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joshneal

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About joshneal

  • Birthday 05/07/1981

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  • Website URL
    http://www.joshnealsound.com

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  • Location
    Portland, OR
  • Interests
    Music, Art, Juggling, Etc.
  • About
    I've been a location sound mixer for 16 years on all sorts of productions - everything from student films to multi-million dollar feature films. Also having s strong background in reality, I have skills to accommodate any kind of audio scenario. I own a full equipment package for all of your production sound needs.
  • Interested in Sound for Picture
    Yes

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  1. Anyone have any cases that they love for taking with them to mic talent when not at the cart - holding/wardrobe/hmu. In general I try to be flexible with productions, initially asking that the talent be brought to the cart to get their wire set securely when possible as the optimal situation. However it does happen that there is need to mic talent in other locations. My question is - does anyone know of the ultimate case, that would have a ton of smaller compartments for components, maybe some zippered, maybe some velcrow , some large some small - maybe some zippered cases. Basically a one stop shop case that would securely hold every accessory that may be possible to use in the process of placing a wire so that there is never moment where you have to run back to the cart because you've forgotten something or there was something you didn't anticipate. I know what to bring in my mic'ing kit so thats not what I want this thread to be about (but if you do have a product you like that isn't well known fee free to share!). I just want to see if anyone has come across a case/system that you love and are able to share with the community (Pictures a huge plus) that you have found helpful - whether meant for film or not. Also just curious what systems other people use. I hate having a bag on my hip (like a setwear pouch) unless the gig really calls for it (some reality), mainly interested in standalone cases for a multitude of components. I think the perfect case would be rectangular, zippered, and a little longer than those pleather lectro bags, but with a million pockets and compartments. Thanks Josh
  2. So I am doing sound for a series of fitness videos coming up in a couple of weeks and I am struggling to eliminate the cable/headset mount noise that I am getting. I've been strain relieving the cables from the back of the headset to the shirt (using dual ear versions) and placing the headset as snug as I can get it but I still get some noise when the speaker is moving their head around. It seems like its coming from the cable and the frame of the headset itself. We are using the following: 3x Countryman H6DW5B (H6=both ears; DW5=standard gain for general speaking; B=Black color) - two with the SM (TA5) connector for lectros, and 1 with the SE (microdot) connector for zaxcom 1x DPA 4088-DC-A-B00-LH (DC=Directonal/Core Amplifier; A=non-flex version; B00=Black color with microdot connector: LH=Long boom/Dual Ear Model) I have very little experience working with headsets so I would appreciate any advice on how to rig these (being as low profile as possible is a priority). I want to have minimal cable/headset noise, however these will be fitness trainers doing a variety of different workouts. We may have burpees, yoga positions where arms will be outstretched either overhead or parallel to/on the floor with the trainer potentially down on their belly. Various twists where arms may be stretched across the body pressing up to either side of the head. Intense running in place or bouncing up and down (perhaps jumping jacks). Basically anything fitness oriented is a possibility and I am concerned about these mics holding up well to cable noise and staying in place throughout. First off are there any other low profile headsets that are known for an an extra secure fit as well as low cable noise? The company I'm working for already had the 3 countryman headsets, which they wanted to keep for this project and future shoots. There will be 4 trainers total, but only two on camera at the same time. After some advice from Gotham sound I learned that the countryman microdot cables have a bad reputation for not lasting so I went with the DPA 4088 for the 4th headset. I understand these sound different but as long as the each trainer only uses the same headset they are assigned their voice will be consistent throughout. There will be two talent on camera at a time. There will be one primary trainer wearing a zaxcom ZMT-flex, with a headset (either the DPA or the countryman), as well as a dpa 6061 chest mounted lav (the ZMT-flex having two mic inputs). The secondary trainer will do much less talking and pretty much just do the workout in the background. They will be wearing one of the countryman headsets connected to a Lectro SMa/SMQV transmitter. There will be no overhead boom. So I'm wondering if there is a better headset for this purpose for the primary trainer. First off all the mics are directional and I've heard that directional mics are more prone to handling noise. The DPA website says: "Due to their nature, directional mics are often used on the live stage – both during concerts as well as spoken-word events, to capture the focused sound of an instrument or voice. The narrow angle of sensitivity helps to minimize the bleed from other sounds on a busy stage. One thing to note with cardioid mics is the proximity effect, which causes an increase in bass response the closer the microphone is moved to the sound source. Therefore, when judging mic specs you should always look for a statement stating the distance at which the flat frequency response has been measured. In addition, cardioid mics are far more sensitive to wind, pop and handling noises than omni mics, so be sure to take precautions to guard against this." Not realizing this when purchasing the DPA I chose the 4088, directional version in order to match the directional countrymans production already owned. I also chose the 4088 over the 4288 because it looks more similar to the countryman and we wanted the headset to look as close as possible. But the 4288 looks like it fits more securely over the ears and may stay in place better. Its not to late to return/exchange the 4088 if I need to (perhaps for the 4266) and also could make a case for getting a second 4288 for the other primary trainer (only 2 talent on cam at a time). The countrymans on the background talent aren't as important. Or in this situation with this much movement would I be better off with a single ear headset like the countryman E6 or one of the single ear DPAs? Or something else entirely? Bottom line: 1) Im asking for any tips on placing headsets to stay securely in place and minimize any type of cable noise/pops/wind or breath noise. Either using what we have or something else you would suggest. 