Topic: Moving overseas, what to do w/ my taping stuff?

[Elana]

I found out recently that I'll be moving to France for about 8 months for work.  I'm pretty sure I don't want to take all of my gear (km184s > ua5 > jb3 or MT, plus shocks, cables etc) w/ me, especially since who knows if I'll even be able to get to a tape-able show while I'm over there.  There's a good possibility I'll be working in the boonies w/ no public transit but I won't know that for a while.  I'd hate to have an awesome show come through and not have my gear to tape.  Last time I was out of the country for an extended period of time (2 months) I just loaned my entire rig to a friend and figured I wouldn't be seeing any shows (which I didn't). 

Assuming I know at least a few weeks in advance if there's a show, is it at all safe and reliable to ship this kind of stuff in the mail? I wouldn't want it held up on customs or have to pay an import fee, or have it get lost along the way.  Has anybody done this before?

I also have the Sound Professionals AT853's and a battery box that I haven't used in forever, and keep thinking of selling.  I could possibly take those w/ the Microtrack.  Though it wouldn't be ideal it would be better than nothing.

I'm open to other suggestions of compact recording gear too.  There seem to be a few recorders w/ mics attached nowadays like the R-09, but I don't know if the attached mics are even any good or if they're just a gimmick.

[acidjack]

If you care enough about your tapes to buy Neumanns, internal mics on an R-09HR or any other portable deck won't do it for you. And they don't have to - you already have the AT 853 rig. That 853s rig would probably be sufficient, especially if European shows are never open-taping (I'll let the Europeans chime in on this, but as I understand it, mic stands are almost *always* prohibited over there).

A middle ground would be to sell/change the current rig to a high-end rig that has an "active" solution... In the price range of the 184s there are the MBHO mics, for example, or the Beyerdynamic CK930 (I think both of these are a bit cheaper than Neumanns).  I don't know what the Milab VM-44 cost, but they are also somewhere in that neighborhood, I think.

As to your transportation concerns, why not just put the 184s (far and away the most valuable component of your rig) in your luggage and mail the rest?  If the UA5 and deck and whatever stands and mounts you're using get stuck, it's not that much of a loss since they can be replaced much more cheaply and readily than Neumann microphones. 

[Elana]

Yes, I care enough about my tapes that I don't really want to use the AT's any more either.  I didn't think the included mics on the R-09 were that great but I figured I'd check.  If the shows over there are never open taping, that's my best bet is probably the AT's unless I want to get something like the Audix M1250's but then I've still gotta power them somehow.

I don't think going active is gonna solve my problem, I'd still have just as big a rig and the idea is to take less stuff with me.  If there is no open taping, those would obviously be easier to conceal.

Taking the neumanns and possibly mailing the rest if necessary isn't a bad idea.  If I get a small pelican box for them they won't take up much space.

[stevetoney]

a) NEVER put valuable gear in your luggage.  It will get stolen while it's out of your control...guaranteed.  Keep it in carry on or leave it at home.  BTW, airlines don't give a shit about stolen property either...they'll figure out any way possible not to pay you back.

b) Don't ship it, they'll charge duty for your gear because you'll have it insured, right?  So the amount of insurance will provide value and they'll calculate duty off that value and it will be held at customs until you pay the duty fee (or until you reject it and tell them to send it back home). 

c) Having said that, being in the boonies is perhaps the BEST opportunity to record local music that you'd never have an opportunity to record anywhere else...and to retain memories that you'd never be able to retain otherwise.  Since you'll be there for 8 months, you'll get to know some of the locals and they will welcome you into their fold if you choose to embrace and integrate yourself into their culture as much as you can.

Similar to you, I was situated in the boondocks for 2 1/2 years in Slovenia (I lived in an apartment in a small village of about 100 people...two pubs and one post office) and I cannot replace some of the recordings I made during my journey.  My recordings are every bit as valuable to me as my pictures.  Music is part of the Europeans culture and many, if not most, Europeans know how to play an instrument.  Being isolated in a small village or out in the boondocks, many times there is less entertainment that Americans are used to (going out to the movies, etc.) so people spend more time in social settings at the pubs...there are oftentimes opportunities for people to play and sing, or perhaps the local pub will host a local polka or gypsy band.  Believe me, it's music you'll learn to enjoy in the short time you'll be there, if only because of the memory of your experiences, but you'll never be able to recreate if you don't record it. 

