Location setup

Click here to see our setup on a film set.

Film Directors and Musicians: How would you like a full sized Pro Tools HD Accel 1 TDM recording the audio for your film or your concert, either interior or exterior locations, for about the same price as smaller, less capable setup?  If that wasn’t enough, how would you like to have all your audio tracks LABELED with the scene number, take number, and even which microphone was used on each individual track?!?  We can do it with our system! We make a separate session folder for each scene we record so you’ll know exactly where every audio track is for each scene.

 Sound Designers: want to do your specialized interior or exterior location recordings with a full Pro Tools HD Accel 1 TDM, capable of recording sampling rates up to 24 bit 192 kHz, and having a completely silent power source for remote locations?

 TV Producers – want to have up to 8-channel surround sound for crowd reactions and general ambient noise backgrounds? Want to have surround and a shotgun mic for your documentaries or dramas? (Ask about additional surround for multiple location events)

 The Portable Iguana from Iguana Kitchen is your answer!

 This setup features the following:

 Pro Tools HD Accel 1 with 16-channels XLR input for all sampling rates up to 24 bit 96 kHz and 12-channels input at 24 bit 192 kHz. Full track and session naming capability for file location convenience. Editing audio tracks on site is also possible.

 Two (2 ea.) True Precision 8 Preamps (or one depending on need) with 8 channels each for a total of 16 available XLR inputs – all with phantom power supply and fully integrated 24 bit 192 kHz sampling.

 A Rode NTG3 shotgun microphone with a Rode Blimp windscreen with Dead Wombat cover and a 10-foot telescoping Rode Boompole. The NTG3 shotgun is perfect for extreme outdoor weather conditions, and also sounds great in a nice quiet interior setting.

 And the ultimate location audio feature: A Holophone H2 Pro surround sound microphone with 8 discrete surround channels: Lf, Rf, Cf, Lr, Rr, Cr, IMAX (ceiling) & LFE (subwoofer). Can be utilized on boom, stand, or hand-held.

 You have three microphone options: Use just our Rode shotgun mic and boompole for standard location dialogue, our Holophone for full surround, or both the shotgun and Holophone for the ultimate flexibility with ambiance and dialogue isolation capture. The Holophone can be used in surround or it makes a great stereo ambient array. We can also arrange to get any other microphones you need: additional shotguns, lavs and other equipment as well as additional experienced crew to handle it all.  With up to 16 XLR audio inputs you can have as many or as few microphones as you want.

 For surround environment only, such as sporting events or nature documentaries, we can simply bring our Holophone and our True Precision 8 Preamp, and send our audio into your system via DB25 or TRS output.  Be sure to ask about additional Holophones and Precision 8’s for multiple venue events.

 For concerts and live gigs we can take a feed off your main PA mixer via XLR inputs. In addition to that we can add in our Holophone for an “audience perspective” soundscape.

 In the Pro Tools configuration all audio is recorded to a Glyph GT050Q external drive. Sessions and files can be copied to your external drive or (depending on size) burned to a data DVD for your convenience. The Glyph has port connections for Firewire 400, 800 and USB. NOTE: You may be wondering – or you audio post person may be wondering – if the audio tracks recorded in Pro Tools need to be “Bounced” before they can be used. This is a concern especially if your audio post person doesn’t use Pro Tools. “Bouncing” the tracks is a Pro Tools command that mixes the audio with all filters, plug-ins, editing, and effects. However, when we record location audio we do not add any filters, processing or effects so the audio tracks don’t need to be “Bounced” before they can be used.  All you have to do is open the folder in each session marked “Audio Files” and import those files into your DAE. No muss, no fuss.

 Our Central Station monitor unit provides headphone monitoring (2 pairs can be plugged in, more with extra splitter box), and we can arrange for monitor speakers if required. It also has a “talk back” option, which allows us to have our setup across the room or in another room and still be able to communicate.

 We have a 100 foot sixteen channel snake and a 100 foot power cable. Our system can tap into any standard 120 volt 3 prong power source. We also have a deep cycle battery power source that can provide up to three hours (more can be added) of silent power for remote / wilderness areas and other locations that don’t have access to standard power sources.

 Need additional equipment/crew? Need a shotgun boom mic and operator? Need lavs? We have a network of pros we work with on projects and can get the right people with equipment and experience for you! Ask for a quote.

 We are located in Grand Rapids, MI. Within a 3 to 4 hour drive to all of the MI Lower Peninsula area including Detroit, and about a 3 to 4 hour drive to Chicagoland. Further distances negotiable.

 Day jobs are considered within a 90-mile radius from Grand Rapids MI. Further distance may require overnight stay, depending on how many single day hours or number of days involved in the project.

 Day Rates:

 Pro Tools TDM with or without shotgun:

10 hours - $600.00

Overtime: $75.00 per hour.

Holophone & Preamp only – ambiance:

10 hours - $500.00

Overtime: $60.00 per hour

Pro Tools TDM & Holophone with or without shotgun:

10 hours $750.00

Overtime: $80.00 per hour.

 For more information email John Pellegrini or call John Pellegrini’s cell phone at (616) 901-1599.