TomBoisseau

Avery long time ago someone posted a recommendation for an "off the shelf" - "form fitting" plastic case for the NP1 (aka NP-L7S) battery. Can someone point me to that post or something similar? Thanks, Tom

This Youtube video gives a terrific history of early recorded sound. Its long, about 55 minutes, and a little difficult to take all in one sitting, but it's quite extensive and interesting, if you can get past the simple production style. Tom

I frequently use both the QL5 and QL1, but usually for broadcast or "PA". With the exception of it's size and 120v only power, I think it would make a terrific location console! Unfortunately the afore mentioned "exceptions" are rather significant. Tom

The Shure Axient Digital system is looking quite impressive. What, with a bandwidth of 184Mhz, it's about the safest bet to avoid having your wireless becoming unusable / illegal for many years to come. I have serious doubts however that they will ever offer an ENG receiver. See their web page: http://www.shure.com/americas/axient-digital

I have made quite a few G3 SK100 input cables. It may sound crazy, but they should be wired like this: G3 TRANSMITTER Signal "+" to RING (yes, Ring!) of TRS Mini to G3 Transmitter Signal ground to Both TIP and SLEEVE of TRS Mini to G3 transmitter Tom

The pilot tones between the SK100 and the EK300 are not compatible, therefore you must turn off the pilot tone on the EK300 in order for it to receive the signal from the SK100. Tom

I don't know about compatibility with the 788, however I use the Hawk Woods adapter for both the 664 and the 633 with no problems.

I've used the Dugan card with both the 01V96i and the Yamaha LS9. In most applications I've found it completely unnecessary to use a computer or ipad with the card! The default settings are equal weighting for all mics and all mics in a single "group". For my purposes, that was usually all I needed. Of course without a computer you can't "see" what it is doing, but it should be obvious it's working. Just make sure you reset the card before use in case you or someone else set it up for some special application previously. Tom

Of course "cancellations", sometimes referred to as "comb filtering", can occur with a single mic from waves simply reflecting off a hard surface (walls, floors, ceilings, desk, etc.) and entering the microphone's capsule slightly delayed from the direct sound. Fortunately for us, this perceived 'hollowness", provided it is not extreme, may be quite appropriate for the scene. In fact in a classical music recording, the natural reverb of the room (which is nothing more than waves reflecting off of hard surfaces in the room and entering the microphone delayed) is considered quite desirable, provided it is not excessive. Certainly some location mixers, when tracking a "wide shot" where lavs must be used, like to mix in some of a boom mic, well outside of the frame, even though it may be unusable by itself, because in doing so it adds back some of these "reflections" to the mix and provides a more nature sounding track that is otherwise often lost when using only a lav. In real life we hear these reflections all the time. When using a microphone they may be more noticeable, and as a result we often seek to minimize them, but in our business we would never want to completely eliminate them. Doing so would yield a very dry and unnatural sounding mix. Tom

Good advise! At the risk of stating the obvious, don't let a late payment of a few weeks or even a couple months jeopardize a relationship with an otherwise good client. From my experience, if you try to inforce a late payment fee, you will probably never work for them again. If that's okay with you, go ahead, do it! I have one particular client, a small independent producer who typically takes 2 months or more to pay. But they otherwise treat me well, are extremely pleasant to work with, and generally just "likeable". They always pay, it's just their particular client is slow paying them, so payment to me is likewise slow. Yes, they probably should run there business differently and get money up front, but not all their clients (especially corporate clients) are willing to put up much front money. Because I have a good relationship with this client, I can call them anytime and in a very friendly manor simply ask if they have received payment and when they might be able to send me a check and, best they can, they will tell me. On a rare occasion, it turns out they simply failed to print up my invoice and as a result forgot they owed me money. Again, we could argue how they should run their business, but provided they are honest and descent people I can accept a few managerial flaws. Personally, for me and my clients, it's as much or more about the "relationship" as it is the money. Tom

If I have enough channels on my mixer, I will often take the headphone out of the other device(s) and plug it into my board. Of course it is essential that those channels remain muted, but now you can easily monitor the other devices simply by pressing the PFL buttons. Tom

