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pverrando

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Everything posted by pverrando

  1. Here is a note I've been meaning to address regarding the upgrade, and will be adding to the website. Some Schoeps CMC4, CMC5, and early CMC6 amplifiers are known for RF "noise-up" issues from plug-on transmitters, remote focus transmitters, etc. The CMC4 upgrade, while adding ferrite beads to transistors T2 and T3 where they are found missing, does not specifically resolve all existing RF issues. I have successfully resolved plug-on RF issues on a custom basis. ( lead-in ferrite beads, increased internal shield coverage, filter capacitors). I have not, however, established a "solve-all" process for RF immunity as part of the CMC4 upgrade. If you plan to use a CMC4 upgrade with a Lectro or Zaxcom plug-on transmitter, let's talk about it first! Thanks for the generous endorsements! Pete Verrando http://www.cmc4upgrade.com
  2. That Coles microphone does a great job in this application. They are still making those mics! The current model is the 4104.
  3. Stacy's from Texas, he knows how to handle a rope.
  4. This is an idea I've been nursing along for the past 2 years, and gradually "rolled out" in January. Since then, I've upgraded about 70 CMC4 amplifiers to 48 volt phantom power, not with an adaptor circuit, but a rebuild of each CMC4 to a schematically correct CMC5 preamplifier. Each is thoroughly tested and adjusted to perform as well, and often better than the original T-power configuration. If you own one or more CMC4's that you'd like to use without the need for an external power supply or barrel adaptor, details of the upgrade are available at http://www.cmc4upgrade.com. Thanks Pete Verrando
  5. You could check for the gasket at Nagra USA in Nashville, or Dan Dugan in San Francisco, or perhaps the usual suspects (Trew, L.S, etc) for old parts inventory. Otherwise, just remove the gasket. If done properly, the machine will look great without it. Using a plastic scraper or plastic knife of some kind, score around where the gasket meets the aluminum, top and bottom, and work some WD-40 under the gasket, let it soak for a day, and repeat for 3 or 4 days. If it doesn't come off cleanly, Wipe off the WD-40 and baste the gasket with alcohol as you remove it gently with a plastic scrape tool. Don't use a razor blade, which will permanently scratch the brushed aluminum underneath. Don't use acetone. Know your solvents. The Nagra E and IS did not use the gasket. Google some photos of these to see how it will look. -Pete Verrando
  6. Well, I speak for myself, but production can be the most utterly tedious process imaginable. Extreme hours, within a 12 hour day(minimum), one may actually "work" less than half the time, the rest of the time spent waiting to work. Other days are techno-slams. So, one's engagement often switches away from the actual craft, and more to the social dynamics of a traveling band of heroes and misfits. Of course, these days, crews spend less time being social and more time tapping smartphones. It is often a fireman's job, going from boring, rudimentary tasks, to suddenly faced with baffling problems involving things like sweaty people, jewelry, paper bags, radio propagation, flaming egos, dirt, animal shit or microelectronics, all while the "grownups" breathe down your neck as you solve them. Set-life can be very much like junior high school- rampant insecurity, arrogance, hierarchal selection, misplaced wealth or privilege, ego, mind games, and an all-time major dedication to Looking Good, Being Right, and Staying In Control. Entertainment industry divorce rate is among the highest of any profession. Many voluntarily leave the film business. Stay too long, and the film business leaves you. What did Hunter S Thompson say about the TV business? The above being said, as a mixer without anywhere near the credentials of these Hollywood sound giants that lurk here, I do love the job. I embrace the insanity, every day is like visiting a circus/asylum, and I get to go home to my fams at the end of most days.
  7. JBond, the above "Coffey Files" link- http://good4sound.com/downloads/The_Coffey_Files_-_Issue_03_-_2009.pdf contains the hilarious account of John Coffey's onetime experience with a Nagra- Run n' Gun style. I'd been looking for the article to share on the "Nagra Stories" thread, but Courtney found the needle in the haystack for me. Check it out! -pete verrando
  8. That Ficord 202 is gorgeous. I have a couple of FiCords, and a Stellavox SM5, with an original service manual. The FiCords and the SM5 use the same motor. One of these days I'm going to cannabalize one of my FiCords, which is a parts deck, for its motor, and put it in the SM5. Also that's an incredible story about the VPR-5 and the Nagra E. Two new factory-fresh Nagra items that you sold. All's well that ends well. I have a very interesting variant of the E labeled as a Nagra BBC, which is basically an E with a pilot circuit for film sync, which I presume Nagra produced in quantities for the BBC. Many professional 3-head tape recorders had a head shield like the IV-S. When in record on a time code Nagra, you will hear timecode bleed while listening to the playback head -unless you have the head shield engaged. Playback heads are obviously also very sensitive to AC magnetic fields- hence the head shield. pete verrando
  9. JBond, what is the machine on the bottom shelf, in the center, below the Uhers? Don't recognize that one. 2nd question: Why is the VPR-5 non-functional, did it not complete the manufacturing process, or does it just lack inspection? Do you have tape to test it? Power supply? Manual?
