MP3 player

[Ty Ford]

play that track out to a time code reader.

Ty

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[Robin Probyn]

Sorry I dont know too much..Iam actually the camera guy,but the sound gear is mine,and the sound people I know have no idea how to do this.

I just have the camera and the mixer,and a consumer,but fairly good,MP3 player.. no TC reader etc.. to be honest if its a hassle Iam ready to just say I cant do it.

Is this something that wold be considered normal in the US,and that every sound person should be able to supply.Another poster said it couldnt be done when he tried.. I dont want to be the grumpy guy..but work conditions are generally getting worse ie 6 day shoots becoming 4 days.. that Iam not really sure I want extra futzzing around with more cables/gear than needed. to save the prod co a few more bucks 🙂

Thanks!

[Rodney Morris]

I use a Zoom H4 ($300) for this purpose. Record split track mp3 Ch.1 mixed audio Ch.2 TC. At the end of the shoot, plug in the USB cable from the H4 to producer’s computer, transfer the files and you’re done. However, even with TC padded (with a simple Shure attenuator/pad barrel adapter. A line to mic adapter would be better, but to my shame I don’t have one.) I still get bleed over into Ch. 1. Wasn’t a problem for the transcription house, as far as I know.

Yes in the “old” days (ie. just a couple of years ago) we used cassette tape.

BTW – transciption recordings are a separate, billable item. That usually separates the serious clients from the “I just want to milk you for all I can get” clients.

Freelance Sound Technician/Mixer

[Ty Ford]

[Robin Probyn] “I just have the camera and the mixer,and a consumer,but fairly good,MP3 player.. no TC reader etc.. to be honest if its a hassle Iam ready to just say I cant do it.

***Perhaps a local sound person could help you.

Is this something that wold be considered normal in the US,and that every sound person should be able to supply.Another poster said it couldnt be done when he tried.. I dont want to be the grumpy guy..but work conditions are generally getting worse ie 6 day shoots becoming 4 days.. that Iam not really sure I want extra futzzing around with more cables/gear than needed. to save the prod co a few more bucks 🙂
“

***Not everyday, but as I said earlier, very helpful with extemporaneous talent.

Regards,

Ty

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[Robin Probyn]

I do work with local sound guys.. but they dont know how to do this.. but thanks for the info ..

[Robin Probyn]

Ok thanks for your reply..

Who makes the Zoom H4? … so its impossible on a regular consumer MP3 player? do you take the TC from the camera?

Thanks

[Robin Probyn]

what do you charge for the MP3 recording and up load etc?

Thanks

[Rodney Morris]

Well, the mic input on a consumer mp3 player is likely to be a mono input, which means you won’t be able to record split track. You HAVE to be able to do split track to record TC for the time code reader to work. IF the mic input is a stereo input, then it is possible. As was stated earlier, you’ll need a Y-cable and then feed a mic level mono audio feed into one side and a mic level TC feed into the other. There is still a question of whether or not there will be any cross bleed from the TC onto the audio track. My guess is there will be, but it may not be too bad. As far as the bit rate question is concerned – I’m not sure. But I would give it a shot before I bought a separate recorder.

The Zoom H4 is made by the Samson company. It has two XLR inputs, but they seem to be mic level only.

I generally charge $25 for timecode transcription recording unless it’s for the networks. Network news pays a flat rate of $75 for an audio package rental (mixer, mics, etc…) which includes a transcription recorder.

Freelance Sound Technician/Mixer

[Robin Probyn]

Hi there

Ok thanks.. it is a stereo player.So does the TC come direct from TC out of the camera.. I guess it must?

Is a Y cable a 2 mini plug cable into one? I dont think I can get mic level out from the mixer,unless I change the whole output level to mic.. so it going to give me mic level to the camera also… isnt line level better.. I always have it set to line.?

So the audio and the TC automatically go to separate channels through the mic in of the MP3 player?

Thanks again for the info!

[Rodney Morris]

You must confirm that the mic input is a stereo input. Just because it is a stereo player doesn’t mean that the input is stereo. Sorry to be beating the same drum, but it is important.

The timecode comes from the TC Out from the camera.

I’m assuming that the input is a 1/8″ input. I can’t remember if you specified this earlier. The Y cable would need to be one male stereo mini (1/8″) connector to two female mono mini connectors. Actually the two female mono connectors can be any unbalanced type (1/4″, RCA, etc…) but they must terminate into the male stereo 1/8″ plug.

The audio and TC will automatically go to seperate channels of the recorder assuming that the input is stereo and the Y cable is wired correctly.

Freelance Sound Technician/Mixer