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PMC

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Everything posted by PMC

  1. KRF, i was hoping WaveEditor app would work because it is a pretty useful tool for recording, editing and playing with visual waveform on Android but no. It won't open a BWF. I next tried VLC player for android. It opened my 4 trk BWF and played it but i couldn't select a specific trk to listen to like i can on the desktop program. No joy. PMC
  2. I find that a major key to successful frequency coordination and identifying competing RF devices not under your control is to scan your environment. One of my clients is a major hospital. Recording sound in labs, patient imaging rooms, etc. was very problematic until I started using apps like RF Analyzer. At the end of 2021 I upgraded to TXAdvance. It combines the functionality of RF Analyzer and Frequency Finder. I cannot heap enough praise on this app. You program a database with a location name and your RF devices, It scans the environment for RF sources using $30 Software Defined Radio dongle that plugs into your USB equipped phone or tablet (use one of your wireless mic antennas or buy a $5 telescoping screw on antenna), It reveals 2T30, 3T30, 2T50 and 2T70 intermod issues, it can Auto select the best freqs to use for your wireless mics from 200Mhz to 700Mhz and it can perform a Live Scan with peak hold so you can identify intermittent RF sources. It has additional features but these are the major ones I use in every new environment. (Disclosure: I was so impressed with the app I joined the beta team. The software engineer continues to make improvements and add features. I have not nor will I receive monetary compensation from the company for my endorsement other than access to the app.)
  3. As a freelance DP and Sound Mixer, with gear, for out of town clients, in addition to servicing my own clients, I have a Staffmeup account. I rarely get more than three jobs a year from their leads. 90% of the postings are way below what many of us are willing to work for. I suspect Staffmeup is more suited to college kids with a Best Buy camera, Samson wireless mics and limited knowledge. That being said, I didn't know they had a "minimum wage" for postings. I dont mind them weeding out the ultra-low budget projects from their already low budget postings. I dont see them as being unfair. I see it as, "Wow, even Staffmeup has standards." No offense. $250/day seems more suited to Craigs or Angie's list.
  4. I have a friend using Lectro Block 20 & Block 26 SRB's with UM400a's. Sometimes he has to use the Block 26 stuff when he runs out of Block 20 units. Both the 20's and 26's were at to the mother ship for firmware updates and tuning in 2020. Yes he knows about 5G (by the way 5G is screwing with FAA radar altimeters too). Maybe 20% of the time he hears sporadic crackling like a very active lighting storm, pink noise in nature but not the sssshhh sssshhh frequency range or normal hit noises, from the Block 26 stuff. This static does not show up on the modulation display of the SRB. Signal strength is solid from the 411a. Phones have been turned off completely or removed from the set. The problem seems to be geographic in nature and consistent. He scans for clear freqs and almost all of Block 26 if free but he tries several different freqs and checks intermod. Nothing so far alleviates this problem. Now for the wacky bit. His camera hops are really old Senny G3's also in the 600Mhz band. They operate without issue the same time the lectro 600Mhz stuff is blowing up. What's the deal, man? Anyone have any ideas besides, "He shouldn't be using Block 26 or maybe something in the bag is causing the problem?" Thanks.
  5. I have a ssm transmitting to an SRb and it works fine. Band 20 SD664 mixer, 2 SRb, 4 senn G3s, Comtek. All in one bag. I had an issue with one HM transmitter at one time but it got sorted.
  6. I hope sales and manufacturing stay in Reedsburg, WI. Great people there. They are not setup for visitors but they have allowed me in twice. Including for an emergency repair. All my best to the SD employees. I hope you get to stay on.
  7. When i am cart based i still create paper logs along with the Sound Devices log. When i am bag based they only get the SD track log with a few canned phrases. i also tell them the cameras only get a dirty mix since i am holding a boom as well as the bag.
  8. I just spotted a 2021 movie listing called Kin Dread. Here is the log line. "An anti-social sound designer with retrograde amnesia discovers a string of murders in his building but when the carnage triggers memories of his mysterious past, he races to stop the killer" I hope he mentions his favorite software synths.
  9. PMC

