Southeast Sound Guy

Thanks for this. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the replies on it. I appreciate it.

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone had insight or guidance as to what they typically do regarding proximity effect considerations for dialogue workflow. I have a few microphones where I have the option of using the proximity rolloff (CMIT 5, MKH-50), but I was interested in hearing whether others use them. I also have a CMC641 but I wasn't sure if it was typical for others to add an additional proximity rolloff during interviews given how close the microphone can be at times (8-10 inches or so). The guidance that I have gleaned from the manufacturers is that it becomes a noticeable issue at distances of about 20" to 24" or less. Some advice from Schoeps suggested that I should use the CMIT 5 proximity rolloff anytime I am less than 30cm (~12 inches). This which makes me wonder if I am getting in too close at times with the CMC641 during interviews.

My plan was to route either a Comtek or an extra Hop receiver back to the MM-1's balanced monitor input.

Thanks for your advice on it. I will likely pickup an MM-1 sometime soon and set up a wireless boom op belt.

You are saying that the MM into the HMa results in better audio quality than just the HMa right?

Thanks for your input on it. Some of these choices come down to what equipment you already own, and what your backup plan is if a piece of equipment fails. I like the Zaxcom TRX743 cone options, where you can change out the cone as desired, but I'm not in a position to get redundant receivers at this time, etc.

I was wondering if anyone had input on the downsides of the Lectro HMa units. Is the quality that much better using a separate preamp (SD MM-1) and then run it line level into the other Lectro transmitters? I have heard some people mention getting some interference issues with the HMa, but don't have experience with them personally.

Me too. I have a single member LLC set up, so I didn't apply for the PPP loan. I don't have much in the way of wages or commissions on my Schedule C. Some of the other business structures might though. I thought in an S-corp, the owner is also an employee so you might qualify if you have taken a salary in the past. Might be a question for the lenders.

For people in the US, there are a couple of programs from the Small Business Administration that might be worth applying for. Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available following a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. There's a second program that is worth looking into if you have employees. Paycheck Protection Program An SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

Thanks for your reply Karl. It is greatly appreciated. If you look around the web, there are still plenty of places that have incorrect marketing for the products (Trew Audio, BHphotovideo, etc). Back in late December I downloaded all of the manuals and data sheets in an attempt to try to determine what model would best suit my purposes. My initial intention was to invest in the WB series if the V series did not become available in the A1 B1 bands. Besides what was currently on the web, the data sheets are what listed that the WB series also had the V series variable power battery saving benefit (SMV data sheet rev 31 Oct 2019, SMWB data sheet rev 29 July 2019 - both downloaded in December 2019). It's significant because over the course of 5-10 years, the added expense of extra lithium batteries can outweigh the cost of the entire unit, especially for the SMWB models. The variable power output battery savings was one of the features that was most desireable for the 'WB' series from a consumer standpoint. There are reviews out there where some people are very disappointed with the actual battery life compared to what was represented for the products features. I did attempt to contact sales@lectrosonics.com - Dec 27 2019 to try to make sense of things and see what operating conditions the battery tests for the SMWB models were done under. After not hearing back, I inquired a bit here on the forums which yielded that the lack of battery tables was due to cost and bureaucracy associated with certifications, so up until this thread, I still believed that the WB series had the feature. I'm glad this is getting sorted out. The marketing that is out there on the web makes things very confusing for someone trying to buy Lectrosonics products.

Hi Whitney. I appreciate your insight, but you are not correct about the implications of a false marketing claim. This is something that affects whether a person would choose the model over others or that of their competitors. For you to insult another forum member for revealing discrepancies in their marketing which are relied upon to make a purchase decision is uncalled for. I am certain I am not the first individual to have trouble trying to figure out what is what, which is obviously how the thread started (by someone else) to begin with. If you bought a car that claimed to be a v8 and it turned out to be a 4-cylinder, do you think there are potential damages due? Of course there are, both to the consumers and competitors for an effect on their market share. For a 20 yr sound pro to act in your manner - it doesn't give me much faith in the community.

I wasn't aware of their recent loss and am sorry to hear it. For my end, at first I was hesitant to accept what Whitney was saying, but now I'm uncertain. In the latest data sheets, the marketing claims have been removed. This lends credence to the possibility of a marketing error, with people due either a recall or reimbursement for a potentially false marketing claim. It's possible that at some point they changed the features of the model, but the marketing was still out there that is incorrect. Anything is possible at this point. Below are screenshots of the different revisions of the data sheets - 29 July 2019, versus 27 January 2020). I made my inquiry at the end of December 2019. Below that is the currently active marketing for the SMWB, which is inconsistent with the new data sheet.

They can handle it either way. They've been contacted. Didn't respond. Maybe they don't want to put anything in writing because you are right, and it means there is significant product liability for a marketing mistake, from consumers and their competitors. When I joined the forums, I was really glad to see some of the manufacturers comment on some of their products here, including LarryF and some of the guys that have connections to Rycote, etc. LarryF's explanation for the lack of battery tables for the SMWBs and SMDWBs was bureaucracy and cost - not because battery life is the same regardless of RF output. If you are right, then it directly contradicts their marketing, which is very significant.

Thanks for your input Whitney. Like I said, I tried to contact Lectrosonics. They didn't respond. If changing the RF output doesn't affect battery life, then it directly contradicts their marketing which would mean people are likely due a recall or reimbursement for failure to match their own product claims. That's a big deal - like hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of value potentially due back to consumers. First you said BH was the worst place to get information, but Lectrosonics own marketing products directly contradicts what you are saying. You might be right. Who knows.

