$1,500 for a Location Sound Kit

C

c.plute

New member
Last year I started doing location sound and put this kit together for $1,500:


  • Tascam DR-40
  • Rode NTG-1 w/Rycote Softie Windscreen
  • Oktava MK-012 w/Windtech US-2 Windscreen
  • Lux Falcon Carbon Fiber Boompole w/Pearstone DUSM-1 Shockmount
  • Audio Technica ATW-1821D Wireless System
  • Rode Lavalier
  • Sony 7506 Headphones

I’ve got another $1,500-$2,000 now for an upgrade, and am curious where you think this money would be best spent. A used Sound Devices 302/442/552?
 
I'd pick up a used 442 over a new 302 any day, simply for the rotary pan pots. The 302 has hard-switched L-C-R panning, which isn't as flexible. Plus, the 442 offers direct outputs which means you can feed all four inputs to a multi-track recorder.

But yes, a mixer is probably the next, logical step. Your shotgun mic could stand to be upgraded eventually, if you're taking this seriously as a career, and then you'll also want to move up to a more solid recorder. The Sound Devices 744T ($$$) would give you four tracks of recording for your four direct outs from the 442 mixer.

There are a few things in your kit that could be upgraded (the Audio Technica 1800-series pales in comparison to the Sennheiser G3 for not much more money per system, and moving up to an NTG-3 shotgun may be advisable if you're taking on more professional work). Plus, a blimp and deadcat are crucial for a boomed shotgun in windy situations.

Do you have an audio bag and harness?
 
Thanks, I’ve been eyeing the 442 for a while.

What exactly do you like about the Sennheiser G3 over the Audio Technica System? I used the G3 once and was not getting good results, then found the AT system for a great price used, and it has been very dependable so far.

Is there an affordable blimp you’d recommend? Rode? I thought the Rycote Softie would be more effective in the wind for its cost, but it hardly does anything.
 
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"What exactly do you like about the Sennheiser G3 over the Audio Technica System?"
> IMO, the G2/3 yields more gain structure info, so I prefer the GUI. I also prefer separate receivers, but that's subjective. The G2/3 has 'better ' specs as well.. but the difference would be negligible. I'm not counting the G2/3 bungled POS ME2 lav.
I used the G3 once and was not getting good results?"
> That could be the result of pilot error. Improper gain staging, channel/frequency or frequency block selection.. or lack thereof.
Addendum:
"I thought the Rycote Softie would be more effective in the wind for its cost"
The Softie system is only adequate for a "brezzy" day. Adding a Softie Windjammer can help some, but it's still not a substitute of a Zeppelin.
 
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I have the Rode blimp and I really l like it. It's a bit heavier than the Rycote, but all in all it's a great system.

Here's my kit:

Sound Devices 302
Sound Devices 702T
(2) Sony UWP V series Lavs - Countryman B3 lav element
Rode NTG-2 in a Rode Blimp, Ktek 152CCR Boom Pole

At some point I'd like to upgrade to the Sennheiser 416 shotgun for my boom kit.
 
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