taylormadeaudio

Was using G4 Powerbook w/ MOTU 828mkII -- running Metacorder and dumping to LaCie 1394(a& drives.  Timecode and Comp tracks come from a 702T.

I just switched to a MacMini (only supports 1394a) with same I/O and drives.  I'm eager to drag it through the mud a few times and see how it compares to the G4 (which was rock solid, BTW.)

I recently mixed a film directed by Wayne Wang.  He was by far the most sound-conscious Director with whom I've ever had the privilege to work.  I got more clean room tone and wild lines on this job than probably the entire rest of career.  One of our locations -- we were shooting in an apartment for 3 weeks...  the second day we were there he sent the stills guy packing -- in front of everybody -- for being too loud during rehersals.  I felt so immediately vindicated it almost scared me.  I tried to warn the photog early on, but he thought he'd make jokes instead of taking me seriously.  Anyhow, I thanked Wayne and we went on to have one of the most beautifully quiet days I've worked in 15 years.  Stay strong my brothers (and sisters)  : )

"In the beginning, God SAID,  "Let there be light."  ... speaking of:  like my good friend Steve Jones reminded me -- we always have the option of showing up on set with laser pens.  :  )

Hi Simon,

I had a similar issue on my cart.  I was running (max at one time) 7 411's: 6 lavs and 1 wireless boom.  The boom channel kept dropping exactly as you describe.  It was only the boom channel though.  All along, I thought it was the mixing console (Mackie 1604 vlz pro) I tried new cables (though they're all pretty new to begin with) different channels, everything I could think of... and even retired said mixer as a result.  It was an old board, lots of hours, high current draw -- not really designed for location cart mixing.  I thought for sure it was something in the board.  So I got a CS208D  : )  (I was planning on upgrading anyways)

It's good (in a way) to hear that someone else has experienced this phenomenon though.  I thought I was going crazy!  I still haven't figured out the cause, but I think it had something to do with some kind of resistance build-up (for lack of a better term) in the signal path.  I say this because no amount of fader or gain adjustment would remedy the problem.  What DID work however was simply reaching around the back of the cart and disconnecting / reconnecting the line.  The signal strength would return to normal just as you described when you'd change the output level on the Lectro.  It got to the point where I'd have to do this 5 or 6 times a day (usually after lunch.)  So I could see why it would kind of seem like a heat thing.

In any case, the common denominator seems to be the 411's.  That said, I've used the same 411's with a 442 in the bag (along with a 702T) all powered by a Remote Audio BDS/ IDX LiIon NP1 set up -- running all day (10-12 hrs) without a hitch.  The signal drop only occured on the cart with the Mackie.

So, I'm not sure it's a heat thing because my units all work fine in the bag -- 4 of 'em, all Velcro'ed to each other including a Lectro IFB trans, the 442 and 702T -- all generating heat with little to no dissipation.  On the cart, the Lectros were basically in the open air -- nothing but the casing to trap heat.  This is what lead me to think it has something to do with some kind of resistance build-up in the output signal.  The only question I would have at this point is how old your gear is. 

Having learned about your situation, I'm inclined to CC this post to the folks at Lectrosonics and see if they have anything to say.

I'm sorry I don't have a remedy for you, but perhaps this info will help?  Please feel free to eMail me:

tom@taylormadeaudio.com