Let's see: In the Ranger, my "regular set", goes on every recording trip.
Recorder: HHb Portadisc (not a battery hog, excellent recorder) Lives
in a PortaBrace case, the one they make specifically for it. Case has
room for spare battery caddy, 6 extra minidiscs, and a thick pack of my
field cards. In addition to the Portadisc.
Preamp, used occasionally: Sound Devices MP-2 with cables to match to
the Portadisc and mics (I use a 15dB attenuating cable set between it
and the Portadisc). Also lives in a PortaBrace case, the one for it.
Keep nimh battery pairs for it in the case. But there is lots of unused
room. The MP-2 can provide M/S decoding in the field for the headphones
without messing with the M/S being recorded.
Microphones:
1) Telinga Pro VI with DAT Stereo mic element (that's the latest handle,
runs off phantom power and has a removable cable in my 5 pin stereo
system) Also has the rycote windscreen. In season lives loose on top of
things in the Ranger when not in use. I have the dual science mic, but
hardly ever use it. Even scientific survey recordings are better done in
stereo.
2) SASS/MKH-20 and SASS/MKH-110 (modified SASS as per Lang's design
idea, my machining, both with Crown's windscreen, and handmade fur cover)
http://frogrecordist.home.mindspring.com/docs/my_mod_sass.html
These each in plastic bins from the container store.
3) MKH-40/30, MKH-60/30 & MKH-80/80 M/S mics. (mixture of rycote and
sennheiser windscreens/suspensions/fur)
http://frogrecordist.home.mindspring.com/docs/my_ms_setups.html
All three in one craftstore plastic bin, still looking for storage just
the right size.
Headphones: Sony MDR-V900 (two pair along)
Cables: Canare star quad cables, Neutric X-HD series waterproof heavy
duty XLR connectors, I make my own cables. All the above systems are
adapted via Y cables or such like to a 5-pin XLR stereo system, with Y
cables at the recorder end to break the channels back out. Saves cable
clutter. The star quad is used with both channels in the 4 conductors of
the star quad, which negates some of the interference resistance of the
cable, but not a big problem for nature recording. I've cables from 5'
for hand held up to about 100'. This and more small stuff in a
PortaBrace large run bag.
Support: Two unknown brand lighting tripods. For heights up to 19' with
the newer one I just got. The original one is good for about 15' and is
heavier duty:
http://wwknapp.home.mindspring.com/tall.tripod.1.jpg
Use adapters I custom machined to attach the mics.
Sound Meter: Extech 407750
Location: Garmin Street Pilot III loaded with detailed maps in it's
removable memory. Don't forget to document what you record. Backed up by
a Delorme Gazetteer, the Garmin is not good for looking at the larger
picture. These normally live on the Ranger dash.
Weather: Kestrel 4000 (measures just about any weather parameter), also
have a no name digital thermometer that has a magnet so can be plunked
on the outside of the ranger for a quick reading.
Lighting: Petzl LED/incandescent dual headlamps, several maglights and a
couple newer high intensity LED flashlights. Recording frogs is a
nightime activity. A sackfull of nimh batteries, organized in sets,
managed on a charge schedule. Also onboard chargers for everything, some
12volt, the rest run off a small Radio Shack inverter. There are 7 power
outlets I put on the Ranger dash to handle it all.
Transport: It all is carted by a 2000 Ranger 4x4 supercab 4 door pickup
with a Leer high top canopy. Which has a Tule luggage carrier and kayak
mounts on the bars on top (The kayak I use is a Ocean Kayak "Drifter",
though I have a couple others I could use). The Ranger is also my home
and sleeping quarters on foray.
http://frogrecordist.home.mindspring.com/naturerecordists/Ranger.jpg
Note the Ranger is wired with Sony MD changer and Sony MD/radio unit
networked together with a Sony link unit. With line in capability to
play from other sources. Record a MD, play it on the way back home. Or
as many as 7 without having to change any. Used mostly for music on the
run to and from recording sites. Could easily be set up for playback,
some could be done just by opening all 4 doors.
That does not count the biologist gear. Swift Field microscope, nets,
snake hooks, boots, sample bottles, critter keepers and so on. Nor the
Palm Tungten C which contains my database, photos, ID sound samples and
assorted other data nice to have along. (and a computer scanner to
diagnose the Ranger's computer) Nor does it get into the digital camera
gear. Or food, clothes, sleeping equipment, tools and so on.
Also have at home:
Two MKH-816's, MKH-70, some more MKH-110's, two Sennheiser 1000 digital
wireless setups. A couple hydrophones, and a number of lessor mics like
the Sony ECM-MS957, A unmodified SASS, a early Sennheiser binaural
head. And lots of assorted other misc. Still waiting completion of
setups, or like the two Sony MZ-R30's replaced. Some goes along with me
sometimes.
Is any of this my Favorite? It's what I use currently, and in some cases
I believe it's the best for me, and probably for many others. But
something could come along tomorrow that would be better. That does not
mean I'd get it, but it does mean that favorite may be too strong a word.
Walt
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