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Professional Sound Services Newsletter
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October 2008
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Tomm Dauenhauer
Customer Tomm Dauenhauer, Audio Supervisor - "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood" E! Channel
As an audio supervisor, I've come to understand the pros and cons of sound bags versus cart systems very well. So when I had the chance to get the best of both worlds with Zaxcom's Deva Fusion portable digital audio recorder/mixer, I jumped at the opportunity to put it to the test on the E! reality series "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood."
Because of the nature of reality television, in which dialogue and environment are frequently changing, distributed audio systems have long been the dominant approach to recording audio. This involves multiple bag mixers with each sending two audio channels to their associated cameras. This provides maximum mobility, but requires a lot of equipment. And having only two mixdown channels per camera can prove limiting in post production.
On the flip side, a cart-based audio system allows for multitrack recording where eight to 12 tracks can be mixed together. While this provides a lot of functionality, the bulk, logistics, weight, heat and battery drain make it impractical for keeping up with the talent. In "Snoop Dogg's Father Hood," it's usually necessary to be in a "run-and-gun" scenario, following an entire family and friends, so, we frequently are using all eight channels of audio.
We also have an operator who keeps track of all the lav radio mics and the production team IFBs as well as mixes on a traditional single-camera bag mixer for situations where some cast members will leave the house. Without a script, we're always surprised with the flow and changes to the program, and we must instantly adjust to them.
I'm an equipment geek, so I'm constantly on the lookout for gear that will allow me to do my job better. The Zaxcom Fusion system definitely answers the call. Most importantly, it's a solid-state recorder. This is important because I'm running around a lot during the show and didn't want a hard disk recorder that could be susceptible to g-forces, heat and shock. However, unlike most solid-state recorders, the Fusion is small enough for use in a bag and gives me a full eight channels of discreet digital audio, recorded to two Compact Flash cards for redundancy. It's also easier on batteries than hard disk recorders. Metadata is recorded direct to the cards, allowing me to name each channel with the talent's name, date of shoot, timecode, and scene notes. It even generates an Excel spreadsheet report with the metadata listed.
DUAL IFB FEEDS
The Fusion also supports two IFB feeds, which allows me to feed the audio to the story producers, so that they can follow the dynamic multiple storylines and instruct me to change the IFB mixes on the fly. The quality of the audio is amazing and the Fusion's reliability is extremely impressive. I've used it daily since April to record hundreds of files, and have only lost a portion of one file—and even then, I consider it my own fault.
Ultimately, the Fusion puts you on a higher level. I've had more control over what is being recorded and feel it has really improved the overall quality of the show.
"Snoop Dogg's Father Hood" Season II airs on Thanksgiving Day.
The Zaxcom Fusion Solid-State Mixer Recorder
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Presidental Debates
AUDIO-TECHNICA CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUPPLYING MICROPHONE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES
The 2008 presidential election is shaping up to be an extremely close and exciting race, and Audio-Technica has once again been selected to capture every word from Senators McCain and Obama, as well as Senator Biden and Governor Palin, at the presidential debate series. Audio-Technica is providing a wide selection of wired and wireless microphone solutions for the series, which is being held in a range of settings, beginning with the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, on September 26 and culminating on October 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY.
A leading audio resource for high-profile broadcast events, Audio-Technica has been outfitting the debates since 1988. With the company marking its 20th anniversary as the premier mic supplier for the debates, a host of microphones from Audio-Technica's comprehensive product line will be featured to cover the diverse needs of each application.
The town hall setting in Nashville, TN, on October 7 will be arguably the most challenging audio environment, requiring a variety of reliable, high-quality mics to facilitate the fast pace and complicated format of this debate. Audio-Technica's acclaimed Artist Elite 5000 Series Wireless Systems will be on hand to ensure clear, accurate reproduction of the candidates' – and moderator Tom Brokaw's – every word. In addition, A-T's AT898 and AT899 Subminiature Lavaliers will be integrated with the 5000 Series Systems for unobtrusive use with maximum intelligibility. Throughout the debate, several voters will ask questions of the candidates from the audience, using AE6100 Hypercardioid Handheld Dynamic Microphones connected to Audio-Technica's AT-MX351 SmartMixer Five-channel Automatic Mixers.
The other three debates, which situate the candidates and moderators variously in front of podiums or seated at tables, also feature a number of A-T products. Greg Pinto, Audio-Technica VP of Marketing, remarked, "It is an honor to have our microphones recognized and chosen once again for the presidential debates. In events of this magnitude, microphone performance is critical, because there is no second chance to get it right. A-T continues to forge our reputation as the go-to microphone solution for high-profile broadcast events, providing outstanding sound and reliability."
Celebrating over 45 years of audio excellence worldwide, Audio-Technica is a leading innovator in transducer technology, renowned for the design and manufacture of microphones, wireless microphones, headphones, mixers, and electronics for the audio industry.