Not to beat a horse dead, but I was hoping Larry could comment, since I was interested in purchasing some of the SMDWBs unless another option becomes available. Is this accurate, or does output power not affect battery life on these models? https://www.lectrosonics.com/SMWB-Wideband-Transmitter/product.html Selectable output power to maximize battery life or operating range Ultra-lightweight, corrosion resistant housing Water resistant seals for use in damp environments LCD interface with lockout option Programmable compatibility modes for use with a wide variety of different receivers Servo Bias input circuitry IR (infrared) port for fast setup Covers 2 frequency blocks (export versions cover 3 frequency blocks) Update firmware in the field via Micro SD card reader Alternate use as a recorder on an internal microSDHC memory card To meet the demand for both extended operating range and extended battery life, the “WB” series SM transmitters offer selectable output power of 25, 50 and 100 mW (25 and 50 mW for export versions). With higher power output, the operating range is improved at the expense of battery life. When range is not an issue, a lower power level can be used to extend the battery life.

Having the producer renegotiate after the fact doesn't seem appropriate. The main point to bring up is that you were booked with him for those days, and that means you potentially gave up other work that could have come along. As far as what are reasonable rates for labor and gear, I'm not quite certain how to play some of the negotiations that go on. I've seen rates like $550/12 hrs and $200/kit posted as part of StaffMeUp ads, and within 30 minutes of posting they have 10 or more applications. I've put in quite a number of bids in line with the higher figures, and they often don't go through. Not everyone is in the same position, experience wise with a lot of established contacts and the same credentials.

Thanks for the info Constantin / Whitney. This is how they had things listed in a prior revision of the data sheets (29 July 2019), so I wasn't sure what to expect for SMDWB lithium for what operating conditions (25mW, 50mW, 100mW). Someone had mentioned that they padded the excess RF in another thread, but at the time I couldn't find anything to confirm it, and it seemed an unlikely thing to do. Battery: AA, disposable SMWB Lithium recommended SMDWB Alkaline recommended Battery Life w/ AA: SMWB (1 AA): Lithium 4.4hrs SMDWB (2 AA): Alkaline 11.2 hrs The new revision recommends lithium but still lists 11.2 hrs operating time for the SMDWBs (27 January 2020). Battery: AA, disposable, Lithium recommended Battery Life w/ AA: SMWB (1 AA): 4.4hrs SMDWB (2 AA): 11.2 hrs I've used Tenergy Premiums in the past, but experienced poor results - possibly due to the quick chargers that were common at the time. Eneloops seem to be a lot more reliable.

I tried to inquire about some of the battery specifications directly from Lectrosonics back in December 2019, but never heard back as far as I can tell. I also asked about it in another thread that Larry commented on, but the information didn't seem readily available. Since the data from B&H was different than anything Lectrosonics published, it seemed plausible. The battery life of the SMQVs versus SMDWBs on Lithium AAs was what I was primarily looking into at the time. My experiences with BH and Gotham sound have both been good, although I try to use the latter when I can due to the specialization. Thanks for the info Whitney.

When I was researching it in the past, the only info I could come across was in a B&H video here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1367684-REG/lectrosonics_smdwba1_smdwb_dual_digital_hybrid.html First Look | Lectrosonics SMWB and SMDWB Transmitters - This is the video where they talk about it. Click the play button and select the first video. Seems like the SMWB and SMDWB get very similar battery life to the SMVs and SMQVs. Just a little bit better if/when they operate at 25mW.

Once they have to start paying for the injuries of hollywood stuntmen through workmen's comp and lawsuit liability, I think CA might revise their legal framework. Personally, I prefer status as an independent contractor, running a business where you can write off your expenses like travel from home to the shoot location.

I was able to do some digging and came across a B&H first look video as part of their sales page for the SMDWBs. Not sure if they did the testing themselves or were provided the info, but it looks like the SMDWBs get very similar battery life results to the SMQVs (Perhaps slightly better when they operate at 25mW compared to the SMQVs 50mW). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1367684-REG/lectrosonics_smdwba1_smdwb_dual_digital_hybrid.html Click on the play button and then first look smdwb If I do pick some up down the road, I'll try to do a test with some alkalines. Thanks for all the replies to my inquiry about the battery life. Eventually figured out which way I will go.

I figure it would have to use more power from the batteries to operate at higher RF output powers. The power has to come from somewhere. They wouldn't set it up to always draw the same power and waste it away as heat, when operating at the lower RF output levels.

The data sheets and operating manuals that they provide often do not say what parameters the units are being operated under, which leaves the end user with doubt about the actual usage times that they can get. For example, the alkaline recommendation for the SMDWB yielding 11.2 hrs. Under what conditions (recorder, 25 mW, 50mW, or 100mW)? Almost all of their current transmitters operate under high drain conditions where alkalines are not an ideal choice. The one chart that is really useful is the SMQVs. Even if a third party unofficial tester (friend of the company) provided data similar to the SMQV charts, it would clear up a lot of confusion about what is presented in the majority of their data sheets. If I had access to all the models, I'd do it, and alternatively I'd be willing to pay $20 to $30 for the data since it makes a big difference in what model I would choose.

Thanks for the input. It seems like the SMQVs would be the ideal product for me based on their battery life, if they covered the A1 or B1 band like some of the other models.