EQUIPMENT   

 

As a Boom Operator, I've never had much cause for the expensive habit of acquiring sound recording equipment.

 

However, boom operating doesn't always pay the bills up here in sunny old Queensland, and I've slowly morphed  into some kind of hybrid Boom Op/corporate vid/short film recordist.

 

to help reduce the costs of hiring EVERYTHING, I've slowly begun the path of the equipment collector. It's tough to stop from what I understand, so I'm being picky about the pieces and only getting bits as I can (sort of) afford them.

 

Now I know what you're saying... "That's not a sound kit. Why that's barely a start to one."  Before you start throwing things, let me remind you that I'm a Boomie, and NOT trying to become an actual recordist. 

Equipment that I own, and can rent:

1 x Sound Devices 702T (2 channel non-linear recorder with time-code)

1 x Sound Devices 302 (3 channel field mixer) with stereo feed cable

1 x Ambient 301 time-code slate

1 x Schoeps CMC6-MK41 Hyper cardioid Microphone

1 x Mkh70 “long” Shot-gun microphone

1 x Rode NT-4 Stereo microphone

1 x Sennheiser ew100 (G2) series wireless microphone (ENG/news/doco quality)

4 x Comtek wireless headset receivers (for Director/continuity/agency) with 1 x transmitter

Various microphone stands, and assorted cabling, as required.

Sound Devices 702T

Compact Flash recorder with Timecode.

WOW. no seriously, WOW!

this recorder is the best; Intuitive, simple, robust, compact, solid, reliable - it can do it all. I can HIGHLY recommend any of the sound devices recorders.

click on the photo to travel to sound devices and learn more. (photo taken from their site.)

 

Sound Devices 302 mixer                                

Show me another 3 channel mixer that does as much, that weighs as little, that feels as solid... and I'll... oh whatever, the 302 rocks. Get one.

 
Sennheiser ew100 Evolution 2 Radio mic system (ENG)

 

Not a "film" quality system, but perfect for those jobs that are straight-to-tape, talking heads. (which now accounts for a fair amount of my work). 

The lack of range can be a killer, but it's held up very well as an on-camera talent body pack, or a wireless-link to doco camera.

photo from the sennheiser website (click on the photo to take a trip there)

Sound Trolley

 

 

As you can see it has 2 shelves for recorder/mixers/whatever; a set of 3 drawers to store Microphones, paperwork, and radio mic accessories; a hook for microphone cables and twin boom holders on the back.
Detail view of the bottom of the boom holders

A detailed view of the cable hook
 

Creative Nomad JukeBox III Hard Disk recorder. (my back-up recorder now that I've got the 702T)

This little gem allows me to record at DAT quality (ignoring professional A>D converters for a sec) and transfer it all to my computer for delivery on CD.

Panamic 5.5m carbon-fiber Boom pole, Gitzo small boom pole, and K+M Mic Stand.

What can I say - I'm in love with the Panamic. it's got the best locking knurls I've ever felt, it feels solid, it's just a pleasure to use. Sure it's heavier than others, but that only helps improve my physique - bring on the weight.

 

 

Oktava Mc012 Hypercardioid Microphone (with omni and cardioid caps)

 

Not as sexy as the Schoeps, and nowhere near it's quality, but it sounds nice, and I thought it would be a good 1st mic.

 It's now perfect as my Back-up mic (or stunt-mic) for those moments when the Schoeps would be placed in danger... (gunfire with dialog etc)

 

 

 

 

I bought this beautie off a sound recordist who recently left the industry, and believe it or not, was the 1st boomie to use it way back in 2002 when purchased new. So I've had a long and involved history with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sennheiser MKH70 - long Shotgun, in a RYCOTE full wind setup.

 

 

 

 

 Here's a shot of the case I managed to get in the deal.

RODE NT-4 (X/Y single-point-stereo microphone)

thought it was time to add stereo ambience and fx gathering to my kit.

suspension and windshield from rycote (which is ironically more expensive than the mic) and paired with the 702T; it's all good.

Again, click on the photo to go to the rode mic site, where the image came from

Let us not forget the piece that started it all... My boom stand

           

Taking an steel Umbrella stand, Drilling some holes, adding a few "L" brackets, and putting some plastic piping in the centre, I created a stable, solid, HEAVY, place to store my pole when on set. it's great. 

 

see ya,

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