I may be shooting (pun intended) at a gun show where there will be a LOT of automatic weapons being fired at once and also some western gunslinger stuff (fanning). Should I be concerned about damaging the mic on my camcorder (HDR-HC1) and, if so, what should I do to avoid damage?

I may be shooting (pun intended) at a gun show where there will be a LOT of automatic weapons being fired at once and also some western gunslinger stuff (fanning). Should I be concerned about damaging the mic on my camcorder (HDR-HC1) and, if so, what should I do to avoid damage?


I don't think you will have any problems that will create damage. The only problem that I see is the microphone limiters clipping the sound and the end result is the guns sounding like cap pistols.
Allen W

OK, I can always control the recording level manually.

Any recommendations for getting decent sound in such an environment?

Just for a reference...

40 DB A WHISPER
60 DB NORMAL CONVERSATION
85 DB BEGINNING OF HEARING DAMAGE, EARPLUGS SHOULD BE WORN
133 DB GUNSHOT (WILL VARY GREATLY TO SIZE AND TYPE OF GUN)
PEAK LEVEL MAY REACH 140-160 DB
215 DB BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY FIRING ALL 9 SIXTEEN INCH GUNS

I do not think you'll be able to manually control the recording level unless you can also control when these guns go off.

If you can individually set the manual levels, I would set one channel really low and one channel about normal... Then mix in post. Use the quiet channel during periods of gunfire, and the louder channel when you want speaking to be heard. This way you won't have to ride the levels as you walk around with the camera.

There is also concern regarding diaphragm compression, but if it's all small arms fire, it's probably not an issue.
This article (http://mis15.ncarts.edu/film/yewdall/Web%20Pages-E/chapter%2010/00Chapter%2010.htm) may provide some insight for you.