VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Todd Ethridge · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject: Laptop Questions

I am looking into putting together a "on the go" rig, because it looks like I may be doing more traveling soon. In order to keep from losing my steady clients, I think I really need to do this.

Do any of you have "to go" set ups and if so, can you tell me about them. I have a mic in mind, but need some laptop and preamp advice.

Thanks!
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Jason Bishop · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject:

Todd,

Here's mine, and in fact, just returned from 10 days "on the road" and worked like a charm. It also worked in a Dallas hotel room several months ago.

I pretty much pack up all of my regular gear...can break it down and pack it in 15-minutes...

Laptop (HP Pavilion dv1000)
External 100gig hard drive
Rode Mic and foam windscreen (pop filter stays home)
Focusrite VoiceMasterPlatinum Pro channel strip
Tascam US 122 a/d interface and preamp (pre is off because of VMP pre)
Sony Headphones
appropriate cables
Extra panels/pieces of auralex

I line inside of a softsided carryon sized suitcase with the auralex..put the VMP in with another spare strip of auralex over the face...cables are in small bags (bank deposit style), mic came with a leather bag/pouch...extension cord/power strip....all that small stuff goes in the space behind the VMP....then place laptop and a/d interface on top of that with small pieces of auralex between them to keep them from bumping...then I snap the internal straps to hold it all down, then close the lid (which has foam in it) zip it up, stand it up and roll it away!

At the in-laws, I set up in a spare closet that had a chest-high high shelf, double wrapping the mic cable over the clothes rod to support weight of the mic...and adjusting the cable so the mic hangs in proper spot....then put pillows to the left/right and behind mic...placed the large panels of foam on top of those where they were kind of locked in because of the size of the shelf... then close the door to the room...adjust the VMP and voice on!....my goal is to develop some software processing settings (compression, expansion) so that I don't need the VoiceMasterPro channel strip....just the laptop, the tascam preamp-a/d a mic and cables..

At hotels, try to do the same, or if in a quiet room, just set it all up on the desk.

As for monitoring, I've practiced "deaf" on occassion (no monitors) at home to get the various process down visually, then crosschecked that work with my monitors ..made tweaks....repracticed...quality checked with monitors, then did it all with headphones so I know what clean sounds like.....simple actually....and no complaints from clients....yet!

Hope that helps....
Jason
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Hey Todd,
Well, you've got the RE20 still so that's a great way to go. I travel with my Heil PR40 and if I really want to "go condenser" I take my cheapo v67g which isn't too much of a room-noise magnet. My laptop is an HPzv6100...i think most of the HPs with XP and the AMD chips are a decent cost-effective way to go.

My half-rack size Speck Mic Pre 5.0 has a sweepable HP filter and a mix output section, so I can route it for a phone patch too. Then I've got the AudioFire 2 interface and lil' stand w/ pop filter and cables. Everything outside of the laptop fits in a little briefcase (like 12"x10" sized) and then the laptop rides in its own case.

The AudioFire4 has decent enough pres that maybe you could just go for that (but that's touchy with a dynamic)...or some other solid interface/pre combo box.

What's the mic you have in mind???
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melissa eX · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject:

I'm big on small. And I refuse to check luggage, so for this last trip to LA I had to fit everything I needed for a 10 day stay into a carry-on.

I picked up an EEEpc. Tiny - 8 1/2 inch screen and small keyboard. Not for everyone although they do have a 10" one available. It has a 16G solid state HD (only 12 avail for files) bit it's more than enough for on the road. It also comes with 20G of online storage.

I picked up an inexpensive mic - AKG Perception - and use the MicPort Pro - it's got phantom power and a headphone input and the whole shebang fits into my - get this - HANDBAG. Yep, along with my wallet and everything else.

I used it when I was in LA and got an email from a client saying they were amazed at how good it sounded.

Didn't bother with Auralex at all. It would have taken up too much space in the carry-on. (Hey, I had to get a dress, 2 skirts and 3 pair of shoes aside from multiple shirts and jeans in there!) I gambled and figured if I needed it I could use the Sound Forge noise reduction plug-in in a pinch but hotel pillows were in abundance and they worked wonderfully.

davidmonteath · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:28 am Post subject:

Ok, this is mine for last fortnights holiday in France.

Mac Book Pro, mBox mini, mAudio Solaris mic and a 7 seat Hyundai Trajet mpv. Literally a mobile studio. Before you scoff, just think how many millions of $$$$$s and £££££s etc motor manufacturers spend on keeping noise out and sounds from booming round a car doing 140kph

In the Banksian spirit of keeping up appearances, I was on holiday for 10 working days and during that time I did; 15 radio commercials, 25 on-holds, 3 narrations and 2 TV ads......all from the back of the family car.

Try it!!!!

Back to the original point, the Solaris will shortly be changed for an SE Electronics 2200A USB mic to save space in the glovebox. Wink

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bobsouer · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:07 am Post subject:

David,

You have a USB port in your glovebox? How very snazzy. Wink

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todd ellis · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:23 am Post subject:

at2020
micport pro
hp pavilion w/AA 1.5

all of it fits in the computer bag and sounds pretty darned good.

i did a job with it in a hotel room in oak ridge, tn last week - and the (very picky) client had nothing to say (for a change)
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Todd Ethridge · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:49 am Post subject:

Oak Ridge, Tennessee ?!?! That's where I grew up! I still live in Knoxville. What type of client was it, Government?

You guys are helping a lot with your input. Keep 'em coming!
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Moe Egan · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:35 am Post subject:

Macbook, snowball. Period.
Love it.
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davidmonteath · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:47 am Post subject:

todd ellis · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:07 am Post subject:

i'm trying to get one in my hip.
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Mandy Nelson · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:32 am Post subject:

This is great b/c I'm planning for an upcoming trip, too, and need to have all on hand. Of course I wouldn't dare check my gear but is there ever an issue through security?

I'm going with my toshiba satellite
sm58 (before you say it's not a good mic, it's perfect for travel plus I can't find a 'better' mic that matches the sound. I can't just switch mics on some of these clients so I'm sticking with what works)
micpro
headphones...not sure which yet
yoga mat 'cause it works as soundproofing and stress relief.
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Hart · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:35 am Post subject:

It's been a while since I've flown with my travel rig (laptop, Presonus Firebox, 416, cans) but I never had a problem with security. One guy did ask me what my portable hard drive was once but I think that was more curiosity about the metal box than actual security screening.
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Mandy Nelson · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:42 am Post subject:

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:59 am Post subject:

hp dv 4000
mic port pro
condenser and dynamic mics
table top mic stand
furalex

i'm no longer using the collapsible box. makes my recordings sound like cah CAH

main gripe i have, and keep this in mind, is that my laptop is pretty big, more than i need, really. it's a widescreen and PITA to take out and put away for security checks. plus it's a trifle heavy.
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