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Title: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 12, 2018, 07:54:08 PM
Anyone here running a remote truck for recording, OB, production, etc..?

What kind of consoles and connectivity are you using? Networked systems? Fiber? Cat5?

I have an opportunity to steal buy one at a price I can't refuse. But it's all analog. The owner is going to throw in a DM2000. Current console in the truck is a 48 channel Soundtracs Quartz.

What's the current standard for remote work these days?

At the bare minimum it would finally give me a place to mix the symphony and opera recordings that I currently do, without having to build a whole studio space from the ground up.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Riley Casey on September 12, 2018, 08:22:07 PM
It's a fine hobby, it's not a viable business at that level.  I had a a two truck multitrack operation for a few years, one truck dual 2" analog machines and a smaller truck 48 tracks of ADAT, all good quality major label album producing gear and people but it quickly became clear that multi-track in the trunk of your car was killing the business except at the very top end.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: brian maddox on September 12, 2018, 09:20:39 PM
I tend to agree with Riley, unfortunately.

I can add a full 100+ channel record rig to just about ANY small to mid-sized event using a Laptop and an interface that mates up to whatever is in use at the time [MADI, Dante, AES50, etc.]

I can remix all that on the same laptop in my bedroom with a good set of studio monitors and a decent ear.

Even at the top of the broadcast world, audio is a small add-on; The tiny room at the back end of the trailer.  There's a few big boy audio trucks still operating, but only at the absolute top level of the game, and often in conjunction with an existing Video Truck fleet.  Even at that level, i doubt the audio trucks actually make any real money on their own.

All that being said...  If it's a steal, it's a steal.  You can do an awful lot of quality work with a DM2k in a good tuned space, even if it's in the back of a truck.  But no, you're not likely to make any money.  Riley's trucks were nice.  I worked on both of them.  And he was going at the biz BEFORE you could do all this with a laptop and plugins.  Nowadays i can't imagine what business plan would pay enough to keep a vehicle on the road [it's own share of pain] and keep gear current and running.

Good Luck!
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 12, 2018, 09:30:07 PM
At least 50%, or more, of the value of this unit to me would be as a room to mix the classical music live concerts that I work on. Which is something that I don't have now, especially since I left the PAC.

And then my wife can quite hearing me bitching about not having a work space, which will make her happy too.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: brian maddox on September 12, 2018, 11:00:57 PM
At least 50%, or more, of the value of this unit to me would be as a room to mix the classical music live concerts that I work on. Which is something that I don't have now, especially since I left the PAC.

And then my wife can quite hearing me bitching about not having a work space, which will make her happy too.

Then this probably makes a lot fo sense.

I'm not sure there is a "standard" thing folks are doing with trucks at the mid-level, if for no other reason than no one is really left doing it.  you could certainly use the Soundtracs as the front-end mic-pre's to track into a DAW, or as a summing console for a DAW as well.  It's certainly good quality kit.

All the big boy trucks i see nowadays are using LAWOs or Calrecs, which is certainly a whole 'nuther thang as they say....

Is it coming with splits and snakes and all that jazz?  and/or analog outboard?  might be able to make a case for old-school remotes.  or not...

i admit, i'd be tempted to do this too.  Even if it didn't make sense...  :)
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 13, 2018, 12:14:03 AM
There's a couple hundred feet of Whirlwind W4 Mass analog snake. I'm not sure if there are splits or not. It didn't look like it. But I'll probably gut the analog transport and go with a networked system.

In addition to the Sountrac console and DM2000, there's also 2 Tascam X48 hard disk recorders, an Alesis Masterlink, CD burners, DAT machine, bunch of digital efects processors from lexicon and TC Electornic, DBx and Focusrite dynamics. Genelec 1031 monitors and another smaller set, I think Aurotones. RTS and PI coms.

It's set up for 50amp California plug single phase shore power. No generator. The truck itself is a 1988 vintage Ford Econoline 350 Diesel with 300,000 miles. Engine has been rebuilt.