Audio Technica $20 and $40 Rebates. Get up to $40 REBATE when you purchase an Artist Series microphone between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.
Audio Technica Artist Series Microphones
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October Sales Special
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NYC Production
REEL JOBS NYC
PROJECTS IN PRE-PRODUCTION/PRODUCTION:
Damages Company: Canterbury Productions Inc. Address: Steiner 15 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 Contact: G. Yeaton Scout: 6/6/08-11/1/08 Shoot: 6/24/08-11/1/08
Every Day Company: Every Day, LLC Address: 905 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238 Contact: Matt Preston Scout: 9/ 25 /08-11/24/08 Shoot: 10/27/08-11/26/08
Fringe Company: Warner Brothers Television Address: Silvercup East 53-16 35th St, LIC, NY 11101 Contact: Dhana Gilbert Scout: 6/19/08-11/25/08 Shoot: 6/26/08-11/25/08
Gossip Girl Company: Warner Bros. Television Address: 42-22 22nd Street, 3rd Floor, LIC, NY 11101 Contact: Steven Spencer Scout: 6/4/08-12/31/08 Shoot: 6/19/08-3/3/09
Last Night Company: Last Night Productions, Inc. Address: 609 Greenwich Street, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10014 Contact: Franses Simonovich Scout: 9/12/08-10/20/08 Shoot: 10/20/08-12/5/08
Life on Mars Company: 20th Century Fox Television Address: 34-12 36th St, 3rd Floor, Astoria, NY 11106 Contact: Beverly Billin Scout: 6/25/08-12/31/08 Shoot: 7/29/08-12/31/08
Lipstick Jungle Company: NBC Studios, Inc. Address: 203 Meserole Ave, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11222 Contact: Dawn Riley Scout: 6/9/08-11/19/08 Shoot: 6/23/08-11/19/08
Love and Other Impossible Pursuits Company: Impossible Pursuits, Inc. Address: 535 Eighth Avenue, 7th floor NY, NY 10018 Contact: Jamie Buckner Scout: 9/18/08-11/20/08 Shoot: 11/5/08-12/19/08
No Love in the City Company: LPLS Films Production, LLC Address: 34-12 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106 Contact: Joe Sevey Scout: 9/15/08-10/31/08 Shoot: 9/26/08-10/31/08
Royal Pains Company: NBC Universal Address: 287 N Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 Contact: Michael Fucci Scout: 8/27/08- 9/1/08 Shoot: 9/1/08-10/30/08
Running in Heels Company: Left/Right Inc. Address 145 W 28 St NY, NY 10001 Contact: Michelene Starnadori Shoot: 8/26/08- 12/31/08
Talking Woodstock Company: Tuxedo Terrace Film, NBC Universal Address: 291 Tuckahoe Road, Yonkers, NY 10710 Contact: Patty Willett Scout: 9/12/08-10/20/08 Shoot: 10/10/08-10/20/08
The Girlfriend Experience Company: GFE Films, LLC Address: 799 Washington Street, Ste. 207, NY, NY 10014 Contact: Kimberly Haden Scout: 9/15/08-11/4/08 Shoot: 10/9/08-10/31/08
The Winning Season Company: Winning Season LLC Address: 210 Douglass Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217 Contact: Jim Pellegrinelli Scout: 9/5/08-12/31/08 Shoot: 10/6/08-11/30/08
Ugly Betty Company: ABCS NYC, Inc. Address: 34-02 Starr Ave, NY, NY 11101 Contact: Hilary Kehoe Scout: 6/24/08-12/31/08 Shoot: 7/7/08-12/31/08
Unorthodox Company: McGee Street Productions Address: 110 Leroy St 6th Fl, NY, NY 10014 Contact: Samantha Kreitzer Scout: 8/6/08-10/3/08 Shoot: 8/25/08-10/3/08
Untitled Columbia Pictures Project Company: Columbia Pictures Inc. Address: c/o Photomax 31 Carmine St NY, NY 10014 Contact: Michael Kriaris Scout: 9/2/08-10/31/08 Shoot: 1/2/09-1/31/09
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Rich's Recommendations
Sennheiser EM3732
The new EM 3700 Series combines highest operational reliability, best sound quality and great convenience and comfort for the user. The wide switching bandwidth of 90 MHz and many connection options make these receivers the most flexible tools in the market. They feature a number of innovative functions, such as a digital audio output, high-contrast display and extraordinarily intuitive operation via an icon-based menu. Via their Ethernet connector, the receivers can easily be integrated into any network to be remote-controlled and monitored via the Sennheiser Wireless Systems Manager (WSM) software. The sync function ensures a quick system set-up, enabling SK 5212, SKM 5200 and SKP 3000 transmitters to be synchronized with the receivers via an infra-red interface. The receivers are fitted with an AES3/EBU digital audio interface for direct connection to digital mixing consoles.
