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Jim Feeley

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About Jim Feeley

  • Birthday January 1

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  • Location
    Northern California
  • About
    sound, journalism, producing
  • Interested in Sound for Picture
    Yes

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  1. If someone acquires Aaton's assets, I don't think they'll revive Cantar as it stands now. I'd think a buyer would be after patents, people, and prestige. Sorry to keep bringing up BMD, but look at their acquisitions of da Vinci Systems, Fairlight, and eyeon; all makers of expensive niche products and the first two (at least) arguably with little chance of future sales. Yet all have contributed to Grant Petty's vision of world domination (or at least of his vision for low-cost yet capable post software). Also, I'm pretty sure BMD didn't pay much for those acquisitions. I don't know if Aaton has any valuable patents, and I don't know if the team has already dispersed. But I think the name still has some cachet. But again, I mainly hope the people associated with Aaton land in a good place.
  2. OTOH, Sony bought Konica Minolta, reportedly for their patents and their engineers. That acquisition launched Sony's move into good still cameras. Also Aiwa, Sonic Foundry, some semiconductor companies and manufacturing plants, Audeze, and a bunch of other stuff. So they do acquire companies even when they have some in-house expertise. But Aaton I'd guess serves too narrow a market for Sony to acquire. I'd think Blackmagic might be a more likely candidate, though I don't think they have as much cash floating around as they did before (no idea, really). I mean, they acquired Fairlight...and most of the engineers came along (and last I heard were fairly happy there), and eyeon software (developers of fusion) and at least some of the engineers are still at BMD and happy (I was acquitted with Steve Roberts, eyeon's CEO and original developer and we usually have a quick catchup if we see each other and NAB). But I really have no idea and I hope the people at Aaton all land at good places.
  3. Not much around here, sadly. Looks like StudioB in Berkeley has a Rode blimp with Rycote Windjammer. https://sfvideoproduction.com/sound-equipment-rentals/rode-blimp-windshield-w-rycote-windjammer/ And Borrowlenses has a location in San Carlos, and will courier. They have some Rode stuff: https://www.borrowlenses.com/rent/category/production/audio?q=%3Atopsellers%3Abrand%3Arode&text=&clearBrands=&brand-Rode=on# Then maybe Sharegrid?
  4. I saw the Sennheiser marketing on WMAS last year. Are other companies adopting WMAS, or something like it? Press Release from today, Feb 15, 2024 (Link to report & Order below): FCC EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR WIRELESS MICROPHONE USERS New Rules Allow WMAS Technology That Enables More Wireless Microphones to Operate with Greater Efficiency -- WASHINGTON, February 15, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted new rules to allow a new, more spectrally efficient wireless microphone technology to operate. Wireless Multi-Channel Audio Systems (WMAS) use spectrum more efficiently than currently available narrowband microphones, meaning more microphones can be used without allocating more airwaves. The rules will permit WMAS to operate on a licensed or unlicensed basis, while preserving the existing spectrum rights of others that share those frequencies. Wireless microphones, which operate under the FCC’s technical rules for Part 74 low-power auxiliary station devices and Part 15 unlicensed devices, can be found in a variety of settings, including theaters and music venues, TV and film studios, educational institutions, conventions, corporate events, houses of worship, and internet webcasts. The new rules will allow WMAS to operate in the broadcast TV bands and 600 MHz duplex gap on both a licensed and unlicensed basis, and in other Part 74 LPAS frequency bands on a licensed basis. WMAS will enable more wireless microphones to operate in the spectrum available (i.e., more microphones per megahertz of spectrum), which provides additional options when more microphones are needed. The rules do not alter the existing spectrum rights or expectations regarding spectrum access and availability as it relates to other authorized users that share the frequency bands with wireless microphone operations (including, for example, broadcast licensees, Wi-Fi, and white space device users). Action by the Commission February 15, 2024 by Report and Order (FCC 24-22). Chairwoman Rosenworcel, Commissioners Carr, Starks, Simington, and Gomez approving. Chairwoman Rosenworcel issuing a separate statement. ### Full Report & Order, and a couple other links on the FCC website here: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-expands-opportunities-wireless-microphone-users-0
  5. That's the video Jeff embedded in the first post above. 30min.
