Fred Salles

In France all TX regardless brand and band are restricted to 50mW output. In Kenya (where I work regularly) as well. I sometimes push my MTP60 to 100mW but never for too long... I do have dreaded memories of the Comtek tx antenna that was huge and long, not flexible at all, totally unbalanced with the small tx 😉 That's why I need some inputs on today's VHF antenna provided with the T4.

Hello, I am about to purchase a set of IFBlues and a T4 transmitter. The seller (JBK audio) has rightfully convinced me to buy the VHF range rather than any UHF band. We are not used to it much in France but everything he said makes sense (eg: superior range than UHF, no worries about crossing band with my UHF wireless mikes, etc..) The only drawback for me seems to be the length of the antenna: 38 cm. On cart it is fine but I always have my cart set in a way that I can switch to bag very quickly, and I do most of the time features that require that. How really flexible is that antenna and can it and would it fit "circled" in the front pocket of my stingray bag junior? I would not like to have the antenna stick out from the bag - I already have the Betso Bowties for the SL2 !- I do not find photos of this antenna online. Thanks for your inputs Regards Fred

Interesting point. You mean the length of the tube and the number of slots and their positions are the same on the MiniCMIT and the CMIT5 ? I have not done field A-B testing and comparison of both together, but I have worked with both on different features and the mini sounded less efficient to me in several ways but particularly I thought it lacked off side rejection, compared to the longer brother. It could be due to a different environment but I would be curious to explore furthermore. We did test the MKH416 and MKH8060 side by side and the off-side sound rejection difference was quite obvious to both of us.

Hello. The last decade has seen the rise of "compact" (=shorter) shotgun microphones on the professional market: less than 18cm/7inch length in size condenser mikes that are supposed to match the directionality/pickup pattern of "older" much longer microphones: Schoeps MiniCMIT, Sennheiser 8060, Sanken CS-M1, etc... As we all know the laws of acoustic at the basis of the shotgun microphones technology have not changed and phase cancellation of off-axis frequencies is still in use for these "new" mikes. (The only real new technology for an improved directionality that I know of is the Schoeps SuperCMIT digital mike but that does not enter this discussion as its length is 28cm). Now that we have been using them on the field extensively, could we share our thoughts, remarks, enthusiasm or disappointments? So far I personally have used the MiniCMIT and the MKH8060 on feature film shoots and I have been very disappointed by them. Not by their sound quality / timbre that is not defaulted in controlled environment, but by their lack of efficiency at rejecting unwanted off-axis sound, when compared to their "older" brothers like the MKH60, MKH416, Schoeps CMIT5, etc... Especially in urban environment with traffic, so at the low-mids and low frequencies. When you look at the specification sheets of these "new" mikes it is claimed that they are meant to achieve an off-axis rejection equivalent or even better than their older brothers, but my ears are telling me that is not true. Are we being conned -as an article on sound-on-sound pointed out ten years ago?

Hi, I rented a MKH8060 for a feature I am working on these months, to complete my old trusted MKH416. It is a very urban film and we shoot a lot in the streets, in uncontrolled situations, pretty much like a documentary environment except with actors... I have been trying several mikes to pair with the 416, with a better sounding feature, and so far have not find one that equals its versatility and efficiency in the streets (I do not want to go the long shotgun way like 816 and newer 8070 etc...). I was happy with the Shoeps CMIT5 for some films, but was very disappointed with the miniCMIT. CMIT5 sounds so different than the 416 that it is hard to use both on 2 boom situations. I really wanted to love the MKH8060, but... My boom op and I ended up using the 416 more. The 8060 sounds much better yes, in controlled situation and quiet environment. It is close enough to the 416 to use both. But as soon as you need to get a voice out of surrounding traffic, the 416 still performs better. We encounter strange behavior with the 8060. The off axis pickup of low end freq seems way different than advertised. It is supposed to cut 10db at 90° but I really think that is not true. At least not with the unit we have rented. The 416 -that is supposed to cut only 8db- sounds like it cuts much more low ends at 90°. We are careful not to block the side gills (do not know the english word for the holes on the mike so thats direct translation from french) inside the Cinela, as the mike seems very sensitive to that. Anyone sharing the same disappointments with the 8060 or we have a faulty unit?

