Mobile recording in Europe

[johnosmusic]

Hello.

I am interested in purchasing a new or used recording truck in Europe.
I am also looking to rent one for a short term (a few weeks) until I have my own.

So, i have a few questions:

1. Does anyone know who in Europe builds recording trucks (and if possible- at approximately what cost)?
2. Know anyone who sells used ones?
3. Do you know anyone who rents out a recording truck for weeks at a time?

Any other suggestions or relevant contacts you could be kind enough to give me will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very very much
Sincerely

Johno.

[klaukholm]

Could be a little more specific.
Where in europe are you looking to rent a truck?
I have access to some large mobile units that get rented out, give me some dates and a location and I may be able to help you.
If you are near me, we are also looking to get a large mobile unit and may be looking for a partner.

[huub]

Welllllll... I( think there are some trucks available to buy, since the remote truck business is not doing very well (the fleetwood truck comes to mind)
If you seriously want to compete with the new HD video/audio trucks, the investment becomes pretty huge..

Oh, also: since fleetwood is out of business, their truck might be available, alfacam of belgium has a truck you can hire (with a lawo mc2/66) I'm sure eurosound of netherlands will rent out a truck, many options... where will you need the truck?

[johnosmusic]

Hi again, and thanks for the reply

some more details:

As far as renting is concerned, I am looking to rent a truck for a few weeks for field recordings in Turkey and Armenia. I prefer renting a relatively simple truck that has enough room to record inside it.

As for building or buying my own- there is no attempt to compete with the big companies- peter brandt or eurosound, the idea here is quite different- not recording big shows or multi-track live recordings, but building a vehicle that will serve as a mobile field studio for ethnic music (usually not more than 8 tracks, and mostly not-live recording). So the idea is to take a medium size van (sprinter) and leave most of it as a comfortable live room.

Anyways, please let me know anything that comes to mind.

Thanks a lot

johno.

[NorseHorse]

Most ethnographic recording are made with two-track recorders on-location. This is done primarily for two reasons: 1) inobtrusiveness/authenticity and 2) convenience for travel.

Putting traditional and folk musicians into a big truck or studio is generally avoided because it is thought to corrupt the natural atmosphere and context of the music (which is just as important as the musical notes themselves!).

Given that you are only interested in doing 8-tracks max, you are better off traveling in a car with 8 mics, 8 stands, and 8 cables. Bring along a Sound Devices recorder or Edirol R-44s and you'll be set. You can print batches upon batches of CDs with the money you save.

EDIT: I just noticed you said "ethnic" music, not necessarily "ethnographic" music. Issues of academics and "authenticity" aside, I still think you should just record in houses and performance halls instead of trying to use a truck.

[klaukholm]

Originally Posted by huub

Oh, also: since fleetwood is out of business, their truck might be available, alfacam of belgium has a truck you can hire (with a lawo mc2/66)

Who is handling the sale of fleetwood (if the trucks hit the market that is)?
I am seriously interested in fleetwood3 stripped.

[unclejoe]

MJQ were handling things I believe....

mjQ Sales - Recording Studio Property and Equipment Brokers

[klaukholm]

I saw them list the remote api pres and such, but Imust have missed the truck listing. It is surely long gone by now.

[unclejoe]

Give them a call. Last thing I heard was that the trucks had not sold. Worth a try?

[johnosmusic]

First thanks for the reply.

What I do is not ethnographic recordings for research or "just to capture the local feel"... I want to record high quality records- with local musicians- especially in the middle east.

I have been doing this for a while now with the set up that you suggested- mics, pre-amps, and a computer with protools, but the results are never quite good enough- it is un-proportionally difficult to find quiet places to record in these countries and the studios (besides very modern countries like Tunisia and Turkey), are very old.
Now, given the fact that I have to travel with a car anyways (because public transportation is very slow, and unfitting for expensive equipment), I plan to customize it as a studio- more similar to a "home studio in a truck" than a full blown OB truck.

So, if there is anyone you know who has something similar for sale, or can build one, I'd love to know.

Thanks again.

Johno.

[klaukholm]

There is a small OB van outfitted for video for sale in germany as well as one in sweden, ca 35k euros

[johnosmusic]

Do you know who's selling them (contact details)?
Cheers

[klaukholm]

I will get you the info tonight

[johnosmusic]

Cheers Mate

Highly Appreciated!!

[audio ergo sum]

Originally Posted by johnosmusic

First thanks for the reply.

What I do is not ethnographic recordings for research or "just to capture the local feel"... I want to record high quality records- with local musicians- especially in the middle east.

I have been doing this for a while now with the set up that you suggested- mics, pre-amps, and a computer with protools, but the results are never quite good enough- it is un-proportionally difficult to find quiet places to record in these countries and the studios (besides very modern countries like Tunisia and Turkey), are very old.
Now, given the fact that I have to travel with a car anyways (because public transportation is very slow, and unfitting for expensive equipment), I plan to customize it as a studio- more similar to a "home studio in a truck" than a full blown OB truck.

So, if there is anyone you know who has something similar for sale, or can build one, I'd love to know.

