Bill Kole

Great job, guys. Looks great.

If any of the Canadians in this thread are still looking for parts for their Nagra recorder, Audio Services Corporation (www.audioservicescanada.com) was the Canadian agent for Nagra in the glory days of the IV-S. We still have a great stock of service parts. I'd be happy to check stock if there is something you need. You can reach me toll-free at the number listed on the website, or send me a PM here.

If anybody has a problem with too many old e-mails showing up (when I updated I had 5000+ unread e-mails), it is likely that you are syncing to a POP3 server, which does not track read/unread. Try syncing to those accounts with the Exchange option, it'll solve it quickly and without having to open all of the e-mails.

Hope you're feeling better, Graham. Ouch!

My suggestion of the dynamic lav is solely based on it being less sensitive than powered lavalieres. In a loud environment, the talent would likely be raising their voice to be heard. A dynamic lav would be less likely to distort from voice or background. It'll be next to impossible to entirely remove the entire background, but a dynamic lav in (relatively) close proximity might provide a better chance than a more sensitive mic to have seperation between the voice and the background without crushing the front end of a wireless (or two). Results may vary, but I've had luck with recording "shout talking" in a busy music club environment with the Shure SM-11: http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/sm/sm11-lavalier-microphone. I suggested this as an alternative to phase cancellation as phase cancelling the background noise in a dynamically changing, uncontrolled environment would be difficult for even the most seasoned of veterans. If its okay for the background to be there (laughter, general talking vs. music without clearances) the dynamic lav technique should keep the background from pumping in and out better than an auto mixer or fixed limiter might. There is, of course, no correct answer for all situations.

Though typically larger than a powered lav, a dynamic lavaliere can be effective in reducing off-mic noise.

Full disclosure: I work with Canada's Micron agents, Audio Services Corporation (Canada) Ltd. The 700 series does have a fuller sound; range is comparable depending on the model of Explorer you are using. The DDH2 can assist in improving range by filtering the signal and facilitating the use of remote antennas.

http://www.ambient.de/en/products/ambient-recording/underwater.html

For Ambient poles (though some of the information contained applies to other poles as well): http://www.ambient.de/fileadmin/user_upload/produkthandbuecher/Ambient/Tonangeln/BoomMaintenance_Repair_lo.pdf

If you are outputting from the lemo, perhaps your cable is wired to both send and receive time code. I've seen this cause similar issues, and in a situation like this, it is wise to have it wired to be directional. Otherwise, I would look at the power issue like Chris says, if it is resetting to default. Perhaps a bad contact or a short. Are the boxes powered internally or externally?

In Canada, kits (transmitter, receiver, output cable and antennas) are selling between approximately $2250.00 CAD and $4000.00 CAD, dependent on input connector and frequency bandwidth. There are a number of options available for frequency groups, not all units have the 115 MHz of bandwidth (600 MHz - 715 MHz) that our demonstration unit has. The receiver is similar in size to Micron's Explorer or an Audio Limited 2040, the transmitter a bit smaller than a Sennheiser Evolution and running off a single Alkaline AA for as long as 5 hours at full output power.

I work with the Canadian agent for these wireless, if anybody has any specific questions relating to them, I'd be happy to field them. We've done some initial testing, and are quite pleased with the sound and form, and especially the 115 MHz of tunable bandwith. The perfect wireless for the travelling soundperson. I do know that we received some of the first units, and that he is producing them as fast as he can, but the demand has been exceptional.

The company I work with, Audio Services Corporation, is the Canadian agent for Micron (1-877-251-5140). If you require service, we have a factory trained technician, as well as stock of new and used antennas, cables and other accessories. From the description of your frequencies I assume you are using 500 series Microns (TX501.x and either a SDR 530/570 or MDR550 receiver) which were fixed frequency, sometimes with up to 3 channels (each with their own crystal), with an output power somewhere around 28-36 mW in typical performance. When tuned well, these wireless sound incredible, and quite a few of my customers are still using these single frequency units without issue. These units have a "RF Tree" that displays signal strength. As a quick, non-scientific test, try powering the receivers without plugging in the microphones on the transmitter. If the two bottom lights (or more) light up brightly, you are getting interference. If you get little to no lights in the "RF Tree" but still get the high frequency inteference, it is likely that your units require a tuning. There should not be any TV stations on this frequency in Montreal, but there may be something else in your environment interfering with your signal. Best of luck, and if I can offer any further advice or assistance, please do not hesitate to call.

Nima, As an employee of Audio Services in Toronto, I can verify that we do have the Schoeps CMC6/MK41 available for rent (just got one back late yesterday). My apologies if there was any confusion when you contacted us. Sometimes our Schoeps do get reserved for specific shooting blocks and become unavailable, but we typically have Schoeps CMC6/CMC4 with MK41, MK4S and MK4 capsules available, as well as an Audio Ltd handheld transmitter that accepts a Schoeps capsule for live performance. We also carry the Neumann 100 series, Neumann KM84s, and a few other models of card/hypercard mics suitable for interior use. Give me a call at 416-251-5409, and I'd be happy to arrange a demo of what we have in stock for you. Bill

http://www.specsbros.com/