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Does anyone else think microphones at motorsports events pick up too much engine noise. Watching events I'm familiar with isn't too bad. I know who drives what car and can keep track of things. I was watching Motorcycle racing from Indianapolis today. I didn't know the riders or sponsors and you can't see the numbers on a motorcycle. The mics picked up so much engine noise you could not hear the announcers. This bothers me for two reasons. First I'm a drag racing announcer and want to be heard. Secondly I don't know if I should blame the TV sound tech or my 65 yr old ears. Anyone else notice this?
The producers probably thought it was a good idea to bring the sounds of the track to the TV audience without considering the outcome.
NASCAR brings the sound of the track only for short specific periods of time. Something the bike race producers should consider.
I have been to many drag races and the announcers know that they can't talk over the Top Fuel and Funny cars and the TV producers know when you do and don't turn up the volume.
I am sure the producers got plenty of complaints abut Indy
I'm sorry, I wasn't very clear. I was using bikes at Indy as an example. The same thing happens at F1, NASCAR, Indy cars, almost everything I've watched lately. I know the drivers and cars in those events and I read the scrolling position indicator. Being an announcer I can fill in the comentary myself. If I couldn't I'd be lost at those events too. My question is do I need to get my hearing aids tuned-up or do others notice this. I have no trouble hearing elswhere.
I noticed earlier this year that throughout the race there was a background drone, almost a ringing, when the cars were spread around the track. I remember it from when I worked a lot of NASCAR events, and wore headphones. It went away when the broadcast switched from whoever it was to whoever it is now.
I haven't noticed it in other forms of racing, except of course when the cars are close to an announcer.
Most broadcasts are good. I don't like pit reports when the noise level is up for the reasons the OP stated. F1 seems to be the worst. However, I remember when it wasn't as good as it is now. There used to be times when I would turn on the closed captions.
The sound has to be received into the equipment, analyzed, then sent to the broadcast. If there is a faulty link somewhere, it won't sound good.
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