Help me cram a studio into a Honda Element !!

[Evil_G]

Let me start by saying that yes, I'm crazy and this may not even be possible.
Why in the world would I want to do this? Several reasons, which I'll get into as the thread lengthens.

What am I looking for? Advice and ideas.

What am I trying to do (maybe)? Actually, I would like to do mostly audio post for TV in this Element. I have 18 years of experience in this field. I need to be able to record voice overs in a pinch too. I would also like the ability to do some remote recording. 16 tracks max.

Pro Tools is a given. Probably on a Mac laptop. Thinking along the lines of Euphonix Artist series DAW controller(s)...minimal outboard. Would like it to be all in a rack so it can come out. Would like built-in monitoring somehow (?) - Genelec 8020's anyone?

I don't have the actual footprint measurements of the Honda Element with the back seats removed, but it seems big enough. Need to have room for me and one other (producer, BE, etc).

So....power? What options would I have here? Is there something non-gas powered that could run this for a reasonable amount of time?

Anything else you can think of, all comments welcome.
Again, yes, I'm crazy. But I think this would be really cool and it could work. Cramped - yes.
Cheers
Neal

[chris319]

Look into RV powering schemes -- inverters, batteries and associated equipment. A quick glance indicates that you probably want a "pure sine" inverter. A gasoline generator or the car's own engine will introduce acoustical noise.

[edwinhurwitz]

If you could deal with Logic instead of PT, I would suggest a pair of Metric Halo ULN-8s. They are reasonably efficient and sound great. You could run them all off battery power.

Edwin

[Remoteness]

Not to derail your Honda Element idea, but have you considered the Ford Transit Connect?
The price is right and you would have all the room you need while still staying small in size relative to a larger van or truck situation. I don't think the overall size of the vehicle is much larger than the Element.

Check it out here: Ford Transit Connect Commercial Fleet Van

[777Artin]

Up, i'm very curious about the Transit

[Frost]

I own an element and I think it could be done. first, the suicide doors would make loading very easy. Second, there is no dip for the rear passenger seats so you have a flat area to work. The overhead height is very high. the rear seats are higher than the front seats which would help in building the rear area as a "room". Maybe build an [-----] shaped thing to sit where the front seats normally ride, but move them all the way forward to create a desk/monitor area. Add a 2" hitch and a cargo tray (only specific ones fit the Element because of its low tail end) for extra cables and a small genny is possibility, or just run a heavy cable into the cargo area and run the engine and an inverter (if running an inverter, I would think that an online UPS would be very helpful). I think this could be done, but the real question is why? I would either want a big truck or just take some room in the venue personally.

Frost

[jwh1192]

OP says he would be doing mostly audio post ...

i would be concerned with using the inverter scenario for only one reason ... the truck running will cause vibrations that would mess with your lowend picture ...

external genny farther away from vehicle or shore power would be best ...

i used to do 16 track film shoots out of the back of my nissan pathfinder ... just open the tailgate and there was the rig ...

anything can work ...

i think steve has a great idea with the transit ..

cheers

john