As we race headlong towards the end of 2016, here's the December e-newsletter.
Thanks for your support though 2016.
It's great to keep in touch with you, whether you're an active client or simply like to receive this newsletter.
Draw on our experience, investigate the links and call or email Sound Techniques with questions or orders.
We'd like to keep you engaged. We want to inform and entertain you. If you have any ideas on subjects you'd like to read about please let us know.
Like us on FaceBook and follow our Twitter feed to keep up with day to day activities here.
Summer closedown: We close 5:00 p.m. Thursday December 22nd and re-open 8:30 a.m. Tuesday January 10th, 2017
Production is amping up for summer and we close down from December 23rd to Tuesday January 10th, 2017. If you require goods from overseas before Christmas we'll need to know by December 9th and for booking gear needed early in the New Year the deadline is December 16th.
We'd love to know of any possible requirements over the Christmas/New Year period and make appropriate arrangements with you. Email us or call in to talk about equipment you might need.
If you need equipment over our break leave a message on 09 366 1750. We'll endeavour to reply within one working day.
STOP PRESS
AES3/Analog interface for @Lectrosonics SR series receivers launched today.
The output of any SR Series receiver can be delivered in analog or digital audio formats using this adapter. The unit will work with all receiver versions to provide audio in the following formats:
• AES3 digital audio at 48 kHz sampling with an internal clock
• AES3 digital audio with an external word clock at 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz sampling
• Balanced analog audio from - 50 dBu to +5 dBu in 1 dB steps.
Keep the audio in the digital domain.
Mozegear innovates with TIG eQ and Mini Papi
The TIG eQ is possibly the only Timecode Generator you will ever need.
With a choice of locking connectors (BNC or Lemo), durable aluminium build and tiny size, it'll fit anywhere.
The front is laser etched, no label to wear off, it's light and is powered from AAA batteries. What about timecode?
Outputs and jams to all standard frame rates with LED indication to show if jammed, free running, or cross jammed.
LED indication for battery warning and timecode in hours and minutes
all this with a 2-year warranty
Indicative price, BNC version $595 + GST
MiniPapi
What's this, a single channel mic pre-amp, low cut filter with phantom power?
Correct! Just the thing to power a microphone and set a level to plug directly into a camera from DSLR to Alexa Mini or plug in a microphone into a line only input on a mixer.
It's small, light, strong with 72dB of gain with 55dB range (rotary control), ideal for plugging and powering a microphone
It has a continuously variable low-cut filter from OFF to 200Hz, Limiter on both the Front-end and Back-end to virtually eliminate clipping, Full 48 volt phantom power with On/Off switch and LED indication, Output level indication by 4 LED lights and switchable -20dB pad
It's tiny (6.35cm x 2cm x 5.33cm without the connectors) and weighs just 114g
Front-end filter to reduce RF interference
Full XLR input and TA3 output. It requires external power (5-18v) from either Hirose or micro USB with an isolated Power Supply
Faced with a panel discussion on a moving bus featuring a presenter and five mayoral candidates for the Auckland mayoralty, Adrian Hollay of RNZ asked Sound Techniques for a 688 mixer/recorder to test its auto-mixing capabilities.
The 688 has two different techniques for automixing. MixAssist works best when the background is constant and the subjects are wearing similar microphones such as a panel discussion in a theatre. Dugan Automix works better when different microphones are used and the subjects are situated in a room which has differing audio backgrounds. He chose the Dugan version because he was aware that the noise of the bus and traffic around the bus would vary and he wanted to avoid any pumping of the audio.
The event wasn’t broadcast live. On the 688 the automixing works to deliver a main L/R mix, with all the microphones able to be recorded to their own iso tracks. Mr Hollay believed that he could have saved about two and a half hours of post production time as he was able to use the auto mix except where he had to tidy up a part of the discussion where the candidates voices talked over each other.
See and hear the results here http://bit.ly/2d2hQAN
The new Zoom H4n Pro is more than a cosmetic upgrade to the classic H4n; it features new and improved advanced microphones, high-performance improved mic pre-amps, and an extremely low noise floor of -120 dBu, enabling musicians and filmmakers to get high-quality four-track audio recording for music, video content, podcasting and just about everything in between.
With a new rubberized, ergonomic body designed to withstand quote a few bumps in the field Zoom has added locking combo XLR connectors to ensure that your XLR cable stays secure and avoids accidental cable pulls. A headphone/line out jack makes it easy to send high-definition stereo directly to a camera, while a built-in monophonic reference speaker provides quick audio reference in the field. Buy one here!
The forthcoming Zoom F4 "offers Hollywood sound at an indie budget" promise the Zoom folk.
With 6-input/8-track recording, super-low-noise mic preamps, and time code with pinpoint accuracy,
TCXO Time Code for precise audio/video syncing,
advanced onboard limiters to provide overload protection with a rock-solid build and lightweight design
A compact metal chassis makes the F4 both rugged and durable, and keeps its weight down to just over 1 kg without batteries.
Three power sources
Power up your F4 with 8 AA batteries or an external DC battery pack with a converter cable connector. The F4 also includes a Zoom AD-19 power supply and a DC-HIROSE adapter which serves as a third power option. Optional F4 Accessories:
PCF-8 field bag for F4 and F8 MultiTrack Field Recorders
BCF-8 battery case for F4 and F8 MultiTrack Field Recorders
ECM-3 mic capsule extender cable
XYH-5 shockmounted X/Y mic capsule
XYH-6 X/Y mic capsule
MSH-6 mid-side mic capsule
SGH-6 shotgun mic capsule
SSH-6 stereo shotgun mic capsule
EXH-6 dual XLR/TRS combo input capsule
10% Discount on ADAM Audio monitors for eligible Tertiary Students
ADAM Audio has launched a discount scheme for tertiary students for F5, F7, A3X, A5X, A7X, A8X, A77X, Sub7, Sub8, Sub10 MkII monitors.
