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B_Van_Deusen

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Everything posted by B_Van_Deusen

  1. Hey Sam, I've had a 633 for many years with a similar dancing Channel 1 issue (although if i went up 3db on the pot it would stop dancing reliably, which has been my work around). It only affects the mix and not the trim. Did you find cleaning the pots helped the issue or was it only sending it to Sound Devices that fixed it?
  2. Yeah i did find another version on amazon that had splitter and injectors, but you bring up a good point that i will need a converter either way with those passive units. Ideally if i get a switch with PoE i won't need it. Both of these units look great! Def a more elegant solution than mine, with more PoE overall wattage. The only difference is that my consumer router is managed, and i thought that was good, but it seems unclear whether audinate prefers one or the other. I take it both of these are unmanaged, but if it works for you then it works i guess! Def going to go this route over my DC-DC converter, although the project aspect of that seemed fun. Oh yeah, is it really bad if the PoE isn't being "autodetected" and sends to a device that doesn't need it? ... like if one of the ports is going to my laptop (to control the network), could that damage it? -** Edit: after looking at several other devices it does seem like "PoE on demand" is standard, as there are little LEDs on each port for PoE, signifying that it turns itself on/off)** Otherwise i also found another gem of a specification looking at the Linovision Switch (also i like the green), in the description that it only supports PoE "mode B" and after some reasearch it seems that "mode A" is more active and uses the same pins as the data, where "mode B" is more passive and uses different pins. I haven't found any requirements on any devices that specifies one or the other, and @Johnny Karlsson here said its works fine so my thinking is that most devices either use mode B, or equipped for both... but thats an assumption. Johnny have you used it to power different audio interface devices? (i ask because the widespread use for PoE seems to be security cameras)
  3. I came across this before, its technically labeled as "splitter" rather than "injector." It could theoretically work both ways but i'm unsure thats the case, can you speak to it being able to do the reverse of the intended function properly? I have a Lectro SRb and 4x 411's. For whatever reason I've never used AES (just never happened), but i see your point here that if i had this guy, when i rent additional wireless (that have an AES plate) i can route them directly into the back 9 channels of the 888, and use the AJA converter box if not. This is worth considering for sure. Very elegant solution, can you speak to the quality of the pres on this? Nice, also very elegant but I don't have any sort of rack and not sure if i'll go down that route right now, i've gone back and forth with cart setups but at the moment residing in the scrappy in/out of cars/cabs life. ----------------------------------------- Otherwise i'm working on figuring out how to power a managed switch with PoE from my BDS system (for many reasons, id like to power this from my bag if possible). So far this is what i've come up with: -This Netgear switch matches the input specs of (edit: you can disable EEE on this switch): -the output of this DC-DC converter which input specs qualify for: -the output of the Remote audio BDS system I'm not crazy about the chasis mount DC converter but couldn't fine another solution. I also looked at several other PoE managed switches, but they had more obscure power reqs that i couldn't find an exact DC-DC converter match for. I will need to wire the correct connectors to it, and ideally wrap the lead terminals somehow. If anyone has any thoughts about this i'm open... i know only a little bit about wiring/powering. One question: is that i found other switches with close power reqs like: 50-57v @ 1.1a (rather than 48v @ 1.25a), which results in pretty similar wattage. While I know theres wiggle room with power sometimes, but i don't know exactly when, is this one of those times? Best, Brett
  4. Yeah that makes sense, good to know. I found this little PoE injector that could be powered by a BDS (i believe) -https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/tycon-systems-inc/TP-DCDC-1248G/17047335
  5. Yes i did see the SD XL-AES, and not sure how to factor that in here because i don't have any recievers with AES currently. Once you get the AJA ADA4 in there we're looking at around $700+ to get the 4in/4out line level. So i'm not sure how that might fit, but worth considering for sure. Can will the device power directly from the 888, or does it need the switch for PoE?
  6. Yes i just came across the AVIO products, very elegant solutions. The Neutrik NA2-IO-DLINE. does squeeze the value of the input & output AVIO connectors into one unit which is kinda nice, not quite as elegant though.
