(Part 2) Best products from r/LocationSound

In my admittedly limited experience, yes you are using moleskin to mimic what undercovers do. I've found that the thinner moleskin tends to work best. This is a good bulk roll that I've found works great, and is not as thick as it says: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ANMYRI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've found that moleskin with a little Joe's Sticky Stuff works really well and will stay put.

You can also buy packs in any pharmacy, usually found in the foot care section. Hope that helps!

Get yourself a used older iPhone (or any smart phone) and add the Rode Rec app from the app store. This app does a much better job than the native app and the quality is excellent. There are also other cheap or free apps that can do this. This Movo mic works great with iPhone, too.

A phone is as good a recorder as the H1n definitely!

This is my minimum suggestion for ultra low budget sound, so that you can run dual system:

Tascam DR60D mk2 (on sale you can get it for only a little bit more than what a Zoom H1 is, while the DR60D is massively massively more useful than an H1, in a totally different league. And in my opinion the DR60D mk2 is better than anything Zoom makes up until you get to their F8 / F4 recorders). Tascam DR70D is also worth considering for a little bit extra (as then you can run two or more wireless lavs at once while recording the boom as well).

3m ish should be the minimum length to consider for a boom (5m or longer is good to have at hand as well!).

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Miloboo-MLZ901-Carbon-Fiber-285cm-Handheld-Grip-Support-LED-Light-Microphone-Boom-Pole-Holder/32318802436.html

A pair of no budget level headphones to consider:
https://www.amazon.com/TASCAM-TH02-B-Closed-Back-Stylish-Headphone/dp/B00B1N06PO/

Rode NTG2 is in my view the absolute minimum level shotgun mic a person should get (or Sennheiser MKE 600). A Rode NTG3 would be an even better choice, and a mic that could last a person a long long time. However the NTG3 costs a lot more (even though the NTG3 is I feel one of the best value mics there is!). Hopefully the Aputure V-Mic D3 will ship soon and change the game for ultra low priced microphones (promising NG3/416 level of performance!).

Rode WS6 windshield is essential! (get a blimp too when it can be afforded)

A hypercardiod is needed as well for indoors (shotgun is for outdoors), Samson C02 is a popular zero budget choice (but an Audix SCX1-HC would be so much better).

Rycote Universal Shotgun Mount:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1155648-REG/rycote_037340_universal_shotgun_mount_for.html

Having wireless lavs as well is important once you take this to the next level, but usually they're extremely expensive! (Look at lectrosonics) Even for the absolutely cheapest bare "minimum" quality to make it worthwhile you are looking at a Sennheiser G3 or Sony UWP-D11.
But I feel Saramonic UwMic9 is a game changer at the ultra low budget level with their recent product, thus worth checking out as the next step forward for upgrading your overall kit.
Next step after that will be to get OST-801 lavs, as you'll see a big improvement over the stock lavs:
http://www.oscarsoundtech.com/services.html

I have 10 Zaxcom ZMT3’s. ZMT3 is wildly comprehensive, timecode jammed internal recording, remote gain control, remote frequency control, remote transport control. The dynamic range is massive and the modulation is fully digital (50mw of pure digital is a whole other beast than 50mw analog or analog/digital hybrid).

I often hide ZMTs inside of hats and stuff. They are not cheap. You almost just have to buy them in a set (2 transmitters and 1 receiver) - that runs about 6,000$ new. Then you’ll need lavs. I use DPA 4063Core’s, those are 450$ each, plus you will need the Microdot to Lemo3 connectors.

7000$ for a set, but to do the remote gain, wireless jam, and the other remote control features, add the IFB200 (1350$)

8350$ to start.

It’s pretty much the most expensive possible route to go down for wireless mics. I assure you, I know.

So, I’m guessing that you don’t just have 8,000$ to spend on wireless. That means you need to get creative.

How often are the camera guys filming actors feet?

I often hide transmitter packs on ankles and thighs. I RARELY use a belt clip. I would recommend looking at Ursa straps (30$ each). There is also Neopax as well. Both are good. Over the years I have gained a big selection.

https://ursastraps.com/
https://www.neopax.biz/

Even another tool that is even cheaper...good old fashion bandage wrap. Works just fine and it doesn’t slip.

https://www.amazon.com/Cramer-Eco-Flex-Self-Stick-Self-Adherent-Compression/dp/B00IO3E1IW?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_8

So now you’ve got some straps or bandage wrap and thinking “Hey, this cannibal might be onto something here”. Look at the back of that G3 where the belt clip connects, those nubs. Those are gonna hurt.

