Matt Bacon AMPS

Yes the bottom platform folds up for transportation.

The Compact Bag Cart is now complete. Orders will be accepted next month. Thank you to everyone for their constructive comments and ideas.

Correct. I look forward to building you a cart.

The first cart has now been delivered. Time to order more and send it to the US dealer. A photo of the cart loaded up and in use

1440

Not sure they exist as the stress on the rack screws would be too much to lift the weight of a cart.

Here are some photos of the first production cart during the build...

Record function?

Below are some examples showing the bespoke CNC milled and anodised handle which will also be available at launch with the Production Sound Cart as an option.

Thank you for your constructive comments, they are taken in the spirit you intended. Having finished work for the festive period I am now concentrating on moving forward on my carts before I start back again in the New Year. I wish to reassure you that while there have been periods of seemingly nothing happening work has been progressing steadily with demo units being road tested etc. The feedback from our test users have been continuously put back into the design of the carts. What has become clear is that no two mixers use/configure their cart in the same way. The intention is to release the Bag Cart (Red) early in the New Year and based on its success release the Production Cart (Blue) soon after. In reply to your two points, yes the cup holder can be easily repositioned, and I designed the Blue cart while waiting for parts for the Red cart to be manufactured and posted to me so I have been trying to maximise my time. But I am guilty of being easily distracted so I won't mention I have also sketched ideas of a compact follow cart as well Finally yes I am based outside of London, U.K.

Yes, I estimate the RRP to be $1850-2500 depending on features/options. A US based dealer is already on board subject to viewing one themselves (so their identity will remain under wraps for now).

Hi Philip, I shall post up some further photos as you suggest showing how I imagined gear would be mounted and the cart used to make it clearer. Essentially I imagine an ABS placed side ways so the rack storage front and rear (below the two handles that stick out) are accessible at all times. These could contain IFB's or radiomics etc. But would prohibit the ability to fold the cart unless they were first removed. Inside the ABS case can be configured however you like but would include video monitors, recorder, receivers, speaker and mixer. I have worked this way using the prototype for over a year now. The kit is protected by the case and I use patch bays at the rear to ensure connectors survive the wear'n'tear of life on set. I am not saying this is the best way but simply it works for me. I don't always have a van so this prompted me to seek ways to get my production cart to location in my estate car. Also the weight of current designs on the market prohibited my use of them so decided to design a light weight yet strong alternative. I hope others will ultimately enjoy the fruits of my time and R&D. Below are photos of my current prototype which has performed extremely well but has a number of short comings which I believe I have resolved in the lastesr design.

Will do. good thinking Jeff.

I will look into the ability to add further shelves. these would need to be removed (unbolted) rather than folded I imagine... How many might you need?

To fold the cart, only two bolts need to be loosened. Lay the cart on its back (rear handles and 16" rear wheels) and fold the cart down. Once folded there will be means to secure it so it doesn't open again unexpectedly. If you are after a more light-weight bag cart I will be launching one of those first. Take a look at www.facebook.com/soundcart for photos and details of that.

I guess you could do, but my idea was that you could sit an ABS case (of any height you like providing it remained within weight) on the top (ratchet strapped down). I am imagining you would sit side-on so you can easily access the rear of the ABS case for patching etc. The mixer is then not in the way of the front and rear racking space for when you tech assist of boom op needs to get to them.

Introducing a new concept in Production Sound Carts for 2016. Thoughts, constructive comments and suggestions please (thanks again for all of those that contributed a few months ago when I posted my Bag Cart concept). Dimensions: 1150mm x 718mm x 715mm Storage: 8u Racking front (19") & Rear (10.5") Weight: Under 14kg Max Load: 40-50kg Wheels: Front 6" & Rear 16" Folded down the dimensions are 1150mm x 718mm x 395mm (including the rear wheel) or 995mm x 718mm x 340mm (without the rear wheel) so ideal for transporting in the boot of a standard hatchback or estate. I am considering a bespoke top handle made of CNC milled aluminium and anodised to match the wheel forks if people would be interested in that. It would add another $150-250 though so won't be including them on the standard model as I want to keep prices as accessible as possible. Further details will be released at www.facebook.com/soundcart in the coming weeks. Your thoughts please...

I would like to know also. Can UHF IFB units be "upgraded" to the VHF block?

I agree. Pinknoise Systems in the UK currently have the CL-12 for £1,541.67+VAT or £2,291.67+VAT for the Alaia. http://www.pinknoise-systems.co.uk/sound-devices-cl-12-linear-fader-controller.html

Constantin I agree with many of your points. Following the publication of my open letter (above) I received a call from Jon Tatooles the MD of Sound Devices during which he and I discussed the matters at hand at great length. As a long-term support of SD (despite what some may believe) I am prepared to give SD the time to take stock of the issues raised and address them in a timely manner before seeking the involvement of the appropriate authorities. These are not matters that can be ignored or swept under the table as whenever a new product is launched their pricing will be subject to much scrutiny. SD has a proven history of being a company that listens to its customers - I don't think it will be any different on this occasion. In the meantime, if you live in within the UK or Europe and are intending to buy any SD products then you can now confidently contact other dealers within the European Single Market for a competitive price - you may even potentially save a great deal - knowing they CAN and WILL sell to you.

