The problem is likely interferance with the alternator, or that the levels on the recorder are too high. Being that the headsets are working fine, I'm going to guess that the levels on the recorder are too high. Turn off the automatic gain in the recorder, and set the levels manually. It is likely cranked up al the way while idling, and is too loud once the engine is on.
@spcalan It sounds like the phone is not recording through the cable, and is recording through the phone's speaker once the engine starts.
I don't know why it's happening, but that must be what's happening. If I were you, I'd just put a mic in your headset. Theoretically, plugging into the aircraft transmitter should work, but the iPhone's system it could be detecting the added current when the engine is running, and cut the off the mic in favor of the iPhone's mic.
@spcalan I use a lavaliere mic in teh headset. This is to avoid 60 cycle hum, grounding issues, and other electronic noise. I think the (small) mic in the headset is better than plugging directly into the equipment for these reasons, also it records some engine noise when people aren't talking. This makes for a more natural sounding experience. When the recorder is plugged directly into the equipment there is no sound (other than electronic noise) when the squelch is on (sounds artificial).
@spcalan I forgot to mention an added benefit of using a lav mic in the headset: You actually hear what the mic will hear while it's recurring. If you use a direct line you're hoping that it sounds okay, and won't know what it will actually pick up until after you listen to the recording.
@spcalan splitter? I hope you didn't think I suggested using a splitter. The deal is... if you really want to do a direct connection you will need a transformer as part of the connection (e.g. direct box). However, I don't know the specs of the equipment, and wouldn't know what specific equiptment to reccomend.
Anyway.. yes. RadioShack has a cheap lav mic. Looks like it's out of stock on-line, but it's only $35.
@spcalan as long as the lav end is a mini-TS connector, it will work great. The only issue will be is if you're using a first-gen iPhone. First-gen iPhones need an adapter but this is true for all non-Apple TRS cords. But, being that your original cable worked at all, I'm guessing you don't have a first-gen iPhone.
But he said that the lapel mic would not work with an I-Phone 4G without some 'adaptor' because the I-Phones do not have a microphone jack - which doesn't make any sense - the Apple headphones ( the white ones ) have an input device....
Have you personally used a lapel mic with an I-Phone?
@spcalan Watch this guy's video: titled "External Mic on an iPhone 4 (ATR3350 + iPhone) AMAZING", and do exactly what he did. It will work. Yes, you'll need an adapter.
Are you using a lavaliere mic, or a direct cable? As I showed in the video I put a small mic in the headset. It would have been quieter than what I recorded, but I had the gain too high on the camera, so when things got loud (eg. I talked) the quality went down.
You may be suffering from the same thing. You have to set your levels while the engine is running, and you are in the air. Otherwise, the audio recorder will likely peak. "auto gain" may work, but I don't rely on it.
The problem is likely interferance with the alternator, or that the levels on the recorder are too high. Being that the headsets are working fine, I'm going to guess that the levels on the recorder are too high. Turn off the automatic gain in the recorder, and set the levels manually. It is likely cranked up al the way while idling, and is too loud once the engine is on.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
My recorder is actually my I-Phone 4G.
Direct cable into the phone and using the voice memos standard application to record with.
What are your suggestions?
spcalan 2 months ago
@spcalan don't plug-in and begin recoding until the engine is started. I think that will allow the phone the chance to lower the levels.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
The application has no controls - just hit and record.
spcalan 2 months ago
Ok, I tried again.
I turned on my iphone and started recording after starting the engine.
Still only recorded the engine, not what was going through the headset.
Any ideas? I am lost.
spcalan 2 months ago
@spcalan It sounds like the phone is not recording through the cable, and is recording through the phone's speaker once the engine starts.