Hello, after some research and reading I came up with more questions rather than conclusions: 1- I see now why I am never happy with the results of recording with an LCR portable setup, like the Cinela Albert Tri, the only one available afaik: the mikes are way too close to each other to make a proper LCR without phase issues. Adding a center mike to a ORTF setup is actually a non sense in term of phase correlation. Cinela themselves acknowledge or rather warn on their page that it is not an LCR setup per se but an ORTF with an extra center mike... https://www.cinela.fr/gammes-de-produits/albert-windshields/albert-windshield-for-ccm-ortf-xy-tri/ All test and reviews I could find agree that the L&R mike should be 80 cm apart from each others or a minimum of 35 cm with an angle of 160°, with the center mike being placed a bit forward, not aligned with L&R. Anyway that calls for some tests that I have not done yet. In any case nothing practical on set seems to be possible. 2- It seems a post-production solution from a LR recording is actually more suitable, with a software that create a usable center channel without phase correlation. Apparently very few soft/plugin are capable of that and not just a basic M/S process that always brings crazy spacial issues. So far I found only Waves Center and this one, AOM Stereo Imager D : https://aom-factory.jp/products/stereo-imager-d/ The latest has good reviews on forums. Any of you post-prod guru friends are using it or tried it? Just your thoughts would be welcome as well 😉

Do you know the year of production of the seller’s III? the older series with germanium transistors really give the 3 a unique sound that i do not know the E to be close to. i might be wrong but i think later production of the 3 were with silicium transistor. From the 4.2 all analog Nagras used silicium. The 4.2 is my favourite on all account as it is versatile, piloted, and beautiful. But the sound of the 3 is quite unforgettable. Even if you use a preamp in front for phantom powered mikes it still stands out as very characteristic. I do not know the E well as i have never used it on the field but I tested and listened to one once. Do not remember anything outstanding. Plus they are not piloted as they were made for radio reporters if i am not mistaken. anyway best for you is to try them and decide according to what you want a Nagra for.

Thanks guys for your inputs. Yes it is conducted power at the output antenna connector that I am trying to measure (not radiated). The gadget I got is supposed to be a RF power meter, so it is giving me dBm and milli or micro watt. It allows to add an offset, either attenuation for strong power over 1 watt or booster for low ones. It is a cheap chinese stuff so I have no trust in it but since I do not know what the measures are actually supposed to be I cannot be sure that I need to invest in something better like this one: https://www.bs-rf.com/en/products/rf-power-meter/ So apart from guessing it should be reading 50mW (+-17dBm) when the transmitter is set to 50mW, I still have no clue. Also I got Constantin's point about measuring differences rather than accurate mW, but for now adding longer cable gives me higher mW !! 😂 it does not make sense, yet. Borjam, insertion loss is what I am most interested in measuring, and I understood the RF power meter to be exactly the tool for that.

I also measure 16.7mm on my caliper for the cable strain relief if that's what you are talking about. I guess the thread must be metric but no way to know that for sure. Do you mean you want to know if you can screw something else than the cable relief?

Hello, I am trying to understand how are RF power measurements made, how to check that a transmitter has the right RF power output, how to test RF antenna cables insertion loss, etc... I got myself a little gadget that is supposed to measure RF power outputs in dBm and mW. But it is a cheap stuff and I am getting weird results, like higher measure when adding cables... Before I dismiss it completely, I realised I need to actually understand what is it I am supposed to get. So, for those of you RF insiders, what is the correlation between the rate of a transmitter power and what is measurable at the antenna output? in other words, if I have a transmitter rated for 50mW, what am I supposed to get at the antenna output? 50mW and 16.99dBm or something else? Thanks in advance!

Link please? could not find them yet... Thank you

Thanks Dalton, are you using this cable? Strangely it is not listed in Mogami's latest catalog. It has the model 2931 (also sold on this site but I am not in the USA). I have read in a forum that the model 2602 you are pointing at is an old model but no-one can get the specifications. The 2931 however is also a 4 channels and has a 8.6mm(0.339") ext diam. It seems a bit big for my purpose but would appreciate feedback if anyone is using it, especially about flexibility. Shastapete I still have to explore these LAN cables option for running microphones signal, I heard about it and it was controversial. Maybe in a post here, I will search. It would work since Cat6, 6a,7 and now 8 are very well shielded. Have you had experience with any?

