Presenting myself and Needing some Advices

N

nyquist-x

Active member
Hi! My name is Fernando, I´m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I work as an audio editor in a post house downtown since 2002.

I was reading this excellent forum for long time now and I´m willing to purchase some locating audio gear, and my budget is from low to low mid ($1500) at first investment.

I need a two track CF recorder, 1 Hyper/Super/Cardioid mic, 1 lavalier with UHF or VHF receiver, pole, windshield,a PZM mic and good batteries and good CF card.

This is what I could find:

Fostex FR2LE $ 430,00 (ebay)
Akg BLUE CK93 $ 387,00 (B&H)
Akg WMS40 FLEXX $ 299,00
Rode Boompole $ 128,00
Rode Deadcat $ 41,00
Trascend 133x 8Gb (x2) $ 56,00 (ebay)
Venom 7.2 V 3600 (x2) $ 60,00 (ebay)
Crown Sound Grabber II $ 70,00

TOTAL $ 1471

I already own a couple of AudioTechninca ATH-T22 and Sennheiser HD202 (for backup)

Maybe I can change the Akg WMS40 FLEXX for Sennheiser ew112G2 ME2 Omni Lavalier Mic Wireless UHF System for an extra $200, will worth it?

If there´s anything that I´m missing, please, let me know and any input will be really preciated.

Thanks in advance.
Best Regards.
Fernando
 
Please?

Please?

I know that I´m new here, but please if anyone can show me some light on this matter.

best regards.
fernando
 
Hi, Fernando. Welcome to the forum.

What sort of location recording are you planning to do?

The FR-2LE is a great little recorder. However, it lacks the timecode option available for the FR-2. Not a huge issue, but something that will inevitably inform your production workflow.

If your budget permits, I would strongly reccomend putting a mixer on the front-end of the FR-2LE. An SD302 will give you better preamps and limiters, as well as a variety of other handy features. A mixer will also make your load lighter if you're shooting single-system. I also find that the controls on a mixer are far easier to operate in heavy winter gloves (I quite dislike those ring and nub pots that Fostex used).

Other than plenty of extra cables, a second flash card and headphones, you may want to consider a rechargeable battery system. That recorder eats AA's like popcorn, and all those alkaline batteries can really chew into your bottom line. Swapping 8 batteries two or three times in a day can quickly become a frustrating exercise, especially when everyone's holding for sound. I'm running my FR-2 off of an NP-1 battery via an adapter cup. I usually get a day and a half out of two charged NiCad NP-1's, and they're so much easier to swap. As an added bonus, the FR-2 will switch to the AA's if the NP-1 power cable is accidentally pulled out or if you're swapping in a fresh battery.
 
What are you planning to record? Production sound or FX? Looks like a production collection but? The dead cat won't do you any good with out a zeppelin to put it on. A PZM is kind of specialized for such a small kit unless you know your going to be using it for something. I don't like the FR2, maybe the Le is better but I wouldn't count on it. I would try one before you buy it. It's not sound quality but functioning that bugged me. You don't need 8 gig cards. You get about one hour per gig at 48/24 stereo. Providing the FR2 Le lets you record mono an 8 gig would be 16 hours of record time. Others who do more production can correct me but I doubt that anyone other than poss docs roll for more than eight hours in a day, probably closer to three or four. No reason not to get 8's but 4's are less than 1/2 the price, I've seen them as low as $12.
 
Location gear purchase

Location gear purchase

Hi Smuir! Thanks for your reply.

We're going to record at normal weather conditions , indoor and outdoor and I'm just me for sound. That's why I can't have too much stuff going on.

Regarding timecode, it won't be necesary.

The Mixed idea is very good, but sadly I can't afford a decent mixer like the sd, but I might start with a rolls mx152 ($110), does it worth the try?

I did lots of research for batteries for the fr2le, and the best option are the tamaya 7.2v packed batteries, that gives 8hs of running time (I put two In the basket). Do you think that I can solve the common battery issues with that?

Thanks again for your warm welcome and excuse me for my basic English.
Fernando
 
Noiz2 said:
What are you planning to record? Production sound or FX? Looks like a production collection but? The dead cat won't do you any good with out a zeppelin to put it on. A PZM is kind of specialized for such a small kit unless you know your going to be using it for something. I don't like the FR2, maybe the Le is better but I wouldn't count on it. I would try one before you buy it. It's not sound quality but functioning that bugged me. You don't need 8 gig cards. You get about one hour per gig at 48/24 stereo. Providing the FR2 Le lets you record mono an 8 gig would be 16 hours of record time. Others who do more production can correct me but I doubt that anyone other than poss docs roll for more than eight hours in a day, probably closer to three or four. No reason not to get 8's but 4's are less than 1/2 the price, I've seen them as low as $12.
Click to expand...

We´re going to record TV commercials, actors, some SFX, Amb, roomtones. My idea was to use the PZM like a plant mic, of course it´s not that easy to hide, but I can´t afford a B6 or a COS11. Here in Argentine we don´t have stores like B&H or Guitar Center or places like that, here what you saw, is what you pay for, they don´t give you the option to test the gear. About the CF, Yeah, I think that maybe I overreacted with 2 x 8Gb, I should be fine with 2 x 2g or 4gb.

