Storage Solutions for Audio Kits

G

Gorilla King

Well-known member
I'm (slowly) working on putting together a quality audio kit based on the indformation I read in the sticky and I just wanted to find out some possible solutions for storage and transport. Ideally I'd like to be able to hold everything in one case including the boom pole.

I'm looking at these Pelican cases and it says they do custom foam inserts. Does anyone have any idea about the cost? What'd I'd like to do is get two matching cases (maybe differents colors) with one being for audio gear and the other for video. Maybe also a smaller one for a laptop when I'm outside shooting.

I've put together two lists and the amount of money I can aquire will determine what I get but it'd be best to plan for either.

1.Sound Devices 722
2. Compact Flash Cards
3.XLR Cables
4.Sennheiser MKH416
5.Oktava 012
6. Batteries for SD722
7.Carbon Fiber boom pole

1.Marantz 660 (possibly 671)
2.AudioTechnica 407 (I think tht's the number)
3.Oktava 012
4.Compact Flash Cards
5.Sound Devices Mix Pre
6.XLR Cable
7. Boom pole.

I'd like to fit either ofthose setups in a single case and have there be as little excess space as possible. Unless of course I'm terribly misguided with all of this, in which case feel free to enlighten me!
 
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I use cases from Vanguard. They are much less expensive than the Pelican cases of equal size, but are not as robust or waterproof/air tight as the Pelicans. They are very sturdy though, but I would not put one through checked luggage on an airplane like I would a Pelican case. I get mine on eBay.

Phil
 
I understand that if the Pelican cases ever break they replace them. Thats a nice deal. I'll look into these vanguard cases some more. I've hear several mention them elswhere.
 
Gorilla,

In your research, if you happen across someone that makes the replacement foam for them, please let me know. I have one I want to reconfigure, and can't find the foam anywhere.

Phil
 
Phil,
If your looking for foam for the Pelican, they sell it directly or you can order it from places like Leo's in Oakland.
SK

I've been using the big Porta Brace carryon hard bag. I love it. I don't think I would want to check it but it qualifies as carry on on all but the smallest planes. For checked I would go with Pelican. I was looking at the carry on Pelican but it holds about 1/2 of what the Portabrace bag does and the PB can be carried over the shoulder, though it's a bit clunky.
SK
 
I was actually looking for Vanguard replacement foam (I figure if the cases are cheaper the foam should be cheaper too.) I'm cheap...what can I say?

Thanks for the link...I'll get a quote from Pelican just for fun.

Phil
 
I think its a case of, can you afford NOT to have a peli case.. audio gear is very expensive stuff, and location audio gear by definition has to be jiggled around all sorts of strange places and situations. I think the investment is worth it, for peice of mind, cos if something breaks in your kit from lack of sufficient protection, you can bet it'll be something more expensive than a peli was.

I've got a 1600 with the compartments for all mics and bits, and a 1510 for my 744t and 442 bag, ready to lift out and use. the 1510 also serves as a nice wee table for the kit to sit on, and i sometimes use the 1600 to sit on :) I've got my boom cable-tied to the outside cos it dont fit in the case, but it seems fine there.
 
Yeah the idea of having a case designed for military specs definatley appeals to me. I'm almost certain that's the route I'm going to go but I'm going to have to wait and see which equipment I actually end up getting so I can get te foam inserts designed properly.
 
check the kata lighting/general equipment cases -.the internal space could be cut by dividers .
not cheap - but works quit well for me last 12-13 years .
and as we say here - company which started from making special bags( about 20 years ago) for special forces in IDF cant make bad products ( whith small exceptions - the audio bags are awful)
 
OK, first let me say your first list of equipment is pretty good, but I'd ditch the Octava and get a neumann or schoeps. Putting an Octava in front of anythng sound devices is like putting a Yugo engine in a Ferrari.

As far as the case. Go with Pelican. They rock the house.
 
i think your setup #1 is pretty great.

i would go with the oktava but i would get one of the sound devices with timecode.

i started out with the 722 but returned it and got the 744t

plus now they have the less expensive ones without the hard drive.

hardig makes a LOT of custom cases for the military. they have a line called the storm case which is like a pelican but a lot of people who have both strongly prefer the storm case.

for a soft bag its a tough choice, i started out with a kata kola 4 which i loved but when i added the 744t i ran out of room.

i got the kata sundo 2 but i'm not loving it. i know everyone recommended the petrol eargonizer but i couldn't find anyone who had it in stock.

i think the oktava is a fine mic and if you can afford a neuman or a schoeps thats great.

i have two oktava's, i also have the sennheiser 416 and for a lav i just upgraded to the sanken cos-11s and i have a sanken cub-01 on order and should have it monday or tuesday.

i'll probably get a schoeps at some point but i mostly work on no budget shorts and documentary stuff and the oktava's are a hell of a lot of bang for the buck.

i use all of the above with a sound devices 302 and 744t.

i'm pretty sure i'm going to upgrade to a 442 mixer. i may keep the 302 just because i hate to trade it in and wish i had it at a later date.

i would love to see a complete list of what exile has in his sound kit!

matthew
 
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