On top of that, after you record and master, if you share what you record, you'll become a minor folk legend with the locals who, I guarantee, would never have been able to get a high quality live recording of their pub band and sharing it with each other.

I'll tell you the truth...IF you integrate yourself and get to know the locals, getting these recordings will be more important to you than getting a recording of...say...Pearl Jam if they come around to the bigger cities during your stay.  Recordings of big bands are great, but they can be replaced.  Getting the more intimate memories of life experiences can be priceless.

TAKE YOUR GEAR!!!!  You won't regret it.  I promise.

[page]

a) NEVER put valuable gear in your luggage.  It will get stolen while it's out of your control...guaranteed.  Keep it in carry on or leave it at home.  BTW, airlines don't give a shit about stolen property either...they'll figure out any way possible not to pay you back.

b) Don't ship it, they'll charge duty for your gear because you'll have it insured, right?  So the amount of insurance will provide value and they'll calculate duty off that value and it will be held at customs until you pay the duty fee (or until you reject it and tell them to send it back home). 

c) Having said that, being in the boonies is perhaps the BEST opportunity to record local music that you'd never have an opportunity to record anywhere else...and to retain memories that you'd never be able to retain otherwise.  Since you'll be there for 8 months, you'll get to know some of the locals and they will welcome you into their fold if you choose to embrace and integrate yourself into their culture as much as you can.

Similar to you, I was situated in the boondocks for 2 1/2 years in Slovenia (I lived in an apartment in a small village of about 100 people...two pubs and one post office) and I cannot replace some of the recordings I made during my journey.  My recordings are every bit as valuable to me as my pictures.  Music is part of the Europeans culture and many, if not most, Europeans know how to play an instrument.  Being isolated in a small village or out in the boondocks, many times there is less entertainment that Americans are used to (going out to the movies, etc.) so people spend more time in social settings at the pubs...there are oftentimes opportunities for people to play and sing, or perhaps the local pub will host a local polka or gypsy band.  Believe me, it's music you'll learn to enjoy in the short time you'll be there, if only because of the memory of your experiences, but you'll never be able to recreate if you don't record it. 

On top of that, after you record and master, if you share what you record, you'll become a minor folk legend with the locals who, I guarantee, would never have been able to get a high quality live recording of their pub band and sharing it with each other.

I'll tell you the truth...IF you integrate yourself and get to know the locals, getting these recordings will be more important to you than getting a recording of...say...Pearl Jam if they come around to the bigger cities during your stay.  Recordings of big bands are great, but they can be replaced.  Getting the more intimate memories of life experiences can be priceless.

TAKE YOUR GEAR!!!!  You won't regret it.  I promise.

A) Completely agree. I won't even put booze in my checked bag anymore.
B) Also agree, they will charge you duty or delay/lose it.
C) 3X, the twillies have some great stuff if you are going to be there that long and can integrate yourself into the culture and area.

If space is the issue, take the smaller rig, if quality is the prevailing issue (you could always record soundscapes of cows as memories**** of your trip for later, I've done it), then pack the neumanns and maybe slim down to a P48 battery box (like a denneke or littlebox) and the iriver if you are concerned about carry on space.

So I'm 3/4ths in the "take it with you" camp.

**** see http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=135965.0

[acidjack]

Also, with respect to your reply re: Audix 1280, you can now get those mics with "Active" cables from Chris Church that will work with just the capsules and a battery box (like what you already have for the AT's).   You will want to be sure, if you go that route, that Chris is pretty solid about the delivery time he can offer you at this time (mine took a little over 3mo IIRC).  On the plus side, the Audix caps are pretty cheap ($240/pr shipped from Full Compass (item is Audix CPS-MICRO-C) and the Church cables are $65, so that gives you a reasonably cheap and versatile rig with switchable caps.  I use the Audix now as my main "stealth" rig, though I think between them and the AT's it is to some degree a matter of preference.  The Audix have a more "colored" sound to me, at least with the active cables - it's a very... specific... sound, with more emphasis on the midrange and highs than the ATs and noticeably rolled off bass - but if you like it, I think they're a great choice.   Also you'd have the option in the future of buying the bodies and having a nice backup open rig.

