Ian Berman

Very interested in how the omnis and cardiods hold up compared to sennheiser 80 series, schoeps & dpa for ambience recording and durability. From what I heard about their shotguns, I have high hopes!

Can't find an MSRP in USD, seems like $600-700?

Being familiar with esoteric software workflows created for compatibility reasons is unfortunately a reality of working with digital technology, and something you'll run into very quickly if you start working with programming languages. Making digital devices + software continue to be interoperable for several decades is really hard! Personally, I would have appreciated the compromise if I already owned gear in 470/19 when they came out with the new stuff.

I actually ran into this issue for the first time yesterday, after over a year of owning my SRc. Immediately noticed something was up, because the pilot tone was blinking on the SRc and I wasn't receiving audio. Luckily, I was able to swap to a different receiver in the moment, then do some googling. Sometimes you need to be reminded of a gotcha the hard way.

If I may suggest an easy firmware fix: if a user manually selects a frequency within the overlap range, create a popup dialogue confirming which block is intended. 

I've been using this for the past year+ and it suits my needs well. Wheels are great but the handle is a bit wobbly when fully extended (I still pick it up by the retractable handle, and it's yet to break). They also make a larger version, but this one is suitable for a carry-on. I'm sure the pelican would also be a good choice, but I like that this one looks like a suitcase when I take it on the subway.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1338091-REG/tenba_638_712_roadie_roller_21_black.html

I manage to fit a cs3e in a super softie, mkh50, 40' xlr cables, tentacles, 5 comteks w/ headphones, a bunch of ursa straps, 4 lectro transmitters w/ mics, 3 sets of g3 tx/rx's, a ton of backup adapter cables + batteries etc. along with a boom and light stand in the side pocket. The only thing I can't take on foot is a blimp, maybe the larger one would work for that.

On the post side, you could look into a plugin like Auto Align Post 2. I don't think the F8 supports word clock but I could be wrong. 

13 minutes ago, Derek H said:

I had RF issues (buzzing around certain set lighting rigs) on my brand new (2019) 50s and the problem resolved after I re-wired the female ends of the XLR shorty cables. All I did was solder pin 1 to the ground tab. 
 

I’d start there. 

Definitely will look into this, but the problem remains that an XLR doesn't lock-in and click anymore. possibly two different issues? 

Looks like I’m missing the screws on the XLR connector on my (purchased used) mkh50. As of today, I can no longer plug in a neutrik connector all the way and have it click. 

I’ve also been experiencing intermittent rf issues in hostile environments (currently in midtown Manhattan, several floors up). Hoping this could fix it. 
 

how might I go about realigning the XLR connector and sourcing the proper screw? Does it need to go back to Sennheiser? Has anyone done this DIY?

thanks

Very interesting. Bluetooth 5.2 was already pretty impressive, in terms of range, quality and power draw. Curious how reliable multi-receiver use will be. Is the delay still around ~250ms ? Can't find info on it. 

In theory, you should be able to jam the alexa lf from a mixpre 10 tc out connector, assuming you have a bnc -> 5p lemo cable.

However, that's a relatively clumsy procedure and camera timecode is not always reliable. And you're right, battery changes would likely throw off the camera as well.

Therefore, standard practice is to have a timecode generator feeding every camera. I also have a 3rd timecode box in my bag, feeding my mixer, just to make sure everything is 100% in sync.

On 5/28/2022 at 6:52 PM, Constantin said:

It‘s actually very easy. Just unscrew the Rycote zep, and pull on the cable and the mic slides right out. Unscrew from the Lemo and that’s it. It’s faster than taking it out of a regular windshield kit. 

Amazing. Very tempted to go this route!

On 5/27/2022 at 8:36 AM, Constantin said:

yes indeed. It was originally designed (or sold by  Schoeps) for Schoeps CCM mics, but now that they have the CMC 1L preamp you can use that with any capsule you like. 

I saw that -- considering buying the CMC 1L and a MK4 for combined use as 1/2 of a ORTF stereo kit as well (as I may also be in the market for that). Rigging and un-rigging it might be more of an annoyance than it's worth, though..

On 5/26/2022 at 4:11 PM, Ty Ford said:

maybe this will help.

Thanks for the post Ty, I was unaware of Klover but the mic comparisons are a great reference! I see now these are the ones used in sports broadcasts!

On 5/26/2022 at 10:09 AM, The Immoral Mr Teas said:

What I would say to anyone looking to start doing parabolic recordings is to try to read up on both the physics and field practicalities beforehand

Thanks for the thoughtful comment Jez, I will be sure to look into the resources you've mentioned!

