you shouldn't use wireless at all. Probably safe, but you're on a commercial airliner and using a product with much more transmission power than your phone which you're not allowed to use in flight. Could make people angry or upset and lawsuits and whatnot. Get yourself lavs that are cabled. Second, good luck. With any luck you could produce audio that will work depending on what the atmosphere of the scene is like. And a CMIT or cs3e might be better than you think. Depending on framing you could try planting mics on the chairs.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I've used wireless lavs in flight--they worked fine. You need permission for everything, someone from the airline with you, and the pilot and the chief flight attendant have the absolute final say re what you can or can't do when and where, and their word is final. They are not going to mitigate the plane's air conditioning system for you. Beyond that you can get some ok interview material this way, noisy yes, but it's been done many times. philp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Many people have used ZFR300s in flight. Use the wireless QC with an ERX2TCD to check for audio quality and time code lock. Zaxcom wireless can also be used in recording mode only. Either way you can do this without airline interference problems. Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy W Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Client is a major airline and I believe getting permission to use wireless isn't an issue. I will have to be stealthy to not make passengers nervous. Many people have used ZFR300s in flight. Use the wireless QC with an ERX2TCD to check for audio quality and time code lock. Zaxcom wireless can also be used in recording mode only. Either way you can do this without airline interference problems. Glenn Good call on the ZFR300. This or something like it would be a great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 If you have the airlines permission, that's half the battle. The pilot does have final say though, but I'm sure he/she will be on board (haha) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Normal wireless will be fine unless they make you record from the far end of the plane. Range won't be your issue, BG noise and close-by chatter will. Try to seat your subjects forward of the engines. philp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Client expectations are "voice over booth" quality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg sextro Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I worked ona project where the airplane was parked at the gate and the cabin was still noisey as hell. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Slater Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Any transmuting on board will need clearance from the airline/pilot. If you are sitting in front or behind the talent maybe a hardwired lav recorded in bag ? Very noisy environment, but they would spend a fortune adding the noise later to make it sound real.... lol.... ......there will be no transmuting on board, hard to get clearance for that!!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I've used transmitters (with and without official permission) a few times. No issues. Last year, I actually sat in a C-130 (noncommercial, I know) for 4 hours on the ground while the air crew ran the engines and got us to systematically power up our gear (Nomad, Lectros, Zaxcom can link, GoPros, F800's) while they checked/measured for IEM interference and RF interference within the entire electronics system. As the air crew expected, we produced nothing that would interfere with anything on that plane. Good fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Slater Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 "I've used transmitters (with and without official permission) a few times. No issues." So are you saying don't worry about getting permission? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 I'm saying that I've been prepared to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. I wouldn't ever do it on a commercial flight, but a private or military flight, I wouldn't hesitate. My worry wouldn't be interfering with the planes electronics, but rather, risking the production getting shut down. "I've used transmitters (with and without official permission) a few times. No issues." So are you saying don't worry about getting permission? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro nakamura Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Anyway you could ask to shoot the interview or people speak before the flight kick off or after land? You probably have much more control of the air conditioning, and engine noise. Since its interior shots... Fake it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 There's no reason to not use standard UHF wireless on the airliner. Wireless mic fregs in the US do not overlap with any avionics frequencies. The reason cell phones are disallowed and "airplane mode" is an inflight rule, has nothing to do with interference with the avionics, but only to do with the ability for someone to trigger a bomb from inside the aircraft. I suggest using your wireless lavs without even asking, just like you'll be using a mixer and recorder without asking. gt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pindrop Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 There's no reason to not use standard UHF wireless on the airliner. Wireless mic fregs in the US do not overlap with any avionics frequencies. The reason cell phones are disallowed and "airplane mode" is an inflight rule, has nothing to do with interference with the avionics, but only to do with the ability for someone to trigger a bomb from inside the aircraft. I suggest using your wireless lavs without even asking, just like you'll be using a mixer and recorder without asking. gt One has to ask, would someone who was intending to do that obligingly obey the rule? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 One has to ask, would someone who was intending to do that obligingly obey the rule? Exactly. Of course not, which shows that it is actually an insignificant risk. If there were an actual risk, it would be like saying "Everyone please put their guns in airplane mode". gt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pindrop Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Exactly. Of course not, which shows that it is actually an insignificant risk. If there were an actual risk, it would be like saying "Everyone please put their guns in airplane mode". gt Unfortunately I'm simply not capable of following your logic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldmixer Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 Exactly. Of course not, which shows that it is actually an insignificant risk. If there were an actual risk, it would be like saying "Everyone please put their guns in airplane mode". gt +1! Voice of reason thank you. Use your transmitter if you need, and carry on the lav bullit without fear. It's all fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pindrop Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 There's no reason to not use standard UHF wireless on the airliner. Wireless mic fregs in the US do not overlap with any avionics frequencies. The reason cell phones are disallowed and "airplane mode" is an inflight rule, has nothing to do with interference with the avionics, but only to do with the ability for someone to trigger a bomb from inside the aircraft. I suggest using your wireless lavs without even asking, just like you'll be using a mixer and recorder without asking. gt OK so why bother with any attempted voluntary control of cell phones if the entire reason for this is to stop them being used as a trigger, but anyone who was going to use it for that purpose would be very unlikely to voluntarily comply, and therefore renders the attempted control completely ineffective? That is why bother at all with please switch phones off or put them in flight mode, if it's a complete waste of time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 Ther is the "trigger " use of phones possible by committed killers, yes, but a flight attendant explained to me that it was also a matter of being able to get passengers' attention easily if there was a problem... philp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tourtelot Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 And to be able to fly without the loud mouth next to you bellowing at his girlfriend for the whole trip. D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 or a phone flying through the cabin when the plane hits turbulence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pindrop Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 And what happens when anything unusual occurs? Dozens get their phone out to video it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC21 Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 Ask to film at the front of the plane as it's further away from the turbines. You will be lucky if you end up on one of those MD/DC9 or 10. Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.