Remote Truck Picture

[Remoteworld]

Hello everyone,
Due to the little buzz we seem to have stirred up around here about ourselves, I, Ian, have decided to post a picture or two of our outfit. So, without further ado:

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/semantics16/Phil_s_Truck_054.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Above is a picture of the interior of the production room in the truck. The centerpiece being a Frank DeMedio fabricated custom API console, circa 1973. This picture is 3 years old and there have been a few slight changes, namely two more video monitors added to the top above the UREI speakers. The picture on the monitor was from a camera set in front of the truck chassis, that one being the old chassis; it has since been replaced, thus the "old chassis". At this point we can't locate any of the more recent exterior shots, but we will have some up on the website soon, and possibly one or two on here, depending.

But one more, just for kicks and shameless self-promotion. Here is a picture of myself "mixing" in one of NMT's video trucks (two years ago). On the right side of the picture, albeit cut off, is a small portion of our gear; Including: 1 MX 2424, 2 Sony CDRW 33's, 2 DA 78 HR's (though we had three...you can't see the third, not really the focal point of the picture = P ), a Glyph drive unit, and a computer monitor running MX View. So there you have it folks!

<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/semantics16/VideoTruck-KeiserChiefsgig.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

[Remoteness]

Very cool. I love the pictures!

And, we want to see more...

You folks should consider checking in and posting on the "Remote Forum Role Call..." thread.

We also have a "Show & Tell" thread for you too!

Click on the links above and check them out -- I know you will want to add a thing or three.

No, need to stop posting on this thread... I'm just giving you more options (to show your stuff) since a lot of us are on those other threads.

Enjoy the forum!

[Jim vanBergen]

Good stuff! I love the API- what is the layout, 24x 312-style preamps with 550As? How about monitor path?

Cozy & functional. Looks great!

Thanks for sharing the pics!!!

Jim

[Remoteworld]

Steve and Jim,

Thank you both for your interest... (Phil speaking)

Steve, we're looking forward to using the new space for pix, & such. And thank you for entertaining the "youthful zeal" that I think Ian communicates (do you think he's excited about the "biz?")

I hope each reader has the opportunity to try some of this stuff... I was afforded the opportunity way early in my career to do some stuff I never thought I would have.

With regard to the console, Jim, the main console has, I think, six sets of card racks containing API 312 mic pre's, and a bunch of booster amps. This is a one-of-a-kind console designed for Doug Clifford, Stu Cook and Russ Gary (of "CCR" fame) back in the early seventies. Lots of "iron" in this thing. If anyone has any interest, there's a terrific story behind all of this. The monitoring was originally off to the right side, and set up to do "quad" (remember those days, anyone??) There's a separate four track monitor section and two-mix section. We don't use this section for monitor anymore (in the conventional sense) but in support of a separate monitor console (out of the picture.)

Off to the left side is a cut-down API 1604 which affords another 16 channels of API I/O's. The console has both 550a and the original 550 eq (44 channels of that.) I suppose 'nuf detail, yes?

Remote recording is STILL a thrill, even 30+ years later. Love to hear some stories from you all... like when the machine you were working with (or some such thing) caught fire (that actually happened to me!)

We'll try to post some addition pics, but we'll try to direct them to the new thread.

Thanks again for your gracious posts...

Phil

[Axiomhead]

Wow... d8B's on a remote truck! I've always wondered if that was a viable choice in the production world. I'm contemplating 2 DMX-R100's for our truck...

How'd the d8B's perform? We have one @ the studio, I love using it, just wish the converters were nicer sounding...

[Remoteworld]

Originally Posted by Axiomhead

Wow... d8B's on a remote truck! I've always wondered if that was a viable choice in the production world. I'm contemplating 2 DMX-R100's for our truck...

How'd the d8B's perform? We have one @ the studio, I love using it, just wish the converters were nicer sounding...

I've seen any number of "exotic" consoles on video trucks (exotic from a purely audio standpoint.) The D8B's were installed on a NMT (National Mobile Television) remote video truck, not the PER truck (ours is a straight-ahead analog console.)

Bob Skye of "Skyelabs" had a couple of D8B's in his rig, and that (I believe) worked well for him as an owner operator. I think it would be more difficult for an itinerant engineer to navigate.

As an aside, I've experienced that video trucks are concerned mostly with generating stereo mixes, and are rarely (if ever) concerned with multi track audio, hence the emphasis on consoles that address "live", two-mixes. I think the most common console placed on a video truck will be some incarnation of the Soundcraft. Most will have VCA controlled sub mixes / groups. But you DO encounter a console (like the D8B) which will give you much more flexibility, but require a relatively steep learning curve if you are not familiar with the unit. Some really hi end trucks, of course, have consoles like the Sony Oxford, which is great if you're well-versed on all things "Oxford", but will leave you scratching your head if you're not!! I've been A-1 on a couple of video shoots where the EIC was crazy buzy entertaining someone else's problems on a remote, & I was left alone to ferret out routing issues... had a terrible time trying to do very basic chores on a console with which I had no knowledge (and going crazy, as well, trying to navigate a patch bay with encrypted designations and terms I've never heard of before!!)

Unless some piece of gear is universally recognizable common, anyone considering a "digital anything" for audio production will have to weigh the benefits of the unit against its potentially "anti user-friendly" downside. It is also unfortunate, but it seems as though with "all things digital", the piece you install today will be "yesterdays news", and in very short order.

Thanks for the reply...

Phil

[Axiomhead]

Thanks for the in-depth reply... it gave me some good ideas!

[Jim vanBergen]

Ed Greene has used the D8B, that's a desk he OWNS and brought for the opening & closing Olympic ceremonies in Utah. Which I thought was funny, 'cause whenever we have spoken about work he always is talking about how the Calrec is untouchable...

I've installed the Mackie TT24 for a client who loved it...and has replaced it TWICE from the manufacturer (caveat emptor!)

Before you install the DMX-R100s, or talk about an Oxford, you could discuss Sony's service issues with the All Mobile Video guys, who are moving the way of the Studer Vista.

Just a thought. Of course, whatever works for you, right? Seriously, whatever works!

[Axiomhead]

lol... I love the Vista.

I feel like I've highjacked the thread.... sorry

[Jim vanBergen]

Phil & Ian,

The truck looks sweet. The knobs on the lower front side left side (on me, that's Engineer's belly) are those pan pots, gain pots? Curious cat here, but I want to record some shows on your truck!

Nice work, guys.

[Remoteworld]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Phil & Ian,

The truck looks sweet. The knobs on the lower front side left side (on me, that's Engineer's belly) are those pan pots, gain pots? Curious cat here, but I want to record some shows on your truck!

Nice work, guys.

Jim,

those knobs are, indeed, gain pots. Each drops the input level at 10, 20 and 30db intervals in front of the associated pre-amp. There are variable negative feedback controls above each 550a EQ.

Thanks for asking....

And, yes, you are certainly welcome to command the A-1 spot on any future shows might have. Can we sign you up?? :^)

Phil