Complete guide on how to record and edit cockpit audio

This is an in depth look at how I record cockpit audio, from start to finish including post production clean up in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Positive comments and aviation questions are always welcome. Blue Skies :)
COME SAY Hi :)
/ willostrick
GEAR
Static cameras: GoPro Hero8
amzn.to/37R6g7A
B-Roll: Lumix G85
amzn.to/3mPLNEb
Lens: Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4.0
amzn.to/37PJjSg
Aircraft audio:
Zoom H1 recorder
amzn.to/3mPrXZR
Behringer PM1 volume control
amzn.to/2KAI1S8
Rode SmartLAV
amzn.to/3aIIwV1
Music
www.epidemicsound.com
IMPORTANT: I am a private pilot and am NOT qualified to give flying instruction. This video has been edited from the original footage and is provided for entertainment purposes only.
#Aviation
#flying
#Cessna #c172
#Australia
#cessna
#aircraft
#flight

[@hkss14]

I watch a lot of aviation on youtube...great to see a little of the background that goes into making on the videos. Cheers.

[@WillOstrick]

Thanks for the feedback and for following the channel, really appreciate it 😁🤙

[@Savage_Siren]

Great work Will. Very comprehensive and informative!!

[@WillOstrick]

Thanks Jenette 😊

[@honeybadgerflys8162]

Tnx for the tips, will be starting my PPL soon.

[@WillOstrick]

Glad to hear it, pun intended haha.. Awesome stuff !!

[@HeliPilot.co.z]

Nice & clean Boss , fresh leather cream seats awesome 🤝🏻 got an ashtray on that aircraft to ash cigar?

[@bugraertek]

Great video, very helpful for the aviators !

[@FlyingJournalism]

Super helpful.. thanks for the video

[@loganetaylor2222]

Very helpful thanks for the info.

[@mikehill23]

That is a bloody comprehensive coverage and explanation, mate! Do you have a training/instructing background?

[@MotmedGaming]

I will try to record it with my Zoom H2N which supports active output recording (i tested it at home with the Output of my PC). Do you think it wil work without the InLine control thingy?

[@WillOstrick]

It really depends on the recording device and the output power of the radio.. If able definitely check and test your recording levels in the plane.

[@BlitzSRM994]

You Don’t need use a splitter just plug in to a rear seat audio jack.

[@fartherfasterhigher6157]

Hi Will, great informational video. Thanks for presenting. For the few videos that I’ve done I’ve only plugged the cable directly into my GoPro to record audio but I’m seeing a trend of other pilots preferring to record audio by using a dedicated recording device. I’m not an audiophile and the audio through the GoPro sounds good enough to me. What is the overall benefit?

[@WillOstrick]

Thank you 🙏 From what I have seen the GoPro does a good job with audio. The only advantage I can see in using a stand alone recording device is that it gives you the ability to record audio in a higher quality which allows it to be cleaned up a little more in post.

[@aerozg]

I have a Zoom H6 it has the Line in input, timecode, and XLR inputs, but it's a bit overkill for cockpit audio, i should probably get the F1 or the F2.

[@WillOstrick]

You are right, Probably a little overkill, But if it's what you have i would probably just go with it :) After you get into the recording and editing you can always swap the hardware out to something smaller.

[@Dreamerpic]

Can you show what kind of cables you used for the preamp? It is xlr or different type? Or just share the link for the cable?

[@sylvieb9211]

Recording next thursday -- I've got a zoom h6... if I'm using the 1/4 inch splitter from the headphone jack can I take a 1/4 inch to XLR cable and plug that directly into a Zoom H6 recorder? You can control each of the individual lines of volume so it doesn't clip... or will it still clip a lot because it's an audio recorder like you mentioned? Why is it you can't plug directly into the h1?

[@WillOstrick]

Hi Sylvie, I have not used a H6 in the cockpit, so it may have some features I'm not aware of. In saying this, as I understand it, the reason I came across this issue and that you might possibly as well is that the line out from the aircraft is amplified to power the large drivers in most General aviation headsets. This, paired with the cockpit being a loud enviroment and the necessity to be able to hear all radio calls clearly overpowers the input of "most" audio recorders. I suggest if possible to do some testing before the flight. Or maybe even record all audio from the rear passenger headphone ports as they have a standalone volume control (if the plane has more than two seats). Ask the pilot Or any form or a inline volume control as I show in the vid.. Any audio/DJ/music store should have something inexpensive that you can adapt. Be sure to check your audio in the cockpit with some headphones before continuing with recording, the peak bars on the recorder show db only coming in, it won't show if it is clipping before the fact. If anyone else has more info, please jump in :) Feel free to send me a DM on insta, happy to help more if I can. Let me know how you go with the recording, I'm interested to hear how it goes ... Pun intended 👌👍

[@christymia596]

Where did you get the adapter/splitter? Can you share links?