Thanks again.

Johno.

I don't know your budget, anything is possible, but I see some problems in your laudable undertaking:

-recording acoustic music inside a small truck will sound as bad or worse than recording in regular rooms.

-sound insulation inside of a truck - unless you spend a lot of money for an insulated one - will also be problematic. You can drive to remote areas, but you probably as well could find a room in a remote area to record in.

-depending on the country in the ME you are looking at quite drastic customs regulations and hassle if you are visibly driving around with professional equipment.

-Your safety and the safety of your equipment is at risk if visible as a recording truck (you probably want to have windows) and cost for insurance coverage for those areas is probably stellar.

Have you ever recorded music played inside a Sprinter and know how it sounds?

[johnosmusic]

Interesting...

What are you basing your information on (regarding customs regulation, etc.) have you done this sort of thing?

Also, regarding the equipment and sound aspects.
Obviously, when possible, recording in a room or hall is brilliant, but given that most of the work I do is by recording one musician at a time, I am pretty confident I can get decent results inside the truck as well.

My budget is around 100K, including the truck itself (and some of the equipment I already have in my home studio).

Again, if you know anyone who could help with the customizing process, please let me know.

[audio ergo sum]

Originally Posted by johnosmusic

Interesting...

What are you basing your information on (regarding customs regulation, etc.) have you done this sort of thing?

I have witnessed repeatedly the extensive paperwork involved with shipments of mobile equipment to eastern european countries. I would ask the embassies of the countries you are planning to visit about the regulations regarding recording mobiles.

Also, regarding the equipment and sound aspects.
Obviously, when possible, recording in a room or hall is brilliant, but given that most of the work I do is by recording one musician at a time, I am pretty confident I can get decent results inside the truck as well.

My budget is around 100K, including the truck itself (and some of the equipment I already have in my home studio).

Again, if you know anyone who could help with the customizing process, please let me know.

There are some guys in Berlin with a robust looking recording mobile of good size for your purpose, if not too big already, I have no personal experience with them though:
am fluss Musikübertragung – Musikproduktion, Live-Mitschnitt, Tonübertragung

[audio ergo sum]

Now I got carried away by google and just found this:

Technik-Wohnmobil STEYR 891 Mess-oder Service-LKW bei eBay.de: (endet 27.11.09 21:11:51 MEZ)

Looks like it is what you want, sound insulated, Ex broadcast recording mobile. 10k €
The audio equipment is probably trash, but the insulated and acoustically treated room on wheels might be interesting. AFAIK this is an ex Austrian broadcast (ORF) van.
Might need a truck driving license.

[johnosmusic]

Thank you very much!

I just checked their site and dropped them a line.
you're right, their car is heavier than what I was thinking of, but that's the general direction.

Please let me know if anything else comes to mind.

[DannyL]

I have not worked in Armenia, but I have worked in Turkey.
I think you would be best off bringing a small rig that will fit in a car.
Just bring some extra pieces, especially headphones and mics and cables because outside of Istanbul, it will be almost impossible to get anything for replacement gear. Put everything in suitcases. Road cases can be very difficult when it comes to customs officials. Think small, simple and Battery Powered...maybe something that can run off a twelve volt car battery...you can bring jumper cables and recharge the battery from the rental car. You can buy a car battery in country...they are very heavy and generally not allowed on airplanes. (Sulphuric Acid in the battery)

Also..if you have skill with electronics tools, bring your tool kit and connectors and such... I have had to invent some pretty odd adapters from time to time.

Good luck

Danny

[johnosmusic]

Interesting..

Can you please expand on the customs issue?

Why do they give trouble with flight cases?

[klaukholm]

Because it looks like technology that is pricey

[Petrus]

The subject of this thread is misleading, as Armenia and 96% of Turkey are in Asia...

I sounds like you have not travelled with expensive hi-tech gear in places like Armenia and Turkey. I have not either and I am not an expert on local customs law. But from general knowledge of how things work in places like that it is quite likely that if you take a recording van there, you either need to:

1) pay customs duty on everything (and maybe get it back when you return, maybe not)
2) or pay bribes, in and out
3) or if you are lucky, just present a carnet (and spend one day at the border going through all the paperwork, plus pay bribes)

[DannyL]

Custims officials will generally give trouble for anything that is outside a very narrow range of "what is normal." Road cases also look like they are protecting something valuable....which they are, generally.

You can travel with a carnet, which can be expensive to put together, and may require varying degrees of "fiscal lubrication" depending upon local practices. You may want to research local customs clearance services.

For small projects, it is often better just to keep under the radar.

Danny

[johnosmusic]

Hello again, and thanks to all for the caring replies... (even that one regarding 'fiscal lubrication')

1. Carnet: the way I understand it, I will have to travel with a carnet anyways, so that's less of an issue.
2. Europe/Asia: to clarify, I intend to buy (or build) the car in Europe (vs. the states) but the work will be mainly in Asia and Africa where I've worked until now..
3. Has anybody done this sort of thing or has heard of someone who has?

Cheers
Johno.