TomBoisseau

The Remote Audio headset (model BCSHSDBC) has worked reasonably well for me in conjunction with the Boom Cable System and the 664. I have yet to try it however with the 688. Yes, I do need to keep the mic close to my mouth, but being that it's mounted on the headset I don't see that as a problem. Are you guys saying that the com mic gain on the 688 is LESS than that of the 664? That might present a challenge, because while it is satisfactory with the 664, it does require that the gain be set to maximum. http://www.trewaudio.com/product/remote-audio-bcshsdbc/ Tom

Well, I DID end up getting a 688 with the SL6 and the CL12. Thanks to those who provided me with much helpful input. So, I already posted this on Sound Devices forums, but I thought it might be beneficial to post it here as well. I had something happen yesterday that I suspect might be indicative of why Sound Devices strongly encourages us to alway use the included 1/4" headphone jumper cable. And yes I was using and had connected the original/included Sound Devices 1/4" and USB cables. We were shooting in a "carpet" showroom. It was a cold, dry, day. I noticed immediately that static electricity was a issue for everyone on the set (we kept "zapping" each other and ourselves if we touched anything metal after walking across the carpet). After the 688 with the SL6 and CL12 was powered up, I noticed on numerous occasions, when I would come back to my station and touch the 688 or CL12, that a message would appear on the 688 saying the CL12 was disconnected, and in fact all the LED's on the CL12 would go out. After just a second or two, it would come back alive. It even seemed (perhaps my imagination) to happen after walking across the room and getting just within a couple feet of the 688/CL12, without me actually touching them. Although I suppose there may be other reasons. I was feeding 2 cameras with the 10p Hirose outs and a third camera with the XLR outs and the "B-mini plug jack return", so I suppose it's possible the cameramen may also have had static issues that, going down the lines, may have triggered the message and disconnect of the CL12. Also all the cameras were using AC power supplies, however I was running off of an NP1 battery. Anyone had any similar experiences or care to comment. I'm a bit concerned about if this had happened during a take, which fortunately it did not. Tom

I remember some years ago seeing one of these on ebay. I sure wish I had bought it. Probably would have looked great on my wall sitting in a gun rack (although I suspect my wife might have felt differently). Definitely a real good discussion piece. Shortly after seeing the unit for sale on ebay I called EV and asked about it. Apparently the outer "sleeve" (windscreen) was made of a similar material to the foam windscreens we use today. As a result you can be quite assured NONE of them would have survived. They just deteriorated over the years. Tom

Here is where you need to go. Lots of info here. http://www.coutant.org/ev643/

I think you might be refering to the Electrovoice 643.

Personally I think the optional A99WS foam windscreen works noticeably better than the included windscreen and even a little better than the optional A412MWS wire mess windscreen. The other "trick" I do with the A99WS, that Shure mentions on their website, is to push the windscreen all the way on the mic, and then pull it back off about 1/2". This creates an air gap, not unlike but not as substantial as that of a zeppelin. Of course as soon as someone touches it, it usually gets pushed back on all the way, so you will need to secure the windscreen, so as to retain the "air gap", with something like Joe's Sticky Stuff. Doing so will make removal of the foam windscreen difficult, so hopefully you will be able to leave the windscreen attached. Sadly you will still have "some" issues with plosives, but this is about as good as it gets with this type of podium mic. Tom

I've been using the Sanyo Enloop XX for probably 3 years now. I've been quite pleased with them, however, due to their "chemistry" and starting out with a slightly lower voltage, none of the battery meters on any of my wireless read accurately with the Enloops. For instance, I use them often in my G3's for ifb and timecode transmission, and they will go all day long, HOWEVER the battery gauge on the G3's will be down one notch as soon as you turn them on, even with a freshly charged battery. And then when they do die, the meter will just suddenly drop to nothing without warning. So you really just have to get familiar with them and learn to "trust" them for a predetermined number of hours. Personally, for me, I have chosen not to use the Enloops in anything mission critical such as my Lectorsonics SMv's, but I will use them most everywhere else. Perhaps if I was suing the SMQV's (that take 2 AA's) I might change my mind. Tom

Thanks guys for your input. I'm probably going to head down to my local Trew Audio and check out the 688 myself. The more I consider it, I can't think of a better way to go, especially because I'm already heavily into the 600 series with 2 664's and 1 663. The fact the all of these devices work with (or soon will to some extant) the CL12 makes a 688 purchase sound rather sensible. Now I just hope my wife can see that same sense of "logic"! Tom

Well... This is not very encouraging. Only one person here has used the 688 and is willing to talk about it? I'd certainly appreciate opinions from other users... if there are any! Thanks, Tom

Derek, Thanks for your comments. How was the battery life? Did you have a chance to use the automixer? Thanks, Tom

I am considering selling one of my 664's and possibly replacing it with a 688, mainly for the automix capabilities, the convenience of the SL6, and the somewhat newly released CL12. That being said, the comments on this board from actual USERS has been very limited. I would very much appreciate some personal opinions / reviews regarding the 688 in real day to day usage. I am concerned about battery life - how does it compare say to a 664 or a 788 - and how well the automixer works (my primary experience with automixers is with the Shure SCM810 and various Dugan units) and any other issues that you might care to bring up, either good or bad. Chances are if I were to purchase the 688, it would likely be used 50/50 between in the bag and on my cart. I did the usual searches here and via Google while referencing JW Sound, but the information seemed very limited. So here it is, an "new" topic. Forgive me if I erred terribly! Hopefully too much "tough love" will not be necessary. Thanks so much for those of you who are willing to help. I appreciate it. Tom

Is it "legal" to order a DR10c out of Canada and have it shipped to the US? If so, does anyone know of a supplier in Canada who has them in stock? Tom

Also, I always use the lemo to jam from the ouutput of my SD 664/633 to the TIG Q28, but then use the 1/8' connector to output to the camera. By doing it this way I can simply leave the pot at the 10 o'clock position and (almost) never change it. Tom

I'm guessing the output levels of the 1/8" mini and the BNC are the same, but don't know that as a fact. For what it is worth however, when I mentioned that Mosegear recommends a "10 o'clock" position to match the output level of the Deneke devices, I was refering to the Q28 with the 1/8'" output. Tom

I believe Mozegear told me that if you want to "match" the same level of the Deneke devices, set the output level of the unit to the "10 o'clock position. That has been helpfull for me. You might want to give it a try Tom

Has the automixer been implemented in the Behringer XR18, or is that "still to come"? Tom

I just picked up the Yamaha QL5. Same board, just more channels, ands larger. Obviously not for location. Pretty amazing unit! It will be used for live events and larger webcasts. I still use an 01V96i on my cart however. Tom

Yup! Happened to me too! Didn't realise it until I opened the files in Wave Agent however. Tom

So I wonder if the SL-6 will work with the 664? Tom

Are you sure? I thought "input" delay was only available on the 633. Tom

So... how much of it was edible? I assume most of the "decorations" were not. Tom

No. No problem with either of my two units, although they do not get a great deal of use. I assume you do know however that the switch must be in the ON position for the unit to charge? Tom

I do a fair bit of these. Usually it's the same rate for services, however they usually also need a lot of wireless. So at thhe end of the day, I usually make out better with equipment rental. Tom

Do they offer a version with also composite and HDMI inputs? Tom