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Paul Graff

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Everything posted by Paul Graff

  1. + 1. Bargains are a dangerous thing. I just bought 8 block 19 transmitters, a VR field, VRT modules, and traded for a couple 411a's (26 for 19). All bargains!! The plan was to sell all the Block 28 stuff BEFORE doing that. I rented my boom op's CMIT for a commercial the last two days to give it a real test run (and him a bit of rental). That is most definitely a sweet mic. Not ready to add it to my kit at this point, but I really liked it. The Comteks will pay for themselves for sure, imo. Best price to rental ratio of anything we own. That plus slates and sync boxes. The mics are at the other end of the spectrum rental-wise, but worth it for the smiles on our faces. +1 to this one too. She used to think I was nuts, but over time I have earned a shred of credibility at least.
  2. The death of fidelity. A fascinating subject. When I was my kids' age I was saving every penny for a good turntable. They listen off their laptop speakers. Even with a good stereo available at home, hearing the music at a higher quality is of little interest to them. To each their own, but it blows me away. In time it might well change. Neil Young is a big hero of mine and a constant source of inspiration. Thanks for the link. Paul
  3. F3 has no DC output, so no options there other than those listed above (NP-powered receiver in fanny pack, self-powered receiver). I usually have a variety of options as some operators prefer keeping the camera as light as possible and will deal with being tethered to a waist pack and other would rather avoid any tether. As to DC cables to have on hand, the main other one is the Anton-Bauer D-tap. The Hirose is preferable as it powers on and off with the camera and the D-tap is always hot as long as there is a battery on the camera. Sometimes the Hirose is needed for something else or the fuse can get blown. Only other tap I own is the one for Red camera, which I have never used. It's been a long time since I sent audio to a Red anyway, but when I have I was always hardwired (usually the case) or just sent a scratch track on IFB or Comtek. Red shoots don't tend to be too mobile. PG
  4. I'm with Jan... still diggin' this thread! This subject has consumed far too much of my attention for a long time now. The plan for quite a while had been to get a Transit Connect. The ultimate thrifty sound mixer's vehicle. And pretty geek-cool to my way of thinking. Finally my beloved Saab wagon died and opportunity presented itself. While I'll admit my wife's revulsion did play a role, I decided the TC was just not something I would be interested in driving every single day, working or not. The sound mixer in me lusted after the cargo capacity, but at another level a different type of reason prevailed. Her car is a Honda Pilot and I finally decided (for the first time in my life) to not get a cargo hauler. It seemed redundant to have two capacious cars. I ultimately got the convertible I have always wanted since moving to L.A. (have test driven them in the past, but always went the practical route until now). Even better this go-round, a retractable hardtop with a very generous trunk (2008 Volvo C-70). I modified my carts to work with the Pilot. I cut the main cart down to roll in on a ramp. I like a lean setup anyway, so it was a nice challenge and works very well. The Pilot holds a lot. Plus my wife has no problem swapping vehicles when necessary since mine is pretty nice. In truth I frequently use the C-70 as it holds a 1650 and an OTS rig easily and I do a lot of documentaries. I can even put a R12 cart on my hitch-mount bike rack on the Volvo in addition. No problems. So all was settled in carland and then the Pilot got totalled. About three weeks ago. Everybody is fine. No serious injuries, which is all that really matters. But now my wife needed a new car. And it has to have cargo credibility since I am now counting on that in addition to her needs for the vehicle. She likes driving an SUV, so after copious test-driving of about every option we have purchased a Highlander Hybrid. A bit of modification and my carts will fit in there just fine. It ain't a van, but it is quite capacious. Averaged 27 MPG over the last 150 miles, which amazed me. And these discussions of towing capacity are not lost on me either. A trailer could well be in my near future if that will make everything easier. But the minimalist in me is averse to TOO much capacity as I know that I will fill it. And justify bringing too much stuff. For now the Highlander is my Tetris box and I will try to use it to force me to be efficient. But that Ford Transit looks nice... Fiat Doblo too... Here's to a bigger garage! Paul Graff