  7. Hi, I invested in the SD888 earlier this year and so far loving it. I'm getting more aquianted with Dante and considering how I might use for future applications to expand my system that require more than 8 inputs. The obvious route for expansion to me is the SL-2, and while thats the most streamline / compact / film applicable solution, I am curious about other devices that might buy me the extra channels and also give me more versatility (aka more universal mic/line inputs), while also saving me a bit of $$. So far some of the most interesting options are: RDL SF-XMN4 - 4 mic/line inputs, 48v ph, compact. For $750ish it seems like the right price for 4x high quality preamps with functionality. Can anyone speak to RDL's pre's / overall quality? Neutrik NA2-IO-DLINE - 2x2 line I/O interface, compact. For $250 this is a cheaper option for a simple expantion of 2 channels. This seems cool if i just wanted to slap on a couple more line inputs, but not sure its worth the effort/money over just routing one of the returns into a recorded channel. Q's: -Ever use either of these products? -Any other options you know of? (Especially open to cheaper and/or lesser known products that provide good results) -Does the ethernet port on the 888 provide PoE? Thanks! -Brett **(I opted out of the scorpio because the majority of my work will never need that many channels, its the occational live situation that i might need to expand for. The SL-2 might still be the best overall option, just curious whats out there!)**
  8. I have not ever noticed a squelch setting, but i'll take another look at my lectros tomorrow. High frequency EM interference is interesting re: older COS11s, upon rewiring this one, the connector did look really old and a bit rusty. It also had a little resistor wired into it (photo attached), which i've seen, but never used myself, i'm not exactly sure what this contributes. Otherwise i have recently switched to DPAs, but didn't have enough of them for number of wireless needed for this job.
  9. I looked this up to find an explanation here: https://ftp.lectrosonics.com/wireless-faq/general-questions/what-is-a-tracking-front-end.html According to this, the new DSR4 does have front-end tracking: https://www.lectrosonics.com/phocadownload/QSG_DSR4.pdf mic artifact_1.wav - These artifacts that were being generated even with perfect reception, on multiple SMQV's, on multiple frequencies, and was resolved by switching the COS 11. The COS11 in question does not appear to have any connection issues. I will replace the connector on it anyhow, but curious if anyone has an explanation for this. mic artifact_2.wav - This clip is much shorter but is an example of the more buried buzz that I noticed infrequently after fixing the issue from mic artifact_1.wav, on a different channel. I think both of these clips were recorded from a Lectro SRb that was recently serviced from Lectro. Its worth noting that I use this system all the time with the whips with no weird issues, which leads me to believe it's something to do with the RF multi, the Diversity fin (sharkfin + dipole), or the combination of the 2. Could this have something to do with the absence of the front-end tracking thats showing up in the RF multi, but not without it? could there be a bit of RF overlap from another frequency that is causing a blip of interference? Thanks for any input in advance. mic artifact_1.wav mic artifact_2.wav
  10. Hi I just wanted to cirlce back here and thank everyone for their input, I managed to improve the signal loss on that job quite a bit from the tips I recieved here and i'm thirsty to learn more about antenna distribution in general. I did try several things before resolving to 2 sharkfins w/ short BNC runs (20') mounted 10' or so apart higher up to get the best results. One of the options that i did try before that was having one fin on the short run, and one fin maybe 100' or so to move it much closer the main talent hidden behind a panel. This created one the strangest wireless phenomena I've ever heard: It was like a fuzzy, hissy noise floor that was very loud, it came in and out, sometimes touching the RF multi would cause it go away briefly. Very strange ghost in the machine. I don't think I have a recording unfortunately. I did use high impedance cable (same ohm though) with splitters to get it there. After quickly resetting back to 2 fins, short runs, I got the best results. Furthermore, yesterday I also experienced a strange buzz on one channel of wireless coming through the RF multi system (this time the Diversity fin + Diapole combo). In troubleshooting we first switched the mic pack (SMQV), ran the Diversity fin closer, and finally minimized it by switching the Lav mic itself (cos11). As we continued on I did notice some of the same artifacts (slight buzz attached to the peaks of some of the dialogue) burried in there occationally across several of the channels, not just the same one. I had to listen at much higher volume to find it, but i am a little perplexed here. Is it possible the RF multi is the culprit? Or the diapole/ sharkfin combo itself? I remember reading somewhere that Lectros combine signals from both antennas when creating its output signal, could the diapole / sharkfin combo not mesh well with this process and create artifacts? Has anyone else ever experienced a buzz at the tips and peaks of dialogue when using antenna distro? esp the RF Multi? I will try to fish out a section from the recording later on today. Thanks very much in advance. Best, Brett Also Larry i am a curious exactly what you mean here, is this if you were to put a booster in line with the antenna?