 Pro-Sound Low Price: $4973.00
 Sennheiser e835 Cardioid
Lead Vocal Stage Microphone
The Sennheiser e835 is a cardioid lead vocal stage microphone specially designed to perform under pressure.
Features: ~Rugged metal body~Excellent feedback rejection~High sound pressure handling capability~Shock-mounted capsule provides excellent suppression of handling noise~Uniform on- and off-axis response~Cardioid pick-up pattern provides isolation from other on-stage signals~Hum compensating coil
Delivery Includes: ~1 Sennheiser e835 Microphone ~1 microphone clip~1 pouch.
Technical Data: Frequency Response: 40.....16000 Hz~Sensitivity in free field, no load (1kHz) 2,7 mV/Pa~Min. terminating impedance: 1000 Ohm~Dimensions: d 48 x 180 mm~Weight w/o cable: 330 g.
Pro-Sound Low Price: $99.00
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60th Emmy Awards
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Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee - HBO - George Tarrant, Production Mixer; Rick Ash, Re-Recording Mixer; Edward C. Carr, III, Re-Recording Mixer |
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American Masters - PBS - Ed Campbell, Re-Recording Mixer |
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Entourage - HBO - Steve Morantz, C.A.S., Production Mixer; Dennis Kirk, Re-Recording Mixer;Mark Fleming, Re-Recording Mixer |
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Scrubs - NBC - Joe Foglia, Production Mixer; John W. Cook II, Re-Recording Mixer; Peter J. Nusbaum, Re-Recording Mixer |
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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - CBS - Mick Fowler, Production Mixer;Yuri Reese, Re-Recording Mixer; Bill Smith, Re-Recording Mixer |
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Tony Bennett: An American Classic - NBC - Dae Bennett, Recorded & Mixed By; Sue Pelino, Re-Recording Mixer; Christopher Koch, Additional Audio Post Mixer |
Congratulations to all nominees and winners!
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Pro-Sound Education
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Sound Slicker
MTO Audio & Video Professional SOUND SLICKER Rain Cover / Rain Poncho: El Nino Proof Rain Protection Is Used By Every Major Network! Rain Covers & Ponchos From MTO Are Designed Strictly For The Audio & Video Professional Who Cannot Tolerate An Inferior Product. Made From A Lightweight Blue Ripstop Nylon With A DWR (water resistance) Rating of 80 After A 3-Wash Test (0=Worst; 100=Best Per Industry Standards). This Fabric Is Also Used By Companies Such As Patagonia & North Face. Ripstop nylon, covers person with his/her equipment. Clear panels on sides of hood let you see where you are going! Additional large clear panel on chest to view your equipment. One very generous size fits all.
Pro-Sound Low Price: $180.00
MTO Sound Slicker Rain Cover / Poncho
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Andrew Melnyk
Pro-Sound gear hard at work, with a little extra grip technology!
Thanks for the picture Andrew!
Go Giants!
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Save 10%
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10% OFF YOUR CUSTOM CABLE ORDER!
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In This Issue
Pro-Sound Links
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Pro-Sound Working Hard!
Did you know that you can print
out handy forms and reports
right on line at PSS?
HANDY FORMS AND REPORTS!
• PSS SOUND REPORT 2 Track
• PSS SOUND REPORT 6 Track
• PSS Location Scout Check List
• PSS Expendables List
• PSS Communication Quote
• PSS Expendables Quote
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PRO-SOUND RENTAL DEPARTMENT
Film and Video Production Sound, Broadcast, Communications, Sound Reinforcement, Post Production, Multimedia Production, Theater and Live  Performance.
The PSS Rental Staff is available to discuss your particular needs. Whatever
this may be, let PSS assist you in putting your Rental Package together.
NAGRAS, DIGITAL AUDIO, WIRELESS MICS, WALKIE TALKIES, Q SYSTEMS, MICROPHONES, SPEAKERS, PLAYBACK SYSTEMS, SOUNDCARTS, SIGNAL PROCESSING, FISHPOLES & BOOMS, INFRARED TRANSLATION SYSTEMS, MIXERS, TIMECODE SLATES, CELLULAR PHONES and now VIDEO EQUIPMENT AND LIGHTING!
PSS OFFERS THREE DAY RENTAL WEEK! BEST DEAL IN TOWN!!!
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Professional Sound Services Low Price Guarantee
Professional Sound Services Low Price Guarantee is the best in the business.
If that isn't enough, we'll match anyone's Low Price Guarantee.
To top it off, we consistently offer great savings on items we stock! Why shop anywhere else?
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Professional Sound Services • 311 West 43rd Street Suite #1100 • New York • NY • 10036
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PSS Provides Outstanding EDUCATION!
