10k Production Sound Budget

Justin2

Justin2

Member
Hey all!

I have been blessed with some money (interest free loan) and would like to hear some of your thoughts and experiences on what gear is essential for starting up. I have been working for about half a year with crap gear and as the jobs get bigger, I realize I am missing some key components. I have 10k to spend, and don't necessarily have to blow it all, but as I look at it, I will be needing about 15k to get a solid foundation and this does not include lectrosonic wireless systems. yeah yeah, I know, I will get them eventually.

So what I am thinking is, a really nice long shotgun.
Like a senn 70 or neu 82.
Any likes and dislikes with these, anything better for the price?
416 and NTG3 are up for shorties, I have ntg2 and like that.

A mixer, I have a mixpre, 14 channel mackie, but not sure if I should get a 302 or 442.

Definitely getting a 744t. Plus all the accessories and cables.

A new boom with blimp system. Is rycote worth the $ or can a cheaper option do the job for now?

4 AT wireless lavs

Will also be getting a smart slate and sound cart which will be a quarter of the budget.

Let me know your thoughts and expertise. Please cost out if you have time.
Thanks!!
 
You can get a Rode Blimp system for $299 from DVEStore to go with your NTG3.

Don't forget a hypercardioid mic for recording dialog indoors. In most cases you don't want to use a shotgun inside. I use a AKG CK93.

The SD 302 will definitely be worth it. Especially if you anticipate needing more channels than the Mixpre. It also has better level meters.

I use both my 302 along with my 702 recorder in a Petrol PSDMB-302 mixer bag and they fit perfectly. This is a great bag. Just the perfect amount of room left over for my headphones (Sony MDR-7506), two wireless receivers, a few extra batteries & connectors, a spare wired lav mic, etc.
 
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would be easier if you told us what your plans were.
working as a freelance day player for tv/corporate?

or to do your own movies?



Justin2 said:
Hey all!

I have been blessed with some money (interest free loan) and would like to hear some of your thoughts and experiences on what gear is essential for starting up. I have been working for about half a year with crap gear and as the jobs get bigger, I realize I am missing some key components. I have 10k to spend, and don't necessarily have to blow it all, but as I look at it, I will be needing about 15k to get a solid foundation and this does not include lectrosonic wireless systems. yeah yeah, I know, I will get them eventually.

So what I am thinking is, a really nice long shotgun.
Like a senn 70 or neu 82.
Any likes and dislikes with these, anything better for the price?
416 and NTG3 are up for shorties, I have ntg2 and like that.

A mixer, I have a mixpre, 14 channel mackie, but not sure if I should get a 302 or 442.

Definitely getting a 744t. Plus all the accessories and cables.

A new boom with blimp system. Is rycote worth the $ or can a cheaper option do the job for now?

4 AT wireless lavs

Will also be getting a smart slate and sound cart which will be a quarter of the budget.

Let me know your thoughts and expertise. Please cost out if you have time.
Thanks!!
Click to expand...
 
thanks

thanks

Good stuff so far. I am basically a freelancing day player that does a lot of shorts, indies and low budget features. Where and what comteks are best? I saw some for like 388 each, not including the transmitter...is that the only option?
 
Good "loud" application mic

Good "loud" application mic

How about a shotgun that records yelling or screaming well? Like a neumann 82? Or should I just get a 57?
 
One more thing...

Will a APC 1500VA 865W backup battery be enough for running 4 at701 receivers, macbook, 003, furman pl-pro II, 7" lcd, backup hard drive... with plenty to spare? What are most professionals using as their backup?
 
Justin2 said:
One more thing...

Will a APC 1500VA 865W backup battery be enough for running 4 at701 receivers, macbook, 003, furman pl-pro II, 7" lcd, backup hard drive... with plenty to spare? What are most professionals using as their backup?
Click to expand...

Yes, should be adequate although not necessarily "plenty to spare..." But on mine I run a few PCs, laptop, printer, scanner, cable modem, laptop, external firewire RAID, etc.

But I don't worry about protecting my analog audio gear through the UPS (not that it consumes all that many watts). Just keep your lights, soldering iron, etc off the UPS power strip.

Incidentally, I wouldn't spend more than 50-60 percent of your budget on all the "big iron" gear and components you've suggested so far. Allow several thousand dollars of all the ancilliary stuff an audio pro needs to work in various environments/configurations. Check out the archives if you need more info ...

Regards,

Michael
 
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Loud mic

Loud mic

How about a shotgun that records yelling or screaming well? Like a neumann kmr 82i or Sennheiser mkh70 for a long... ntg3 or 416? Possibly a MKH40 or MKH50.
 
Justin2 said:
How about a shotgun that records yelling or screaming well? Like a neumann kmr 82i or Sennheiser mkh70 for a long... ntg3 or 416? Possibly a MKH40 or MKH50.
Click to expand...

Uh, I'd go with a large diaphragm dynamic mic like my Heil PR40 or even the ubiquitious Shure SM58. We don't want to use a sensitive condenser mic for yelling/screaming.
 
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