Sean ONeil

Am I the only one out there bummed that the estimated run time of the internal batteries (5 AA's) of the 664 is 3 hours? For bag work, it'd be nice if it could at least last 4-5 hours, and do the battery change at lunch. I'm just trying to save my back and avoid the extra weight of the NP1 rig. Could not the real estate devoted to 5 AA's have been better served by using the 7.2v Li Ion L/M mount batteries already in use on all their other recorders? Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn NYC

Whoa, whoa, whoaaaaaaaa everybody . . . get off of your Brazilian Cherry apple boxes, put down your torches and pitchforks and simmer down. In the meantime, I'm going to try and remove the image out of my brain of those two beautiful microphones gaffer taped together, and try to think of something positive to say. Ummmm . . . well . . . , errrr, ... ummm, ... howabout, . . . stay with me on this one, I'm spitballing here, . . . um . . . if it sounds good, it sounds good? Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn New York

Matt Mayer, I'd love to know what the 664 run time specs might be using only the 5 internal AA batteries. My 442 gives me 4-5 hrs running one P-48 Schoeps and a few Lectro's on the other channels. I realize the load may vary depending on track counts, phantom powering, LCD screen settings, etc., etc. Do you have any idea what we can expect an average 664 run time would be? Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn New York

Hi Rasmus, Sound Devices wants to send me my mixer back saying it's OK now. Here's what they did the second time 'round: Repair:- Changed contact spring in battery tube to new style for more reliable contact with rechargeable batteries. - v3.06 Passed test. - Replaced all small parts in 48V Phantom supply circuit. - Passes factory bench test. Although I trust,respect, and am an official Kool Aid drinking member of Cult Sound Devices, I'm not totally convinced the new "contact spring" is the answer to my dreams like the tech on the phone suggested. Also, it's not clear to me why they didn't replace the "small parts" in the 48v Phantom supply circuit the first time I sent it in for repair, instead of sending it back and breaking down on me again while in the field with it. I also realize, it's a complicated device, with an intermittent problem, being worked on and taken seriously by hard working folks. Has anyone else out there had problems with these type of batts (Nickel Metal Hydride) in their SD 302 mixer? Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn NY

Howdy Folks and Fellow Ambient Clockit 201/301 Owners, Sebastian Fell @ Ambient has been amazingly responsive and is shipping me a chip to update my Ambient Clockit 201 Slate to be able to run 23.976. Amazing customer service. Thank you John Gooch and others for your helpful input. That's why this site rocks ! Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn NY

Howdy Folks, The techs yesterday at Sound Devices have finally replicated the Phantom Power crackling sound in my mixer during their bench tests using ONLY Nickel Metal Hydride AA batts. More details to follow . . . .

Howdy Folks, During a shoot I heard some strange crackling noises while using my Schoeps CMC 6/41microphone and powering it through my 302 Mixer, using Nickel Metal Hydride, Energizer 2500 MaH AA rechargeables. Thinking it was a bad cable, I swapped out my cables, and the noises remained. I then tried my other two inputs, the noises remained. Thinking it was my Schoeps crapping out, I swapped out to my Neuman KM 100, and still the noises remained. I then switched to a T powered Sennheiser 416, and the problem went away. I sent the 302 to Sound Devices for servicing. They replaced 3 XLR inputs, 3 fader pots, both return pots, battery cap, updated to firmware 3.06, and a few other things. They never got the unit to make the same noises on the bench and it passed all of their bench tests. They said the Phantom powering looked good on all three inputs, and sent it back to me. After shooting with it for four straight days, it was fine until the same problem, but more intense reoccured. The 302 is now back at Sound Devices. They want to give me a new battery spring, and feel the issue might be with using rechargeables. The Sound Device tech suggested I should use Duracell alkalines instead. I told him that was not an option and that I know a dozen people using ONLY Nickel Metal Hydride's. Has anyone else had this problem? There is a suspicion that the problem is in using Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries. I've been using them for 6 years in this same exact configuration without a problem. Any ideas out there? Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn NY

Hi Eric, I'm talking about the Ambient Clockit 201 slate. NOT the 301 which may run at 23.976, I'm not sure. Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn NY

Howdy Folks, Does anyone out there know of a highly qualified technician here in the USA who could mod the Ambient Clockit Slates to deal with 23.976 frame rates? I'd rather not ship it to Ambient in Germany if I don't have to. Gotham and Able Cine here in NYC aren't able to deal with it. I know it's a stretch, but I'd thought I'd ask the posse. Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn NY

Howdy Folks, I'm just trying to get a read on what other sound peeps are charging for Mp3 Time Code Transcriptions. I charge $75. If they want me to FTP them, I also am back on the clock when I get home to upload them (usually, another 45- 60 minutes). What's typical for you guys? I primarily work in New York or L.A. Cheers, Sean O'Neil Brooklyn New York