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Jim Feeley

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Everything posted by Jim Feeley

  1. In the US, there are a bunch of job/gig/employment scams these days. Here are a couple of articles about some of these from the US government's Federal Trade Commission website (while this current situation appears to be all/partly happening in the US, I think the basic approach is being used in lots of countries). Basically, the ones I'm hearing about from friends who've been approached are variations on the fake-check scam and the give-us-personal-info identity-theft scam. Scammers impersonate well-known companies, recruit for fake jobs on LinkedIn and other job platforms How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams Sigh. Another thing to be careful about.
  2. This book by Jay Rose, who passed away four years ago, is really good. Starts with a clear description of how sound works and builds from there. However, this edition is ten years old and has a street price of $55, and last I knew the publishers were still trying to get ahold of the online files that go with the book (Jay maintained the website for that, and that site is gone). Ask the publisher to send you an inspection copy (Routledge, the publisher, will do that). Feels to me that this book can still provide a solid foundation for all students, those focusing on audio and those focusing on other areas. Producing Great Sound for Film and Video Expert Tips from Preproduction to Final Mix In Producing Great Sound for Film and Video, Fourth Edition audio guru Jay Rose revises his popular text for a new generation of filmmakers. You’ll learn practical, time-saving ways to get better recordings, solve problems with existing audio, create compelling tracks, and boost your filmmaking to the next level! Here you’ll find real-world advice and practical guidelines for every aspect of your soundtrack: planning and budgeting, field and studio recording, editing, sound effects and music, audio repair, processing, and mixing. Rose’s combination of solid technical information and a clear, step-by-step approach has made this the go-to book for producers and film students for over a decade. New in this edition: Insights and from-the-trenches tips from top professionals Instructions for getting the best results from new DSLRs and digital recorders What you need to know about new regulations for wireless mics and broadcast loudness An expanded "How Do I Fix This?" section to help you solve problems quickly Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker who wants better tracks, or an experienced professional looking for a reference, Producing Great Sound for Film and Video, Fourth Edition has the information you need. https://www.routledge.com/Producing-Great-Sound-for-Film-and-Video-Expert-Tips-from-Preproduction-to-Final-Mix/Rose/p/book/9780415722070
  3. I've had a K-Tek "Traveler" pole for 15+ years. Six sections, collapses to under 60cm. It's not my main pole, but it's been fine with whatever I throw on the end (typically a CS3e or smaller). So I suggest at that short length 5 vs. 6 sections isn't a big deal.
  4. If someone acquires Aaton's assets, I don't think they'll revive Cantar as it stands now. I'd think a buyer would be after patents, people, and prestige. Sorry to keep bringing up BMD, but look at their acquisitions of da Vinci Systems, Fairlight, and eyeon; all makers of expensive niche products and the first two (at least) arguably with little chance of future sales. Yet all have contributed to Grant Petty's vision of world domination (or at least of his vision for low-cost yet capable post software). Also, I'm pretty sure BMD didn't pay much for those acquisitions. I don't know if Aaton has any valuable patents, and I don't know if the team has already dispersed. But I think the name still has some cachet. But again, I mainly hope the people associated with Aaton land in a good place.
  5. OTOH, Sony bought Konica Minolta, reportedly for their patents and their engineers. That acquisition launched Sony's move into good still cameras. Also Aiwa, Sonic Foundry, some semiconductor companies and manufacturing plants, Audeze, and a bunch of other stuff. So they do acquire companies even when they have some in-house expertise. But Aaton I'd guess serves too narrow a market for Sony to acquire. I'd think Blackmagic might be a more likely candidate, though I don't think they have as much cash floating around as they did before (no idea, really). I mean, they acquired Fairlight...and most of the engineers came along (and last I heard were fairly happy there), and eyeon software (developers of fusion) and at least some of the engineers are still at BMD and happy (I was acquitted with Steve Roberts, eyeon's CEO and original developer and we usually have a quick catchup if we see each other and NAB). But I really have no idea and I hope the people at Aaton all land at good places.
  6. Not much around here, sadly. Looks like StudioB in Berkeley has a Rode blimp with Rycote Windjammer. https://sfvideoproduction.com/sound-equipment-rentals/rode-blimp-windshield-w-rycote-windjammer/ And Borrowlenses has a location in San Carlos, and will courier. They have some Rode stuff: https://www.borrowlenses.com/rent/category/production/audio?q=%3Atopsellers%3Abrand%3Arode&text=&clearBrands=&brand-Rode=on# Then maybe Sharegrid?