2) If anyone knows of any headset mic that would be bulletproof (or close enough) in this situation to minimize noise? And should I stick with a dual ear version or get a single ear version (for primary trainer only)? Thanks for any help - your responses will be greatly appreciated! Best, Josh nealjosh1@yahoo.com joshnealsound.com insta: @hey_this_is_josh
  3. Is it possible to downgrade your firmware to a previous version? I ask because I just updated my SMDWB only to find that the tail end of block 23 was truncated due to FFC restrictions. I imagine some people will react to this question negatively as it is technically will be illegal to broadcast on those frequencies - although I just read that the date those new frequencies had to cease operation isn't until July 13 2020 - about a week later. My SRC will still scan the full block 23, but my SMDWB will no longer tune to that last chunk of frequencies on 23 as I had updated the firmware just the night before. If I am out of line in asking this I will respectfully listen to the advice of others, as I consider myself to be an ethical person with good values. I never want to break the law, but I was in a situation where I had a rooftop dinner scene in Seattle and block 21/22 were completely congested, and the only spot where nothing was coming up in the scan was the tail end of 23. I imagine it will not be this way for long as those frequencies will eventually be in use but I was in a very difficult situation as two of my transmitters of the 5 in play were getting constant hits - the SMDWB being one of them. I had my PSC RF Multi hooked up to two dipoles and was in close proximity but was still experiencing problems. In hindsight I would have been better off setting some shark fins on stands and shooting them down toward the table - however it wasn't discussed with me in pre production that this dinner scene would be taking place on a rooftop. It was a reality gig - one man band situation so I didn't bring my fins with me in my kit because I was operating under the idea that I wanted to remain as mobile as possible. Regardless I did my research ahead of time, looking up the cleanest sections of 19, 21, 22, & 23 and had a sense of what might be a better shot, but as most of you know rooftops can be atrocious environments for RF. If I would have had that ability to use one of those clean channels of 23 I would have only had one mic that was having problems and I perhaps could have resolved that sooner. It was my first day on the job recording the most important scene of the whole episode (as it turned out) and I was having mad problems. I was using my lectro RM app to change frequencies on mics, and despite my best efforts to contain that sound to just the transmitter I was wanting to adjust, I ended up retuning other transmitters in play by proximity and had to stop down and deal with fixing all of them. I ended up booming the whole scene to deal with the transmitters getting hits (first having to figure out which ones those were), but there were three cameras in play and I was constantly getting the signal to boom up, and the added awkwardness of the dipoles sticking out of the front of my bag made my mobility more difficult/clumsy. I could tell people were getting impatient with me and I felt like I wasn't making a good first impression. Not to say that the one additional channel of a working transmitter would have solved all my problems, but it certainly would have helped - if I only had to troubleshoot one of them it potentially could have gone better. And I know I could have switched the SMDWB to record mode but it didn't occur to me in the frantic moments. So I guess the long and short of my post is to ask if it is possible to downgrade, (assuming those older firmwares still allow 608 and above) and if so what are people's ethical take on if this is something I should/shouldn't be considering? I want to do the right thing but I just don't think broadcasting on those frequencies on a rooftop at 100mW is going to disrupt other wireless operation to any significant degree - not to mention we aren't even at the cutoff date yet. Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks to anyone who is able to offer advice. (I was on 6.51 previously and upgraded to 6.56)
  4. So I got word from the higher ups after that they do not want to see a headset on the trainer. We fought long and hard for this option but just got word that it wont be possible. This is a giant corporate entity this shoot is for, so it is what it is. They are aware of the limitations & are okay with some non optimal sound. So its up to the sound department to do the best we can given the circumstances. I'm thinking a hair mic and a traditional chest lav could be a good solution (and of course overhead boom). They are okay with the cable going down the back of the neck as that part of the trainer wont be visible for the majority of the workouts. I'm hoping the hair mic will be a good approach - it all depends on it staying securely in place. Ive done hair mics in the past successfully by crisscrossing bobby pins to hold them in, although they do tend to need readjusted over the course of the day. Does anybody else have any tips on hair micing? With secure hold being top priortiy. Any input is appreciated!
