Buying sound gear locally - Los Angeles area

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When buying new, where in the LA area do you guys shop for audio gear?

I’ve had good and bad experiences with TrewAudio. They are more focused on the needs of sound people. Big jobs. Big clients. Big purchases. So, i get put off when i go in there to spend $100-$1000, and it feels like i am wasting their time. I know we often spend more than that walking into home depot, but still. It isn’t Trewaudio’s fault, and they seem to be doing an awesome job for the pro’s that really keep them in business.

Just wondering, as a shy camera guy, where can i go to spend $300 here and there?

I recently went to Audio Department up the street in Burbank. Spent almost $900 (can’t imagine they made much profit though). Much more friendly, but not much camera related audio aks. Based on their openess, i will go to them first from now on.
https://www.audiodept.com

Band Pro and Abel do not carry much audio gear.

Filmtools feels a bit like walmart, and after a few so-so experiences, i just don’t really go anymore.

EVS is primarily rental now.

Samy’s is spotty. Although an awesome plce to get just about anything.

Is there a way we can avoid BH/Amazon syndrome? I want to give my business to these local guys who are there for pros.

As a camera person, it would be nice if there happens to be a store that has audio for camera gear in stock.
 
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An example of how camera people need audio gear these days, is amplified (nice pun) by the mirrorles/dslr switch. In order to run n gun, i need to throw a beachteck, juicedlink, tascam, or mixpre on there to just have the audio options i am used to on older systems like the DVX100 etc.

So, instead of running around with a short shotgun mic that came with the camera, i am starting from scratch (another nice pun). Now i am looking at a shock mount, a mic, a cable, and a recorder or preamp, and a wind sock, just to start, and that can easily be around $1500 or much more. I have seen operators with those rode hotshoe things, but i don’t like the way they sound personally. And they definitely don’t expand the audio capabilities of a mirroless/dslr camera.

The mirrorless/dslr modern camera op audio niche has been largely relegated to online purchases, it seems. But camera people have to buy more audio gear than ever before, and i definitely want to support local businesses i can go to and pick something up same day.
 
If it makes you feel any better, I know dedicated audio guys that don't like dealing with Trew, either(and some that just don't period). I've been buying from them for a long time, but probably 10+ years ago I switched to TAI in Orlando for almost all of my hardware. I still buy cables from them(Remote Audio), though. They are great at custom audio cables and all of my mixers have their umbilicals. A lot of other audio dealers actually sell their cables(RA).

So, not local, but worth checking out.
 
That does make me feel better.

If i am ever in the Orlando area again, i will stop in at TAI and get something. Always need something, especially on the road!
 
Although not local, and more of a big supply house for musicians, Sweetwater is another option. I purchased a couple of mics from them a few years ago on a special. The deal went perfectly as have a few orders since. Since then, I have had a salesman (same guy every time) who calls me and chats me up a few times per year. Amazingly, this guy wants to know about what I am doing even if I don't have any business for him and seems genuinely interested in developing a long term relationship. Who does that anymore? I have purchased audio from BH, Trew, Sweetwater, EVS and others. The only outfit that ever gave a rats ass about my account was Sweetwater. They don't have all the stuff for audio for video, but they do carry a lot and seem willing to hustle when I need something.
 
ggrantly said:
Although not local, and more of a big supply house for musicians, Sweetwater is another option. I purchased a couple of mics from them a few years ago on a special. The deal went perfectly as have a few orders since. Since then, I have had a salesman (same guy every time) who calls me and chats me up a few times per year. Amazingly, this guy wants to know about what I am doing even if I don't have any business for him and seems genuinely interested in developing a long term relationship. Who does that anymore? I have purchased audio from BH, Trew, Sweetwater, EVS and others. The only outfit that ever gave a rats ass about my account was Sweetwater. They don't have all the stuff for audio for video, but they do carry a lot and seem willing to hustle when I need something.
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Another plus one for Sweetwater.

Their customer service is great.

Of course it helps I have bought a ton of drum/PA stuff there as well.
 
Not a local company for west coasters but I highly recommend Gotham Sound based out of NYC and Atlanta. I've always found the staff to be knowledgable, patient and kind, especially the custom cable department who constantly do exceptional work for me. They stand behind the work that they do and products they sell. They are my favorite vendor to deal with in the industry, with AbelCineTech being a close second. I'm not affiliated in any way, just a customer. www.gothamsound.com
 
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ggrantly said:
Although not local, and more of a big supply house for musicians, Sweetwater is another option. I purchased a couple of mics from them a few years ago on a special. The deal went perfectly as have a few orders since. Since then, I have had a salesman (same guy every time) who calls me and chats me up a few times per year. Amazingly, this guy wants to know about what I am doing even if I don't have any business for him and seems genuinely interested in developing a long term relationship. Who does that anymore? I have purchased audio from BH, Trew, Sweetwater, EVS and others. The only outfit that ever gave a rats ass about my account was Sweetwater. They don't have all the stuff for audio for video, but they do carry a lot and seem willing to hustle when I need something.
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Sound like my guy at TAI. When we had all the bad weather and hurricanes on the east coast last year and one was predicted to hit around me, he called to check and see how I was doing.
 
puredrifting said:
https://www.locationsound.com/
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Surprised I am the only one who mentioned them, must not be a lot of LA peeps in this thread. I've been renting and buying from them for almost 30 years. They have a real repair department that can fix things or wire your lavs for you, they have real salespeople who can sit with you and give you information and solutions and their prices are fair, although you can beat them buy going to a B&H box house, of course. I've also gone to some free workshops at LSC, they are always putting on stuff with Sound Devices, Lectro, etc.

In LA, we used to have Coffey Sound up Cahuenga but they became Trew when Jim Coffey retired. I have not been in to Trew in years but LSC has always been a reliable source for me.
 
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puredrifting said:
Surprised I am the only one who mentioned them, must not be a lot of LA peeps in this thread. I've been renting and buying from them for almost 30 years. They have a real repair department that can fix things or wire your lavs for you, they have real salespeople who can sit with you and give you information and solutions and their prices are fair, although you can beat them buy going to a B&H box house, of course. I've also gone to some free workshops at LSC, they are always putting on stuff with Sound Devices, Lectro, etc.

In LA, we used to have Coffey Sound up Cahuenga but they became Trew when Jim Coffey retired. I have not been in to Trew in years but LSC has always been a reliable source for me.
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Thank you. That sounds pretty amazing. I used to love Coffey, so hearing you say that definitely Makes me want to try LSC.
 
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