I always thought this was a pretty nicely designed system, however I recently purchased a Yamaha QL5 and QL1 and am using the Yamaha Rio 1608-D box instead. Tom http://www.brikworm.co.uk/BWTraditional.html For field work the Roland S-0808 is a great option that runs off of 12 volts! http://www.markertek.com/product/rol-s-0808/roland-s-0808-8x8-input-output-unit?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&utm_source=google&utm_term=Product_Target&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+Pro-Audio&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=FQ2jJ6us|pcrid|74923786580|pdv|c|&gclid=CK_z84a07c8CFQwYgQod3-gGhg

I felt the same way! Tom

Has anyone experimented with a 3rd party bluetooth dongle and if so have you found any that are compatible with the Sound Devices recorders and the Wingman app? Tom

Why not just insert a mic splitter before the signal ever gets into the PA? That way no matter what the PA or PA guy does you are not affected. Tom

It is worth noting that the Sennheiser IEM300 system is fully compatible with the G3 100 beltpack transmitters. So you can use a small transmitter for bag use (howbeit mono only) or you can use the SR300 on your cart allowing full stereo transmission. Tom

Why I admit I would rather not have a noticeable delay, I could probably learn to tune it out. Certainly that was the case when listening to the confidence/playback heads on reel to reel recorders, and even not so uncommon today when listening to the confidence return of some video cameras. Tom

I've seen a few blue tooth transmitters for sale on eBay and it got me wondering about the possibility of using wireless blue tooth headphones with my bag rig. Eliminating the headphone cable seems very desirable. Has anyone here tried this, what components did you use, and what were the results? Thanks, Tom

I have a stereo matched pair of the ADK A-51s LE Type III's. I've used them quite a bit on vocals and a little on guitar. I feel they do very well in both of these applications. I don't think they still make that model, but perhaps they have a similar replacement. Tom

While I've always felt the 7506's sounded quite "pleasing", I've never thought they reproduced sound accurately. In my opinion they over accentuate both the highs and lows but, for what we do I think this is a good thing! Because of this I'm more likely to notice issues BEFORE they become a problem, such as rumble from AC and compressors that might not othwise be so noticeable with other headphones, or high frequency distortion / interference, etc that might not be as evident with a set of phones with a "flatter" response. That being said when I first started using the 7506's the accentuated highs fooled me into believing a lav sounded just fine, when it fact it was somewhat "muffled". Perhaps the lesson to be learned here is consistancy. Regardless of your phones of choice, it's pretty important that you get very familiar with them and use regularly, and don't alternate between different models. Tom

I was thinking along the lines of some 2.4G wireless, that way they could be used (legally) just about anywhere. Tom

How are they going to deal with the differing laws of various countries governing the use of wireless microphones, what frequencies are considered legal, and whether or not a license is required? Tom

I had some similar problems with some SMv's. Lectrosonics provided me with some newly designed thumb screews and washers and some conductive "grease" (forget what they call it). All combined, it solved all short life battery issues with all six of my SMv's. I don't know if you've already done that or not, but either way, Derick H is correct. Call Lectrosonics. They'll take good care of you. Tom

I decided to do a follow up to my own message. I contacted Sound Devices, but they said they are completely unaware of such an issue. I'd be very curious to know if someone else here with the same 688 / CL12 combo has experienced something similar. I guess that fact that no one has yet responded should be construed as a positive. I don't seem to have enough static electricity in my own home right now to make this happen again, but next cold, dry, day we have I'm going to see if I can recreate the scenario. Tom

I've been quite pleased with the Panasonic RP-HT21 headphones. In the past, I would hand out Sony 7502 headphones, which have street price of about $50 (a little too much for me considering the way they are treated), but in my opinion don't sound as good as the RP-HT21 which cost only $5 - $6. Now of course they are not as well built, but for $5 each, I think it was a very wise decision, and as I said, the audio quality is actually better! They only negative I see with them is that the pads don't appear to be replaceable but, again at $5 each, who cares! Tom