  5. Hey thanks so much for everyone who responded, your advice is greatly appreciated! I have better idea of what I want my approach to be going in, and what is possible with from different setups. And its helpful to be able to manage expectations with production based on what we're able to do in a given circumstance. Jeff, I really appreciate the Jane Fonda workout link - super helpful. I think Im going to try to get a nice even sound from my boom op and give them the option of using that as primary. I'll definitely use the countryman earset whenever possible and fight for it as much as I can. But on takes where that isn't possible I will consider a hair mic and/or a typical hidden lav in addition to the best boom track possible. And Doc, good to hear from you, it has been a while! I see that you've been killing it these days from what I see on facebook and whatnot. Y'all are the best, much love. Josh
  6. I am about to be working on a project featuring some trainers doing high intensity workouts and the producers what to achieve the most even sound possible. We have done some of these in the past and we would run one lav and a boom, but due to the quick movement, changing positions, the trainers head pointing in different directions, the lav being covered or pressed into the floor for certain positions, the lav track is not always reliable. When they use the boom to fill in the gaps the sound is quite different and they are trying to figure out a way to get a more even sound throughout. For some stuff this round we will be using a countryman h6 headset, and this will eliminate a lot of the problems from concealed lav placement. However they still want to get some of the workouts without a headset and Im wondering if anyone has any tips/ideas to get as even a lav sound as possible in this circumstance. I suggested possibly hiding two lavs in different positions that where one might be more effective than the other in a particular position, to avoid needing to fall back on the boom. This is one possibility, but wondering if anyone else out there might have any thoughts? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
  7. I am about to be working on a project featuring some trainers doing high intensity workouts and the producers what to achieve the most even sound possible. We have done some of these in the past and we would run one lav and a boom, but due to the quick movement, changing positions, the trainers head pointing in different directions, the lav being covered or pressed into the floor for certain positions, the lav track is not always reliable. When they use the boom to fill in the gaps the sound is quite different and they are trying to figure out a way to get a more even sound throughout. For some stuff this round we will be using a countryman h6 headset, and this will eliminate a lot of the problems from concealed lav placement. However they still want to get some of the workouts without a headset and Im wondering if anyone has any tips/ideas to get as even a lav sound as possible in this circumstance. I suggested possibly hiding two lavs in different positions that where one might be more effective than the other in a particular position, to avoid needing to fall back on the boom. This is one possibility, but wondering if anyone else out there might have any thoughts? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
  8. Any speculation as to whether Sound Devices will ever add Dugan Automix to the mixpre series? Seems like a firmware upgrade could do that np. Thats one area where the F6 has the MPII 6 beat. If SD would just throw us a bone and add that feature I'd buy one today. It would be especially useful without dedicated pots for channels 5 & 6. There are a fair amount of my gigs where they use the stereo mix as primary. But I suppose they still want to sell 633s which is what I use currently. I use Dugan on just about every shoot when running multiple lavs. Having 6 channels with TC and automix in a unit that compact/light would be a major draw.
