Mick

I didn't read the craigslist post but I can tell you that when you're a rookie in L.A. doing jobs for little or no pay in order to network and invest in future consideration is not a bad idea as long as you don't have to do it too often. I remember in my early L.A. days doing a job for AFI and meeting some people have since proved very valuable in obtaining employment, if for nothing else than references. i would not sneer too much at people needing craftsmen to "work for food" as it were. My own short film would have been impossible without the generosity of crew and cast members who gave of their time and expertise without remuneration. I may have to ask for more favors in the future so when the opportunity arises I give freely when I can to upstart projects on a you scratch my back etc...basis. Just a thought. Mick

I really enjoyed it too on all levels. I posted about my concerns with the mix in "Inception" but "Salt" sounded really good and the final mix was never an issue in fully enjoying the movie. I am a big fan of Liev Schreiber ever since he came on our show for four episodes a couple of years ago. Funny guy and great to the crew. Strongly recommend this movie for a great escape.

Worked with him today. He's not bad for a first timer and was very professional, although you can see the child in him being eroded away like onion skin.

Anybody got a reco for midi editing software? I have Pro tools LE but I'm having trouble exporting it after I make changes to the midi files. Digidesign tech support is on it but seem to be at an impasse. Any suggestions appreciated. thanks Mick

As well as being a very accomplished mixer with a ton of knowledge, Phil is a very nice chap and very generous to those of us with synapsis challenged brains. Congrats Phil and come by anytime before you go back to work. Mick

I second that wholeheartedly. There seems to be a lot of wingeing (whining) out there about the state of the economy and related dilemmas but when it comes down to it The United States of America is the greatest country in the world, problems and all. And this from a Brit who keeps a low profile on July 4th!! Happy 4th brothers and sisters.

I would love to know, and I think it would be interesting all round, to hear what you more technically inclined members would consider the ideal machine on which to install pro tools, adobe CS4 and like programs for maximum performance while still being relatively affordable, say with a cap of $3500. At the pro tools class I attend on Saturdays the instructor, who used to be a tech support guy at Digidesign before they outsourced his job, (another potential thread) says to look for I series Intel quad core processors. I'm not as deep into PCs that I know what the comparisons are but I'm sure some of you will have the savvy to render an opinion or two. Thanks Mick

Any other Brits remember the wooden rattles we used to twirl at football matches? Do they still have/use them?

Coverage is what it is because of the nature of the game. The whole field perspective is necessary just like a chess board, so that one can appreciate the movement and counter movement of players getting into position in anticipation of a crucial pass which leads by six degrees of separation to either a goal, free kick or an award winning performance of excruciating agony when one of the forwards is tapped on the ankle. Soccer coverage is boring for the uninitiated, but when you delve into the subtle strategies of the game it can be really engaging. I felt the same way about baseball (gasp!) until I started to learn about more than just a round ball being hit with a round bat. Wanna talk cricket? Now there's an exciting spectator sport! I hope the US team goes far in the competition.

If I were to ask any of the producers on the show what was on my cart they wouldn't have a clue, and that's the way I like it mmhmm ahaa.

As an ex pat Brit let me be the first to congratulate the US soccer team on a 1-1 draw with England in the World Cup. Win win situation for me as no matter who advances to the second round I have someone to root for!

I have seen equipment from other departments fail, collapse, explode, jam, fry, etc etc. and every one of them, no matter which department, had a replacement. Of course camera crews carry more than one camera, of course special efects have more than one smoke machine, and across the board for electric, grip, wardrobe ad infinitum. To compare the replacement of a sound recorder or camera with dolly track or any other piece of inert equipment is asinine. Again, I maintain that you only need to be caught ONCE in a situation where your continued good reputation hangs on your having a plan B to invest in a backup unit, whatever it may be. If a transmitter goes bad while in use on an actor, let the appropriate people know over the comtek and replace it with another one yadda yadda. I use a Deva V with a Deva 2 backup, recording completely independently of the V. I posted here some time ago about how my Cooper mixer had a meltdown (power supply) and how I swiftly replaced it with a Soundcraft backup. I have had media discs go bad and used the backup recording on several occasions and also had the Deva V hard drive fail which also necessitated the use of backup. I stand firm on my opinion that if you have no plan B you are inevitably headed for trouble, in some form or another. Oh and I consider the rental that I get for my gear to be sufficient to cover the use of a completely independent backup system. The production pays for all the media used so I am content in that respect. When all is said and done do what's right for you as I do what's right for me. No correct or incorrect work ethic here, just preferences. There's much more that could be opined and replied to but I'm often misconstrued as being a participant in urination comparisons and I'm all peed out. Mick

