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Equipment advice


stephenfennessy

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Hi,

During my time in film college I found myself always being asked to be sound operator on our projects, hence earning me the title "sound guy" so now that I am finished college and wish to specialise in sound I guess it's time for this "sound guy" to get some proper equipment.

My very small kit is as follows

Zoom h4n

Rode ntg-3

Senheiser g2 x2

Sound devices 302 (ordering soon)

So is there any other essentials you guys could recommend to a guy starting out? So I can get some work or even be considered for work. We all have to start someplace,

Thanks guys

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my small 302 kit has the following:

-ENG breakaway cable with return is a must have

-ta3 mix out cable from 302 to split L-R xlrm (with line to mic pad)

-ta3 mix out to cable from 302 split L-R ta5f for lectro tx's wireless hop

call up one of the usual suspects, or Eric Toline to make up those cables.

-an emergency RX to add a 4th channel in the 302 if need be

-sound bag

-harness

-battery distro system when for you step up to higher end wireless

 

that should be make a pretty decent kit. 

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When choosing a mixer bag I would make sure it has plenty of extra space for stuff like gaffer's tape and maybe even a power distribution system. For example, if I recall correctly the Sound Devices/Camrade bag for the 302 doesn't house much more than the mixer, those two radio kits and the H4n, maybe.

For example, I happily use my Petrol bag (PS614 I think) for both 302 and Nomad gigs, you can fitso much in that bag while the bag itself doesn't feel that big.

On the other hand, if all you really need for a gig are the mixer, two radios and a boom, the aforementioned Camrade bag is super light.

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Hi, and welcome...

" We all have to start someplace, "

I'd suggest you start by doing some reading here on jwsoundgroup...

there are lots of discussions of kits, basic kits, beginners' kits, and bag...

 

 

if you want to search jwsoundgroup, use Google, and make your first search term jwsoundgroup.net

there are some book recommendations on jwsoundgroup, as well.

one of the better ones for starting out is from our member Jay Rose at www.dplay.com.

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I'm in the same boat, just graduated and looking for work. Mine is a Dr-680, portabrace bag and harness, hawkwoods BDS, MKH 416 and other accessories (moleskin, medical tape etc.). The next things on my list are a 442, mkh 50, and used lectros. If I get the money I'm planning on getting a 664 or nomad and lighted up the bag. You mostly need to look at what type of work you are trying to do. Im mostly getting short films, reality and commercials at the moment so the multitrack was something that I really needed. Good luck.

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This stuff gets discussed ad nauseum, but Im looking at the OPs kit and I suddenly have a strong memory of struggling through with my FR2LE,a 302 in front of it, my one single G2 unit, and a K6ME67.

How I paid the bills for the first year and a half that way is a mystery (I had high-quality earthquake food to tuck into).

1- Renting better microphones was key

2- Every piece of kit I own now I bought used, except Lavs.

3- Practice your lav technique, and build a comprehensive lav expendable kit.

4-Dont buy it unless youve rented it

5-Dont forget the kit between, and including your ears, practice daily.

6- Your personality is as important as your kit, and at times (it seems) more important than your skill level.

best

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I'd also like to mention that an engineers knowledge of audio is helpful, since this is a technicians job. I see a lot of young guys who only know how to turn the knobs and it makes me wonder how people decide to get into a technical field without any strong technical knowledge to back them up. Just a thought....

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I'd also like to mention that an engineers knowledge of audio is helpful, since this is a technicians job. I see a lot of young guys who only know how to turn the knobs and it makes me wonder how people decide to get into a technical field without any strong technical knowledge to back them up. Just a thought....

Good thought Jon.

 IMO, soldering skills is an almost must have as well.

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Still working great :D.

The G2s are by far the weakest part of that kit, but I used mine with mixed success for several months before I was able to get my hands on some Lectros.

I still really love the FR2LE (and that one needs some state-bumper-stickers, brother...lol), but that G2 is a "courtesy" director's IFB now.

Here's to the green phase !

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  • 3 months later...

A few years ago I was starting out and wanted to shoot a feature film so I bought a Zoom H4n and a rode NTG2, a rode blimp and a rode boom. It was all I could afford.

 

The H4n seemed a good deal for the price and I actually shot 2 feature films with that simple setup.

 

here's a link to the last of them: 

(zoom h4n + rode NTG2)

 

But I've never been happy with the sound I got. Sounds muffled. I have a Sound Devices 702t now and the difference to the zoom is really like night and day. I wish I could have shot my feature with the SD and a good decent shotgun like a 416. It would have a been a worthy investment.

 

But like you said we all have to start somewhere!

 

I would not buy the h4n again. I'd rather have a 302 going to some sort of cheap recorder that can accept line inputs. The zoom is very noisy and even with the 302 to me sounds very rough.

 

Good luck!

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Feom the OP's list ;

Swap the H4N for a Sony D50 (outputting the 302 into it I guess ?). Good comments about the Tascams too.

Invest in some good lavs for your G2s; makes all the difference. Lots of good commentaries about the Oscar Tech ones these days; I'd have a quick check at them since they're also cheap compared to Sankens or DPAs plus they could be converted to good backups for your kit with time.

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