  7. I saw the Sennheiser marketing on WMAS last year. Are other companies adopting WMAS, or something like it? Press Release from today, Feb 15, 2024 (Link to report & Order below): FCC EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR WIRELESS MICROPHONE USERS New Rules Allow WMAS Technology That Enables More Wireless Microphones to Operate with Greater Efficiency -- WASHINGTON, February 15, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules to allow a new, more spectrally efficient wireless microphone technology to operate. Wireless Multi-Channel Audio Systems (WMAS) use spectrum more efficiently than currently available narrowband microphones, meaning more microphones can be used without allocating more airwaves. The rules will permit WMAS to operate on a licensed or unlicensed basis, while preserving the existing spectrum rights of others that share those frequencies. Wireless microphones, which operate under the FCC’s technical rules for Part 74 low-power auxiliary station devices and Part 15 unlicensed devices, can be found in a variety of settings, including theaters and music venues, TV and film studios, educational institutions, conventions, corporate events, houses of worship, and internet webcasts. The new rules will allow WMAS to operate in the broadcast TV bands and 600 MHz duplex gap on both a licensed and unlicensed basis, and in other Part 74 LPAS frequency bands on a licensed basis. WMAS will enable more wireless microphones to operate in the spectrum available (i.e., more microphones per megahertz of spectrum), which provides additional options when more microphones are needed. The rules do not alter the existing spectrum rights or expectations regarding spectrum access and availability as it relates to other authorized users that share the frequency bands with wireless microphone operations (including, for example, broadcast licensees, Wi-Fi, and white space device users). Action by the Commission February 15, 2024 by Report and Order (FCC 24-22). Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, Simington, and Gomez approving. Chairwoman Rosenworcel issuing a separate statement. ### Full Report & Order, and a couple other links on the FCC website here: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-expands-opportunities-wireless-microphone-users-0
  8. That's the video Jeff embedded in the first post above. 30min.
  9. "Sound can make the difference between life and death." —David Attenborough (A line worth quoting to clients. 😉) A bit from the press release: Sky Nature unveils first look at Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough Brand new, three-part nature series uses world class technology to listen to the animal world like never before Series will launch on Sky Nature and streaming service NOW on Sunday 25 February " Filmed in 4K ultra-high definition, each episode of the series will feature in-depth stories of eight animals, followed by five-minutes of Behind-The-Scenes footage. Unveiling the very latest in audio technology, the series uses specially adapted cameras and laser vibrometers, which allows humans to truly eavesdrop on the animal world for the first time and discover new stories and information that have been hidden until now. The series incorporates microphones so tiny, they fit on your fingertip, and so precise they can detect the noise of a baby caiman calling from inside the egg. With 360-Dolby Atmos Sound, viewers will experience the breath-taking sounds of the natural world as never heard before." The whole release is here: https://www.skygroup.sky/en-gb/article/sky-nature-unveils-first-look-at-secret-world-of-sound-with-david-attenborough Here's the trailer:
  10. Speaking of Fazioli, he's coming to Oakland California in a couple weeks. Tuesday Jan 30th. https://piedmontpiano.com/calendar/2024/1/30/paolo-fazioli
  11. Disclosure LONG LONG LONG. ago I worked for Carl Countryman. I still have an affinity for the company and their products. That said, I also use Sanken lavs a lot, and various others some (just dabbling with DPA right now...but I do doc and corporate, not narrative). Also, I end up mic'ing sweaty and/or water-borne athletes with some regularity. That all said: The EMW isn't my favorite sounding lav, but with a decent placement it sounds OK. Available with one of three response curves. Behind clothing or with close-to-the-throat placement, I do find the Peaked response helps a bit. But with water, I think the big win with the EMW is the comparatively large face so even after being submerged, a water drop isn't going to cover everything. I haven't directly compared them to B3s in water. Anyway, the EMWs keep working even post submersion. If you're just concerned about splashes, a B3 facing downwards (or really, probably even upwards) will be fine. Also smaller. While a nice concealer for the EMW would be great, I roll with various existing clips and around water and sweat, often with foamies and kinesio tape or sports tape. These days, I like KT Tape Pro Extreme https://www.kttape.com/collections/kt-tape-pro-extreme/products/kt-tape-pro-extreme Rustic, please let us know what works out for you.
  12. I'm totally veering off topic, but I keep hearing about Angelus products. Though not in the context of applying them to leather. Which I think indirectly speaks well of their products. Cool that they're so versatile. For example:
  13. Interesting. Their 13-in-one tester looks A LOT like this Hosa model: https://hosatech.com/products/accessories/cable-tester/cbt-500/ But that's no big deal. Do you know much about the MLF. FM-CT20? Reliable? Well made? Thanks!