  11. Hi, I have been using a PSC RF multi (distro function on, amplifier function off) with the Diversity fin (dipole & sharkfin combo, non-powered) for several years with mostly flawless results. However i'm on a job now where one of the 6 wireless is play is giving me frequent drop outs due to the perfect combo of that talent being just far enough with the transmitter on their back, with their body directly in line between the raised antenna and the transmitter. There was no way to adjust it on the fly today (and the problem was minor enough), but I'm planning on fixing it before we go tomorrow and butting up against my knowledge of antenna distribution / signal loss / cable runs. So i have a few questions: -I've heard running non-powered antennas (same meaning as "passive"?) more than 70 feet is where you will get signal loss, but if you are willing to accept that loss, is that not a big deal? Or does that mean you will get more drop out because you are losing RF signal? My assumption that the .1 dB of signal loss per foot was in audio signal rather than RF signal. -If i connect two same resistance BNC cables (50 ohm) with a BNC barrel to make my cable run longer is that a bad idea? -I have another diversity fin and was planning to use the two sharkfin components (leave out the dipole) in different areas of the room to widen my spread. If one cable is longer than the other, can that create issues? Or is there a threshold where it doesn't matter? -Does the length of a coiled cable count as much as cable thats been run out? (i know electricity does things with coils in a specific way, but not enough to understand how it might affect this) Sorry if questions like these have been answered elsewhere, i did search but didn't find these specific questions very easily. Thanks in advance for any advice, i'm also happy to view any articles or resources that explains antenna distribution more thoroughly if anyone has a link! Best, Brett
  12. Thanks everyone for your input here! Sorry for the delay, i thought i would get notifications for responses. Anyways i like the idea of sugru, I might give that a shot. A little thick is probably okay, better than just the electrical tape thats around the lavs right now. The grommets aren't a terrible idea either, but still comes back to glue to attach the grommets, in which case I might try to avoid the extra step this time. Otherwise just from looking at the packaging of Sugru I can see how it is hard to seal, maybe a foodsaver bag + vacuum seal would do it? Last, I also found this product on my search, which does seem to be specifically for rubber, the main thing I'm trying to avoid is a big "hard bit" that makes the seal, I wonder how this would do it, or if it would just act like super glue and harden up: https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-bonding-Between-Material-Instant-Product/dp/B09CV2PHMT/ref=sr_1_19?hvadid=580938090613&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004342&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4224231905568358650&hvtargid=kwd-334871272276&hydadcr=4318_13198786&keywords=%2Bsugru&qid=1647957536&s=industrial&sr=1-19 Thanks again, great responses!
  13. Hi, I have several mic cables that have recently developed “nics” along the cable that are just on the outside casing. The mics work fine, there are no intermittency or interference issues. I suspect it happened after putting them in some DPA mic cases that were too small, and the edges snipped the cable casing. I’ve had these mics for years without this, and after putting these cases into play I noticed this development pretty quickly. Anyways, many of these “nics” are in the middle of the cable, or near the mic itself. I’m looking for a product to repair the nic, probably a rubber cement, that ideally doesn’t harden or compromise any of the other parts of the cable. I don’t want to use heat shrink because that also often creates a hard edge that can damage the casing from it rubbing against it. Does anyone have a product they recommend or have found a good solution to a similar problem? (To be clear, cutting the resoldering endings is not an option here, the nics are way up the mic line) best wishes, Brett
  14. Hi, I am also looking for connectors like these, i find plenty of the 2.1mm Id pin x 5.5 online everywhere, but i can't seem to find the Female 2.5mm ID pin version. I have bought a few of these non-locking connectors at one of the NYC production sound stores, but i'd like to find them cheaper (i know they are 2.5mm because the 2.1mm bulk connectors i ordered from china don't fit the legit ones I bought =). All i seem to find is the terminal connectors online. Solid were you ever able to find a good solution for this connector? Best, Brett
  15. Hi, Thanks everyone for all the great information that stems from many years of your recording experience. I am doing some orchestral recording for a youth orchestra at SUNY purchace. So far with rehearsals we've been using a wider-than-90° XY pattern with schoeps mk4 cardioids SDC's. Which sounds okay but I have noticed that the pattern isn't super wide, doesn't sound very great in mono, and tends to lose some of the players on the edges of the orchestra. I'm thinking its a good idea to switch to ORTF Based on this post and other research I've done, but I have a few questions: With ORTF placement, how important is it for the angle of the mics to be at exactly 110° and 17 cm apart? if I want to adjust the spread by being more narrow or wide will I end up with phasing issues in mono? i am a little worried that with that kind of angle I will be missing parts of the orchestra in the middle, does ORTF generally do a good job of catching the sounds right in front of it as well? best, Brett
  16. Hi, I'm stuck on a plane that is having maintenance issues and I will most likely miss my connection flight and therefor not make it to my job today. This job is a celebrity interview, the producer and camera person are on the ground there and they need a sound mixer. If you are in that area or know someone in the area please email the producer Ise right away Isewhite@gmail.com . We would both greatly appreciate it.