Get these.
https://www.adorama.com/pscshushheel.html?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=adl-gbase

Take the belt clip off, then take one of the pads (like the 1”x1.5”), but that dead center of back of the G3. That offsets the surface so those nubs aren’t digging into your actor. Put in lithium ion AA (much longer run time) and wrap up that ankle or thigh.

/u/schlonger_donger - you might want to consider saving some money by taking an intermediate step between the DR-40 and the [$999.99 Zoom F8] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012XFT0XC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B012XFT0XC&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) - the [$599.99 Tascam-701D] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BFUX76W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B01BFUX76W&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20).

Here is Sam Mallery's view: ["First Thoughts on the Tascam DR-701D Field Recorder"] (http://www.sam-mallery.com/2015/12/first-thoughts-on-the-tascam-dr-701d-field-recorder/)

"Only" 4 XLR inputs and 6 tracks, but the preamps are darned quiet (-124 dB EIN compared to the F8's -127 dB) and it might an easier transition, since you're coming from another Tascam product.

And no, you won't need a mixer with the DR-701D either.

Hope this is helpful and best of luck with your audio upgrade!

The best (and often only) way to improve your sound on no budget is to move your existing microphone closer to the source. There's no cheap way to get good audio from mics that are 10-15 feet away from the audio source.

Can you put the snowball on the boom closer to everybody? You say you're thinking about a shotgun on a stand, so it sounds like everyone is stationary. A usb extender would let you get it closer to everyone.

A shotgun might pick up everyone equally at 10-15 feet, but it isn't going to sound much better than the Snowball. If you can set it up closer, it isn't going to be good for 5 people because it's very directional, so it'll pick up one person fine and the rest will sound wrong. The Snowball Ice is directional, but has a wider pickup than a shotgun so it might work ok.

It sounds like you're doing some kind of talk show? You could get a non-Ice Snowball and set it between everyone, kind of like Rhett and Link do with their much nicer mic (A Moue by Blue).

Here are two other options that might work, but are probably bad ideas.

You could get cheap lavs on Amazon for everyone and run them into everybody's phones, though that's prone to user error.

You could get a bunch of cheap lavs and 1/4 inch adapters and find a cheap mixer like this and run that into your computer.

Earwigs would be absolutely ideal, but sadly the production (an indie short) is overbudget and can't cough up the ~$250/day to compensate me for the rental of a basestation and an earpiece.

A portable battery with AC is an excellent idea! Fairly sure Electric had you use something like this, which I'm all but certain this barebones outfit won't have, but I'll check. Not sure how they'll power their lights. I might buy a cheapo Amazon battery and pair it with a speaker. Hopefully it'll suffice since the car playback scenes are short.

Not to that exact one, found it in the hunting goods section of WalMart for $8. I can say that my harness belt is 2" as well, and it fits perfectly. This was more or less what it was.

I should also mention that ammo boxes are a great way of storing AA batteries off your person. Most are cheap, waterproof, and hold around 50-100 batteries. This one has been the best $3 I've spent on organization in my life.

This would be a good place to start - I'm not sure what sort of "package" you're buying but hopefully it includes most of this stuff already.

Get an AC adapter, but always use batteries as well. I was shooting a concert once with my H4N plugged into the sound board and running on AC power. At the end of the show, some asshole just unplugged the AC cable, which corrupted the WAV file for 2/3rds of the show - even a data recovery service couldn't help. If I had put batteries in, it would've kept running despite the lack of AC power and the show might've been saved.

Get a shock mount, like this only don't buy from Amazon.

Also, I recommend a drum clamp, like this - they're surprisingly versatile. I'll typically attach one side to my boom pole, then attach the shock mount or the mic clip adapter to the other side, and you're done.

I got a call from On-Stage (the mfg of my mic stand) and they gave me a FANTASTIC recommendation: these goose necks are threaded on both sides, and are flexible removing the need for a rotating ball adapter for certain mics/cameras.

