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The Pearl MS8 Microphone
In the slow changing world of truly professional microphones, where all too often the wheel is simply reinvented, it is nice to have a fresh entry that actually offers something different. In my opinion, the Pearl MS-8 does just that, and does it very well. First, just a little bit about MS, or Mid-Side, […]
READ MOREThe Venerable Fostex PD-4 Timecode DAT Recorder
In the world of portable timecode DAT recorders (OK, the very small world), there was first the Fostex PD-2. This was soon followed by the StellaDAT which was soon followed by the HHB Portadat which was fairly soon followed by this article’s hero, the Fostex PD-4. To be fair, I must first voice my opinion […]
READ MORENagra Wear
People in business have to be conscious of changing trends and adapt to them. Location sound mixers are certainly no exception, and in this case we have to be aware of the effects trends have on our equipment. While Music Videos can no longer be considered a new trend, it hasn’t been until recently that […]
READ MOREAudio Technica AT-895
(Originally published in Audio Media Magazine USA) Shotgun mics do their job well: reaching 5′ across a film set, rejecting moderate ambience to enhance an actor’s conversational voice, with full range fidelity. Parabolic mics do their job well: reaching 150′ across a football field and isolating the cracks of helmets from the screaming fans, with […]
READ MORECountryman’s Tiny B6 Lav Mic
The latest entry in the already crowded field of lavalier microphones is the Countryman B6. With a diameter of approximately one tenth of an inch (2.5 mm), it is the smallest microphone available. If you’re mathematically challenged, by comparison the head of the microphone with the protective cap installed is only slightly larger than the […]
READ MORETools of the Trade: Portable Mixing Consoles
(Originally published in Audio Media Magazine USA) In this volume: Cooper CS-208 & CS-106; Sonosax SX-8; Zaxcom Cameo; Audio Developments AD-146, AD-147, & AD-149; PSC M8. For Film and Television production, these portable mixing consoles (or for our European colleagues, desks) pick up where even the best ENG (electronic news gathering) mixers leave off. Compact […]
READ MORESound Devices MP-1 Portable Mic Preamp
(Originally published in Audio Media Magazine USA& UK) Since the quest for tools that improve the quality of our work often leave us bleeding on the cutting edge, it’s nice to occasionally find a new one that’s actually a better choice. Such is the case with the MP-1 portable microphone preamp by Sound Devices. In […]
READ MOREThe Indie Corner
Lately, I have had the good fortune to be a part of a few independent productions. They have mainly been student projects. Due to my impeccable good will for mankind (and the nausea bad sound creates within me) I feel it is important to try to convey some granule of knowledge about sound to these […]
READ MOREThe StellaDAT II 4-track Portable DAT Recorder
(Originally published in Audio Media Magazine USA) Two oxymorons: Jumbo Shrimp. Perfect DAT. Well, oxymorons or not, I love jumbo shrimp and the Stelladat II is the closest thing to a perfect DAT recorder that we may ever see. The Stelladat II is the new evolution of the original Stelladat (now known as the Stelladat-I), […]
READ MOREThings You May Not Learn In Film School (but should)
[Editor’s note, Feb 2014: Written over 20 years ago now, many of the points below are obsolete, though fun to read. But some things never change] Never run. In short, running on the set is poor professional form for a sound department. While the enthusiasm may be impressive to the unseasoned, running tells those with […]
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