Pro Location Sound LLC

I got an email from a client asking me, What I thought my max range on my Zaxcom Camera Hop is as he was concerned that I may need to be about 25 feet from camera at times. I find that the Zaxcom units provide me with the best possible camera hop solution. While lectrosonics and the new SR reciever provide an excellant solution. I have had such great experiences with my Zaxcom units I just won’t use anything else. With the RF trap external attenna and proper frequency scanning I can easily get 20 yards and have been 50 yards away before with no issues, While I prefer to be within 10-20 feet of my camera operator it is nice to know I have the extra range. I also like that the zaxcom unit auto tunes to the clearest frequency. So if you want an idiot fool proof camera link reach for a Zaxcom.

Finally an answer to a problem many of us face. Where do you mount a wireless receiver on a small format camera?  This simple yet easy to use adapter from BEC Solves the problem by allowing any BEC box to fit on any Hot shoe

This is a older post from ramps from Kill Bill about what a sound person does pretty funny stuff:

My 12 year old daughter had an assignment to gather from her father,
“What does Dad do?”.  She asked me to put down in my own words, and
summarize what I do.

So here it is..

While working in the biz as a Location Sound Mixer, I spend most of my
time trying to explain to producers why they can’t get sound people to
work for free like they can actors and PAs. If by some miracle that the
producer actually knows how important sound is and chooses me to work on
the set, and they have budgeted more than 100 dollars for the entire
sound department for the shoot, I then spend all my time planning on
getting a mountain of equipment to the actual location. I rigg up that
equipment while on the set, then wait on camera, grips, and actors to
get the camera rolling with the rare possibility that I might get 20
seconds of usable recording.  This goes on for over 12+ hours every day
while on my job hoping nothing goes wrong while noting and stopping the
production for every plane, dog barking, and voice that goes overhead.
When it’s all over, I’m out of a job again and spend the rest of the
month looking for another job to do it all over again.  In the mean
time, I go out and spend more money on equipment than I made on the last
job with no end in sight for equipment buying.

It sounds allot like a job, but since when do you have to pay so much to
work on your last job?

Hope she likes it..

-bill

This recorder looks like a great option as a back up recorder or for on the fly recording street price will be under $400.00 USD

Samson to Debut Zoom H4n Handheld Recording Device at 2009 CES

A state-of-the-art recording device complete with an onboard reference speaker, 4-channel high resolution audio recording and variable recording pattern capability

On display at CES, January 8th-11th in Las Vegas at South 4 Booth #35528 and at NAMM, January 15th -18th in Anaheim Booth #5940

Hauppauge, NY – January 5th, 2009 – As the leading manufacturer of portable handheld recorders, Zoom is pleased to introduce the next generation in its line, the H4n. With a focus on new features and improving the user experience at every level, the H4n is also Zoom’s most sophisticated handheld recorder to date.

Zoom’s H4n offers superior, built-in X/Y stereo condenser mics that allow variable recording patterns at either 90° or 120°. Audio quality is improved through its new digitally controlled, high-quality mic preamp and the ability to use internal and external mics simultaneously for 4-channel recording. A large LCD screen, a more intuitive interface and onboard reference speaker will take the user’s recording experience to the next level.

“We have learned a great deal from the success of the H2 and H4, and have continually sought to bring the most important improvements to our designs,” says Masa Iijima, CEO of Zoom Corporation. “Our new H4n confirms our commitment to this category while bringing users substantial improvements to their experience,” added Iijima.

Additionally, Zoom has incorporated several of the most popular features from its H2 to the H4n such as Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) compatible time stamp and track marker functions and its auto-record and pre-record features so you never miss a moment. Of course, the H4n records high-resolution audio at 24bit/96kHz on SD/SDHC media of up to 32GB and is USB 2.0.

The H4n is also the most robust recorder from Zoom, with a rubberized, shock resistant body for improved chassis protection, all-metal microphone design and a built-in mounting joint for tripod and microphone stand use.

For musicians and songwriters, the H4n has a more user-friendly multi-track recording capability along with Hi-Z Inputs for recording guitar and bass, variable speed playback capability for “phrase training”, onboard studio effects, and over 50 guitar and bass amp modeling settings. In addition, a new stamina mode enables the H4n to operate for 10 hours continuously on a single set of AA batteries.

Most importantly, Zoom continues to place an emphasis on value, including everything you need to get started with the H4n. The package includes a 1 GB SD card, wind screen, mic clip adapter, AC adapter, USB cable, protective case and Cubase LE recording software. An optional remote control is also available.

The H4n truly represents a leap to the next level of handheld recording ability. See, hear and feel the new Zoom H4n at CES or NAMM.

I got an email last week from a reader with this question: “The FR-2 has dropped to $799 and the HDP2 to $849 what would you buy?”

My answer was the HD-P2 because I feel it is a better build machine and allows for Tri-Level Sync which allows it to chase timecode from a HD Camera you can also find the tascam on Ebay from tascam resellers for $699.00. I had a tascam for about 4 years until it stopped working so I feel I got my money worth. However I am much happier with my Sound Devices 702T recorder which I replaced it with, though It costs close to $2500.00. So if you only have $700.00 the tascam is a good buy though it is more prosumer but it will work.