Dave Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Hi all, I've been researching the heck out of equipment choices for quite some time and have become familiar with most all of the quality equipment available. To date, I've been paying my dues and getting experience with mix and match rental gear. Essentially, I'm looking to put together a "pro quality" package that will be reliable for docs, TV lifestyle shows, and small independent films. Here are the 2 packages I have been considering:Â http://www.trewaudio.ca/store/product.phpproductid=712&cat=66&page=1 http://www.trewaudio.ca/store/product.phpproductid=482&cat=66&page=1 The biggest debate I've been having is whether to go the distance with the SD442 versus the SD302. I've been getting advice to go with the SD302 and put the difference into a 2nd wireless. I'm also not sure that the Sennheiser MKH 60 is my mic of choice...perhaps the new Schoeps shotgun or a Sanken Cs-3e? I want to be able to handle pro situations and be paid accordingly. I've been trying to crunch the "return on investment" numbers...any thought as to what my day rate (rental plus labour) should be for either of these equipment setups? I'm in the Toronto, Canada area. Thanks for all your expert help...much appreciated. Best regards, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Sorry...bad links. Here are the packages I'm looking at: ENG Plus Package CA$8,515.00 http://www.trewaudio.ca/store/files/images/d_759.jpg 1. K-Tek K-152CC 12’ 8" carbon fiber coil cabled boompole 2. Lectrosonics UCR411A Portable Receiver and UM400 Transmitter 3. Sennheiser MKH60 short shotgun microphone 4. Electro-Voice RE-50B interview hand mic with foam windscreen 5. Tram TR-50 Lavalier microphone w/ battery power supply, wired for Lectrosonics 6. Rycote Softie shockmount w/ Softie wind cover 7. Sony MDR-7506 headphone 8. XLR coiled jumper cable for boom to mixer 9. 25ft XLR cable 10. Sound Devices 302 11. Break-away cable for mixer to camcorder 12. Right angle XLR receiver output cable _________________________________________________________________ Field Production Plus Package CA$12,895.00 http://www.trewaudio.ca/store/files/images/d_739.jpg 1. K-Tek 152 Carbon Fiber coil cabled boompole 2. Micro-Cat furry windscreen 3. Sanken COS-11 Lavaliere microphone wired for Lectro transmitter 4. Comtek M-216P pocket transmitter and two PR-216 personal wireless receivers 5. Electro-Voice RE-50B interview hand mic with foam windscreen 6. Rycote Kit 4: Windshield, M-2 Suspension, and Wind-jammer 7. Lectrosonics UCR411A Portable Receiver and UM400 Transmitter 8. Remote Audio BDS (Battery Distribution System) with cables & NP-1 cup 9. Sennheiser MKH-60 Short Shotgun Microphone w/ windscreen 10.Sound Devices 442 11. Two 25ft XLR cables 12. XLR coiled jumper cable for boom to mixer 13. Remote Audio Adapt-a-Pak connector adapter kit 14. Sony MDR-7506 headphones 15. IDX JL2-Plus Multi-format NP-1 charger and power supply 16. Two IDX NPH50DX NiMH batteries 17. Break-away cable for mixer to camcorder 18. Pelican 1600 case Cheers, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Both of those packages are good but over kill. Get the 302, a Sanken CS3e, the K-tek pole & softie, 2 sets of Lectro wireless (used is ok) with Countryman EMW lavs, headphones, cables, etc. Look at the used gear listings for other support gear to save money. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redge Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 I may get killed for this, but here is my view on your question as it relates to documentaries and small independent films. I started with a Schoeps 541 microphone that I bought, as it happens, from the owner of this site (thanks very much, Jeff, for setting me off in the right direction -I owe you plenty for that). Then I added a Sound Devices 702 recorder with time code. Since then, I have acquired a second Schoeps 541 microphone, a boom pole and two kinds of windscreens (a Schoeps hollow foam ball for each microphone and a single Rycote zeppelin). To that, I've added headphones, cable, three Sony batteries, and a Sony charger, to run the recorder, and a number of compact flash cards. The cost of these items, most of which are not included in the packages that you outline, should not be underestimated. Also, I want to say that the key to this gear is the microphones (have a look at a thread that Mr. Wexler started very early on in this site about what the key factors are for good sound). I have complete control over the projects that I am working on, so I don't claim to know what demands you are seeing. What I do know is that there seem to be a lot of people working in video for whom this would actually be overkill. All I can say is that I do not think that there is a documentary or small independent film that cannot be made with this gear. Since you are from Toronto, let me add that this setup has proven more than adequate for a project that I am working on for the CBC. At the same time, I don't know anything about what is needed for reality shows. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffrey Colon Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 All good stuff... fact of the matter, and anyone here will tell you... you can start with something to record to, a mic cable and a mic... chances are, you will never have enough equipment... I own at least 15 lavalier microphones. 7-cos11, 2-EMW, 2-B3, 6 millimics, a couple trams... and a handfull that came with the 6 lectros... I would like to try the DPA's next... My Ex Wife discovered I was Queer... Queer for Gear, that is. Good Luck, Jeff C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tourtelot Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Gotta say, I have to agree with Oleg and Jeff on this one. Look for the ways to get your gear as cheaply as possible to start. First off, do you need a big debt to worry about while you are trying to get your business started? Ruined more than one business I would say. And two, remember that resale of used sound equipment is pretty much a $.25 on the $1.00 proposition, maybe excepting classic mics. If you decide that you need something else than what you buy, you WILL take a deep loss so maybe working with some things to help flesh-out your needs before investing in expensive gear that "doesn't quite do it." And all that coming from one of the industry's biggest "gear sluts"<G>. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim apter Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 im with these guys. one extra key thing no one mentioned and that you asked: one wireless is not enough. dont even kid yourself that it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Oh no, I said 2 wireless first. ;-) Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Hi gentlemen, Thanks for taking the time to offer your expert advice. So, to have a point of reference, I should look at the SD302, 2 Lectro wireless systems, 2 varied mics (Schoeps and Sanken), 2 Countryman Lavs, Boom, wind protection, etc. I should buy used/demo peripherals (power, batteries, cases,cables etc.) I'll let you know how I make out. Thanks very much and all the best. Regards, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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