It's pretty much already built out, just needs some reconfig. Thinking about selling off the Soundtracs and buying a second DM2000, which looks like they can be had for about 2 grand with meter bridge.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 13, 2018, 12:17:24 AM
Damn the forum's stupid file size limit.   >:(
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Erik Jerde on September 13, 2018, 01:10:49 AM
buying a second DM2000, which looks like they can be had for about 2 grand with meter bridge.

Dang, the churches I know who gave away DM2K's w/meter bridges in the past couple of years would have loved to have gotten 2K for them.  Couldn't find buyers.  Keep your eyes open and you might be able to get one really cheap.

One question:  If you're looking for this maybe mostly as a work space for home is it going to be functional year around or will it get to cold in the winter to sit out in and mix without burning up a bunch of diesel just to keep the place warm?  Maybe the trim-out on it included good thermal insulation too, maybe not?
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 13, 2018, 01:13:50 AM
One question:  If you're looking for this maybe mostly as a work space for home is it going to be functional year around or will it get to cold in the winter to sit out in and mix without burning up a bunch of diesel just to keep the place warm?  Maybe the trim-out on it included good thermal insulation too, maybe not?
It's got a full heater and AC unit, runs off the 50 amp single phase shore power connection. I'll have to install a 50 amp single phase power connection with separate meter on our pole next to where I will park it. But it should be fine for year round usage.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Jim McKeveny on September 13, 2018, 08:37:39 AM
a place to mix the symphony and opera recordings that I currently do, without having to build a whole studio space from the ground up.

Where are you doing them now and how would this improve your return $dollars?

Appears to be a liability more than asset..

Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: scottstephens on September 13, 2018, 09:27:30 AM
Justice,

I own a recording studio and have since 2005 when I decided that I was getting too old and broken to do much live stuff. I actually went to school for Commercial Music Production" I should have just worked!

Anyway, Recording is a TOUGH way to make any money. As stated before, some kid has a " free computer program, a lap top, and yada yada yada". I am blessed that I have several clients who have followed me from the road into the studio and I work with a local production company. HOWEVER, I used to get about 10 calls a year for remote recordings, as of right now I've got 1 pending for 2019!

My studio does well, but I've had to modify the business model over the last couple off years.

The Soundcraft is a nice console if it is in good shape; check the POWER SUPPLY and get another if you want to keep it.

Recording equipment, like all sound gear,  means nothing to most clients. They don't know the difference and for amateurs the biggest deal is " I wan it to sound like....."

Good Luck, Sir.

Scott
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 13, 2018, 10:01:32 AM
Where are you doing them now and how would this improve your return $dollars?

Appears to be a liability more than asset..
I used to use the sound booth at the theatre where I used to work. I no longer work there, so now all I'm left with is my couch or bedroom, which the wife doesn't much appreciate.

Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Dave Garoutte on September 13, 2018, 11:44:15 AM
It sounds like you're adding a (portable) room to the house to use as a mixing studio, and getting a lot of the hardware included.
If the intent isn't to do remote recording so much (which everyone here seems to be discouraging) it sounds good to me.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Art Welter on September 13, 2018, 12:48:31 PM
At least 50%, or more, of the value of this unit to me would be as a room to mix the classical music live concerts that I work on.
Justice,
Most of the equipment in the truck sounds like it would not be your first choice, so it's value may not be worth too much, and may take up your limited space (and time...) while trying to unload it.
I'd prefer a small DAW mixing in the "sweet spot" to faders stretching wall to wall in a small room.

Considering 50% (or more) is the room, how does it's price compare to other RVs of a similar vintage with a similar (or greater) square footage?

Art



Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Roland Clarke on September 13, 2018, 01:13:38 PM
In one sense it looks like a bargain, but then you have to factor in everything from fuel, road tax, insurance, maintainance, etc.  Even the not so big boys just plug a laptop straight into the desk.  Need some audience mikes, through those up through the console and just mute them.  Some consoles even have multitrack recording on them, all you have to do is stick a drive on them.