As far as Glen Trew's post goes, I couldn't agree less. You only have to have ONE failure of a primary machine to reap the benefits of a secondary backup that's not in a truck and has to be brought in (another costly sound delay) but one that has been running simultaneously recording from the same source but in an entirely independent system. We hashed all this out ad nauseum several months (or was it years) ago, and only those who have been lucky enough to have avoided a digital meltdown or malfunction will blithely advocate a single recorder system. It's a work ethic that makes no sense to me whatsoever based on many years of always having had a backup no matter what the analog or digital system of choice. This is evidenced by the majority of guys who posted their primary and secondary machines here. To call a DVD ram mirror system a "backup' is misleading and erroneous. It's only a backup if it works after the primary machine has failed, ergo, if the Deva fails, there's nothing to mirror. Having said all that, each to his own. I have always been a firm believer in prevention as opposed to cure and if the production company are willing to subsidize backup media expense I'm more that happy to provide it. It really has come in very handy on several occasions. Mick

What a great learning experience this class is, and what a great bunch of helpful, knowledgeable guys are attending. The expertise ranges from a 1 to a 10 so Chris, the instructor has his work cut out for him, especially with me, definitely a 1. Kudos to Philip Palmer who is in the class and is so helpful and experienced in playback situations due to his tenure on "Glee", which is of course very music playback intensive. I'm very happy and excited to be a part of this and I hope CSI post production will be the beneficiary of my foray into the world of Pro Tools.

Brilliant! I wish I could draw that well and that fast!

I'm attending a four weekend class for pro tools starting this Saturday, sponsored by local 695. I'm very excited by this as it will facilitate our occasional playback work ethic and also allow me to refine and update my home recording which to this point has always been with a Roland 16 track VS1680. I admit I have dwelt far too long in the comfort zone of familiarity and minimal effort and am now venturing into a world that I'm sure many of you have resided in for many years. If anyone else is attending please let me know and be sure to introduce yourself at the class. Mick

Just wanted to say how privileged I feel to have been on and survived ten years of CSI. It's been, and hopefully will continue to be, a great ride and a wonderful learning experience. I've seen three wonderful and outstanding boom men, Donavan Dear, Kenny Mantlo and Brian Whooley, go on to be outstanding mixers. I've lost a head of hair and countless arguments, I gained a little weight and countless experiences and appreciated every up and down that this job has presented. THis isn't a retirement speech, far from it. I hope they come on one day and find me dead in my chair, book open and Sunday Times crossword completed. I'm game for as many more seasons as they can throw at me. I appreciate this site and the members whose opinions and expertise have helped and intrigued me over the years and I look forward to more reading and contributing in the future. I'll sign off now before this becomes a ramble but I really enjoy you guys and the job we do. Sincerely Mick

I have a pair of Eastern Acoustic Works MS-50s at home which I've had since 1983. They still sound great. They are powered by a BGW 1500 amp, also from the '80s which also still sounds great. Mick

Having mixed a few movies and a world of documentaries and commercials over the last twenty five years I consider episodic television to be the creme de la creme of audio jobs, with the possible exception of mixing a world class rock band in a world class pro tools studio that you own and operate. I've been lucky to have been on a show for ten years eradicating the need to seek out new leads and contacts which was what I was doing for several years prior to landing this show. So many shows went 22 episodes and then were canceled, and some barely made the initial 13 before being axed prior to the "back 9". Episodic will expose you to every known audio situation imaginable and give you an experience second to none while keeping you employed for months or even years if you connect with the right project. TV has evolved radically in the last five years. Look at "Human Target" for example. It must be like mixing a movie every week with all the special effects and pyro that seem to permeate their stories. I don't know who mixes that show but he/she has my respect. After a while you will always get time to read the script ( I can't tell you how many books I've read or crosswords completed while doing this job) When the rhythm and work ethic level out there's a comfort zone that you achieve which, while sometimes encouraging complacency, feeds your instincts about what's best for any given audio situation. The bond that you develpo with the crew over time is one that is unsurpassed in the film and TV business because of its longevity. Of course there are exceptions but in my personal experience this has been the case. TV will be the most gratifying, frustrating, tiring, energizing, challenging, boring, satisfying job you can have in the world of audio, with the exception of the studio job I already mentioned. I don't expect everyone to agree with this, which is why it's just my opinion. Mick

Incredible! I wonder where Jacob is playing now. The young 4 year old has the makings of a new John Bonham!

Where do you guys get your carpets from?

I've been trying to get a demo of the octopack thingy for months now but it seems they are in short supply. Not sure if it's because they sold out or are having bug issues.

It looks great, but I'd love both monitors to be in the same location. Lots of head twisting while checking frame lines etc. Sweet Cart MIck

Wild lines on set are an inherent part of the job, but as Jeff states the production crew should not be responsible for any aspect of ADR while shooting unless of course time out is allocated and they are compensated for this additional responsibility. Having said that I know for a fact that if this even starts to smell of a 'de facto" situation, then the union will step in to sort it out. My tongue is somewhat in cheek, but not firmly so. Is there some reason that Senator has an aversion to capital letters? Looking forward to hiatus. M

Anyone know for sure if Pro tools LE 8 with mbox mini2 is compatible with windows 7? THanks MIck