  9. Looking for a solid DC based sound mixer for 8/12. Doc style, full rate. PM me with referrals. Thanks!
  10. Does anyone happen to know why the lectrosonics WM E transmitter LCD blinks every few seconds when powered off? This is my first time using these transmitters - we have 6 currently and several of them blink when powered off (after inserting fresh batteries) yet the others do not. Im concerned about possible drain on the batteries when left blinking overnight. I read through the manual but didn't see anything relating to this issue. Does anyone know why they do this and if it will drain the batteries overnight (to any substantial degree)? And is there a setting I can change to turn it off? I've gone through all the menu options and didn't see a way to disable this feature. Anyone have any wisdom on this? Thanks
  11. I recently received a call from a production company I've worked for in the past that is starting a new project to record sound for the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. Typically the Oculus Rift is used for 3D/360 gaming, but this project intends to record 360 video either doc style or narrative. The example of the first scenario they want to capture is inside of a locker room with a coach talking to players. Being that this is fairly uncharted territory for video production, these producers have asked me if I have any thoughts on how to best record audio for this type of shooting situation. I've looked into binaural recording, however this would only work for one perspective - if the viewer turns their head 90 degrees the binaural microphones would also have to shift with the viewers movements to match the perspective - this isn't possible to record in the field as far as I can tell. You would almost have to have a binaural pair of mics for every 15 degrees or so to capture binaural audio in 360 similar to the way the cameras are working in a 360 array. But the problem is I don't think the software exists to stitch it all together - at least not from what I can find so far, please tell me if anyone knows otherwise. The way that individual sounds are modeled to give them a 3D perspective is that each sound is recorded clean normally and then placed into a 3D modeling software like Unity 3D and based on its x,y,z position the dynamics of the sound are manipulated by the software so that it sounds in perspective to its position relative to the viewer. This works well for individual sounds - sound effects and whatnot. But what I'm trying to figure out is how, using some sort of configuration of mics/equipment, to record 360 room ambience that can also match perspective based on which direction the viewer's head is turned. Forgive me if this is confusing or if I'm asking for a solution to a situation that barely exists yet, I'm just throwing this out there to see if any of you might have any ideas or be able to point me in the right direction.
  12. Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm on day two of this setup, running all my block 21 components in 200 mode. The results I experienced were mixed. In terms of audio quality, I do hear a difference, albeit marginal - but I'm not concerned about this being of much consequence to the show. I doubt anyone else would notice. In terms of range and intermodulation, the results were basically consistent with 400 mode/411 RXs. The biggest issue I am encountering are the way the RF hits/dropouts sound. When I get a signal dropout, I get hit with a very loud static crackle that I never experienced with 411 RXs. The 411s do a much better job with dropouts, only resulting in mild pops that are far less likely to be noticeable/ pollute other open mics on the same track for the stereo mix. I'm trying out a different freq today for the main TX I was having problems with, but if this problem persists I'm going to push harder for acquiring 411 RXs. Anyone have any thoughts on anything that might help to eliminate some of that nasty static "chhhh chhhh" sound from dropouts/hits? Thanks Josh
  13. Hello all, wondering if anyone could offer me some insight on this topic. So Im gearing up a reality show at the moment and we are building out two 788 bags which will ideally work interchangably with any of the transmitters (lavs for cast) in play. The A bag has 2 SRb RXs in dual mode on block 21. Now, the B bag has 3 211s & 1 401 on block 21. There may be well over 4 transmitters in play for block 21 so I would like for any RX to be able to receive any TX without needing to pair one transmitter to one unique receiver. In order to do this with the gear I have available to me I will need to switch everything to 200 series compatibility mode so that the 211s in the B bag can receive any of the transmitters in play - which will all be either UM400a or SMQVs. So my question is - will running everything in 200 mode present any significant disadvantage in terms of: 1) Range? 2) Intermodulation? 3) Audio Quality? As of now the above gear is what I have to work with. I am trying to push for our production to rent some additional 411s from an alternate rental house for the B bag so we can keep everything in 400 series mode. However if that doesn't happen, does anyone have any insight regarding this setup? Thanks Josh
  14. Anyone know anything about the Any Spot AS-DIST-4? Its a 2 Input 8 output Antenna Distro system for running 4 wireless receivers. Only $399 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/524695-REG/Galaxy_Audio_AS_DIST4_AS_DIST4_Antenna_Distribution_System.html It also runs off 12v DC power which would be great for on the cart. If anyone knows anything about how well this unit works, let me know, the only downside I can see is that the antenna outs are not standard BNC connecters, but some other type requiring adapters to be made. Or if anyone knows of any other inexpensive antenna distro system that would be good on the cart, let me know. Looking to run a shark fin and a dipole to 4 lectro recievers. Has anyone had any experience running an ac powered distro system using an inverter with a large marine battery or something similar? Thanks Josh
  15. Yeah I tend to flip the RM-11 around quite often and use that little pocket to keep clothing from rubbing. That approach has been working well for me. I find that the most control over how full or bright the sanken sounds comes from how far up or down on the chest you place it. Sometimes it seems a half inch can make a big difference.
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