  6. "Sound can make the difference between life and death." —David Attenborough (A line worth quoting to clients. 😉) A bit from the press release: Sky Nature unveils first look at Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough Brand new, three-part nature series uses world class technology to listen to the animal world like never before Series will launch on Sky Nature and streaming service NOW on Sunday 25 February " Filmed in 4K ultra-high definition, each episode of the series will feature in-depth stories of eight animals, followed by five-minutes of Behind-The-Scenes footage. Unveiling the very latest in audio technology, the series uses specially adapted cameras and laser vibrometers, which allows humans to truly eavesdrop on the animal world for the first time and discover new stories and information that have been hidden until now. The series incorporates microphones so tiny, they fit on your fingertip, and so precise they can detect the noise of a baby caiman calling from inside the egg. With 360-Dolby Atmos Sound, viewers will experience the breath-taking sounds of the natural world as never heard before." The whole release is here: https://www.skygroup.sky/en-gb/article/sky-nature-unveils-first-look-at-secret-world-of-sound-with-david-attenborough Here's the trailer:
  7. Speaking of Fazioli, he's coming to Oakland California in a couple weeks. Tuesday Jan 30th. https://piedmontpiano.com/calendar/2024/1/30/paolo-fazioli
  8. Disclosure LONG LONG LONG. ago I worked for Carl Countryman. I still have an affinity for the company and their products. That said, I also use Sanken lavs a lot, and various others some (just dabbling with DPA right now...but I do doc and corporate, not narrative). Also, I end up mic'ing sweaty and/or water-borne athletes with some regularity. That all said: The EMW isn't my favorite sounding lav, but with a decent placement it sounds OK. Available with one of three response curves. Behind clothing or with close-to-the-throat placement, I do find the Peaked response helps a bit. But with water, I think the big win with the EMW is the comparatively large face so even after being submerged, a water drop isn't going to cover everything. I haven't directly compared them to B3s in water. Anyway, the EMWs keep working even post submersion. If you're just concerned about splashes, a B3 facing downwards (or really, probably even upwards) will be fine. Also smaller. While a nice concealer for the EMW would be great, I roll with various existing clips and around water and sweat, often with foamies and kinesio tape or sports tape. These days, I like KT Tape Pro Extreme https://www.kttape.com/collections/kt-tape-pro-extreme/products/kt-tape-pro-extreme Rustic, please let us know what works out for you.
  9. I'm totally veering off topic, but I keep hearing about Angelus products. Though not in the context of applying them to leather. Which I think indirectly speaks well of their products. Cool that they're so versatile. For example:
  10. Interesting. Their 13-in-one tester looks A LOT like this Hosa model: https://hosatech.com/products/accessories/cable-tester/cbt-500/ But that's no big deal. Do you know much about the MLF. FM-CT20? Reliable? Well made? Thanks!
  11. So my old Ebtech SwizzArmy is old. I'm looking for something newer that supports a broader range of audio (and related) cables. I'd like XLR, 1/4-inch TRS, 3.5mm TRS & TRRS, RJ45, BNC. Would also like HDMI (full and mini, maybe micro) and USB (A and C) if that's a thing Can live without one or two (probably TRRS). Don't need (but will accept) DMX, Speakon, and MIDI connectors. After poking around at dbx, Whirlwind, Sescom/Markertek, etc I'm resigned to getting two or three boxes. What are you all using and liking (and dropping and still using)?
  12. I've used Sharpie pens and fingernail polish on B6 caps, B3 bodies, and E6 arms (just sharpie) a fair number of times. But haven't tried coloring cables. I wonder...but don't know...if paint flexible enough to stretch with cable bends might also damage the cable. Maybe contact tech support for the maker of the lavs you want to paint. I'd bet they'd know what sorts of paint and ink would least damage their capsules and cables. Or perhaps some thin-wall heat-shrink tubing in a color that works? Just thinking out loud... Let us know what ends up working for you.
  13. Lectro band/block A1 (470 to 537 MHz) and also Block 21 (537-563). So not Sennheiser, but RFI doesn't discriminate and now stands for Really F**ing Insidious.
  14. OSA, is there a medical-supply store near you? They carry lots of kinds of tape.... But ya, the local drug stores around here seem to have less tape, moleskin, and similar stuff on the shelves than they did several years ago. Sigh.
  15. I see Durapore and all the other -pore tapes still listed on 3M's site. And if you click through to purchase, it looks like they send you to Amazon. Maybe Durapore is less of a consumer item (ie- only sound mixers bought it 😉) and more of a medical-facility item (ie- they buy hundreds of rolls at once). At any rate, choose your width here: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/medical/medical-securement-tapes-wraps/
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