Best audio run bag?

Matt Gottshalk

Matt Gottshalk

Resident Preditor
Hi all.

I've got a Sound Devices 302, ME66/K6, several Lectro wireless, etc. and am looking for user opinions on a run bag for a grab and go audio bag.

I've got a Cinegear production Bag for the video side, but it's getting rather cramped trying to stuff all of the audio gear in there as well.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Matt G
 
how many wireless mikes and what size you need the bag?
there is 302 dedicated bag for use with 302 and 2-4 tx/rx and np-1 battery
might be good if you dont need to take allot of other stuff,
the petrol eargonizer might good if you are going to switch for bigger mixer in the future

Georg Best
 
I'm going to order a bag for this same use, but I figured it would be best to get one that is dual-purpose... so that rather then just store my gear until I get to the location, the bag will double as a holder for the soundguy's rig. This is the bag I'm getting CLICK HERE for my Marantz recorder and FP-24 (like MixPre) plus wireless sets. As I see it this thing will hold the Marantz and mixer so the soundguy can monitor and adjust them... everything will just be on his waist facing up at him... and when the shoot is done you pull the flap over the top of everything and stick it back in the closet.

For the 302 plus extras you could go with this one CLICK or for a minimalist approach, this one CLICK.

I've had 3 PortaBrace bags and I've really liked 'em all... (plus some other PB accessories).

I'm gonna' order that mixer bag for my rig tomorrow, unless somebody can show me a Petrol or Kata that would be better... anyone? I looked at the Petrol PEGZ-1 and PEGZ-2, but from the pictures it doesn't look very tidy... then I checked out the Kata SUNDO-1 and SUNDO-2... and again, they just don't look so "together" as the PB bags do... so if somebody has one of these bags I'd love to hear what you have to say about 'em.

For me the PB stuff just screams "pro" all the way. Watch any news crew on any location and all you see is the PB blue nylon and tan suede shoulder straps everywhere.
 
PortaBrace makes the worst bags for 302 and it is from self experience,
another good company is KTS from UK
George Best
 
Thanks all.

I was thinking more of a bag for transporting everything.

I have a Portabrace for the 302, and it works well.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Matt G
 
George... since I'm about to buy another PortaBrace... or not... could you please explain your complaint?

I had a PC3 production case and my only complaint was that is was too big... then I have the PB DVX bag and I love it... and I've also got the clamshell tripod bag and I love that too... It's a lot like the Petrol tripod cage, but again, I thought the PB was more "elegant" in design.

Please explain the problems you experienced and why you suggest something else... then if you really want to help me please make an alternate suggestion?
 
I referred to 302 case , not every porta brace product,,for almost every Porta product you can find better product from KTS, PETRPOL or KATA.

The 302 case was impossible for normal working flow , you couldn't see the meters , the mixer set to low and there was impossible to stick the headphones without braking the plug,, not to say there stitches on the side wings last for 2 weeks.
Snce i invested few thousand in all kind off bags in my life ( about 1000 in porta brace audio bags )I'm happy now that there are enough better products available in the market so i can stop buying this 'icon".
Sorry cant choose for you - you can buy whatever you like

George Best
 
Since I'm in Saint Louis and there's no place to get a look at ANY of these bags I guess I'll try to find some more information on each site and elsewhere on the net... thanks for the (sort of) help.

I should add though that I've also about $800 in PortaBrace bags and all of them have been bombproof and great. The comments about the stitching giving way in 2 weeks sounds a little rediculous... it almost sounds like you personally have something against PB... most PB bags get holes worn throught the bottom before the stitching gives. If you don't like the design that's a good argument, but the bags last forever... and if you had stitching giving way in two weeks (up to a YEAR) they would have replaced the bag.

PC-3 $360
Clamshell "Quick" Tripod Bag $200
DV4 $220
+pouches/accessories.


EDIT/ADDENDUM: Well George... you got my attention anyway... and I DID check around the net... and I'm gonna' try out a Petrol bag. Thanks for making your point... I just wish you coulda' steered me in a little more precise direction then just "anything but Porta"... but either way I'm glad you popped in.:thumbsup:
 
That's the one I'm getting. Thanks Dave (and exile)... For the guy who started this thread I think he should look at the PEGZ-2.

That appears to be a pretty good choice for what he originally asked. (funny he is Matt G and I am Matt G... no relation)

Dave I checked Coffey Sound and I see that you guys carry Porta Brace... just to give me one final nudge (or hold me back)... I'm going to use a pmd671 with a shure fp-24 and I'll have a G2 running in the same bag. The Porta AR-PMD650 seems almost made for this type of setup... it's got the larger pocket for the 671 and a smaller, shorter pocket for a mixer... although that smaller pocket still looks too big for the fp-24 (mixpre)... but anyway, do you still think PEGZ-1 for my use?

I found a bunch of posts around the net from fans of the Petrol bags, but I also found some posts from people who actually said they'd go back to their Porta bags after buying the PEGZ-1... the complaints were the cloth handles not staying out of the way, the window apparently is loose? Like it's made to be configured different ways? Well some people said that the window was always a problem... then there were some people that said with the internal framing that you had to have all 90 degree XLR plugs or else you couldn't undo and redo connections without opening the entire bag completely. Finally somebody mentioned "fit"... and I don't know what that meant... maybe they meant how it lays on your belly?

The gist is that there was plenty of supporting comments to make me go with the Petrol... but there were actually a few unhappy Petrol buyers that said they were tired of the outdated Porta designs, but that they'd be going back to Porta anyway.