  5. +1 (to all of it, but I bolded the parts that get an extra-loud "Amen!") Thanks Robert. Now we just have to effectively relay these thoughts to the negotiators. The whole idea of collective bargaining is to enhance the workers' quality of life. Contracts that encourage 75-80 hour weeks do not forward this goal. So... >Double-time after 12 hours absolutely. I get this on every non-union job without a problem (1.5 x base wage for hours 8-12 and double-time after 12 hours). And yet the Union gave it away??!! This always blew my mind. >Negotiated wages for "new media". I really feel that "new media" should fall within existing agreements. Otherwise it creates loopholes and encourages producers to classify projects wherever the contract is the weakest. >Some amount of minimum time between call time and first shot. I don't know how this could be effectively negotiated, but increasingly I see call times for second units where it has become a given that you have to get there an hour before that call time to be ready on time. In other words, the call time is not a real call time. Especially with unloading gear, moving your truck, etc. I have no problem getting there early, but the call time should reflect that. It has become an expectation on some shows that you work an hour off the clock before your call time. The union can't into gear rental rates, but that is a whole other ball of wax. Especially taking a weekly rental rate that's based on months of work and dividing it by five to get the daily rate. Certainly not how it works with any rental house. Longer rentals get a break BECAUSE they are longer rentals. Ah well. Paul
  6. Years ago I did a lot of research and decided upon this brand: http://www.zerosurge.com/ I have the 2R15W (#002-00703) - $159.00 They also make rack mount models. I just plug a relatively cheap CyberPower rack mount power strip into it however. Read all the specs and do some research and you will find that cheap surge protectors do not offer much real protection. That's my opinion anyway. PG
  7. This is another option I've heard good things about. $660 street price for two 8" monitors in 3 rack space unit. http://www.blackmagi...ucts/smartview/ I just realized that the OP was looking for a "small monitor for my bag", so this is off-topic, but I'll leave it as it seems relevant for where the topic had drifted.
  8. This seems to have gotten glossed over a bit, but it seems the most likely culprit. "Wired for Lectro" or "wired for TA-5" isn't good enough anymore. A non-servo wired lav in a servo transmitter will sound hissy and excessively sibilant. Lectro's website has good info on this. I like servo wiring best, but it only works for servo transmitters. Universal wiring works for old and new. This also affects output levels. I believe the universal wiring has a hotter output than the servo wiring. Okay..I typed the above and then just read this: http://www.lectrosonics.com/component/option,com_fss/Itemid,81/catid,4/kbartid,10/view,kb/ and this: http://www.lectrosonics.com/faqdb/98-061-Why-does-the-SM-transmitter-have-a-different-5-pin-input-circuit-Why-not-just-stay-with-what-has-worked-for-decades/View-details.html and this: http://www.lectrosonics.com/faqdb/107-070-What-are-the-mic-wiring-differences-between-the-new-SM-transmitter-and-the-other-older-Lectro-transmitters-such-as-the-UM400-What-should-I-do-with-my-current-microphones/View-details.html It seems that while all the above is true for the Sankens and Countrymans I use, it looks like old wiring might be fine for Trams and Sonotrims according to the FAQ. I'll post this anyway as it is certainly true for Sanken lavs. I do recall a mixer having Trams wired for old 200 series transmitters that sounded not so great with the SMa, so despite the FAQ it is worth investigating. too late to post coherently... Paul
  9. As wonderful and thorough as Larry's reply is, one thing Lectro can't give is the subjective opinion of a mixer who has used this feature in the field, which, if you read the original post, is the ONLY question Richard has asked. No offense to you, Larry. Your post is informative, thorough, humorous, and well-written as always. I just get tired of wading through replies like the two above Larry's which add nothing to the conversation and seem to be present in every thread. And certainly irrelevant in this one. Anyway Richard, it sounds like you will be using Mode 3 in the receivers, so the SMv issue will not be a problem. I did a promo once for a show where 2 of the talent was wearing Senn SK5012 transmitters in the same block as my Lectros. I put the receivers in Mode 3 and they worked perfectly. Sounded as good to my ears as the third talent I was picking up on a Sennheiser receiver loaned to me by the audio supervisor of the show (in a different block from my Lectros). One disconcerting thing is the absence of the RF strength "cone" in the display of the 411a. I did not test the range to failure, but I had no problems. Range will be less than Lectros I'm sure, as Sennheisers always are. Anyway, that was only experience, but I was very impressed. Paul
