On location in Kenya with gear from NA

[dnbarg]

Hi Folks,

I'm off to Kenya with a rig to record a couple choirs with solo voice and guitar, hand drums, etc... so I'm set up for 8 channels.

The gear is from here in Canada, so I'm trying to get some help on the electrical issues I will face. Most pro audio places haven't a clue. And, unfortunately, I just have questions.

I'm using a 220-110 step down transformer to a Furman PL-plus c power conditioner. So the voltage should be covered... but I can't seem to get info on the impact of the electrical frequency (ie. 50hz vs 60 which our gear uses).

Is this an issue? My converter (Aurora Lynx) very clearly says it needs 60hz. The Furman says 50/60hz. Is it doing a conversion? Or does that simply mean it will pass the 50hz on. Will gear get wrecked? Will things be clocked incorrectly? Do I need another converter of some kind?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Darryl

[tsvisser]

Rent a pair of Sound Devices 788t and lighten your load about a thousandfold. Just keep a bunch of batteries on hand and the chargers are universal voltage input. It would be a good idea to expect to run your rig off of DC and batteries, not matter what you end up doing.

[tINY]

The only 50/60 Hz issues I've ever seen or heard of was a cheap surge suppressing outlet strip I had...

You may see a little extra noise and generate a little more heat. But, if the gear is kept cool, you should be fine.




-tINY

[eusagc]

What tINY said... Most gear really operate on DC voltage, and thus one of the first things the power supply of any gear does is to rectify the input voltage, afterwhich it's all DC now. This can be done via old-school half/full-wave diode configs, or via class D (switched-capacitor) circuits.

Now the circuit efficiency is something else. When a certain power supply is meant to be operated at a certain frequency, the components will not run as efficient if operated at a different frequency. That is why you get the extra heat (and noise perhaps on the DC output). But as long as you manage this extra heat, the power supply should operate fine.

[dnbarg]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, the Sound Devices solution looks great, but my inquiries into renting anything for field use in Kenya were not entirely positive. So I'm dragging a rack of gear... crazy maybe... likely...

darryl

[dnbarg]

hmmm.... Kenya and cool are not two words I typically hear together... I may have a bit of a challenge on my hands...

thanks. darryl

[BBT]

Originally Posted by dnbarg

Will things be clocked incorrectly?

Power frequency is not reliable enough to base any clocks of it. Clocks are typically crystal based these days. Gear that state 60Hz specifically, probably used smaller caps in the power supply, but it should be fine. I have 220V 50Hz power, and all my equipment runs fine.

[boojum]

I'd second the two 788T solution. Buy the damned things, insure them, and sell them when you get back. You should get nearly what you paid for them if you don't damage them. Actually, eight channels, one 788T would do it, but no backup.

It is the most practical solution. Setting up all the other gear with its voltage and frequency problems will just be one big nosebleed.

Good luck. Post samples when you get back, eh.

[tazman]

I talked to Lynx a while back since I'm moving to Europe and taking my Aurora16 and they said to just use a step down transformer and not worry about the frequency.

[Remoteness]

This link maybe helpful...

Electricity around the world:
Five components to a successful location recording & much more (The Beginners Guide)

[dnbarg]

Thanks all, for the help... this is a remarkable forum.

A note on my rig and the gig:
Well, I may be an unfortunate test case on taking too much, too far, but this rig had to make sense when I got back too... so this is my set-up... and yes, I'm in way over my head!

The goal is for this to be a collaboration between a choir in very rural Kenya, and the duo I'm a part of... female vox, my vox, and my guitar. It's all for HIV/AIDS fundraising...

mics:
2xkm184s
2xakg 414
2xakg 460b with ck1 caps
2xstudio projects c1

pre: Seventh Circle Audio 8 channel
4xc84 (clean)
2xneve style
2xapi style
(note: i just received the unit yesterday... i compared the c84s with a borrowed Grace v3 and was thrilled by the similarity)

to Aurora Lynx A/D to Digi 002r to macbook pro.
Monitoring by Sony 7506.
I also have the Furman power conditioner and a little presonus headphone amp if I need to share the sounds beyond me...

the mics, the sca pre, the lynx and the macbook are going carry-on, to be put back in the gator shock case on arrival. if the gator case is crushed or empty when I arrive, I have a back-up i/o (with lightpipe) in Nairobi... then I record to Ableton Live which is also on the Macbook.

I appreciate the Sound Devices suggestions, but it's far too late. If you're into praying, I leave in two weeks.

Thanks again,

darryl