Jan McL

Congrats on your choice. I've really been enjoying the 788t-SSD for about a year. Glad I got the CL-1 to place near the backup recorder's record switch, and ultimately, also got a CL-8 for off-cart work. Having enough adapter (TA3F --> XLR3F) cables wound up being a good thing. The weird-at-first TA3M in's and out's on the 788t-SSD was a gender-bending mind-f**k for a while. Got a bunch of TA3F --> XLR3M cables too, for feeding com systems, etc. Got both variants of the time code cables, and the DE-15 breakout (XL-88), which gives me (among other things) an easy AES-out for CH 5/6. Don't know where your signals will come from, but because I have an analog mixer, I had an 8-channel snake made, with 4xXLR3M and 4xTA3F on the 788 side. An NP-1 cup for off-cart power, and an extra power cable (XLR4M --> lemo) pretty much rounds out the stuff I'm glad to have around. Good luck/good sound! - Jan

Glad I waited for this one. My contract's up. I'm in, mostly because of the HD video capabilities. I love shooting with my iPhone.

What makes me drool with envy is the lack of apparent cables. Sigh. Something to strive for... - Jan

You read my mind, Jeff. Contemplate eliminating the backup machine. Maybe after the next show when I've not needed it. Master = 788t SSD Backup = PD-6/EX-12 Split the signal out of the mixer (with DB-25 splitter) so each machine is fed directly and is not impacted by recorder failure. I back up the mix track and as many iso's as the PD-6 will take. Only turn in the backup in the event of master machine failure (oops, operator error - one time the operator failed to turn the 788 on to record). This backup has been a comfort to me, but I think I'm now familiar enough with the 788 to lose the backup machine. Or not. Yes. No. Yes. No. Look forward to getting that PD-6/EX-12 real estate back. It's for sale in a minute or two. The decision is whether to get another 788 for backup. Thanks for asking. - Jan

Speaking of the PD-6 / EX-12 combination, I'm going to sell mine because I find I need more iso tracks than the PD-6 offers. The ability to record on the larger disc via the EX-12 saved me from upgrading / selling for 2 years, but the time has now arrived. Were I just starting out, I think one of these used units would be just right. As it is, mixing my first cable show, iso tracks for 7 speaking people are sometimes necessary and the PD-6 just doesn't cut it, even as the backup recorder it's become. Made the main recorder changeover to 788t when post said they had to have BEXT and iXML metadata. Moreover, it's taking up a lot of cart real estate. I'm happy to give it a good home @ a rock-bottom price. I hear the little discs are now difficult to purchase, by the way. Yes? No? - Jan

Still taken from the first airing of the "Today Show" January 1952 on Hulu here: Hulu - NBC News Time Capsule: The First Today Show: January 14, 1952 Now that -- THAT -- is a lav microphone.

Business end --> shirt pocket. Yes! (Hi, Billy Taking away the idea of planting one on the injured gurney-ridden, non-speaking patient for the bent-over, stethoscope-bobbing EMT, Robert/Billy. Gotta say re: the automatic doors that yes, the crying worked, especially after I fell to my knees and began to beat the floor with my fists. Truth is, the AD's were fabulous about keeping the timing of the through-the-door walkers away from the words, and set dressers turned the door engines off whenever possible. My other goals for Season 3 (gods willing) is to get the grips to weigh down the bellies that rumble every time the doors are opened, and investing in cotton scrubs for the supporting cast. [insert budget prayer here...] Thanks to everyone for your fabulous and creative solutions.

Nice rig, BVS. Will give it a shot one day soon!

Cart positioning is an art, and every mixer seems to have their own methodology and preferred cart placement. Some enjoy being close to the village. I do not. Find the activity there distracting. Recently, I've needed to be closer to set than I prefer. It's a Comtek-reach / RF / cable thing with the advent of spectrum congestion, and having to be cabled to the DIT tent. First thing, I look at the day's "big picture" and all the places we're going to have to be. Then, I have a conference with the DIT. If I can find one spot that will do for all the spots, I go for that, for sure. Because of the DIT connection, I find we're moving the cart more often of late, since the DIT needs to choose with the DP in mind. We're never close to crafty, which is undoubtedly a good thing.

Thanks, Rich. So I guess it'll handle 8 OK, then Yes!

As I contemplate future cart configurations, realize I would like to know how many Zaxcom TX may be received within one Block. Fingers crossed for a relatively high number. - Jan

http://qik.com/video/385FF3390D9E4F29808FE1226F49613D Link above to the video of the antenna arrays. I've two -- because I can -- for separation. Want to finesse the entire arrangement for sure. I think selling the Audio Ltd. Quad and Fostex PD-6/EX-12 will do a lot for condensing & cleaning up. Oy. Fun. - Jan

So this is why the very idea of doing my 'art' (short films/poetry) for money makes my sphincter clutch. While I approach doing sound as 'art,' I know deeply that it is -- for me -- a 'craft' for which I never mind being paid well. Were there fiscal incentives for keeping ADR to a minimum, for example, I'm not so sure how well I'd fare. Thanks for sharing this.

A quick update. Spoke with Michele of ETS and not only did she get the units in the mail the same day, but gave me a steep ($206 for both units) discount. Don't say I sent ya She says putting the PA202FP on the website is "on the list" of stuff to do.