On 5/27/2022 at 8:36 AM, Constantin said:

No, they just hide it a bit. 

Oh wow, had no idea about this page. Very tempting..

14 hours ago, Constantin said:

and in fact they currently offer a deal on a used set on their website…

Ooh, where do you see this? I was looking at the Schoeps site with great interest yesterday but didn't come across it. Maybe it's just in Germany?

Hi!

I'm in the market for a parabolic dish to record mono fx/ambience such as birds and environmental sounds. My top priority is maintaining a low noise floor and environmental isolation, as the sounds will be placed in mono within a game engine and spatialized relative to the player. It will also need to be relatively portable & able to be carried around easily, as I am traveling for the project. 

I've been looking at solutions, mainly the wildtronics pro mono and the telinga modular. It seems posts on here from several years back mainly discuss the telinga, but I believe they have released an updated model since then, and there are few impressions of the wildtronics system.

My understanding is that the wildtronics has an integrated mic, but I'm unsure how it compares to professional options. I already own a mikrousi and a 4060, but would also consider purchasing a lower noise omni such as an 8020, 4022 or mc59. The telinga is substantially more expensive, but if it's noticeably better in frequency response, wind protection, or source isolation alongside a professional mic, I would consider it.

Thanks

Can confirm, I regularly get through long shooting days with a mp10tii + 1x SRc + 1x SRb on a single eSmart battery, even when it's cold out.

If I don't bother to turn anything off during lunch or long setups, sometimes I swap to a 2nd battery towards the end of the day. But usually I can last the full day with one.

$4500 -- I think that's a new rx high score?

Two channels of true (vector) diversity, if i'm understanding this correctly. Does the other diversity mode, for 4 channel operation, work similarly to past sr series? Or is it a newer method?

It’s that time of year, and I have been looking into this topic on this forum and elsewhere. Just finished watching the 3 Gotham lectures with Nancy Adams linked above, which were very insightful. 
 

It seems that in 2015 you were able to report a 1099 kit fee as part of schedule E and thus have it not be subject to self employment tax. 

However, 1099s are now usually issued as 1099-NECs, and no longer have a box for “rentals.” All of my 1099NEC’s just have box 1–nonemployee compensation. Does this change the validity of using a schedule E for kit rental? 

It seems that the best way to do it, and perhaps only way in TurboTax, would be to under-report on 1099NEC and submit a separate 1099MISC as per this thread on TurboTax.

I will probably contact Nancy Adams’ firm with regards to this, since they seem knowledgeable and I don’t have any other resources. Regardless, I’m curious if anyone here has insight—or a CPA’s recommendation—on the matter. 

In my opinion, yes, if possible. In post I sometimes do this sort of thing rather than using IRs, popularized by Walter Murch as "worldizing." I would certainly love to have this option, from a post sound perspective!

However, on set it's often impossible to corral the rest of the crew to stay silent and respect a few takes just for sound. I therefore try to anticipate if it's possible before asking. Ideally this should be planned for in pre-production, and when plans change given time constraints, wild sound is (and frankly often should be) the first thing to go.

I would be interested to hear people working on larger-scope projects chime in, if time is ever built into larger sets for worldizing sounds.

Thanks Philip! I'm not sure yet, but just want to know what I'd be getting into (or out of!)

Hi everyone, just putting some preliminary feelers out, since this community is such a wonderful resource -- 

I'm currently a full-time nonunion production sound mixer & post sound designer for indie films & commercials in NYC. But I have toyed with the idea of moving to Berlin since studying there a few years ago. It's looking like I have a longterm, part-time remote position doing sound design for a video game which would pay basic cost of living. And I also have many friends who still live in Berlin, mainly working in the music/art/tech worlds -- it would be relatively easy to get a visa and find more work in those areas, if I wanted to.

However, I do quite enjoy film production work, and it would be a shame to completely give it up. So, I'm wondering if anyone on this board has familiarity with the production/post sound scene in Berlin -- if any productions are conducted in English, if there are any resources or international production companies I should look into? Or if anyone on here could eventually use an experienced English-speaking utility, boom op, or junior sound designer, feel free to reach out.

Thanks, let me know

Ian

I've seen it on a rate card for another mixer, and they charged $50/day for it. So maybe that's a rough guideline. I personally don't know a producer who would see that and know what it is -- much less know why it's worth paying extra for.