  10. Thanks for the link, Oscar. I've been meaning to add just such a thing to my kit. I'm confused by all the suggestions of a RE50. Original post states, "I'm looking for a push to talk mic on base stand." I have a RE50 too, but it does not fit the bill for what was requested. Neither does the Trew modified SM58 (but I want one of those, too.) Anyway, the Bogen looks perfect for this. Paul
  11. A search shows channels 30 and 46 "reserved for wireless microphone use" (licensed and unlicensed) in most of Los Angeles and the SF valley east of the 405 and channels 30 and 44 west of the 405. Interesting. Paul
  12. The minimum cycle life for CF would allow the card to be removed, read, reinserted, and reformatted once per day for 27 years. Here's a nice, albeit somewhat old guide from Kingston (my brand of choice). http://www.kingston.com/products/pdf_files/FlashMemGuide.pdf OT, I know but I use these cards. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139056 As to the original topic, I have nothing to add. As new recorders are actually released I will evaluate them and go from there. I own and use recorders by both SD and Zaxcom. Both are great. Both have failed (once each). Both have made trips home to be repaired. We are lucky to have such wonderful, responsible, and committed manufacturers here in the U.S. Great companies. Paul
  13. What a thoroughly enjoyable thread. I have delighted in every tale told. Cars had already been on my brain lately as I am in the market for a new (or used) one.... Then I had a job with Jay Leno in his garage yesterday and it stirred up many dormant automotive passions. (Brings new meaning to the word "garage", btw. It even has a website, jaylenosgarage.com). We scouted there Friday and I was naturally reticent to explore very much until encouraged by Jay's friendly and welcoming employees. What a treasure trove. Now practicality and pleasure and power and efficiency and convertibility and cargo-ability, etc., etc., etc. have been battling it out in my brain as I decide what to buy. Thanks to that experience and this thread it's getting harder to commit to my original plan of a Ford Transit Connect. I have always had practical cars; import wagons, mostly, but that thing is REALLY utilitarian. But REALLY practical. Damn. Maybe a used Astro van AND a bitchin' convertible. Sigh... Anyway, thanks again for the amazing stories and pictures. Paul
  14. and the third is... I ask because I love one and two, btw.
  15. Looks like my 15-year affair with Palm will finally be coming to an end. From the first Palm Pilot through many Treos and 2+ years with my Palm Pre. I've been extremely happy with Sprint these past two years. Fantastic customer service and a HUGE savings over Verizon (We have 4 smartphones with unlimited data and text). Fewer dropped calls and great signal, too. Sprint was actually was my first cell phone company way back when and had the the WORST customer service ever. Truly horrible. I kept jumping to T-Mobile, then Verizon, and back to Sprint as each company would drop the Treo or not carry the Pre. I love Web OS, but am clearly in the extreme minority. I spent about two hours trying to get excited by the Android Samsung Nexus a couple of months ago when it came out to no avail. Sprint has had so many hardware problems with the Pre that they told me they will not carry the Pre 3 initially. Anyway, I'm excited to finally jump to the iPhone. I've been all Mac for over 20 years and look forward to the integration. (I think I've had more models of Apple laptops than Lectro wireless, although I bet it's very close!) Quite a boring, self-indulgent, and nostalgic post, I suppose. Just thought I'd share my experience of good customer service and signal with Sprint. And mourn the passing of an era in my life. Paul
  16. Thanks David, I am very interested in this. All about compact and powerful and this fits the bill. I've been out of the country for a bit and return in about a week. I will be in touch about meeting with Chinhda to go over some ideas. Paul
  17. Not another "it depends". Another misread, misunderstood, distortingly partially quoted, hastily commented upon, extraneous post. It was a personal statement of fact that I, Paul Graff, do not carry a chair on ENG/documentary jobs. But now that I bought a little Army/Navy store stool I might very well start.
  18. Might work for the OP, tho' And hopefully the weight limit is a bit conservative. And if it collapses I only fall a few inches and provide cheap amusement for my crewmates.