  14. So my old Ebtech SwizzArmy is old. I'm looking for something newer that supports a broader range of audio (and related) cables. I'd like XLR, 1/4-inch TRS, 3.5mm TRS & TRRS, RJ45, BNC. Would also like HDMI (full and mini, maybe micro) and USB (A and C) if that's a thing Can live without one or two (probably TRRS). Don't need (but will accept) DMX, Speakon, and MIDI connectors. After poking around at dbx, Whirlwind, Sescom/Markertek, etc I'm resigned to getting two or three boxes. What are you all using and liking (and dropping and still using)?
  15. I've used Sharpie pens and fingernail polish on B6 caps, B3 bodies, and E6 arms (just sharpie) a fair number of times. But haven't tried coloring cables. I wonder...but don't know...if paint flexible enough to stretch with cable bends might also damage the cable. Maybe contact tech support for the maker of the lavs you want to paint. I'd bet they'd know what sorts of paint and ink would least damage their capsules and cables. Or perhaps some thin-wall heat-shrink tubing in a color that works? Just thinking out loud... Let us know what ends up working for you.
  16. Lectro band/block A1 (470 to 537 MHz) and also Block 21 (537-563). So not Sennheiser, but RFI doesn't discriminate and now stands for Really F**ing Insidious.
  17. OSA, is there a medical-supply store near you? They carry lots of kinds of tape.... But ya, the local drug stores around here seem to have less tape, moleskin, and similar stuff on the shelves than they did several years ago. Sigh.
  18. I see Durapore and all the other -pore tapes still listed on 3M's site. And if you click through to purchase, it looks like they send you to Amazon. Maybe Durapore is less of a consumer item (ie- only sound mixers bought it 😉) and more of a medical-facility item (ie- they buy hundreds of rolls at once). At any rate, choose your width here: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/medical/medical-securement-tapes-wraps/
  19. I'm also having a pretty hard time in lots of SF, Silicon Valley, and parts of the East Bay. For reasons Phil states. In Berkeley, I can usually make the low 500s work indoors over short ranges. I can ask a couple local musician friends and FOH folks what they think. But I'd guess you, Phil, and many others know many more of that crowd than I do.
  20. $12US kinda fun. https://officialexclusive.com/collections/audio-toys/products/nagra-iv-4-2-swiss-iv-l-iv-d-d-aluminium-sn-reel-to-reel-tape-pro-audio-recorder-enamel-pin
  21. Just to be clear, I was responding to John's "i had a corrupt file... CF media was fine" question from today. Which ya, veers from his 2015 "formatted/erased" issue. No worries all around... For erased files, an IT friend likes Stellar. I think they have a free/demo tier, and I think they're not scammy and don't over email users. No first hand experience, though. https://www.stellarinfo.com There's also Disk Drill for macOS and Windows. Which I used to use, but haven't needed for a while. Looks like it's still maintained. https://www.cleverfiles.com
  22. Hey John, Long ago I used Audacity to salvage a .MP3 transcription file that was corrupt because the recorder was turned off before the file's header was written (IIRC, the header is written last). So there is a way to do it. But more recently, I've used the open-source VLC Media Player to recover a .WAV file. Google around for demos. Here's a bit of info on how to do it with VLC (and also Adobe Audition, which I haven't tried). This article was written for Windows users, but the Mac interfaces are pretty similar. Easy peasy. At least, when it works... https://windowsreport.com/fix-corrupt-wav-file/
  23. Thanks Phil, Olle, and everyone. Jez, I just checked the Clear website. Clear is on sale for US$69, down from $99. I don't know how long the discount lasts. https://product.supertone.ai/clear And yes, there's a trial version: "OUR TRIAL VERSIONS OUTPUT NOISE EVERY 60 SECONDS — UNTIL ACTIVATED WITH A LICENSE KEY. YOU MAY UNSUBSCRIBE ANY TIME." Geez that sounds annoying. So I think I'll buy it while it's on sale...
  24. No one to recommend, but perhaps an archivist can suggestion someone who maintains their machines? Ya, they'd be more into studio rather than field recorders, but a step in the right direction? In SF Bay Area, BAVC is still doing archival/preservation work with tape formats, including DAT. Maybe ask for a recommendation? https://www.bavc.org/programs/preservation/ And the Association of Moving Image Archivists had (and probably still has) a great email list and directories. https://amianet.org Other than that, maybe ask on a music-recording forum such as Gearspace. https://gearspace.com That's all I can think of. Good luck!
  25. Ya, Pete used to hang out here; he might still but IIRC he hasn't posted in a while. There have been some interesting discussions about fake mics here... If you search the archives (try the search box above; if that doesn't seem to work, search on google with something like "Fake 416 site:jwsoundgroup.net"). Pete also upgraded a lot of our old Schoeps CMC4 and Sennheiser 416T mics to phantom power. Prince of a guy. Sorry to hear about your purchase. Hope it all gets sorted. 😞
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