    MOS

    Good one Olle. I heard from old guys it stood for, "mit out spreken." With out speaking so there is no need to roll sound. Of course I am now old and repeating the definition.
  10. As a guy who grew up seting up multicam shoots with BetaSP cameras recording ISO and sometimes feeding a switcher I always tried to connected camera genlock to a master generator. We had to for the switcher, of course. NTSC - never the same color. Today, and for the past 8 years or so, I very rarely genlock the cameras. We put the cameras in PsF, and rely on the frame syncs in the switcher to handle the timing. This is fine for the live mix but doesn't sync the cameras to each other. But I have never received a complaint about drift over time. As an example, I just AC'ed a two camera documentry shoot this week for HBO using one Sony Venice and one Canon C500. It was a three hour continuous rolling interview while swapping out cards as we rolled. I put a Tentacle on each camera. I monitored the Tentacles along with the SD664 timecode on my phone. No drift. I guess I could have performed a clap or tone at the end of the shoot to test but as I say, I haven't had complaints. As an aside, if cameras need genlock I feel that is a camera department issue. When I am mixing sound, 40% of the time, I only worry about the mix and timecode. Well, and helping out the youngsters setup their shinny new camera that they haven't read the manual for, lol. Others may have a different opinion about who's responsibility genlock is and that's okay.
  11. Huh, the heading on the landing page says BACK TO SCHOOL. Universal Tactical MOLLE Holster Army Mobile Phone Belt Pouch I suppose you might need Army Tactical stuff if you go to school in Chicago or New York. I have relatives in Chicago. Anyway, nice looking pouch, Boomboom.
  12. Yes, BAB414. They are only a little snug so I hold the pack sideways and shake it a couple times like a pack of cigarettes. The xmtr slides out a bit and I can pull it out the rest of the way. I really like the small size versus the large baggy pouches Comtek provides.
  13. For some years now I have been using pouches from Williams Listen Systems. My Comtek xmtrs fit snuggly into them. Secure fit and don't fall out. With belt clip. Maybe you can find these pouches at Williams or ebay.
  14. Nice compartmented case for small fiddly bits, W.E. How do the closure tabs hold up in Zero degree Fahrenheit weather?
  15. I use a DeWalt tool caddy for my follow cart. I only have eight wireless xmtrs, two wireless hops and four Comteks so I don't need lots of drawers. I put this cart on set for my boom op/A1. Top bucket contains small wind screens, bongo ties, replacement connectors, thread adapters, tape, sticky stuff, two Tentacles, multi-card reader, VOM (VTVM stays on the bench), Rycote mic mounts, Rycote under and overcovers. Next the top drawer contains xmtrs, hops, XLR/3.5mm/5-pin adapter cables, xmtr clips. The second drawer contains hard wired Sony lavs, Sanken lavs, Countryman lavs, two plug on xmtrs, my premade cosmetic foam lav mounts, Ersa mounts, RM mounts, vampire clips, tie clips, IFBs and parts, XLR turnarounds, ISO transformer, headphone amp, phone to XLR interface. The bottom bucket, which doubles as a seat for the boom op, contains two temple transducer head sets for Motorola comms, three plant mics, two shotgun mics, two Rycote Foamies, body straps for talent xmtrs, IFB amp, 100 ft. of boom op hard wired 5-pin cable, SD442 mixer I built the pull-out shelf (hardware was $12 at Lowes) and attached it to the underside of the top bucket. I use it for soldering, make-ready, raspberry danish. Umbrella and boom tubes attached to the back along with Velcro tough straps for cables. The only thing I wish to improve is to add larger diameter wheels for rolling over rough terrain. Otherwise it is near perfect for me.
  16. Richard, I don't have any problems with the ratchet mechanisms on my generic straps, I hit them with a bit of silicone spay every couple of weeks. I have problems with the straps fraying and breaking at hook points. The constant rocking black and forth while I drive down the road wears them out. Especially the strap holding my c-stand dolly against the van wall. This one only lasts 6 months at best.
  17. Interesting article about AI voice work. I see the convenience factor. I also see reduced work for mixer/recordists in VO acquisition. https://gizmodo.com/veritone-launches-deepfake-audio-platform-for-celebriti-1846905864
  18. It is my experience that you should stay away from mics with aluminum tubes. Stick with brass tubes. No RF issues at all with my senn 816, 416, Schoeps CMC and AT 4053 mics. I have used the Schoeps CMIT 5 and had rf issues when i get too close to HMI ballasts and fluorescent light ballasts. Very light weight mic and not brass.
  19. I own a Schoeps CMCMK41 and the Audio Technica 4053B. They both sound great and when I need to double boom i use them side by side. The Schoeps has a slightly warmer tone and never harsh. Under normal circumstances i can eq the mics to sound great and indistinguishable. I purchased the AT new and the Schoeps used. For $550 i recommend the AT. You won't regret it.
  20. Does she look like this?
  21. No problem at all with the number of questions. We are here to help each other and leave rude comments about politicians, lol. The signal from the transducers are more subsonic than sonic. They conduct sound waves/vibrations through your temporal bone. I never use them at full volume. With all the Motorola two-way radios I've used you can turn them up too loud to the point they vibrate on you temporal bone and tickle. I was told these where developed for constrution workes on loud construction sites. You will never use them at full volume. The twin jack is a standard Motorola connector. They are made my Motorola. You will need an adapter to use them with Kenwood radios. Their pins are closer together. The plug does not screw in but fits so tight it won't fall out. Mine never has. Side benefit is you will never get feedback from keying your mic right next to someone else with a radio.
  22. I use Sony 7506 headphones with muffs the same time I am using the temple transducers. They work great for me. Through lunch break I am still wearing them forgetting I have them on. I wear both all day long. If they are too tight on your head just bend them a bit. They have the standard PTT button north of the coily part of the cable. When you first use them you will be freaked out that you can carry on a normal conversation with people around you, with both ears and then hear comms clearly at the same time. I find them liberating while not interfering with my mixing headphones. The wrap around the head bit rests at the lower part of your head so you can still wear hats. The transducers wrap around the top of your ears. They are very lightweight.
  23. Have youse guys ever tried the Temple Transducer com unit from Motorola? $90 bucks.They conduct sound through the bone just in front of your ears leaving both ears free for normal conversation or wearing headphones. I have been using them for years.
  24. Sounds like LA County wants to shut down/limit production activity again. On the FilmLA website, the dept. said productions should make plans for “moving more work outdoors, delaying higher-risk work, and putting some productions completely on pause.” The health department also warned film productions “travel for production purposes is currently not advised.” Officials feel transmission of the virus will be facilitated “by making it more likely that people will end up together in vehicles or indoors in less-controlled settings.” The health authority then expressed worry over hospital capacity. “Hospitals are full virtually everywhere,” the dept. said urging productions to “keep cast and crew close to home.” Early in December, Southern California entered yet another round of lockdowns, though the powers that be deemed film and TV productions to be “essential” work that was excluded from many of the most draconian shutdowns.
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