Danny Grizzle
Forum Replies Created
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I understand the KONA LHi has analog component outputs. But far as I can tell, it only has 1 analog component output and 1 digital output (HDMI).
I’m wanting to monitor NTSC and HD simultaneously. Pointless?
If so, it appears, the NTSC signal will tie up my analog component outputs, leaving only the HDMI to drive the Panasonic HD plasma.
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Years ago, I bought a Steinberg Houston Controller and never got much use out of it. My edit desk started life as a conference room table, but the audio control surface was still too big. The Houston was, however, a glorious thing to see in action.
BTW – Harman Kardon manufactured the Houston Controller in England for Steinberg. It is beautifully built, and not too long ago Steinberg updated the drivers — astounding for a long discontinued device. I should probably put mine on eBay – it is in perfect condition. I’ll never use it again after losing my Nuendo dongle, which was inside my MacBook Pro laptop bag when it was stolen in Houston, Texas, 3 years ago. I got so bent about losing a $2,000 dongle, I went with Apple Logic to replace Nuendo. I also lost a Waves Diamond dongle in the same theft.
OK – back on controllers and space considerations.
I was recently considering a Euphonix MC Control (the MC Color, actually, but the line also includes a mixer control surface). Euphonix happens to be sponsoring a banner ad here on CreativeCOW even as I write this.
Now for something completely different, and easy on the desktop real estate:
https://saitarasoftware.com/Site/AC-7_Pro.html
I had already bought an iPad, so this was a $10 no-brainer purchase for me. I’m just now putting together my new FCP workstation, but this iPad app looks crazy perfect, and it is wireless to boot! The Apple-brand iPad case folds into an easel at the perfect angle to turn the iPad into an ideal audio control surface!
The AC-7 Pro has mixed reviews, but it appears problems were documentation related, and that this issue has been resolved. I should know soon when I setup configuration on my new workstation.
My take – the AC-7 Pro is so beautiful on my iPad screen, it is worth $10 even if it does not work. But I suspect it may become the favorite audio control surface I have ever owned!
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Aside — joke on my choice of Behringer active monitors, a big mismatch from the high end mics (Sennheiser MKH and Sanken lavs) that I use in production:
Some parallel here to a Mark Twain quote often related to me by a friend:
“Wagner’s music is better than it sounds.”
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How are the vampires attached? I see two short stubby needles…
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Bob,
My new machine has been delivered, along with the AJA LHi card. Apple mounted their hardware RAID card in slot 4, leaving slot 2 empty. As you warned, AJA recommends inserting the LHi in slot 2.
FWIW, I have all 4 internal bays populated with 2TB drive mechanisms. Is RAID 5 configuration sufficient for HDSLR editing with PRORES codecs?
Are you saying I should move the Apple RAID card to slot 2 for maximum throughput and run the AJA LHi in slot 3 or 4?
Thanks for your assistance!
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BTW – anybody who wants the SteadyTracker, I’d be glad to give it away. Don’t know what it might cost to ship, but surely not much. On the other hand, it might be best to throw it into the dumpster.
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Nice reel for Gavelers. I found myself wishing to see a reflection of your rig in the glass cases, just to see what you were doing. Actually remarkable that you avoided reflections, given the challenge of so many glass surfaces at so many angles.
Thanks for your comments.
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I’ve shot for almost 10 years with a CobraCrand SteadyTracker. I’m actually old school in shooting style and never did much handheld until I bought a Sony PD-150 at NAB years ago. Promax was having an NAB show special and the SteadyTracker was free with PD-150 purchase.
I’ve got mixed feelings on this device. Actually, I hate it, only I’ve gotten some amazing shots. My grievances have to do with design and build quality. Design: bulky with a huge sled that is easily bumped with my legs during shots. And the integral stand (a rudimentary crossbar with feet) is also prone to hit things and ruin shots. Finally, the whole contraption is bulky and inconvenient to transport. Build quality: the SteadyTracker is just an assemblage of rough parts and pieces that look like they started the day at a plumbing store, then got sprayed with hideous black crinkle paint.
The only thing going for the SteadyTracker is price ($250 currently) and the fact it can make a decent shot.
The PD-150 has a flip out rotating LCD viewfinder. The Canon 5D Mk II screen is fixed position. Thus my concern about monitoring being more difficult.
There is a guy named Jim Farrell who is linked from Garrett Brown’s Steadicam Merlin FAQs page at tiffen.com. He makes a lightweight mounting plate intended for wireless receivers or external hard disk drives. It takes the place of the lower balancing weights on the Merlin:
https://www.jimfarrell.com/merlin/
What I was thinking is the new SmallHD 5.6″ monitor could ride the bottom counterweight on the Merlin.
https://www.smallhd.com/Products/DP6.html
I wrote SmallHD, and they say it should work – the monitor and two Canon batteries weigh just over 1 lb.
I’m not going to do this immediately, but only if needed as I see how things go with the Merlin, which will be delivered tomorrow.
BTW – the Merlin is $200 more expensive than the Glidecam HD4000. But two features of the Merlin make it worth the extra money to me: 1) operation profile – the Merlin is simply sweet, a very minimal design. After my experience with the SteadyTracker, I’m looking forward to working with a stabilizer where I can concentrate more on composition and less on collisions during moves. 2) The Merlin quickly folds into a very compact storage position. I’m thinking this thing will fit inside one of my Pelican cases, even though B&H is including a free Steadicam case.
If the Merlin becomes an important part of my routine shooting kit, I will probably purchase a 5D Mk II body to dedicate to handheld.
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DSLR Aesthetics
Shallow DOF is all the rage, and probably to excess. A month ago, I caught myself piling on ND to shoot something in full August sunlight. Really, this is an unnatural stylistic excess.
Anybody who is a real professional shooter has long crafted images to suggest depth in what is essentially a 2 dimensional medium. Lighting has always been the primary tool, and volumetric spaces should be lit in planes that draw the eye into the subject.
About 10 years ago, I wrote a piece about large aperture, equating shallow DOF to human physiology and behavior — the boy meets girl effect.
All these techniques – lighting and DOF control – have some basis in reality. With lighting, the rule of thumb has always been “One sun, one shadow.” Multiple shadows are unnatural and detract. They should be avoided, unless there is a compelling reason and probably a practical fixture in frame to explain the contradiction.
Large aperture and shallow DOF should also be used artistically, not gratuitously. My own recent shots in bright sunlight are an example of unnatural wretched excess.
I think handheld work is another form of introducing 3D space into the 2D image. Continuous perspective changes introduced by camera motion may offset the need for shallow DOF. Which is good because the Steadicam Merlin is going to require a wide lens, which generally means deep DOF. There are pros and cons. Obviously a major pro is less need for follow focus. The big con is concern about how Steadicam Merlin images intercut, say if I do an interview with other cameras locked off on tripods and set for shallow DOF.
It would be interesting to hear from other more experienced operators. Does adding a $1,600 vest and arm allow you to shoot with an 85mm lens vs. a 35mm when hand holding the Merlin or Glidecam?
On the other hand, maybe the Steadicam is the wrong tool for the interview situation above. A jib might be better, and have the stability to use a longer lens and larger aperture also.
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I’ve ordered the new 12-core Mac Pro with Apple hardware RAID card and the LHi card.
In another thread, I’m reading a big discussion about slot voodoo and wondering how this will impact my configuration.
Can’t tell you how much I appreciate this forum and the generous advice from experienced experts!
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You got lucky. Most older cards will not work. I am planning a purchase of a new Mac Pro also, but my two TC Electronic Powercore audio DSP boards will not work in the new machine.