Pro Location Sound LLC

My current Reality show Wrap Jan 22, 2010 and I am open for Reality Work, Tv , Features, Corporate or anything else that requires sound. I have enough gear for up to a 3 camera show and would love to help you with your sound needs. Happy New Year to All

I try to never check my gear on an aircraft. I FEDEX all my gear now. I get production to either provide with with fedex slips or account number. I usually ship it standard overnight or two day if time permits and insure it each case for my insurance deductible just in case there is an issue with the company and its insurance. For most of my reality shows I ship three cases and a pvc pipe with boompoles in it. If your going to fly with the gear zip tie cases you check shut and tape extras to outside of case. I always use bright colored ties so i can see instantly if it has been searched. But the FEDEX method is much easier i just call hotel ahead of time to tell them it is coming and make sure it is the hotel we are actually staying at as more than  once production gave me wrong address for hotel. When i arrive it is there and waiting for me. When we wrap I just call for a pick up and leave cases at hotel or since fedex is near airport just drop it off before flight. No stress no lugging cases around.

I am happy to report that my Sound Devices 552 Mixer is currently being built and should be to me right after the first of the year. I haven’t been this excited about a new piece of gear since I got my first Zaxcom Camera Hop about 4 years ago.  This mixer/ recorder is going to simplify the way I work dramatically.  Currently on most reality/ENG jobs I carry the following as my mixer/recorder combo. Sound Devices 442 Mixer, Sound Devices Mix-pre, 702T recorder, While this system has served me well for many years it is heavy and I often only need 5 channels and not 6 it also isn’t the most power efficient way to work either. Now with the 552 I can remove all this from the bag and carry one mixer for under $3000 is a very good value and will fit into my work flow nicely. Once I get mine I will post my thoughts and feelings.

I don’t often recommend books but the other day when trying to clarify a time code questions I reached for my SPARS Time Code Book for a quick answer so if you don’t understand Time code well or just need a handy reference quick pick one up. It is available online and at Audio Retailers Like TREW Audio below is a quick summary of the book:

The SPARS Time Code Primer is perfect for those who need a clear, concise reference when those pesky time code problems pop up… or if you may want to brush up on the latest techniques for interfacing different systems. This 72 page book was developed by SPARS members to help their employees quickly come to terms and work productively with time code. It is a practical book that spends little time on technology, and rather focuses on immediate, practical “how to” and troubleshooting material. It is used internationally for training by studios and as a textbook by numerous educational programs.

This week I spend sometime at the Sound Design Department of SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). Trying to give students a prospective on the Location Sound Industry from the prospective of a Reality Tv/ ENG Mixer. I just wanted to share a few of the broader topics that I discussed:

1. You have to make your own way in the industry and your own contacts be a go getter.

2. Do the best job you can all the time you are only as good as the last job you worked.

3. Be a good fellow crew member try to help out when you can.

4. Always be professional no matter the situation

5. Take Pride in your work. If you don’t who will.

More to come……