I don't know why it's happening, but that must be what's happening. If I were you, I'd just put a mic in your headset. Theoretically, plugging into the aircraft transmitter should work, but the iPhone's system it could be detecting the added current when the engine is running, and cut the off the mic in favor of the iPhone's mic.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
@spcalan To test my theory - pull the cable on the phone while the engine is running. I bet that there is no difference in sound quality.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
What do you use to record with ?
spcalan 2 months ago
@spcalan I use a lavaliere mic in teh headset. This is to avoid 60 cycle hum, grounding issues, and other electronic noise. I think the (small) mic in the headset is better than plugging directly into the equipment for these reasons, also it records some engine noise when people aren't talking. This makes for a more natural sounding experience. When the recorder is plugged directly into the equipment there is no sound (other than electronic noise) when the squelch is on (sounds artificial).
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
@spcalan I forgot to mention an added benefit of using a lav mic in the headset: You actually hear what the mic will hear while it's recurring. If you use a direct line you're hoping that it sounds okay, and won't know what it will actually pick up until after you listen to the recording.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
@PreFlightTV
Well.. the audio splitter did not work. :(
Actually caused noise inside my headset.
So now I am going to try the lav mic.
So I just plug it into my I-Phone and place inside the headset ?
Thanks for the help and tips!
spcalan 2 months ago
@spcalan splitter? I hope you didn't think I suggested using a splitter. The deal is... if you really want to do a direct connection you will need a transformer as part of the connection (e.g. direct box). However, I don't know the specs of the equipment, and wouldn't know what specific equiptment to reccomend.
Anyway.. yes. RadioShack has a cheap lav mic. Looks like it's out of stock on-line, but it's only $35.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
@PreFlightTV
Oh no. You didn't suggest a splitter - Lightspeed did! But it doesn't work.
So, I need a lav mic and just my I-Phone?
spcalan 2 months ago
@spcalan as long as the lav end is a mini-TS connector, it will work great. The only issue will be is if you're using a first-gen iPhone. First-gen iPhones need an adapter but this is true for all non-Apple TRS cords. But, being that your original cable worked at all, I'm guessing you don't have a first-gen iPhone.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
@PreFlightTV
Ok.. too bad Radio Shack is currently out :(.
But he said that the lapel mic would not work with an I-Phone 4G without some 'adaptor' because the I-Phones do not have a microphone jack - which doesn't make any sense - the Apple headphones ( the white ones ) have an input device....
Have you personally used a lapel mic with an I-Phone?
thanks and Happy New Year.
spcalan 2 months ago
@spcalan Watch this guy's video: titled "External Mic on an iPhone 4 (ATR3350 + iPhone) AMAZING", and do exactly what he did. It will work. Yes, you'll need an adapter.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
@PreFlightTV
Ok I watched the video you recommended.
I guess I will buy the adaptor and mic that was recommended.
What's a few bucks when I can record my ATC transmission!! Priceless!
It will take a few days ( probably a week to get both in ) and an available Cessna 172!
thanks.
spcalan 2 months ago
I was using the direct cable.
I can record up until I crank the engine.
How can I make this happen?
spcalan 2 months ago
Are you using a lavaliere mic, or a direct cable? As I showed in the video I put a small mic in the headset. It would have been quieter than what I recorded, but I had the gain too high on the camera, so when things got loud (eg. I talked) the quality went down.
You may be suffering from the same thing. You have to set your levels while the engine is running, and you are in the air. Otherwise, the audio recorder will likely peak. "auto gain" may work, but I don't rely on it.
PreFlightTV 2 months ago
So how did you record from the Zulus?
I have a pair and when I connect, it records perfectly until I crank the engine - then all you hear is the prop.
spcalan 2 months ago
The Zulu 2 wasn't out at the time of the episode.
PreFlightTV 5 months ago
hello i wish to ask you, is the lighspeed headset you used zulu.2 or its an older model ????
sulsl 5 months ago
i have five aviation headsets
1 david clark h.10.30
1 avcomm ac 454 pnr
2 asa hs 1
1 telex d950
ricsmokin 8 months ago