Intercom recorded audio

Open for questions of visitors of DAN. Posts of our guests are on moderation queue.

Moderators: Rick, Lance Murray

hetch

Intercom recorded audio

Post by hetch »

Hello everyone,

As of late, I started recording my flights but having trouble with getting clear audio. I've used different methods but the audio quality remains average. The distortion is what I find frustrating. Much like the sound quality in this Youtube Video. Curious if any one knows of a setup that has crystal clear audio with no distortion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXYNZ7ZrWDM&t=181s

My setup:
AIRPLANE COCKPIT AUDIO RECORDING ADAPTER CABLE GOPRO HERO3 & HERO4
Hero 4 Camera
Bose A20
User avatar
Don
4 Diamonds Member
4 Diamonds Member
Posts: 377
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:15 pm
First Name: Don
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: N623DS
Airports: KTOA
Has thanked: 123 times
Been thanked: 162 times

Re: Intercom recorded audio

Post by Don »

The audio amplified signal from the intercom output to the camera mic input is too hot and causing most of the distortion. There is also an impedance mismatch between the two. If your camera has an audio input trim control on it, then bring it way down. If not, you will need a separate external volume control box placed between the intercom output and camera input. I had the same problem, so when shopping for a new video camera I made sure the camera had a mic sensitivity input control on the camera. As you can see from video it works fairly well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnDdrj7ZmhE
If you require an external volume control, there are many commercial units available. Most will require plug adopters from 1/8" to 1/4" so they can plug into the intercom output cable.
Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XDKKQ9E?psc=1
Hope that helps.
Last edited by Don on Fri Oct 06, 2017 5:58 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Diamond Star XLS, N623DS, SN40.1076
User avatar
1911Tex
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 86
Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 1:38 am
First Name: Larry
Aircraft Type: DA20-C1
Aircraft Registration: N389DC
Airports: KGTU
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Intercom recorded audio

Post by 1911Tex »

On my Garmin Virb, you can program internal or external sound. You want external sound when recording from headphone jack. Internal of camera gives poor sound when wired to jack.
User avatar
gordsh
3 Diamonds Member
3 Diamonds Member
Posts: 194
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:40 pm
First Name: Shawn
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: CCCCC
Airports:
Has thanked: 90 times
Been thanked: 41 times

Re: Intercom recorded audio

Post by gordsh »

I record the ATC audio separately by using the Video Recorder Audio Adapter - Fixed Wing which I purchased from mypilotsotre.com. The audio recorder I use is a simple Sony digital voice recorder which the adapter plugs into. The only challenge is syncing up the external audio with the video from my camera in post.
Post Reply