[Brian Reynolds]

Thanks for reply Craig….. its interesting your comments.

‘I always tell my students that IF they can afford one pro on a film they want to make, “hire an audio engineer.”
Most films can’t afford this luxury. So the next logical thing to do is research and test test test, in order to learn how to use the gear they have well enough to end up with usable or better audio. And if they ask me where they can start that research, I would point them to this forum. If they were to ask me how to find an audio engineer for their projects, I would do the same.’

It appears that the original thread poster has not done what you have recommended of test, test, test and to do it BEFORE its actually needed. It seems to be a common trait these days to use gear without even a basic concept of what you are actually trying to do.
I do a considerable amount of audio production in Radio, TV studio/ out side broadcasts and location sound for News / EFP shoots and it is often brought up in general conversation re; training of new people into the industry and it seems that people often use forums to problem solve rather than self solve basic problems.
It is seeming to be that most new audio people can be a computer jockey and be familiar with the latest software and apps but yet cant seem to do things LIVE. Even a basic live 3x headset 1x FX mic basic radio sport OB seem to be beyond many graduates from some audio schools yet they seem to be able to produce a music CD of a music groupnwith ease.

So in brief what I’m trying to say with ALL the audio education that is occurring around the world why does it seem there is an increase of VERY basic questions being asked on forums like this one…. Is it a case of the education is not actually giving the student the information they need or is it being taught in a manner that people are just not grasping? Or is it case of our expectations of new people are just to high?

[Brian Reynolds]

Sounds like a mixer setting problem rather than a radio mic problem.

[Brian Reynolds]

How long have you been doing location sound?
Mic / Line level is VERY basic stuff…. If you are struggling at this should you actually be doing the job?

[Brian Reynolds]

A basic sort of setup I would regard as a 3-4 channel mixer, a couple of radio mics, short shot gun mic with wind protection, a boom pole and break away mixer to camera cable.

I have a similar setup (without going into brands) it does nicely for most jobs.

As for what to charge… work out a per hr rate x 10hr day + hire of a kit (even if you own it) + consumables / travel = charge rate.
It’s hard to give exact figures due to world wide wage variations, but it will give you a guide.

[Brian Reynolds]

How many T powered mics do you have?
I believe that T powering will damage mics.
The OB company I do some work for has 2x Senni 816T mics in blimps that have 48v phantom – 12vT converters permanently mounted on the handles, so with this done the option of T powering never comes up in mic selection or discussion.

[Brian Reynolds]

Is that mic also low level on other gear?
Is the mic battery powered if so is it a fresh battery?
Have you tried another mic on that cable into the H4n?
Is that mic cable faulty?
Are the settings on the H4n correct for that mic setup?
You are going into the XLR input of the H4n and NOT the 6.5mm jack input?

The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…

[Brian Reynolds]

This might help….. or it might not.

https://countryman.com/display.asp?catid=4&pid=75

The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…

[Brian Reynolds]

The output of most (maybe all) Beachteks are mic level so doing a split with a 3.5mm Y cord will only deliver a mic level signal at the earphone which is way to low to hear, even the ear phones would act as microphones in this sort of setup…..
In other words its not going to work… sorry

The difference between Knowledge and Wisdom is… Knowledge is the knowing of facts…. Wisdom is the sensible application of good quality knowledge…

[Brian Reynolds]

I do about 4-6 theatre OB’s for TV broadcasting each year, the best combination I have found over many years is 3 stereo pairs.

On the first balcony in centre [normal camera position] I will run an A-B set up using omni lapel mics at about 2m apart feeding back through the camera lines.
This gives a VERY wide open sound.

I then use a XY mic on prompt side either AKG 552 or Rode NTG4 on a tall mic stand in the aisle about 4 rows from the front facing the crowd.
This gives a nice med spaced sound.

And another XY set up on the other side of the theatre using Sennheiser 416 mics.
This gives a very tight sound that you can hear groups people murmuring and clapping.

So with the 3 stereo sets of mics you can zoom in and out of the crowd to match the camera shots simply by cross fading between the stereo pairs. Wide to Tight ….. or Tight to Wide

Way more exciting than a single stereo pair…….

PS. (My personal view ONLY) I hate MS mics with a passion for broadcast and avoid using them unless its the last mic/s in the kit. And if you do use MS aim the mic up at about 45deg to give a more difused sound… this technique works very well on large sporting crowds.
Generally I prefer XY or spaced omni mics.

[Brian Reynolds]

Have a look at the latest Tascam recorder (I have never used or seen this model yet) https://tascam.com/product/dr-100mkii/ It has an advantage over the H4n with balanced line i/p’s and better protected mics. Tascam also have several other models of multi track recorders.
Some of my colleagues use Sony recorders and are happy with them https://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-audio/cat-recorders/
Then there is Sound Devices https://www.sounddevices.com/products/7.htm
Or Zaxcom https://www.zaxcom.com/nomad-2
Nagra, Denon, Korg etc

It all depends on what you want to do, how many tracks you need and how much do you wish to spend?