IllumiNations video with natural sounding park audio

Father Robinson

Father Robinson

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hi all. Just wanted to share a video I made that I think some of you will enjoy. The video is a performance of IllumiNations ROE from 2013 (screamers and all), with natural sounding park audio. What does that mean? I've watched hundreds of ROE vids on YT, and one of the problems with a lot of them is the fact that they were shot by a camera using a condenser mic. For those who don't know, a condenser mic condenses the audio whenever it detects a loud noise (like a firework burst), in an attempt to keep the audio from sounding too loud and overmodulated. As a result, the audio for ROE gets louder at softer moments in the show, and softer during louder moments. What I did was I shot the show using a microphone attenuator, which dramatically decreased the audio intake of the camera, but allowed the loud fireworks to be heard without sounding condensed, so basically they sound as if you are actually there. What happened though was since the audio intake was so low, the music was also barely audible so I had to blend it subtly with the music from the CD. I'm pleased with the mix, it sounds pretty natural. The video was shot center stage between the 2 WS Plaza stores. I used a wide angle lens, and didn't pan or zoom, so the bigger the screen this is viewed on the better.

Enjoy!

 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Look for TiiMMs RoE pyrotechnic mix. I've used it a few times.

The problem usually isn't a condenser mic. It's automatic attenuation on the camera.

He recorded the pure fireworks sounds with no music and no compression. It's truely a full bandwidth recording. Complete with proper reverb and bass thuds.

He then laid the show audio (not the CD) on top of it.
 
Father Robinson

Father Robinson

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
marni1971 said:
Look for TiiMMs RoE pyrotechnic mix. I've used it a few times.

The problem usually isn't a condenser mic. It's automatic attenuation on the camera.

He recorded the pure fireworks sounds with no music and no compression. It's truely a full bandwidth recording. Complete with proper reverb and bass thuds.

He then laid the show audio (not the CD) on top of it.
Click to expand...
How did he get the ROE fireworks sounds without capturing the music?
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Father Robinson said:
How did he get the ROE fireworks sounds without capturing the music?
Click to expand...
A pair of rifle mics in front of the PA system. I want say on the beach at Canada but can't be certain.

I've recorded a similar show from a similar position too. It sounds very eerie with just the noise of the barge pumps, gas supply and crowd cheering!
 
Father Robinson

Father Robinson

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
marni1971 said:
A pair of rifle mics in front of the PA system. I want say on the beach at Canada but can't be certain.

I've recorded a similar show from a similar position too. It sounds very eerie with just the noise of the barge pumps, gas supply and crowd cheering!
Click to expand...
I want to hear these! I did this one because this is the place I always see the show so I wanted to make sure the audio would be spot on familiar.
 
Jahona

Jahona

Well-Known Member
Off topic but I just kinda had to respond.

Father Robinson said:
a condenser mic condenses the audio whenever it detects a loud noise (like a firework burst), in an attempt to keep the audio from sounding too loud and overmodulated
Click to expand...

A condenser mic uses a capacitor, which was originally called a condenser, and still is in the UK if I remember right.

marni1971 said:
The problem usually isn't a condenser mic. It's automatic attenuation on the camera.
Click to expand...

^^^ What Marni said. While condenser microphones don't usually do well with loud sounds it's the device that does the work of limiting input. Most consumer electronics have a software compressor with a very high ratio in order to keep from overloading your recording.

The best example I can use is the Galaxy S5. It's electret condenser microphone was rated for around 110 DB max input. It's software has it limited to 84 DB max input. You can test this on your phone by downloading a sound meter app. Different devices set the cap at different DB levels.

I'm curious how far you are from the fireworks when they go off for IROE. I would imagine it's a couple hundred feet but it feels closer than standard fireworks displays. If the sound of a firework going off is 155db while near it I would imagine it would be about 120-130 db once it hits the crowd around world showcase.
 
Father Robinson

Father Robinson

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Jahona said:
I'm curious how far you are from the fireworks when they go off for IROE. I would imagine it's a couple hundred feet but it feels closer than standard fireworks displays. If the sound of a firework going off is 155db while near it I would imagine it would be about 120-130 db once it hits the crowd around world showcase.
Click to expand...

The spot I was filming from is approx. 600ft from the Earth Globe. The fireworks barges surround the EG barge on all sides, but that gives you an idea.

Untitled-1.jpg
 
Mikey73181

Mikey73181

Well-Known Member
Father Robinson said:
Did some searching, couldn't find this. Do you have the link?
Click to expand...

Mousebits.com

I LOVE it. I listen to it on my iPod all the time. My wife thinks I'm crazy, not just the fact that I listen to a show I can't even see, but that I not only know the music but I know all the sounds of the pyro too.
 

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