There is no money in live event recording unless you are doing live to air and there are people that have these contracts tied up.

Do it if you can afford to write off the cost and spend some money on it, otherwise you are likely to lose your shirt.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 14, 2018, 12:24:22 PM
So I'm here at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, recording the Kansas City Symphony. And the house console is a DM2000.

We're not using it. We're recording everything to redundant JoeCo Black Boxes.

Just thought it was ironic since I have been considering how useful the the DM2000 still is. The biggest drawback that it has for me, is no DCA groups.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: brian maddox on September 14, 2018, 01:01:06 PM
So I'm here at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, recording the Kansas City Symphony. And the house console is a DM2000.

We're not using it. We're recording everything to redundant JoeCo Black Boxes.

Just thought it was ironic since I have been considering how useful the the DM2000 still is. The biggest drawback that it has for me, is no DCA groups.

You should talk to Andy Broughton.  His YammieQ MIDI software is super clever at adding control functionality to Yamaha consoles that they don't possess natively.

I wasn't sure if it worked with the DMs but i checked....

"YammieQ works with all modern Yamaha Digital Mixing consoles, starting at the DM2000 and up to and including the CL/QL series. No PM1D, PM10 or TF series. Sorry!
I believe the complete list would be DM1000, DM2000, 01V96, 01V96i, 02R96, PM5D, M7CL, LS9, QL (all), CL (all)."
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 14, 2018, 01:19:44 PM
You should talk to Andy Broughton.  His YammieQ MIDI software is super clever at adding control functionality to Yamaha consoles that they don't possess natively.

I wasn't sure if it worked with the DMs but i checked....

"YammieQ works with all modern Yamaha Digital Mixing consoles, starting at the DM2000 and up to and including the CL/QL series. No PM1D, PM10 or TF series. Sorry!
I believe the complete list would be DM1000, DM2000, 01V96, 01V96i, 02R96, PM5D, M7CL, LS9, QL (all), CL (all)."
Cool. I knew about his software, but wasn't sure if it worked with the DM2000  or not. I'll check with him. Hopefully it includes some sort of DCA functionality. Maybe he'll even see this thread and comment for us.  ;)
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: richard_cooper on September 14, 2018, 02:03:08 PM
Just thought it was ironic since I have been considering how useful the the DM2000 still is. The biggest drawback that it has for me, is no DCA groups.

It's been a LONG time since I've used a DM2000, but I could have sworn it had the "input fader group master" functionality, that basically is a DCA group, and put the master on a user definable layer. Could be wrong about the DM2000 but I use it all the time on the 01v96.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: brian maddox on September 14, 2018, 03:21:04 PM
Cool. I knew about his software, but wasn't sure if it worked with the DM2000  or not. I'll check with him. Hopefully it includes some sort of DCA functionality. Maybe he'll even see this thread and comment for us.  ;)

I probably shouldn't speak for him, but i have played with YammieQ, so...

The concept of the software is that it will take ANY MIDI input and then output ANY combination of MIDI outputs.  The older Yamaha desks have a MIDI control assigned to EVERY parameter change you can make.  Using that, the trick is to find something you don't use [maybe the faders for inputs 80-96 for instance] and then use THAT control to generate a series of MIDI commands that do something you WANT the desk to do; like say group control of a bunch of input faders together, or add offset to them or whatever.

Andy i'm sure will chime in here shortly to clarify everything i got wrong.  :)  But yeah, if you want to use DM2Ks but add control functions they don't already possess, YammieQ is just the ticket.
Title: Re: Anyone running a remote recording/production truck?
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on September 14, 2018, 05:10:10 PM
Doing some deeper reading on the DM2000, and it appears that Version 2 of the VCM software for the DM2000 incorporates the fader groups and fader group masters, which work like DCA groups when assigned to the user layers.

Along with the total console operation of 96 channels at 96kHz, the Protools remote control functionality through the HUI protocol and all the regular live sound, surround, control booth monitoring, and the ability to still use the MY-Dante cards in the mixer...This deal is getting better than it already was!