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Sndspd

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Everything posted by Sndspd

  1. I had received mine a month ago and used it twice since most of what I do is ENG work; with this unit, handheld stick mic (MD46) with talent doing man on the street interviews. I believe this is the wrong application for the 742 because its a lot bigger and not visually pleasing to the camera than say the Lectro HM. Unfortunately on my last job, talent dropped it and busted the antenna connection so it had to go back to the mothership. Once it comes back, I'm selling it since I have the older 700 series that I hardly use too. Essentially it was an impulse buy that I should of rented before I bought. Gabe
  2. Please bare in mind that I live and work in a metropolitan city; Los Angeles were there is RF everywhere and being indoors sometimes doesn't help. The counter to what I have mentioned, I was in 29 Palms, an hour north of Palm Springs, CA.; basically in the middle of a desert with the only competing RF was military comms. and got excellent range in dual mode with my QRX hooked to the micplexer. So...YMMV. Gabe
  3. When going wireless to camera, if the camera op. doesn't wanna listen, its their choice and out of my hands especially if I'm rolling on my end. I don't make a fuss (I pick my battles) or add any extra gear for confidence (Added weight). Most camera op's I've dealt with don't listen and most understand the nature of hops to camera. Check your tone to camera, listen to your 788 and once in a while visually check camera levels. Gabe
  4. I used to have Lectro systems when I started but switched over to all Zaxcom (A few wireless systems) several years ago plus a year ago with a Nomad. They are somewhat of a blessing and a curse. My bag normally has a QRX (dual mode) and micplexer since the majority of my work revolves around 1 wireless and boom, maybe 2 wires but nothing over that for 90% of my work. I'm on BL25 for my TRX900LA's in Los Angeles and I mostly get horrible range even on 125w. Maybe I should be using sharkfins or dipoles like Rado but I'd assume the micplexer would compensate for the lost when my QRX is in dual mode. When the QRX is in single mode, the range is just as good as a Lectro 411 with a SMQv in 250w (Disclaimer: YMMV) but that kinda defeats the purpose of having a RX that can accept 2 TX's; making for a lighter bag. Basically the curse is the range. The blessing is the internal recording of the TX's. I've gotten jobs and/or saved production 1 or 2 times cause of it. There is just more setup to the TX's than just turning them on, set your freq, the lav, and GO. Zaxcom TX's need all that I just mention plus re-formatting the card, setting your framerate, potentially setting your user ID if your using Zaxnet, and naming the card. Basically more setup time if your using the full extent of the system unless the last 2 things I've mentioned (User ID and card naming) are set from the get-go. Another thing to keep in mind is what lav's you had been using. 3 pin lemo vs a TA5. Also Lectro wired Sankin COS-11 will not work on Zaxcom TX's even if you changed the connector from my last recollection if that is your staple which it is mine. I had to get rid of all my Sankins when I switched over and buy all new Sankin COS-11D's (I don't know if this is still the case). I ain't sure if TRAMS or Sonotrims work on Zaxcom TX's. DPA's and Countryman B6's work fine on both Lectro and Zaxcom; just chose your connector. I like the Zaxcom wireless systems for certain applications and gives me a sense of comfort when I know the TX's are rolling when I take hits but when the hits are from 10-25' away line of sight I'm confused and bit angry that it happens. Like most have mentioned here, try before you buy. Gabe
  5. I hoping to get my screen mod done either this Thursday or next week through a local shop I go to. Their tech had modded one today in less than an hour and sent me a pic. It looks a lot brighter but I have no reference to go by. Either way I'm still gonna have them mod it. Gabe
  6. Hey Rado, what blocks are you running? Look to be 25's. I'm running 25's with a micplexer myself and find I need to boost the range with either Batwings (BTW help out a lot if your on a cart) or an active antenna; APLS650 with a BIAS T inline but thats because I'm in Los Angeles. I love the setup though. Where do you put all your knick knacks, Lav's, phone charger, etc. in the bag? Gabe
  7. They are still in business. I got a large internal coiled cable a couple months ago but had to order it through Gotham Sound which they had to get it from Europe; wherever the VDB manufacturing plant is. Gabe
  8. What I've done normally in a Skype call on a laptop is take the output from the headphone jack for a signal and then use a XLR-USB adapter (http://www.amazon.co...1919372&sr=8-10) or something like it to feed my audio signal into it. If you dealing with a desktop, headphone out and mic in or line in on the soundcard.Gabe
  9. The addition of the PFL solo during playback is a welcome relief but is there a way we can actually see individual levels during the playback? Having to go back into the main page during playback to PFL the tracks is a pain but will accept it due to UI and space. Thanks Glenn and Howy! Gabe
  10. I unfortunately bought the bag without doing a demo first to see if everything would fit. For the Nomad, its a tough fit or not a fit at all cause there is NO ROOM for the Zaxnet antenna unless you use an extension cable. That alone is a deal breaker. In addition you can't put any cushions on the bottom of the unit to give it some protection. There is not enough space for Lav boxes/pouchs, lav accessories, AA/9v batteries, TX's, pens, etc.; all the gack you would need. Also not enough D-rings. Basically it needs to be bigger. On the bright side the divider that gives you access to the inputs on the Nomad is nice and convenient and so is the wireless holder Tom mentioned. The section where the wireless holder sits opens up pretty wide for easier access (+1) and the zipper for the battery compartment is cool. All in all, I would wait till they alleviated all the problems with this version of the bag. Gabe