On a production where I know my sound is going to an editor and not to a dedicated sound designer (instagram ads, mainly) I'd probably sell production on paying extra for it. On narrative projects, I usually will not charge for it and just use it at a very low level (like -2-3db) for the comtek/playback feed, since they should really throw it out in post anyway.

That being said I have the nosieassist for the mixpre and not cedar, and I mainly work on low budget indies and not major projects.

Gotham told me last month they were expecting some inventory in February.

Looks like it will be available in USA...

https://twitter.com/GothamSound/status/1473326456000462848

https://tentaclesync.com/beta

I often use two Mikrousi pro’s — with the jecklin disk being my sound bag — and I think it really sounds incredible, as long as you’re not dealing with a lot of wind or quiet sounds! I believe they are just custom clippy’s.

I have unfortunately not heard my recordings in a large theater or on a surround system (someday!). I would also be curious to know more about playback in such an environment. Perhaps comparing a sort of quadrant jecklin disk to other surround format recordings would be a fun experiment.
 

A bit off topic, but I have experienced issues with mono compatibility. One day I was listening to one of my mixes on AirPods Pro with spatial audio turned on, and encountered severe phasing issues. I assume this is because the spatial audio algorithm sums a stereo mix to mono and uses hrtf’s to playback with head rotation factored in. IMO they should not have this feature for stereo mixes! 

Here's a photo of my mp10 in the junior x. Totally fine for my needs, but I rarely go over 4 channels of wireless. There's an audioroot bds in there, g3 hop in the right exterior pocket, and comtek on the left exterior pocket. eSMART secured on the bottom flap, below the recorder. I pretty much don't use the front pocket unless I need a couple extra g3 rx's in a pinch.

Would feel pretty slick with an mcr54 where that g3 is for 6 channels of wireless in this small of a bag.

I don't have a real problem accessing the knob on the right, but I have small fingers. Using a harness can get in the way a bit, but it's a minor annoyance. Generally, I do take numbers & scene names with the knob, and renaming tracks with the wingman app. I've also zip-tied it to the bottom of the bag, in addition to velcro, which helps with rigidity. Hirose port is straight output (not RA) and there's enough space for it, including the eSMART. 

If you have a 3-4SR setup, a big base-station comtek transmitter, antenna distro, etc. I can see a larger bag being useful. I'm just a bit obsessive with keeping my kit as small as possible -- helpful for many situations in nyc. 

Hopefully this gives you some perspective!

2 hours ago, Mattias Larsen said:

The batterytime is listed as 10h at 10mw with alkaline. Its probably my only minor gripe with this.

In the YouTube comments on a new raycom video they added on that it’s claimed 10h @ 50mw with NiMH. That’s pretty impressive, imo! 
 

Really curious about this location tracking feature. I wonder how accurate it will be in practice. 
 

Also records in 32 bit according to their website.

5 hours ago, James Louis said:

Do you think for the price of 2, I'd be better off getting a mixpre 3ii? I may be able to pickup a pair today for $600, still in the box and registration card. They are difficult to come by, but still. Plus I'm still waiting to try Noise Assist. Problem is, I don't see how mixpre's can route input signal to 2 different input channels. I couldn't even do something as rudimentary as bracketing my gain on the boom when I had that firing range shoot this weekend (earplugs--not buds--AND earmuffs and no monitoring, thank you very much) They can link channels, but that means something different in this circumstance. You're either applying the plugin to a particular mic or you're not. You'd have to put the single instance of the plugin on a Bus L or R track if you wanted to give a client the bypassed version.

Better off depends on your use case I guess! I happened to already have a 4097 on order, and a sennheiser locking 1/8" microdot adapter lying around, so it was a no brainer for me. Plus the included lavs are fine if you're just giving it to a friend. I personally wouldn't want to use a mp3 in any of the situations I mentioned beforehand, it makes less sense in plant situations, but I do kind of want a mp3 or 6 for recording ambiences. Maybe next year!

PS. someone in another thread just posted they are adding iOS monitoring, which may make your decision a little easier!

FWIW I have a mp10ii and don't love the noise assist algorithm. As you mention, routing possibilities are somewhat limited so I just keep the noise assist on the MixL channel when recording mono sources, and disable it when recording anything in stereo. I find that it only really works indoors with mics that are very close to the subject's mouth, like a well-placed lav or a 50 on a tight frame, and I rarely use anything over -5db. I think it's most useful in interview situations where you know there's not going to be a proper post-production sound/RX pass, which, to be fair, is exactly what they advertise it for.

Will keep an eye out for ya, I'm in Ridgewood!