dolo72

Hi jlempen I would be interested in your schematics(pm'd you). I've just bought johns sxr4. I will be using a mixer in front but would like the opportunity to use it on its own. Thks Lisala

I agree big time the only problem with some Sonosax products is you can't take the limiter off this is why I still use my sx pr for some classical/acoustic work ( you can switch it off). Also why would anyone use low cut/high pass filters on classical music or any acoustic music recording, unessecery unless the room has some very bad rumble/low end problems, then it's new room time. I have noticed some top end roll off with some sound devices recorders 664 I presume it's the same in the smaller version, so not as open or fast (transients) as the Sonosax.

Hi Any news on this I mailed you a while ago but no reply ??

Has anyone asked mr liberman [url="http://www.libermansound.com if he can mod the sxr4 to have switched pots ?

Nice chart tom, it's getting like the camera dep't nowadays with all of these new devices.

If you had one left you could get a 3d print for a replacement.

I compared the Sonosax to the 664 files with this setup:- MacBook Pro - lake people d/a converters - phase linear amp - rogers LS7 speakers. I agree headphone amps sound very different and I take any chance to listen without the cans on.

Yes you are right - it is a taste thing. Glad to see you go a lot of the same kit I use however I'm not glad you don't have a boom op for your police drama. That setup is similar to the one I had on the documentary last week - and again booming, not chance of control over the radio mic's but 664 performed very well. No distortion, good headroom unbelievable power consumption.

I used one for the first time last week on a documentary and a commercial and I do agree in terms of ergonomics. It is so logically laid out I was comfortable using it after about 5 minutes. I was also amazed at how little power it used I only got to about 60% on an 89w battery with 3 receivers and 1 p48 mic on a 10 hr day with a lot of filming. The card format time was super quick also. The only caveat I have which is a big one for me - I really don't like the mic amp sound. I compared some of the rushes to my normal Sonosax set up and the Sonosax won hands down. It was enough for me to stuff my Sonosax mixer in the bag with the 664 for the 1 day on a commercial. I'm not saying the sound devices sounds bad it's just the Sonosax sounds so much better. I'm gonna lobby sound devices to make a line input baggable mini 664 recorder so I can have the best of both worlds ( I have been doing this with other manufacturers). I'm not saying this as a defacto statement it's just my opinion using my ears and brain.

I did a lot of this type of thing on a series last December with good success and a bit more time available. I used the cub 1, dpa 4060, countryman b6 and Schoeps cmr with mk41. Most of the hits were around a particular object or a clearly defined 'hit' area so it wasn't too difficult:- under a photocopier with the transmitter gaffer'd to the bottom of an adjacent upright file holder, in the gap between two office tables, under a a small speaker, tacked to the bottom of a picture frame angled so the frame shadow hid the mic, two cubs in the cable hole in a conference table, white vet wrapped the transmitter and mic to look like an Xmas decoration left directly on a desk in front of the person etc etc etc etc. Nice opportunity to get creative although 45 mins is not long enough and I can't see why so little time. If security or whatever doesn't allow for enough access time on the day get a pre rig day the night before, then just turn up and switch on.

What about an older sxs8 instead. The sound is very similar and there are plenty of used units around. Monitoring is not great but you can listen from the recorder. This is what I have done.

In the uk the APA rates (advertising producers association) are £481 =<10hrs without kit.

I used 4 micron explorers and 4 2040's on Friday for sky arts - so yes definitely good enough for broadcast. The explorers which are essentially the same as the 700 series, sound, range and immunity from interference wise( I have been reliably informed by the manufacturer). They outperform the 2040's in range and interference immunity ( all receivers being close to a 788t which is not great around channel 38). The explorers are not power hungry I didn't do one battery change in around 7 hours using newish ipower pp3's on both the explorers and the 2040's. We had to use the 2040's in a rk6 rack to get the same performance with regard to range and interference as the microns with whips. The sound on the 2040's is very good and works well with a wider range of mic's. Sanken cos 11's def sound better but I generally use dpa lavaliers (4071-4060-4061) which I find sound better in the microns - you have to listen to find out what you prefer. The restriction with microns 100 explorers is the 16 channels but you can order custom sets. So if buying in the uk I would ask for 9 non intermod frequencies in channel 38. I own 700 series(100 frequencies) and I get 9 non intermods in channel 38. I can't comment on the en2's because I haven't used them but they look good on paper (40mhz ) they are more expensive in the UK. As always test them all then make your decision, be great if you could test back to back.

+1 No amount of class A mic amps, vari mu compression and eq is gonna stop the noise when someone kicks your star-quad off of its carefully placed 90 degree axis to the ballast Cable.

The white 'air con' filter material looks like the same upholstery filler material I use for rain/high wind protection. It's easily available in the uk at any upholstery materials shop. I used it stuffed inside the rycote basket with no windjammer to stop the rain drop sound. Will have to try it on the outside now.

Another vote for the dpa and remove the cap.

What batteries do you use and how long do they last ?

I also used channel 38 and 37 in Milan in january with no problems. I was in close proximity and it was just 2 mic's so not a hard test. Senator is right though Italy does vary a lot depending on where you are. If you don't have scanning on your radio mic's I would recommend getting an RF explorer just do you know what's happening.

Luckystrike London Address:- 82 Berwick Street Soho London W1F 8TP Telephone 020 7734 4424 Website www.luckystrikelondon.com I've done few jobs for these guys who specialise in production services for American clients in the U.K. I've just done commercials for them, not drama but worth a shout. They have an excellent reputation and are great to work for crew side.

Panamic

Sounds good - I did'nt realise the double AA battery transmitter had been released. All day is what I am after, thanks for the quick reply.

It would be great to know how long the transmitters last on 1 AA battery ? This is the only thing putting me off purchase at the moment. I have heard mixed reports but would like to know your experience.

I use 2 older micron 500 series diversity VHF for camera hop with no problems. You can buy new VHF microns so give tanki a shout. I generally would not use channel 38 because transmitters next to receivers in the same or even adjacent blocks always kills range in my experience. I have also used a zaxcom exr (2.4ghz) for mono send + timecode from my Zfr which seemed to work ok. It's good, because its a mono scratch track so they have to use my recording.

I've done it with dpa 4060's with the caps removed and mini windjammers added. My spacing was 1 metre wide with the middle .5 metre forward. I made the mount from some brass rods I bought from a model shop. It sounded very good - much better than the normal M/S i use mainly because of the extra width which adds great realism. Unfortunately I can't send you a link to a sound file because I'm on the road. Also this was inside - i do plan on using the setup again and outside I just need to make a decent mount so it can be boomed. I'm sure the cos 11 would sound ok but I don't really like it for recording music I've been converted to dpa's for a few years now.

They don't just hurt they kill - was one of the biggest causes of death in Fiji where my fam is from.