  11. Hi Mark. Whenever I have to access inputs 7-12 I usually interface my SD 442 into those inputs as my "mixing board" since I only have a Mix 8. The situations I'm in usually dictate more of decent ISO levels then a good mix when dealing with anything pass 8 especially when its not scripted; whole bunch of people just talking casually. Even with a Nomad 8 or 12, I'll probably still use the Fusion 12/Mix 8 and SD442 combo since nothing can come close to the touch screen. For decent budgets, I would try and rent a Cooper in conjunction with my 442 if inputs 7-12 are needed. Gabe
  12. I wasn't sure if this was appropriate here or the "Images" group but since this topic showed up, felt compelled to post this one from a gig last year. Apologies if it is somewhat off topic. I have to commend you all by having that much stuff in your bags. Reduction of weight is usually my goal with my bags but doesn't always happen. Gabe
  13. This is what I usually go out with. The rest of the stuff is in a still photo camera bag and a Storm case. PEGz-2 Nomad 2 BL25 RX900 MIcplexer RX BL25, TX BL21 MD-6 power distro, USB power box, IDX NP1 (Anyone used NP1's from this company? http://batteries4broadcast.com/np1.htm) I know cameraman who used their gold mount batteries and swear by them. current weight: 14 lbs. Gabe
  14. Hey Glenn, since John brought it up, are you gonna implement power saving control like how the IFB100 does in the Nomad? Gabe
  15. I've had this bite me in the ass once. It could be a switch problem like J.E mentioned or that when the camera op rolled at 25 but kept the codec at 24, the Varicam believed its shooting high speed; speed cranking (Even though you weren't but the camera doesn't know any difference). Audio will pass through regardless whether the camera is rolling or not. If it is this issue than your pretty much SOL. Fortunately you have a backup and would give them that. Gabe
  16. I just did a shoot with a combination of 5D and SonyF900. I utilized an ERXTCD on the 5D that ran through the Nomad zaxnet. I only feed an audio scratch track to the camera cause post 1. Didn't seem to know how to handle audio TC. 2. It was pre-established by another soundman who used a Senn. G3 to send scratch. In the process I experienced a gotcha; coming out of the Nomad Zaxnet was a hotter feed so I had to crank the "FIXED MAX LEVEL" to 0 so that it would show up on the 5D at -12. That was the lowest I could go so next time I'm gonna use my IFB100 and see if I could lower to a decent level. Gabe
  17. Since all of my work consists of being in the field I have not delved into post sound. I was looking into sound editing programs where I can cut sound files while still retaining the original TC from the source file. Ex. I have audio files from a Zaxcom TRX900 with TC stamps and would like to edit those files while still keeping the original TC before I deliver them to my clients. The only program I heard of is Pro Tools that I believe can achieve this but is there others? Thanks in advance. Gabe
  18. I have owned Lectro's (UCR's 201-411a) prior to my current Zaxcom systems and liked them a lot. When Zaxcom debut their new wirelesses I waited for a while and finally took the plunge and sold all but 2 Lectro's (They were in BL28) to get a few Zaxcom wirelesses. I'm happy that I did. Their performance as a recording TX with TC stamps is awesome. That feature alone has saved my ass numerous times and gotten me certain jobs. The remote gain control of TX works really well. So with Zaxnet, a micplexer since range has somewhat been an issue in my experience (QRX doesn't fair well without it I think while the RX900S doesn't really need it) and a 3 month old Nomad I have a sound bag that I'm super happy with. Although my bag hasn't gotten any lighter. Its a trade off. In the end, both Lectro and Zaxcom are great. One is more expensive then the other but you get more stuff out of it. Just think about what projects your doing and your wallet. Gabe
  19. As everyone has noted while also reiterating have someone specializing in that field setup the comms., it is a PITA. I have dealt with wireless and wired comms. along with dealing with my department I was hired to do; sound. Trying to do both and your mixing with suffer for it. You will be spending an in ordinary amount of time trying to setup and trouble shoot instead of mixing. For some reason, production believes that it falls under the title of sound department to insure communications for camera department. I treat it like walkies, I try not to touch it but FAIL. Gabe
  20. Just got a new Apple laptop today (Don't like lion, another topic) and needed to convert some files. The process you described Rich works. Thanks.
  21. From the online manual, "WARNING: While Lithium batteries are installed, DO NOT connect the unit to external power. There is no way to disable the built-in charger. If you do, they will EXPLODE and SEVERLY damage or DESTROY the unit. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!" I talked to Glenn and he indicated that is wrong. Just don't use alkaline batteries. Gabe
  22. While I haven't as much experience as many veterans on this forum have had, I believe the file name system Zaxcom is using is adequate for the purposes of my shoots. I have not (knock on wood) gotten any phone calls or complaints from clients or post about the file naming system Zaxcom employs. Granted my shoots consists of interviews and b-roll. Since I know very little of post I would agree that scene/take file names would aid them in finding audio easier but that would assume they would be looking at scripty or producers notes anyways which lens to sound reports. Editors can look at TC. I believe its part of editors job to search for footage either it be video or audio. I think the Nomad is first and foremost a 6 channel mixer for ENG soundman/woman that just so happens to record. Metadata, TC, etc is just a bonus. I don't have time or luxury to input info when doing run-n-gun shoots (Usually I enter in the wrong info because of the rush). Would I use it on a cart, no; cause there's the Deva 5.8 and Fusion (Much easier for metadata input with the touch screen). Gabe
  23. Can someone explain the functionality of the ZNET pages. Thanks. Gabe
  24. Specialized Camber 2011 FS MTB and my Nomad. Gabe
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