Tim Norris

There are a number of companies that have these available in the US in various smaller sizes for different applications. We've been using them for Live TV News Location Production for a few years now. I do not miss the generators or running vehicles for AC power. Cheers, Tim

I have gone digital with the DSR which gives me A1-B1 in all 4 channels, plus 2 channels of 941 with an SRC. Previously I had three SRCs, A-1, B-1 and 941. What I have now is better... the DSR digital is better. I'm dreaming of a DSR-X that would allow for all frequencies usable in the US. If you buy the current (DSR) stuff rather than the old (SRC) stuff, it will be more current when you upgrade to better technology or features and possible bring you a better return. Cheers, Tim

I prefer a good internal cabled pole. It requires a mount that isolates your mic from the pole and really good handling techniques. My work requirements and preferences are probably much different from a real boom op... I am wearing my 30# bag while mixing, actively booming and following the camera. This is most fun when in a large crowd, perhaps a pending riot, and you have no idea what's coming next. Often the audio leads the camera. Cheers, Tim

Perhaps some gentle prodding on social media? https://premiereinfo.com/michael-david-palance/ Per their website, they may have been be connected with Disney at some point. Sounds like a bit of a child talent scam to me... what do I know. Which "show" did you work on? Cheers, Tim

I attempted to contact Atomos re my UltraSync One collection. They began to fail with some cameras. Virtually nothing in the way of a response, so I "upgraded" to the Deity TC. I heard from a vendor that there seems to be no support from Atomos. Good happiness so far. Cheers, Tim

I have been saying (or at least thinking) the same thing for a while. I "upgraded" to the 688/SL6 replacement at great cost to enter the world of digital wireless with no cables. I am quite happy with my Scorpio yet I long for a modern Professional ENG mixer/recorder that doesn't break the bank. The MixPre 10 is not suitable. As one of the ENG guys who has supported Sound Devices from their very beginnings, I sometimes feel abandoned while marveling at the capabilities of the current machines. There are some very cool features I will never use nor need. Cheers, Tim

From my experience using multiple SRC/SRb blocks in the past and currently the DSR4 A1/B1, yes... the passive Betso Bow Ties seem to perform better than whips. It may be that by mounting the Betso on the front corners of the bag, allowing for greater antenna separation and a higher mounting point than the whips, is part of the improvement. Cheers, Tim

The app is much better. I can sync all of my units and jam my mixer to the time and date on my iPhone in moments after everything is turned on. Cheers, Tim

At $50 rental per day, it's making money on rental day 5. If it still works just fine with the app, I might use it as the one that lives in my mixer to set TC and is the master unit, and probably get an extra one. Such tiny complicated items can't easily be repaired. Cheers, Tim

This won't help... it's only $200 to buy a new unit. It is almost disposable gear. If it cost a couple grand, repair would be cost effective. Cheers, Tim

I'm thinking that with the app, you don't really need the screen. I've been using the app daily just to set TC on my Scorpio with the MASTER unit that lives in my bag. I hope they can fix it for you at a reasonable cost. Please keep us posted! Cheers, Tim

Thanks... super easy! Cheers, Tim

I used the Remote Audio BDS in different versions with great success for years... it was an improvement over my last Peter Engh Custom battery eliminator. I especially enjoyed the remote switch when it came out. I like how the Battery Bud is configured and the PSC thing looks pretty cool. When using the SL6, a BDS was no longer needed. Plenty of power outs and they were easily activated in the 688 power menu. Switching to the SL2, I found myself wanting one again... something that could turn off certain items with a switch because Sound Devices kinda went backwards re power outs and menu ease. I purchased an eSMART BG-DU Power Distribution Box because it has three switches. I power it from one of the 2 power outs on the SL@ (the other power out fires up my DCHT/Cam Hops). One switch is for my LED work light. This feature is wonderful. The other two switches are seldom used and just provide power for other Hops TX that are sometimes supplied by the camera dept. At first, there was an additional Time Code device on one of the switches. I suppose, if I was smart, I would invest in sMart Batteries, plug those into the eSMART BDS, power the mixer/SL2 (and most of what I use) with switch 1, work light on switch 2 and those seldom used accessory power cables on switch 3. Or maybe even a USB C power bank... hmmm. One of these days! Cheers, Tim * I always have a walk-away power option for clients... I do not want them tied to my mixer.