Would you say that it´s better to upgrade the budget a little and purchase a Sennheiser UHF EW112 G2 instead a basic Akg WMS40 FLEXX? I read in several post that the G2 mic isn´t that good, but I guess that it´s better than the AKG.

Thanks for your input, all of you are really helpful.

Best Regards.
Fernando
 
Finally.

Finally.

Well, after putting all the info on paper , here´s my ideal setup (of course, to start recording).

* Fostex FR2-LE with 4 x Tamiya Batteries 7.2v 3600mAh (8hs each) (with 2 chargers) and 2 x CF 2Gb
* Rolls MX54s three channel mixer with phantom and 9v batteries.
* AKG CK93 with hyper capsule.
* Sennheiser G2 100 SERIES with EMG100G2 receiver, SK100G2 belt pack & ME-2 lavalier.
* Rode Boompole
* Rode Deadcat
* Porta Brace AR-FR2LE
* AKG ATH-T22 Headphones

Total $1800

I don´t know if it´s better to build my own cables with neutrik or swithcraft connector (or any other good brand), or buy it somewhere.

Please, if you think that this list can have more improvements (without raising the cost, of course) all kind of ideas are welcome.

I´ve attached the image of the future gear setup.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me!
Fernando
 

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Just to make sure you're clear, the Rode Dead Cat is designed to go over the foam windscreen of the NTG-1 and NTG-2. I assume it will fit over the foam on the AKG, but its something you should double check. I also don't see a shockmount in your lists. The Rode Blimp would take care of the wind protection and the shockmounting for about $300 US
 
Jordan, you´re so right, I talk to B&H support and they told me that the AKG CK93 is too short for the deadcat. Sadly I can´t afford a blimp yet, so If you know any brand or model cheaper, It will be awesome. Maybe if I can get a wind protection and a shockmount for $150, would be GREATtttt.

Thanks for the tips!
Best Regards.
Fernando
 
Rycote makes a bunch of slip on "Softies", there should be something in that line that will take care of your wind protection. There's also the 'puffin' from www.micover.com that appear a little less expensive. They don't list anything specifically for the AKG, but there's probably something there that would work.

The Rycote Invision is a nice shockmount that's around $70, So you should be able to put something together around $150.
 
Fernando,
at the level you're playing at just get a softie.
Its a lot less money, it cant get crushed and its quicker.

Worry about the zep after you start buying higher end equip.

I would also seriously stay away from a Rolls field mixer if i was you.
 
Yeah, as somebody who works for a company who sells a lot of Rolls mixers, they're great when a salesman screws up and tries to run audio from two computers into a projector that only has one audio input and you need something cheap to not totally destroy the profit margin.... but nobody has ever called up and requested one by name because they have such a great reputation. :)
 
Captain Pierce said:
Yeah, as somebody who works for a company who sells a lot of Rolls mixers, they're great when a salesman screws up and tries to run audio from two computers into a projector that only has one audio input and you need something cheap to not totally destroy the profit margin.... but nobody has ever called up and requested one by name because they have such a great reputation. :)
Click to expand...
Well guys, thanks a billon for the support! The right model of rycote Softie for the CK line is the 5cm SmallHole ($99).

wow, I didn´t know that was soo bad :( Do you know any reasonable mixer with good price-quality relation?

Thanks a bunch.
Fernando
 
Finally, this is what I'm going to purchase:

Fostex FR2LE with porta brace dedicated bag.
Akg ck93 hyper with rycote 5cm small softie.
Sennheiser EW112G2 with m2 omni mic and bodypack.
Rode boompole.
Rode SM4 ShockMount.
2x Cf 4gb 133x
4x 7.2v 3600 mAh (8 hours battery life)
total: $ 1720

First thing to purchase after the first payment: SD mixpre

If you think that something important is missing, please feel free to make tour comment/critic.

Thanks to all!
Fernando
 
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I'm coming back late but. The PZM isn't a very useful plant mic because it's semi omni so it's going to pick up all kinds of garbage. You would probably be better off with a wired lav. Or just fold the money into the wireless which is more versatile as a plant anyway.
 
Pzm

Pzm

Noiz2 said:
I'm coming back late but. The PZM isn't a very useful plant mic because it's semi omni so it's going to pick up all kinds of garbage. You would probably be better off with a wired lav. Or just fold the money into the wireless which is more versatile as a plant anyway.
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks by the advice Noiz2, I already void the idea of getting a PZM mic. I´ll concentrate my effors (and $) into a SD MixPre, Sennheiser G2 UHF kit with Countryman B6 (next purchase).

I was reading a lot about cables, I think that I´ll buy some Canare Quad bulk cable from markertek with some Neutrik connectors, total $55 + shipp for 2x18ft and 2x12ft cables.

What do you think?

Best Regards.
Fernando
 
A couple of months later...

A couple of months later...

Hello Guys!

Well, finally, I get this stuff:

Fostex FR2LE with porta brace dedicated bag.
Oktava Mk012 with hyper capsule + -10dB pad + softie
Sennheiser EW112G2 with m2 omni mic and bodypack.
Rode boompole.
Rode SM4 ShockMount.
2x Cf 4gb 133x
4x 7.2v 3600 mAh (8 hours battery life)

Now, I realice that I need a wireless receiver, like the EK100G2 to make totally portable.. because I´m tied to AC with the EW112G2. Any toughs? Where can I buy one at good price? Can I use another wireless receiver brand or model?

Best Regards.
Fernando
 
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