Despite the reliabilty of current hard disk recorders from Zaxcom and Sound Devices even the best machine that is perfectly maintained can have an unexpected failure. Minimizing downtown and data loss is the hallmark of a professional audio person. This can be accomplished fairly cheaply and easily as well on any budget. As with most back up equipment it doesn’t have to be as good as your primary piece of gear it just had to work. As an example if you have a Sound Devices recorder then a Tascam HD-P2 is an excellant low cost option. Or if you already have a computer and audio interface then a low cost program such as Boom Recorder may be the best option for you. It all depends on budget and your needs, which is why dealing with a professional audio retailer instead of a big box store is always better. They are an invaluable resource to you in problem solving and purchasing advice.
Tag: Location Sound Mixer jacksonville florida
Recording a Double System Backup
It is never a bad idea to record a backup when doing single system work directly to camera. Having a high quality direct copy available for post can sometimes save productions. It is always higher quality because I am recording at 24 bit 48khz and the preamps in a sound devices, deva or fostex recorder are and will always be much higher quality. Some people may question why record at 24/48 instead of 16/44.1 if this is only a backup. Well with my new 702T and a 32gb Compact Flash (CF) card I have about 31 hours of record time so I don’t have to worry about running out oof space. I usually copy the CF card every 2 days at night while sleeping. Since I have a 500gb drive I just keep the back ups until the drive is full and then replace older back ups. If a client ever wants a back up I charge them to copy it over and then sent it. It has only happened once but I am always ready if it happens again. On commercials and non reality jobs I usually mirror to the dvd-ram drive and provide the client with the back up everyday, which is standard practice. I firmly believe whenever possible it is my job to safe guard the audio and make sure we have all of it. Doing a back up recording ensures this.
New Equipment Now in my Kit
To better serve my clients and there productions: I have added a Sound Devices 702T to my kit This powerful 2 channel 24bit 96k recorder with timecode capibilites for all HD and SD formats including the New RED Camera. Will allow me to better serve all my clients
Kit Recommendations
Been to busy will try to write more. Someone emailed me for advice on a basic starter kit. Don’t buy anything really cheap or crappy it will fail you. Especially when trying to get your foot in the door you only get one shot to do a good job so don’t risk it with bad or substandard gear here is my take:
Sound Devices 302 with mixer bag
(2) Senneheiser G2 wireless ( buy one system with plug on tx)
(2) Countryman EMW lav microphones (Cheap good upgrade to provided lav)
Ktek Avalon boompole internally cabled
At 8415 Shockmount
Rode NTG2 Shotgun microphone with Rycote Softee
Cables, adapters etc…..
Under $5000.00
Don’t go any cheaper than this!!!!
Reality Show set politics
Will try and post more just been very very busy. I just talked with a fellow sound mixer friend of mine who doesn’t do much reality tv work but is very experienced in news and doc work. He called asking me for some advice on his upcoming gig. First some background on the gig it is a pilot and a nightshoot. These is the worst combination there is a pilot (no budget high stress) night shooting (which is always no fun). The only good thing about most reality shows is despite being difficult and taxing they have a good size budget to rent the right gear and hire the right team. The other reason I hate pilots is they only usually want to rent a 3 channel package 2 lav and boom. Which is never enough most of the shows I do I have 4 wireless or more. So my friend said that they wanted a wireless camera link but that the producer stated she didn’t want the camera op to listen. If using a wireless hop the camera op MUST ALWAYS LISTEN. Since that is the only way to make sure the audio is being recorded correctly. He explained this to the producer who said “It is your job as the sound mixer to listen to the audio”. This is the classic sign of a stupid producer your hired as the audio expert so they should listen to you. Remember that you need to stand your ground and do what it takes to get good audio
Pro Location Sound LLC 