Rycote Open day

Thank you to Rycote in Stroud for their open day hospitality today, bargains were had, tea was drunk and cake was eaten. In addition they are a lovely, helpful company who know more than anyone about microphone mounts and windshielding. You can have a look for yourself at http://www.rycote.com/

Lock it box settings

Lock-it boxes are a very useful way of locking sound recorder and video timecode together, allowing sound to be recorded separately and / or several sound or video sources to be locked together.

The set up of the boxes depends on the device they are linked to, the frame rate and other variables.

Peter Gray, a US based Director of Photography, includes on his website a very useful list of settings for the Denecke and Lock-it time code boxes.

Edirol R-09 - update your software!

If you, like me bought an Edirol R-09 some time ago it might be worth checking you have the most up to date software installed on it. The current version is 1.31 and is well worth it as it allows you to record to 16 Gig flash cards rather than the previous 2 Gig. When you turn your machine on the current software version flashes up in the lower left of the screen.

The latest software can be downloaded from http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?objectid=757 To install it you need the USB lead that came with your Edirol and a blank flash card (the data on mine did survive the process though). They also advise that you run the unit on mains power while upgrading. Installed fine via my mac too.

For the up to date software for the newer recorder, the Edirol R-09HR go to http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=960

Sound Devices 788T - Review by Keith Rodgerson

Keith Rodgerson has written a very comprehensive review of the Sound Devices 788T Which can be seen at http://www.keithrodgerson.com/keithrodgerson.com/Sound_Devices_788T.html

Sanken Cos11 "Vampire" clips

These new "vampire" clips for the Sanken cos11 have been designed by US sound mixer, Percy Urgena. I haven't seen any to test but they look very neat and low profile for discreet mic placement. Having used vampire clips for Trams previously I missed them when I swapped to Sankens. I mainly use sticky tape now but in situations where mics have to be switched quickly or where the tape won't stick a vampire clip option could be very handy. It's always great to see products designed by jobbing sound recordists as they address the real problems of working in the field.

Percy is looking for a UK distributor, but for the moment his clips are available online. There's also a version for use with the Cos11 microphone windshield with more pictures and information about the clips on his website. Please let him know you read about them on this blog!

BWAV utilities for Apple Mac

BWAV Lister, Reader and Writer for Apple Mac OSX are three excellent audio file management utilities from Quesosoft. The Writer and Lister are very useful when transfering BWAV files from a hard disk recorder (like my Sound Devices 744T) to a computer before burning to DVD.

The Writer allows you to change the Meta Data which goes with each file. You can, for example change the names of individual tracks within the files and user bit values. Very useful if you have not had a chance to do this in the field when changing set ups quickly. You can also play the files direct from the edit window to check content.

BWAV Lister simplifies the task of making sound report sheets (screen shot above). Import your files into a folder and then scan that folder within the program. Lister will then generate a list of info including file name, time code and user bit info, duration, track names etc. You can then chose which information you want exporting to a text file, and in what order. I then cut and paste this information into a sound sheet I generate in word and then add notes.

Lister and Writer are a bargain at $70 for both ($30 for Writer alone, $50 for Lister). Reader is freeware and allows you play BWAVs and to view the metadata but not change it.

I'm using Writer V 1.05 for mac (there is now a Beta version for PC) and Lister 1.5.1b. More info and downloads from the Quesosoft website.

Sound Devices Combo

On my current documentary project I'm using a combination of equipment that is new to me. It's mostly a "run around" with lots of different characters popping in and out at random so it's mainly been recorded on a boom.

I've chosen to use the Sound Devices 744T for my recorder and put the boom straight into that. I can leave it switched on for hours waiting for that important scene to happen and it's quite light on battery use. I've not used more than 2 lithium NP1's in a day so far.

My main gripe about the 774t was that it only has two full size XLR inputs (the other two inputs being miniature TA3 sockets) and two level controls on top. I was hoping not to carry a full size mixer as well so for situations where I want to use one or more radio mics I have a Sound Devices MixPre connected to the TA3 pair. The mixer is very small and light so hardly adds anything to the weight of my bag. Also in the bag is a Hawkwoods APR1 rack which powers my radio mic receivers as well as mixer and recorder. The whole thing weighs about the same as the SQN4S and APR1 rack I use regularly to send sound down a cable to a camera but it records up to four discreet tracks as well.

The system has worked out very well and allows me to switch the mixer off when I'm not using extra mics and save battery power. The whole rig is in a bag made especially for me by KT Systems (talk to Ian, he's very helpful). It's a kind of mini organiser bag, big enough to contain everything, but not so ridiculous I can hardly get through the door.

Disadvantages? Well the 744 gets VERY hot. Fine in the winter cold of England but in South Africa it's adding to the general discomfort of boiling hot days. Honestly, you could fry an egg on the thing (or me once I have been carrying it next to me for a bit) but the unit continues to work just fine. You have to watch out, if you turn the unit off for more than two hours the time code is lost. You won't waste much battery leaving it on, but I tend to turn it off for a while every now and again just to let it cool down.

Rycote In-Vision mounts

Rycote have just brought out a new range of shock mounts designed for in vision use. There are several different versions for use with different types of microphone. I tried out the Schoeps CCM version (above) and found the isolation to be very good. The mount has a cable retainer at the back which holds the cable very tight stopping vibration noise being transmitted back up the cable to the microphone. The head can be easily adjusted to the desired angle, and the mechanism is strong enough not to "nod". The actual suspension is made from flexible plastic which allows quite a lot of movement of the microphone. This does remain quiet though and you have to give the set up quite a shake before noise is transmitted to the microphone.

I thought it all looked rather fragile at first but after seeing Chris Woolf at the IBS training weekend take one of these and twist it round I was very impressed to see it all just swing back into place. He then proceeded to throw it on the floor, which it also survived. It's also survived being carried around in my rucksack for the last few days along with my spare kit and batteries.

The mounts are designed be used, as the name suggests "in vision", they suit this perfectly as they look neat and tidy and are very low profile. Their smallness will also make them handy for mounting microphones out of vision where space is tight. All in all a very useful addition to the sound recordist's kit bag.