So what's your impression? I'll be happy to trust YOUR gut since mine can't make up it's mind. (and you should know me well enough by now that I won't hold it against you either way... I am the KING of impulse decisions)
 
the PEGZ-1 is very unbalance product -dont like it at all
the PEGZ-2. was designed for special needs of someone who carried some different stuff
and really didn't think about other people needs :-),and its f..heavy ( 5pounds)
you will have to use right angle connectors and might be that there would be enough room for your 671 and might be there would not if you will decide to put it behind your mixer
 
Well exile you gotta' give me a little more to go on then... I looked into the KT Systems bags (KTS) and they only make a very few bags for specific gear... they don't even make anything for me!

So what's left? Kata, Petrol, and outdated Porta... if you don't like the PEGZ-1 then all I have is the Porta AR-PMD650... or the Kata SUNDO-1 or 2?

So do you think in this rundown STILL go with the PEGZ-1?
 
i don't decide for you , i just share from my small experience, check one , maximum return if it doesn't feet your needs , there is no perfect bag if you don't make one :-)
 
I checked out both PEGZ-1 and 2 before deciding on 1. The window thing was off putting at first but I have come to see it's advantages. The handle thing was true too but after you have bent them down awhile they start behaving. The things I would like them to have changed is a velcro sealable cord output and more bands to strap stuff down with.

Overall I do like the Petrol better then any PB I have owned. It provides enough customization to hide any cords you got running around. Holds just the right amount of equipment without being overly bulky.

Of course this is just my experience with my equipment. Your milage may vary.

Best
 
Okay wabbit, I guess maybe I'll try the same bag. Again, this will be for marantz 671, shure fp-24 (mixpre), and G2 set... plus some minor odds and ends, plus cables... so not much in another words.

Kata's stuff doesn't look as simple as Porta or as versatile as Petrol, but without inspecting one it's hard to say. They look to be shaped like an oversized fanny-pack. I've always liked the suede straps on my Porta bags and I think I'd really like the padded strap on the Petrol.

Anyway, the AR-PMD650 from Porta is pretty much specifically for what I just listed, but I wouldn't mind some extra room (not much though)... so what do you think? For my gear should I try the Petrol first?

Also one other ***** I saw that was recurring with the PEGZ-1 was the "plastic attachment" of the pouches for wireless sets? They said on the PEGZ-2 that things like this were better thought out... like it had a strap that velcro'ed down inside the bag whereas on the 1 the pouches could be possibly bumped off? Does that make any sense?

Wabbit... it kind of worries me that you agreed with the problems other people had with the Petrol... rather then saying it was nothing. So what is the deal with the window? Also what if I sew a velcro tie-down (or several) onto the Petrol? Would that eliminate any/all of the complaints?
 
MattinSTL,


I'd go with the PEGZ-1...but that's me. I do a lot of sound fx recording with not the exact same equipment you have, but I've used similar, and I really didn't dig the Portabrace.

Oh, BTW, are you getting a Harness? If not, get one.

One thing you might want to try from wherever you are buying the stuff, see if you can get the Petrol PEGZ-1 AND the Portabrace, and see if they will let you return whichever one you don't want. That way you set them both up, and see which works for you.

It really boils down to that we are all built differently, anatomically speaking, so my little gut makes the PEGZ-1 a better option for me than the Portabrace. Some people prefer the Portabrace.

-Dave
 
So if I'm a fatty then I should get the Porta Brace right? 'cause I am packing on the pounds... and I'm not stopping until I can get the michellin man's job.

Seriously I guess I'll just get the PEGZ-1 after all... Even though I think the Porta will hold both of these things really well... the front pocket is lower and that would leave the fp24 sitting below the marantz... and with the little "wings" on the mixpre/fp24 that will make it awkward to ride the left channel... so unless I actually make my own bag (as was jokingly suggested) I think the Petrol will best suit me.

I'm actually considering making my own bag... and then getting an audio harness to support it. I need a bag that holds the fp24 at least as high as the marantz... so for my purpose it's a pretty simple thing... I just want something that's the same height at the top but stepped on the bottom. With the little holding straps the Petrol should accomplish that... but I looked into these bags so much that I'm not exactly blown away by any of 'em. I don't much like the idea of getting a $220 bag that's any kind of a compromise... when I can fabricate one from something that's halfway there for $20 plus shoulder strap. (I guess for some of you it sounds pretty nuts to modify a soft cooler or soft toolbox... I'll let you know what I end up with... honestly I'd rather just get the Petrol and be done with it.)
 
The PEGZ-1 is a good bag and I like it but I am not sure it is the route for everyone. Matt would be able to offer you a better suggestion then I. Despite the lack of choices, your bag is a very personal decision that I muled over for quite awhile.

The plastic clips on the wireless holder have not been an issue for me, nor do I see how they would be unless you abuse them. As I said you do need more straps to hold your wireless down (unless you trust gravity all the time) but you can buy or make some afterwards. It's not a perfect bag but it does give you more freedom then my experience with Porta Brace does.

My advice would just be to talk to your dealer or test them out yourself.

Definately get a shoulder harness. You can wear a mixer around your neck but a full bag will kill your posture and leave you broken at the end of the day. Definately experience talking here. :)

Best
 
I am currently working on an "anti-gravity" bag. It will have anti gravity repulsors on the bottom, so it will basically float.

-Dave
 
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