Hello, I am in the process of getting an LCR stereo setup for the first time (after years of 2 channels stereo recordings). Those of you who have used it for a while, what cable would you recommend to built my own XLR7 cables? I have been doing some research and have not yet found a proper cable with 3 pairs, good flexibility, and a suitable ext. diameter of no more than 6mm. Thanks Fred

Good idea, I post it there now. True, but that is why we have learned to record ambient sound that bring space but do not have significant event. Significant I mean that serve the narration or just would attract attention. We record these as mono wild or fx for post to put in the space as required. For exemple for wide ambient of Wind blowing in a forest it does not matter where you are seated if the Left and right are well balanced. Also we record ambient that do not necessarily require sweet spot and if there are small events they must have no problem being played to the audience seated closest to the speaker (ex. A dog barking very far away). In fact, any sound even mono being sent in a specific speaker will be perceived differently depending on where the listener is seated. So maybe actually (thinking out loud now) the sweet spot issue applies anyway for any setup. I mean re-recording mixers rarely work too far from their sweet spot do they?

Thanks Jez. Anyone else recommending recording stereo ambient with LCR setup rather than LR classic ORTF ? Btw what cable do you use? I have been doing some research and have not found yet a proper cable with 3 pairs and a suitable ext. diameter.

Hi, More and more colleagues sound recordists are using LCR stereo setup nowadays for wide ambient wild recordings, and many post-prod sound editor and re-mixer say that without the C they feel an "hole" in the middle. Being an ORTF setup (LR) long time fanatic I often argue that it depends how you choose to record the space you want to hear. I have tried it several times but always ended up listening to LR only as -mixed in a LR hearphone- wide spaces sound mushier. I found the C useful for proximity stereo recordings but for wide ambient I do not see the point. I know it is still an ongoing debate. What are your opinion on it, location sound or post-prod sound friends?

Hello, very interested to get feedback once you try this K100LD alloy. It is the first time that I hear about it. Thank you for the lead. As Derek, I have bought a stock of leaded solder spool after I tried the first unleaded one (tin with silver, Ag) that has lead to disaster... Quite a while ago now I realize, so I have not been keeping up about the new developments. I understand after some research that it is a proprietary alloy by Kester. Not common here in France but I am keen to try it if it sounds manageable. Thanks (PS: nothing OT here I think, so many of us are soldering stuff!)

I used to be able to carry on my VDB size L in its pvc case, but that was... before 9/11. It was blocked several times at security in this era so since then I never tried again (I am talking about international flights). It fits in my peli air 1615 nowadays but without its cover unfortunately. For your request I guess the VDB size M would be the best choice... if it passes security. But check their full range to get a better idea as they have smaller ones. As you know they are 6 sections by design so that is what makes them the best ratio collapsed vs full size length in the market, but not everyone likes this design. https://vdbboompoles.com/boompoles/vdb-qt-range/

Has anyone tried them with a non Lectro transmitter? Is that even possible or the IFB compender /mode is Lectro only? Thanks

If one channel works well then one way to rule out a preamp fault is to interchange them. It does not require too much practice but you must follow a good guide (unscrew the correct screws for instance.) The way you describe it could be the line amp. But that’s just guess. I am familiar with the inside of the 4.2 not much the one of the 4S but you should find Nagra schematics easily. Most electronic modules can be changed. What does it record on the tape? If I recall correctly on the 4.2 the signal goes from preamp to line amp for monitoring and line output AND simultaneously to the amp for the magnetic head (I forgot the name of the module) so you could hear nothing but still record correctly on the tape.

Hello, I guess the motorized faders are power hungry, but there must be just a peak of power draw when you change bank I suppose. You say you power it, do you mean from external dedicated battery Or the same battery as the rest from your power distributor? Can you tell us more about the power consumption of it. Thanks edit: I just saw your post about your cart so one big PSC battery (very nice by the way 👍🏾)

Fantastic! Thanks a lot for that! So it is the M+ that you have , not the X+?

Thanks for that. I did not know you could do without the 12v dc external input. I assume you mean that you do not use the motors of the fader, if that is the case how do you change bank? Could you try to measure the power drawn by the icon on your battery with that setup? That means 888 without it then with the icon plugged, then with the D2 as well? That would be very usefull as I have never found a real life situation report in the web on the current draw of the Icon solution on location. I also wonder if there is much difference in power consumption between the X+ and the M+, so if anyone using the M+ could chime in that would be great. Thanks a lot.

I understand that is the reason why we have active antennas with onboard gain booster.

I am not sure I understood you correctly. I am not aware yet about what the french tax system could do in my situation, except hopefully not demanding that I pay them VAT on a payement I did not receive. My company managing the gear is only subjected to VAT, no other taxes as it does not reach the minimum “income” to get taxable. Do you mean confronting the producer in person? you mean asking him to pay from his own pocket? I surely pressure him every month to get update but did not tackled it that way. Not sure about that.