I bought two 19" ones, so now my 30" boom pole will be able to reachabout 68", be flexible more than half that length, and cost me a grand total of 16$ for the solution, rather than 30 for a painters pole that i would have had to adapt, or a replace the whole boom pole for god knows how much and adapting it to the tripod mount on the stand somehow.

I'm about 6 hours late but here's my advice after using the H4n for a few years.

I found that I can decrease the H4n noise floor by using the mains source rather than AA batteries. You can do this out in the field by using an external battery bank and this USB power cable.

Other than that make sure 'stamina' mode is disabled.

This guys video goes into it a little more.

All the best, hope this helps you out.

You may or may not be having battery issues, but since we're on that subject, here are some tips. First, make sure you change the batteries in your G3s at every meal break. Most of the time, a single pair will get you through a 12 hour day, but don't take the chance. Second, make sure you have a great AA charger. I recommend this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Titanium-Battery-100-240V-Adapters-MD-1600L/dp/B005UNPM3M

Finally, experiment with using a variety of rechargeable AA Ni-Mh brands with different capacities, and realize that these batteries will eventually wear out. Whenever I pick up another 8 rechargeables, I try a different brand. They're all basically interchangeable in terms of capacity, but this way I know which batteries are older and therefore nearing end of life.

Why does the fridge have to stay plugged in?

Easy trick: fill a bunch of two liter bottles and freeze them. Put them in the fridge and it will keep it cool enough that you can turn off the fridge and If anyone looks in it just looks like soda. You can also use milk jugs.

If the fridge must be turned on turn it all the way up (colder) hours before shooting. then during shooting turn it all the way down (warmer) so the fan doesn't kick on and off as often.


First off what's your budget. I could reccomend something but I am just wasting time until I know your budget.
What exactly are you looking for as a lavalier recommendation? Brand? type? location?

Considering what you are shooting with a simple long cord wired lav might work best for you. You can grab really cheap wireless stuff on amazon that do work but can have problems and the quality can be inconsistant. A quality cheap set is going to be 600ish unless you find some used. As a cheap option that has worked really well for me in the past was using a a cheaper digital recorder with the a lav attached. http://amzn.com/B004TE5HBU
Hit record clap it and stick the recorder in the talents pocket. Now this can be nerve racking cause if something goes wrong with the recording you wont know till you check the recorder. But the audio quality is amazing compared to the really cheap wireless stuff.

There are million ways to this audio stuff. state your budget and what the specifics of what you need to know to make your choice. Im just rambling at this point.

I've heard good things about Amazon as well. The biggest complaint I have with EBL is that they get beat up super quickly - the foil label/cover started to tear of mine after only a couple uses. So far I have noticed any jarring issues with performance.

I'd recommend getting something like this charger that can test capacity - I didn't find much difference between EBL / Eneloop out of the package. I imagine that higher end batteries will hold up better over time in terms maintaining capacity and low self discharge, but I haven't come up with any empirical data to support that yet haha.

La Crosse Technology BC700-CBP Alpha Power Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RSOV50/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0ViXBb72GYW44

The smartphone idea is a good one.

If you really don't care about losing the recorder, I would honestly just get something like this and get some really cheap lavs that don't sound totally awful to pair with them.

But really, if it were me, I would try my best to make sure no one walks off with my gear. That seems like such a waste of money, and wouldn't you lose the recordings too, since they are being recorded directly to the recorder?

These Samson mics are surprisingly good. I use them for indoor interviews and am perfectly happy with the quality.

A colleague of mine uses this one,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002ZO5WM/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1450988012&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=On+stage+stand+boom
He loves it. Looks like it can fold up fairly small.
Good luck.

Something like this

https://www.amazon.ca/TalentCell-Rechargeable-11000mAh-14500mAh-26400mAh/dp/B016BJCRUO/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhJrqBRDZARIsALhp1WQQBhZXhL-K4nUA05cIK9N05dnKWfePi4dDN6JCUCthXrSpab7NOBQaAhKCEALw_wcB&hvadid=284210268362&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9001484&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=13890626508992761386&hvtargid=kwd-377617364151&hydadcr=1498_9454457&keywords=talentcell&qid=1564964277&s=gateway&sr=8-3

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Then just plug it into the dc port on the f8n?