Simply present your student ID to an authorised ADAM Audio sales outlet, complete some simple paperwork and you'll get a 10% discount off the listed price. Eligibility:
To qualify bring your student ID and complete the eligibility form. The student should be enrolled in a higher education program that has reference to music and video related studies.
The discount scheme currently runs until 31/12/16 Contact us for more information
(Aspiring engineers see Studio C4, Copenhagen, above)
Customers who purchase a pair of ADAM A77X studio monitors are entitled to get one out of two plug-ins from Native Instruments™ with a value of $300 + GST for free. The choices are:
Want to upgrade your studio monitors to SX series?
ADAM Audio offers a Christmas present to studio owners with between 20 and 30% off S2X, S3X-V, S3X-H, S4X-V, S4X-H, S5X-V and S5X-H monitors. Save $1,000s.
To have your own pair at these amazing prices you'll need to confirm an order by January 20th, 2017 for delivery estimated for February 2017.
First express your interest and ask us for a quote and agreement on terms of payment.
SyncBac Pro from Timecode Systems
Timecode Systems' family of timecode generators and readers communicate with each other wirelessly and can be controlled by Blink app for iOS or Android.
The latest addition to the range is the SyncBac Pro which delivers time code to a Hero 4 silver or black camera. This facilitates accurate synchronising of Hero 4s in a multi camera shoot or with audio recorded on a mixer/recorder with timecode.
A demo model is available. Contact Sound Techniques to try out the range of Timecode Systems devices.
New in Store or On the Boat
Don't trust the online hype. See for yourself and try before you buy.
NOHANZ Biennial Oral History Conference, Labour Weekend, Christchurch
Stephen attended the biennial Oral History Association Conference in Christchurch over Labour Weekend.
He enjoyed the celebrations of 30 years of the Oral History Association in New Zealand, meeting clients, new and old, sharing some recording tips and listening in to the presentations. Contact Sound Techniques if you want advice on recording equipment for oral history
Thanks to:
Wilhelm Voigt
Dick Garratt, Maori Sports Awards
Don Paulin
Eugene Arts
Fred Enholmer
Fraser Satherley
Grace Bateman
Dean and Fiona Thomas,
Myk Farmer
Manu One Ltd
Massey University, Aaron Harmer
New Zealand Racing Board
Chris Hiles
Carissa Jamieson
Peter Kraan
David Madigan
Radio Waatea
Shuriken Ltd
Stephen Butler
Steven Harris
Tony Johnson
TVNZ
Veronika Meduna
Whitebait Media, Tim Murdoch
Rentals Catalogue updated
The rentals catalogue on the website was updated and the new catalogue came into effect on March 8th, 2016.
Kits are updated to better reflect current requirements, new equipment has been added and some older gear has been removed (though if you really need a Lectrosonics 195 radio mic it's still available). Rates are unchanged. Call or email us if you want to rent gear or confirm what would suit your shoot
Why not "try before you buy"?
Rent a piece of equipment and confirm you'd like to own your own within 2 weeks of the rental. Sound Techniques will rebate 1 week's rental towards the cost of the kit.
New deals are added to Soundfondue every week. Check out the range of products and offers changing weekly. Range includes selected Beachtek adaptors, ADAM Audio monitors and more.
Terms of trade
Sound Techniques terms of trade have been revised recently. The full version is available here Our principal terms of trade are:
1. All invoices are to be paid COD unless agreed in writing.
2. Claims arising from invoices must be made within 5 working days of invoice.
3. All goods remain the property of Sound Techniques Ltd until paid in full.
4. All overdue invoices bear interest at 20% per annum (or maximum allowed by law) on unpaid balance. There is also a $30 returned payment fee for any declined cheques/automatic withdrawals.
5. In the event of default of payment when due, all costs of collection, including legal fees and court costs, shall be paid by the debtor.
FlexiRent will finance new kit for you over 12-48 month periods.
When the big job comes in and you need new gear but are strapped for cash. Sound Techniques can organise finance through a FlexiRent Operating Lease or Lease to Own plan. With an operating lease all payments are fully tax deductible and you can replace the gear after 3 years.
Try out the FlexiRent online calculator to work out the payments.
Open: Monday to Friday at 08:30.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday we close at 17:00.
On Wednesday we close at 16:00, except for pickups, to allow us time for training.
We only open on weekends, public holidays and for unforeseen disasters by prior arrangement.
www.soundtq.co.nz; phone 09 366 1750; fax 09 366 1749 "we listen and give sound advice"
For Your Entertainment
How many mixers does it take to change a lightbulb?
1) "Is that an analog bulb or a digital bulb?"
2) "It's in the manual, You DID READ THE MANUAL, DIDN'T YOU?"
4) "None. That's what assistants are for."
8) "None. They'll just fix it in the mix."
Q: Do you know why electricians don't smoke pot?
A: Because it would take them a year to light it.
Old Sound Mixer's prayer
God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.
Timecode Systems' family of timecode generators and readers communicate with each other wirelessly and can be controlled by Blink app for iOS or Android