  19. First to the OP. As you are a woman, perhaps the three-legged stools will work for you. I find them very uncomfortable in...uhhh...the front. The best folding stool along those lines BY FAR is this one: http://www.camptime.net/roll-a-chair.htm The top is flat. Actually flat. It has a back if you want it, but since the back flips back it is still small. I actually use this one at my cart now and the Costco folding chair with the side table stays at home. (It's a lot like the one Brent referenced, but without the side storage pocket. Btw, props will give you one of those pockets if you are nice to them.) Anyway, all that being said I never carry a chair on ENG/documentary jobs and even the roll-a-chair would be too big for that. For your question I would recommend this: http://www.galaxyarmynavy.com/item-4545.asp I worked on a reality show once and the other mixer had this in the front pouch of his bag and would always have a place to sit. It's a bit low, but the thing folds up really small. Truly practical to carry with you, unlike all these other options. In fact, I'm inspired to order one right now. For that price why not? Paul
  20. Too many Senatoriums will put you in the Sanitarium. :-)
  21. Wow, that brought back some memories. I actually had a 45 of that song in junior high. Was not into female singers at that age, but Ann's voice was so amazing and so expressive that they were the exception. A really well-written song, too. Performers could be a bit raw around the edges on a national show and it was okay. The energy is so palpable and authentic. Thanks Jeff! Oh, and by the way it is fine that you put up a profile pic for me. I appreciate it. Paul
  22. I'm glad to hear you say this, Pascal. Like Simon I have been through many models of Lectro. Other than one 187 VHF system I've kept, I've owned and sold 190, 195D, 205, 210D, and 201 systems before settling on all 411a for talent and Zaxcom stereo systems for transmission to camera when needed. I also sold the original SM transmitters I bought right when they came out and have been all MM400A, B, and C for talent for many years now. The 411a and Zaxcom systems have remained state-of-the-art for many years, imo. They still are. I just bought some more wireless and decided to veer from my tried and true with 2 SMQV and a SRa. I wanted the quarter watt option and the longer life option and I still have plenty of my beloved MM's. The lightness and size of the SRa seduced me as well as the savings ($2049 vs. $3440 for 2 x 411a). So far I must say I really do not like it, but I am keeping an open mind. This is why I am glad to hear your enthusiasm for the SRa, Pascal. Hopefully I will grow to appreciate it. Granted, the 411a is much bigger and heavier, but it is still the best that Lectro has to offer and superior to the SRa. And the MM400B is still my favorite transmitter of theirs (plus I love the way the clip functions). The fact that in 2011 Lectro still does not make a receiver that can receive a wider range than 25.5 MHz bugs me. Perhaps it is not rational, but it does. With all the limitations placed upon us these days by FCC, etc., the hair-pulling decision of "which block to buy" is starting to get old. I'm glad to see rack systems coming out which receive ranges of around 150 MHz (I believe). The various recent developments by Shure, Sennheiser, (and Zaxcom, too) are very exciting. But hey, I just dropped another $5K on Lectro, so I guess money talks. The systems have different strengths and weaknesses depending on what your needs are. I believe I too might go all Zaxcom if I was just starting out, especially if I was a scripted, cart-based mixer who did not need to be compatible with other mixers' gear or need to rent gear to flesh out my own for bigger jobs. While the Lectro 400 series has maintained an extraordinarily high resale value for many years, that could conceivably be changing as our spectrum access changes and as other technologies come on line. My crystal ball is still frustratingly cloudy on this one!! Anyway, another great thread. I haven't posted much lately, but JWSound is still in my top three web destinations. Thanks everybody. Paul
  23. Once a guy shows up with Sennheiser G2's, a K6ME66 shotgun, and a rusty FP32, a good PM will "get bogged down in kit specifics" imo. Or at least yell at the person who referred him, which is admittedly more likely. Regardless it is an interesting contrast because my rig is different for different jobs and ALWAYS specified. The exception, again, being commercials (which I sometimes do) and 2nd Unit film and episodics (which I, alas, too rarely do). PG
  24. John, If you are in the U.S. I would encourage you to say "My rate is $X plus equipment rental. What are you you shooting?" Your rate is your labor rate. Equipment rental is separate. Plenty of producers will chime back, "I got $X, all in" and that's fine. But it's nice to be clear on what is included. They can tend to compare our rate with gear to the camera op's rate without gear and think they are paying us too much. Not healthy imo. It's a short step to glossing over how many hours are in your "day" rate and that is even unhealthier if not specified. Whatever works for you, of course. Paul
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