Really enjoyed this thread. Would love to see more antenna mast solution pictures Will post mine in due course unless there's another thread that would be more appropriate. Vin, I would love to have a picture of what you describe... I too went with the microphone bar, but smaller, mounted to the top of a light weight, light stand "riser" with a cardellini clamp. The "riser" fastens to a 5/8" spud at the bottom, and is cable-tied to the side of the cart in a few places. For the other side, used a heavy-duty grip gooseneck affair that may be easily bent down for sleep. This rig needs finesse. I use WindTek quick releases in the chain for flyouts, the extra males mounted to various 5/8 spud adapter/spring clamps. Bingo. Jeff, how are you liking that 2.4Ghz antenna? Mine's a lot bigger and would LOVE to scale it down... All the best, Jan

Looked at the fact sheet (http://www.etslan.com/pdfdocs/Audio/PA200_Series_InstaSnake.pdf) and the model numbers are: PA202P = (4) MXLR 1.50’ pigtail to RJ45 jack, all pins; and PA202FP = (4) FXLR 1.50’ pigtail to RJ45 jack, all pins Can't order the PA202FP by clicking on an "add to cart" link. Will order via email Sales@etslan.com You really gotta work for it. This solution actually kinda makes me look forward to the next car rig day. Jan

Thanks, Jeff, been there, looked around, but I still don't see an FXLR with a 1.5 foot pigtail. Googled and found other sites that offer the MXLR with pigtail (notably Markertek with a great price), but they don't offer the FXLR option. Guess I could change the connectors, but...why? Guess I'll give ETS a call on Tuesday. Jan

You're quite right, Marc. Props and wardrobe on this show are thankfully spectacularly sound friendly. They've generously held my hand through the Sticky Stuff and Topstick experiments, and I'm sure they will be there for us with any further tests. Topstick on the round, flat listening part worked OK, but I don't trust that it does the job 100%. Maybe carpet tape (a bit more thickness) would be a better trick. Check. Have some small, high-strength magnets on hand. Now look for some small bits of steel. Potential issue with this approach are that the stethoscope's listening device falls on a body part best left alone, especially adding bulk just there for the women. Don't see it as much of a problem for the men since their wardrobe is not designed to be as tight fitting.

Thanks, Jeff, Wolf & Belden Cable. I'm in. Took a Google ride looking for the units you have pictured at the head of this thread, Jeff, and had no luck finding the FXLR side with the pigtail. Any suggestions?

Thanks, BVS/Kevin, Two more ideas than I had before! The problem is most apparent when EMT's are bent over, wheeling a gurney, or on the women particularly, when they walk fast. The stethoscope bounces and may be heard over lavs placed between the breasts on the chest, or B-6 poked through a buttonhole of the costume. So, to mount ON the stethoscope, one would run the cable up the actor's back and out the collar and down to the stethoscope "tube". Still doesn't cure the stethoscope's bouncing, and that, ultimately, is the issue as far as I can see. I'm gonna try both ideas first chance I get. Made my day. Jan

A periodic bane, the stethoscope. Can't use Sticky Stuff, stains the wardrobe. Had some success with Topstick on the round piece. Doesn't stick quite so well to the EMT wardrobe. Thinking of a single baste stitch to the pipe. Any other ideas? Jan

Have to say this cart got my mouth watering. One thing I don't like about the Gemini cart is not being able to put doors on it @ the end of the day for transport. Another thing, it doesn't break down. This looks like it really works for both of those issues. Very nice. Jan

Hi, Whitney, Considered the QRX (x 2) for the reasons you mention, but I'm not much of a first-line of beta-testers kinda gal, at least insofar as working audio gear is concerned. Many of my sound mentors have balls of steel. Not in my job description or resume. Since the QRX units are not yet in the wild, and I will need to depend upon them (hopefully) in August, why, it did not seem prudent to plan around 'em for the next six to twelve months' work anyway. If they turn out as planned, I will sell the 4900 (or not) and add them at a later date. In the meantime, I can make the rack unit work much as I used to make the Audio Ltd. quad work: car rigs outboarding to upper floors / unreachable sets with (I hope) J. Wexler's brilliant CAT-5 insta-snake Haven't gone "in the bag" for years. Hope I never have to again Ha. Jan

Rigged up this iteration for my first cable show (with good help from Billy Sarokin and Adam Sanchez) last fall. Am in the process of finessing it, so thought I'd share where it is now. If you're so inclined, you can visit the Flickr page upon which I've made "copious" notes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fauxpress/3903882976/# Goals for the 2010 reconfiguration include: Continued cable reduction Design a car rig plan that works, no matter what Antenna array for car rig Sell the remaining Audio Limited rack and a few other things Install 2nd Zaxcom 4900 rack under extant rack Add additional drawer to 10-U magliner cart rack in space freed by Audio Ltd's Debate deleting the Foxtex PD-6/EX-12 backup unit (for sale) and replacing with Deva or 2nd 788t Here's the heart of the car rig solution in its infancy: Ordered a mini-cardellini from Film Tools that I think will do the antenna array trick better than the spring or maffer clamps. Don't have to fly the antennae very high from the tow rig. Good times. Jan

Hi, Graham, Glad you like the faux press. Unfortunately, the name is still a relevant 'statement'. When the news is news again, I'll retire the faux press. Until then... And André, yes, I got a newsreader specifically for RAMPS (which was much more of a PITA than I ever imagined), but still found the signal/noise too high. This spot is a breath of fresh air and good sound. Hope you're all having a good day. J