  17. Hi, I am a NYC based Sound mixer for about 7 years now and I am starting a job tomorrow outside of Pheonix, AZ. The long story short is that my equipment pelican has been stuck in airline world. I generally avoid this situation by carrying on the majority of the gear, but in this particular situation I had no choice. The good news is that there is a chance that the gear will come in tomorrow morning only slightly delaying the production, but there's no guarantee or way of knowing exactly until tomorrow morning. I am asking here if anyone can recommend a reliable resource for renting sound gear: a rental house, a sound mixer who rents out his gear, etc. The setups are single person interviews and some walk and talking. My setup mainly consists of 788t, mkh60 and lectro 411's w/ cos11, but i could mix in cam (sony EX3) if necessary. There is insurance, there is rental money, and i am extremely careful with equipment. Hopefully the gear will fly in tomorrow morning on time, but if it doesn't, knowing where to go or who to call ahead of time will be a production-saver. I appreciate any information anyone can give me here. Best wishes, Brett Van Deusen
  18. Anyone know how these blocks are working out in NYC?
  19. Hello again, I made this thread almost 3 years ago and am glad to see that the topic is still pretty fresh, the last post was just over a month ago! Anyways, since i discovered COS 11 mics they are really the only ones i use, with trams around for backup. I experimented with B6's for a bit, but only found them very useful indoors, exposed in plain sight. But COS11 usually do the trick. I've gotten used to them enough that i can usually tell how they will sound before placing them. They tape on with transpore very easily to the chest or the shirt, and can easily be sandwiched between two shirts. In situations with very hairy chests i've asked wardrobe to put an undershirt on the actor. In a narrative situation i think its important to inspect the wardrobe and collaborate with that department before costumes have been established. Most wardrobe folk are willing to make simple changes that will really help you (and the film), as long as you don't get in their way too much. I've also found locking off layers using topstick or other adhesive helps, as well as locking down any kind of necklace - rappers often have the heavy chains that reverberate the sound of it clicking over the notches. Joe's sticky stuff (or resin tape) is another great tool to have around with the COS 11 (or i would imagine any lav). You can wrap it around the mic to put under collars or in between layers, and it acts as the same kind of buffer as the RM11 but its also a strong adhesive. I had to mic a car racing suit and i used it to lock the mic under the zipper flap, it held it away from the fabrics and kept the wind out as well. There is a point where the wardrobe is un-micable, and then i try the hair. A hairstylist showed me a nice trick where she took two locks of hair, used the mic cable as the third lock and braided it down a bit to keep the mic from slipping - which often happens with bobby pins. If the hair can't work, and i've run out of tricks, i decide the lav is no good and move on. If the boom is fine and/or they are getting a lot of coverage, then i may not even mention it or offer it as a note, but not a real problem. If there is a real problem, then i try to let whoever can help fix it know as soon as possible before i've run out of time and you start to hear the three dreaded words "waiting on sound." " is it static guard to soften up the clothes, also dampening the areas near the mic's placement. "itis static guard, to eliminate static electricity, and a mist of waterto dampen and thus soften...with the concurrence of wardrobe. " -never tried this but sounds like it will help Best, Brett
  20. Does the vu meter offer any control to the input level? or would the only way to control it be to attenuate from the mixer end? I am plan to do double system, but everyone wants their camera to be fed whether it is really meant to chew on quality audio or not =) Best, Brett
  21. A cameraman i recently came in contact with (and future co-worker) has told me about a new firmware update to the canon 7d that allows for meters and/or level controls for the 7D. I read the canon page about the latest updates and see nothing about audio being updated. Anyone hear this news or come in contact with a new and improved Canon 7D? Best, Brett
  22. Hi there, me and another sound guy are shooting a feature in the Bahamas and today we've come across a "clicking" sound in our line. As the boom op i am hearing it on my end and its going all the way to the track. It sounds kinda like the clicking of a clock. We are using a Schoeps CMC6 with a 744T as the recorder. Any help would be great. I have heard stories of the Schoeps acting up in high humidity situations could this possibly be the problem?
  23. Anyone read Sound for Digital Video by Tomlinson Holman? I would imagine it is almost another edition of Sound for Film and Television... but i would like to know if anyone can validate that assumption or if both are equally worth reading? Best, Brett
  24. Both of these are nice machines, the nagra (leave it to them) being a little more complex and therefor more expensive. But the main question i have is does the line is offer a stereo recording for L/R?
  25. Ohhhhhh so thats where that trick comes from. I had an actor tell me he's seen that... i stuffed my tram in the knot and got nothing but rub, but i can see how it will work better with the COS-11. Thanks! And about the hairline... i've done it once with just a bobby-pin and it worked out fine, just up above the ear of a long-blonde-haired actress. If i remember correctly we had to adjust it every take as it would shift a little... is there a better way to secure it? Best, Brett
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