[@WillOstrick]

Any audio/music shop should sell them. Also attached an eBay link hope this helps. Doesn't have to be that one in particular, male 1/4ich jack to dual female 1/4inch jack is all you need. If your recorded audio only comes through on one track, IE the left track, just double that track in Adobe, (right click on audio file in time line and select both sides as left) track. www.ebay.com.au/itm/144414144410?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=6aS2kXDfRgG&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=yB-IA_fxREK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@DennisCOSMIC]

For the audio recorder does that have to be plugged into the aircraft before it starts recording or will it record without being plugged in?

[@WillOstrick]

It would have to be plugged into the line that you wish to record from before hitting record, or the recorder will default to the built-in microphone. This can be done before or after the aircraft is started.... Remember to check your levels once the aircraft is started and your radio volume is comfortable.

[@DennisCOSMIC]

@@WillOstrick Yes I have the Bose A20 with the headset adapter and I’ve tried it without plugging into the aircraft and I can barely hear anything on playback. Sony ICD-PX

[@WillOstrick]

@@DennisCOSMIC ohh got you, it will need to be plugged into the aircraft. The aircraft audio system does the amplification of the signal, that should solve your problem.

[@DennisCOSMIC]

@@WillOstrick thanks for the info! Just tried it in a 172 and it works great! Now I can finally get recordings.

[@matthoss5725]

Hi Will

[@captainhaley3012]

I’m still having trouble understanding. Where do you plug in that cord? I have tried a couple of times and still get wind noise

[@WillOstrick]

Which cord is that ? And on your headset, do you have a foam wind cover ?

[@captainhaley3012]

@@WillOstrick It's similar to an aux cord and no I'm really not sure...

[@LeoDoesItAll]

Hey man, Hopefully you get to see this message, I'm in a bit of a bind here. If there are two people in the aircraft (example: Instructor and someone learning to fly for the first time) do I need two splitter setups for each person, or can you put this in one of the lines and have it hear both people and ATC? - looking to record my flying lessons soon but want to make sure I'm not missing anything - thanks!

[@WillOstrick]

Hi HilmLeo, You will only need one splitter for your head set to record all audio from the intercom system. Both of you will be able to talk and listen as normal. You can also just use a 1/4inch and record from one of the rear headset plugs, if it is a 4 place aircraft. Just make sure you have the rear pax volume set

[@LeoDoesItAll]

@@WillOstrick You're an absolute lifesaver my man, was about to order 2x of the things needed, but if I can get away with using just 1x that's a dream!

[@benarnst9228]

​@@LeoDoesItAll Hey there. We used N flight audio cable and recorded into our phones directly from the plane and were not able to pick up ATC or copiiot audio. Can you help us troubleshoot?

[@benarnst9228]

​@@WillOstrick Need help. Looking to record Flight instruction as well with 2 headsets recording all audio including ATC. We Tried recording with Lavalier as well as N flight audio recording cable and still only picking up Pilot audio. NO ATC or Passenger Audio

[@WillOstrick]

@@benarnst9228 At a guess it sounds like you have the ATC audio isolated on the com's panel ? You need to have the audio panel sending all audio to pilot/copilot and crew.

[@87Rorie]

Hi, I tried my audio recorder with a splitter and line in from the Phones socket as you've done. While my headset squelch was fine and the mic only picked up audio when I spoke (or ATC), the audio recorder picked up a consistent noise from the engine, as if my squelch was fully open and no clipping from my headset mic. Any idea what Is going on and how to resolve?

[@WillOstrick]

Hi Rorie, hmmm that is a little strange. Could you tell me, does the recorder pick up any voice coms via the mic at all ? Or is it only back ground noise. I'm thinking that maybe the external mic on the recorder is trying to record sound. ? Also, if you have the radio/coms on while everything else in the plane is off, including engine. What happens then ?

[@87Rorie]

@@WillOstrick Sorry I should have said, yes it picks up voice perfectly via the phones socket rather than via the recorders built it mic. Given the clarity of the voice, its definitely coming from the "mic in" rather that build in mic. I did actually test this before my avionics were on - plugged the jack into the recorder, selected 'mic in', and made some noise. I played it back and there was no noise recorded as expected. Tested again with radio stack on and it picked up my voice. So working as expected. However, when flying, it was as if my mic was 'open'. It recorded all background noise (the engine), me speaking to myself and transmitting (as if it was a stuck mic) but also other aircraft and ATC. It must be something to do with my squelch being too sensitive?

[@WillOstrick]

@@87Rorie Thanks for clarifying, so if its all working ok, taking a nice recording while the engine is off. My guess other than your squelch not being sensitive enough. Which I'm sure you would notice. Is perhaps electrical interference on the cable. If you are in a 4 place aircraft try recording from one of the rear plugs, or even just to test try using the copilot plugs ? Let me know how you go.