Generally, I think you get best performance if the TX antenna is sticking straight up and is away from other RF sources. I've been using T4s (250mW) in the 944 block for decades and prefer to run IFB from a dedicated IFB case with its own power and all the accessories. If I need to run IFB from my bag, I switch to a body pack transmitter at lower power. I am always amazed at the range with either transmitter. I prefer the shorter 944 antenna over the VHF antennas from 30 years ago. I recently used a Block 941 SMQV at 25mW in a crowded venue with TX power restrictions. I was still getting a near perfect signal with my R1a over 50M away, through the building and inside a metal trailer parked outdoors, next to the generators for the temporary HVAC system. Cheers, Tim

Though expensive, my foolish logic demanded a Scorpio as an upgrade to my 688. Cheers, Tim

I just picked up a set of five Deity TC-1 boxes and appropriate cables. These will replace my similar Ultra Sync One kit which seems to be lacking in support from the new distributor, Atomos. So far I am very pleased. I like the Sidus Audio App which will allow me to sync Time of Day time code quickly and easily to my Scorpio from my iPhone. This is far quicker than setting an approximate time manually on the mixer. I believe my Master Unit will now live in the Scorpio bag and be charged via the USB port, just to have it ready to go all the time. Syncing the other units is a breeze through the app... pretty much a one touch process after turning them all on. After a couple hours of playing with this new stuff, it is an improvement over the very similar Ultra Sync One. Cheers, Tim

Yep. I have been running dual NP-1 cups for years, decades perhaps. It gives me double the run time, and with the SL6 and its on-board NP-1, triple the run time. The SL6 allowed me to eliminate a BDS box because it had four power outs that were easily turned on or off through the POWER menu at the top of the menu system. With the SL2, and the poorly (IMO) chosen Sony on-board batteries, I use one of the (only) two POWER OUTS to power up my DCHT and the other for an Audioroot eSMART BG-DU which provides switched output for three other devices I use infrequently. Each of these four accessory devices now feature an easy to access power switch, thanks to the three switches on the Audioroot BDS. If someone made a 3-4 switch dumb BDS, I would use that. I find I do not actually require the additional information supplied by a Smart Battery system, but I dream about it sometimes! If Sound Devices had integrated a Smart Battery System into the SL2, with a couple extra POWER OUTS, and the ability to switch these POWER OUTS on and off IN THE TOP POWER MENU rather than buried near the bottom in the SL2/System menu, I would have migrated to a dual Smart Battery configuration... It is for these reasons (and a couple others) I feel Sound Devices has taken a step or two backwards with the design of the Scorpio/SL2. Other than that... it's a great package and I'm not gonna revert to the SL6. Cheers, Tim

Yep, that's why I keep thinking about it. I'm running a Scorpio/SL2 with one of those French BDS things because the SL2 doesn't have the power out capabilities of the SL6. I feel SD went backwards a step with the SL2 power outs, as much as I otherwise like the Scorpio/SL2 combo. I would need 10 batteries and a number of chargers... I don't think the extra metering is worth the cost! Cheers, Tim

I do not have remote Audio Batteries but sometimes wonder if I should make the switch to a Smart Battery system. I do use the IDX 96Wh batteries and twice, one has died. I contacted IDX for repair, sent them in under warranty, and received a new replacement within a week. It cost one way shipping each time. It was suggested the batteries had discharged too far. I received equally good service turnaround on a battery charger repair after I dropped it late one evening. Perhaps I will keep what I have... Cheers, Tim

Alter your budget and get the Schoeps W20 R1. I have a couple... I also have the Rycote clone which is larger and heavier. My local shop thought it was an acceptable substitute. In my opinion, it is not. Cheers, Tim

I've been using one long internally cabled K-Tec pole for 24 years through all sorts of the crappiest weather you could ever imagine. Super quiet and fast. I had it refurbished only once and bought an identical pole as a backup before I sent it in. Picked up a shorter version during the pandemic and have only used that when I needed three boom mics for no touch interviews. There is always a way to get that longer pole in nearly any airplane cabin, so I prefer the long pole. Having identical quick release connectors for all poles and mics is kind of a good thing... makes swapping stuff out a lot faster and easier. Cheers, Tim

I have no doubt that all of the other professional systems are wonderful and each would be a great choice, but I went with 'Lectrosonics again this past winter. This time it's the DSR4 with digital transmitters to work in a Scorpio/SL2 rig. It fits my longtime News Bag workflow and keeps things pretty familiar. It also keeps me somewhat compatible with other location mixers using older 'Lectro TX. Cheers, Tim

I have recently seen 5X5 Pop-Up tents, but anything Pelsue seems to be the gold standard. I have had a number of 10X10 and 10X15 Pop-Up tents for work and BBQ. None of them are really water-proof and will collapse in a downpour or moderate snowfall. I carry a $175 10X10 now (for news) and it rents for $50 a day. After a few more rentals maybe I can afford a Pelsue! Cheers, Tim

... and have a good boom pole or three. If you are ready to spend, go all the way. Best mic, best wind protection, best boom. My first mic was a Schoeps 30-35 years ago. I only do news, but I carry four Schoeps and two 416s. I like the Schoeps (CMC1U/MK41) for its light weight and short profile... being able to boom overhead indoors with low ceilings is good. I use it for everything, indoors and out. Cheers, Tim

I have not had problems with my OR bags (or Petrol bags in the past), but I keep them covered as much as possible when it's raining, snowing, whatever. I would never set any of these bags down in a puddle, none of them are that waterproof. I am more concerned with moisture hitting the expensive gear from the top as I work. I choose the bag that holds my gear properly and keep it dry when covering hurricanes and blizzards, etc. In my opinion, my OR 32 seems to be water resistant enough and I don't think my old Petrol bags were more water resistant. I have never had a bag get waterlogged... Cheers, Tim