Patrick Farrell

For quick and easy implementation, I've used prefab boards like this based on the XL6009. They have a built in trimmer to dial in the output voltage you desire, simply connect a multimeter and set to 48V. Then feed that into a typical phantom powering scheme like this: (I modified that from a shure tech article.) R1 and R2 should be 6.8kΩ. The C5/R6 and C4/R7 combos not only block DC current reaching the output, they also form a high pass filter so choose values based on what you'd like. I think I ended up using something like 100µF and 1kΩ. For better efficiency and lower input voltage (allowing using AA batteries) I really liked the LT1307B. The datasheet has everything you need to know but this is the schematic I ended up basing my design on: My notes indicate I used 1MΩ for R1 and 25.5kΩ for R2 to get the typical 1.22V feedback voltage. You can use the LTSpice software to plug in whatever components you choose. I also added two capacitors (I think 1µF and 100µF) in parallel with the output to further smooth the ripple. Different values smooth different frequency ripple. Then of course that will feed into the phantom power scheme above.

Since you already have the phantom powered version and are happy with it's SNR, I'd recommend adding a phantom power section to your homebrew preamp. It's really quite simple, I built one in an altoids tin. I've tested several dc boost converters that can take your existing battery voltage and get it up to 48 if you'd like recommendations.

While I don't own a 788t I think they're great machines worth preserving functionality into the future. Another idea which would make it device agnostic is hosting a web app on something like a raspberry pi zero W. The RPi could do all the serial communication and create an ad hoc network with it's on board wifi while hosting a web server. Then any device the user chooses can connect to the network and pull up a browser to control the 788t.

I've done this very thing with Peter Schneider before. We used DPA gooseneck tabletop mics (I think the 4098) hardwired into a RIO stagebox with dante back to a Yamaha QL5 console. That board gives you 16 Dugan automix channels so just pick 4 minor characters and assign them to a fader you bring into the mix as you follow along the script. I think we recorded everything on a scorpio or a pix970 but anything with enough tracks is fine. Lastly since the actors were so spread out around the tables and there was also a gallery of producers, we set up several reinforcement speakers with a mix-minus for whatever group was in front of each speaker. The Glensound Divine monitors made quick work of that with their dante and POE.

Zero delay is indeed impossible but the Lectro Duet system is a digital stereo IEM with 1.6ms latency which is good enough for most situations, although my experience with the system hasn't been stellar for other reasons.

As a utility I use this chair. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00339C3PK/ Folds really flat and is easy to tuck away on the follow cart while being easier on the family jewels. But it sits pretty low which depends on how small your cart is. I mostly see people using the aluminum, "low" version of director's chairs but another option I've seen is something like this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2KKT2YB/?th=1

If there is DIT then the video assist is hardwired to them. If no DIT then video assist will have the teradek receivers.

Not true. On every union show I work, the sound cart is hardwired to video assist to receive SDI and send audio. Very rare for sound to have wireless video in NYC. The latency tends to be too much on Qtake to mix accurately.

If you have some of the sony np-f style batteries for your 633 you could also use them with this adapter https://www.gothamsound.com/product/dv-sqnr-power-adaptor

Dante uses PTP for sync which is more accurate than the traditional 48kHz word clock. I'm level 3 certified and have found any time I have an issue with dante it's because of a networking error which in practice means either it all works or it doesn't. Once you understand how to build a proper network, it is absolutely rock solid and dependable.

Use the input attenuation on the UTX-B40 to adjust the mic's sensitivity to be relatively similar for each channel.

This. Rather than a thought experiment, how about a listening experiment? Borrow a couple systems that are as you describe and see how they sound. I personally find they sound better than some systems which utilize adjustable preamps in the transmitter.

A couple of thoughts: From my recollection, removing the XLR section shouldn't be necessary to get to the board. I guess that could be revision specific though. Replacing a 10 ohm resistor with a tighter tolerance 10 ohm resistor will not have an audible difference in any schematic.

That particular one has a network filter IC in it which could possibly get fried if you inject voltage into it. There are fully passive versions that work both ways but that still wouldn't help in your case because the device on the other end is expecting spec PoE power but would only receive the voltage of your battery. The injector you posted up above would work because it has a DC-DC converter built in to provide the proper voltage but you're limited to connecting just one device. If you want the flexibility of a switch in your bag, Gotham has this one that can be powered from your BDS. Sadly it's not gigabit but should be plenty fast for a few channels like the AVIO devices and similar.

Boom poles are generally a personal preference. For me, I was able to work with several mixers and try out a variety of poles in the field before deciding to buy an Ambient for myself. If you're getting boom op gigs, the mixers likely have a selection of poles for you to use until you find your preference you want to invest in. Heck, I even know boom ops that have gone a whole career without buying a pole and only use mixer's poles.