  10. On the Nagra III, its for the speed varier (I have one, and have tested it) On the Nagra IV.2, its for the QRR. The speed varier BNC will not fit on the 4.2 -Pete
  11. Back on the mid 90's I went to a gear auction where they had 3 VPRs. Bidding started at 100 for the lot- no bids.
  12. Consider buying the late Dennis Maitland's stereo Nagra on ebay. (i have no connection to the seller) http://www.ebay.com/itm/141599609711 He was one of New York's legendary sound mixers during Nagra's heyday, and has three offspring who continue to work in the business. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0537946/
  13. item 141599609711. Time marches on
  14. I take Slo-Niacin- a time-release niacin that reduces flush effects, which eventually stop, anyway. My Doctor tells me that "No-Fush" or "Flush-free" Niacin (niacinamide) is not effective for the advanced benefits of niacin like reducing cholesterol. He says: "Remember- if it says 'flush free', flush it down the toilet."
  15. I was looking on the web for Ritter's services and stumbled upon rathboneenergy.com. After inquiring, I received an ominous response similar to that from Zack from Mr. Rathbone... seems the issue is related to contact tab wear, cold-weld technology and component aging. Read it here: http://www.txsound.com/blog/23-year-battery-technology-veteran-warns-re-celling-li-ion
  16. The Vega-Mike was indeed used on Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady, and generally recognized as the first use of wireless in film production. If you watch his various musical numbers from the film on youtube, you can spot the cigar-shaped transmitter hidden in his tie. Unlike many actors, he was bad at lip-syncing, and declined to pre-record his musical numbers. As a partial solution, film sound pioneer George Groves adopted the wireless. The transmitter uses four transistors and a 6.5 volt mercury battery to help with frequency stability at 35 mHz. The receiver was the 17 lb vacuum tube model shown in the pictures above. The Vega manual advises the user to maintain "a firm grip" on the handheld mic (pictured above), as the case contact with the hand comprised the counterpoise for the whip antenna.
  17. headphones recommended looks like just a pair of neumanns. you can hear some kind of festival going on in bkg during intro. I like the ambience of the water, and the nice balance of the group. The bkg vocals are nice during the trumpet solo
  18. Actually, a tons of Nagras were unceremoniously tossed in the trash. Glen Trew tells of seeing pallets, bins full of them in a Naval shipyard. When he inquired, he was told they were strictly off limits, as they were heading for the shredder. I have an IS that was recovered from a dumpster in Hilversum.
  19. Deeper down the rabbit hole.... As mentioned in the above article, CBS used concealed wireless microphones for the live "Person to Person" series of Edward R. Murrow that ran from 1953 to 1961. This show was a technical feat for its time, utilizing line-of-sight microwave relays to transmit from the featured guest's location to the tv studio. Could this be one of the few uses of the Stevenson microphone shown above? Episodes are viewable on youtube, and while clothing noise is occasionally apparent, the mics sound surprisingly robust. I've read some tales here, in the past, of use of Vega's early wireless hidden in the neckties of one or two early feature films of the 60's. Any info? The first Vegas were simple 4 transistor FM transmitters with dynamic mic elements and a mercury 6.4 volt cell that helped maintain frequency stability, as there were no crystal oscillators used. These were used extensively in the coverage of the political conventions of 1963 and 1964. They also offered a ridiculous helmet antenna accessory for increased range, but the interviews conducted with these were always ruined by unintentional smirks and laughter. (see photos below ) Hilarious!
  20. The battery pack uses two 30 volt batteries for B+ and 2 AA's for filament voltage for the two miniature pentodes. Operating frequency is about 35mHz. The microphone is actually a capacitor microphone, which is in a tank circuit with the coil, that frequency modulates the oscillator. The patent/promotional literature from 1957 states that the "microphone is permanently mounted on top of the case and faces the upper air behind a decorative hankerchief that conceals it." The battery pack rides on the inside pocket. No need to ever wire a female, apparently!
  21. I have one of these units, still works.
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