Hey Bal, yes I have considered presenting my findings to Trading Standards and will do so should UK mixers be prevented from freely buying from Sound Devices dealers within the European Single Free Market. I have just received this official reply from Ed Capp. "Matt, Thank you for your letter and expressing your views. Sound Devices values direct dialog with our customers as we strive to provide first class products and service. I believe that in our short history we have demonstrated a dedication to the advancement of products for the Production Sound Market and the support of our customers. As an industry we are very fortunate to benefit from public forums to share thoughts on products, workflow , and technical support. Note that Sound Devices does not discuss our pricing or our distribution strategy outside of our organization. I can assure you we have made no changes to our pricing mechanics as it relates to the CL-12 or any of our products. One contributor to the recent pricing experience could be due to fluctuation in currency between the Pound, Euro and Dollar. We will continue to monitor and review our prices as we always do. I suspect that overall pricing in the region will settle and adjust to these fluctuations in the weeks to come. Once again Sound Devices has no Agreement or Policy that restricts trade or is in conflict with EU Trade Law. Our Distributors are assigned a territory and are responsible for creating and managing an affective Reseller Network for our products in that territory. Their expertise is focused on an individual market that includes supporting the Resellers and the products they represent. It is up to each individual Reseller to independently follow the trade laws as established by the EU and their respective countries. As a consumer you have every right to be selective of the products you wish to purchase and where you wish to make that purchase. We hope that you will continue to find Sound Devices products worthy of your investment. Best regards, Ed Ed Capp Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sound Devices, LLC"

Open letter (dated 10th November 2015) to Ed Capp, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Sound Devices, LLC regarding the UK pricing of the recently announced CL-12 Dear Ed, Thank you firstly for your reply on JWSound (http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/26269-sound-devices-cl-12-pricing-survey/). It is encouraging to hear that Sound Devices want their international customers to have access to your equipment at a fair price - because at the present time, from my perspective, it is anything but. I would like to first make the point that I have been a dedicated Sound Devices user for over a decade during which time I have owned SD 302, 552, 664, 633 mixers as well as 744 & 788 recorders. I most recently purchased a 688 mixer with the intention of adding a CL-12 as soon as it was released. However those plans quickly changed following the release of the list prices by Shure Distribution (your exclusive UK distributor) which were 45%* more than your U.S. list prices and 33%* more expensive than available in Europe. When purchasing Sound Devices machines in the UK I have accepted that they cost more than they do in your home territory due to shipping, import and local distribution costs. These are understandable costs. What myself and other mixers in the UK are frustrated and disappointed with is while these costs could arguably explain the price increase over the U.S. it isn't clear why Europe mainland prices are SO much cheaper as they share these same costs? Currency exchange costs don't even explain the difference either and neither do the differences in VAT percentages within Europe (see list of prices excluding tax at the end of this letter). Faced with such price differentials I took it upon myself earlier this month to contact your other European distributors/dealers to enquire about their CL-12 pricing and the delivery charges to the UK. As a resident of Europe I should enjoy the privilege of the European Single Market which by definition "is a single market in which the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons is assured, and in which citizens are free to live, work, study and do business." (Source: http://eur- lex.europa.eu/summary/chapter/internal_market.html) so was prepared to pay the additional courier costs (if required) to purchase a CL-12 from a European dealer. However to my surprise the first two dealers replied explaining that they were unable to ship to the UK due to their contractural arrangements with Sound Devices?! Rather than asking what those business sensitive contractual arrangements are I would instead like to request clarification (publically) by Sound Devices on a more straight forward question. Do you (Sound Devices) or do you not prevent dealers within the EU from selling to end users in EU countries other than the one they are based? To be clearer as an example, should I as a UK individual or company be able to purchase a Sound Devices product from a dealer based in Slovakia, Germany or Italy? If not, why not? In your reply on JWSound you state that "Sound Devices does not have any sales policy or agreements that conflicts with EU Trade Law.". For the purposes of clarity may I ask how Sound Devices are getting around the European Single Market requirements that "there is no difference between customers anywhere in the EU. EU rules forbid discrimination between service recipients because of their nationality or where they live." (Source: http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/sell-abroad/service-providers/index_en.htm) I accept that as the supplier you are entitled to have local distributors and dealers within each European country. These dealers will understandably and quite rightly set the price of your products based on local factors. For the record I am not disputing the right for Shure Distribution to set the list price of the CL-12 at the price they have (Standard version at £1950 +VAT & Alia version at£2850 +VAT). What I am disputing is that I (and other UK based mixers) should be able to choose which European dealer we buy from based on the premise of the European Single Market. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Meanwhile I shall continue my attempts to contact European dealers I have not yet received a reply from with regards to their CL-12 pricing and delivery costs to the UK. Regards, --- Matt Bacon Location Sound Supervisor / Production Sound Mixer * The US list price to the best of my knowledge is $1995 (Standard CL-12) and $2995 (Alaia CL-12) which is roughly £1320 & £1980 respectively. * The UK list price I have been told by more than one dealer to be £1950 +VAT (Standard) and £2850 +VAT (Alaia) * Advertised online by an Italian dealer €1995 +Tax (Standard) and €2995 +Tax (Alaia) which is roughly £1420 & £2120 respectively. * Advertised online by a German dealer €2380 +Tax (Standard) and €3620 +Tax which is roughly £1690 & £2570 respectively. * Advertised online by two Netherlands based dealers €2235 +Tax (Standard) and €3395 +Tax (Alaia) which is roughly £1585 & £2410 respectively. SD CL12 Pricing Open Letter.pdf

If you live in the UK and are serious about purchasing a CL-12 before the end of the year please PM me or email me directly at matt@soundman.tvwnk emoticIf you are serious about purchasing a CL-12 before the end of the year please PM me.

True.

For those that interested in purchasing a CL-12 in the UK may I continue to suggest you hold fire. I have been in contact with both Ed Capp and Vojtech Pokorny at Sound Devices who have both promised to reply to my questions of CL-12 pricing by Friday. At this point it is my hope they may have convinced Shure to lower their price for the CL-12. I have sent an open letter to Sound Devices which I will publish in due course (I will wait for their reply this week so not inflame the discussions further).