[Frequincy]

I agree with tonedef 100%.
Take lots of batteries, no charging over there.

[Elana]

a) NEVER put valuable gear in your luggage.  It will get stolen while it's out of your control...guaranteed.  Keep it in carry on or leave it at home.  BTW, airlines don't give a shit about stolen property either...they'll figure out any way possible not to pay you back.

b) Don't ship it, they'll charge duty for your gear because you'll have it insured, right?  So the amount of insurance will provide value and they'll calculate duty off that value and it will be held at customs until you pay the duty fee (or until you reject it and tell them to send it back home). 

c) Having said that, being in the boonies is perhaps the BEST opportunity to record local music that you'd never have an opportunity to record anywhere else...and to retain memories that you'd never be able to retain otherwise.  Since you'll be there for 8 months, you'll get to know some of the locals and they will welcome you into their fold if you choose to embrace and integrate yourself into their culture as much as you can.

Similar to you, I was situated in the boondocks for 2 1/2 years in Slovenia (I lived in an apartment in a small village of about 100 people...two pubs and one post office) and I cannot replace some of the recordings I made during my journey.  My recordings are every bit as valuable to me as my pictures.  Music is part of the Europeans culture and many, if not most, Europeans know how to play an instrument.  Being isolated in a small village or out in the boondocks, many times there is less entertainment that Americans are used to (going out to the movies, etc.) so people spend more time in social settings at the pubs...there are oftentimes opportunities for people to play and sing, or perhaps the local pub will host a local polka or gypsy band.  Believe me, it's music you'll learn to enjoy in the short time you'll be there, if only because of the memory of your experiences, but you'll never be able to recreate if you don't record it. 

On top of that, after you record and master, if you share what you record, you'll become a minor folk legend with the locals who, I guarantee, would never have been able to get a high quality live recording of their pub band and sharing it with each other.

I'll tell you the truth...IF you integrate yourself and get to know the locals, getting these recordings will be more important to you than getting a recording of...say...Pearl Jam if they come around to the bigger cities during your stay.  Recordings of big bands are great, but they can be replaced.  Getting the more intimate memories of life experiences can be priceless.

TAKE YOUR GEAR!!!!  You won't regret it.  I promise.

Thanks for the advice.

A) Yes I never put anything of value in my luggage.  Which is another issue - I've got my camera, a regular sized laptop, potentially my netbook too and various other electronics, so my carry on will be stuffed.
B) Yes, that is exactly what I'm worried about.  I'm sure they'd charge me an import tax.  I've heard of this been done before when people shipped computers, or when someone I know shipped mics to Canada.
C) Thank you, you raise a very good point.  Hopefully wherever I am going, there will be some local bars w/ live music.

I looked at the littlebox briefly a while ago.  I'm guessing it only does analog out?  If I can get something smaller than the UA-5+DVD battery combo that, might be a good option. If I can send a digital signal into the microtrack or an analog signal to whatever has a good analog input (iriver like you suggested?), that might not be too much to carry.  I'd have to leave the 8410's and get some smaller and lighter shocks and I'd have to just buy another stand over there.

Also, with respect to your reply re: Audix 1280, you can now get those mics with "Active" cables from Chris Church that will work with just the capsules and a battery box (like what you already have for the AT's).   You will want to be sure, if you go that route, that Chris is pretty solid about the delivery time he can offer you at this time (mine took a little over 3mo IIRC).  On the plus side, the Audix caps are pretty cheap ($240/pr shipped from Full Compass (item is Audix CPS-MICRO-C) and the Church cables are $65, so that gives you a reasonably cheap and versatile rig with switchable caps.

I did not know that.  I might look into it.  I am leaving some time in mid to late September, I don't know exactly when yet so that might not be an option if he's backed up.  I actually don't like how boomy the AT's can be, so if the Audix are rolled off more they might sound a little better to my ears.  Maybe I'll try to dig up some tapes w/ them.

I agree with tonedef 100%.
Take lots of batteries, no charging over there.

What do you mean "no charging"?  I know the voltage is different but usually the a/c adapters will handle 240v.

[acidjack]

^^ If you have until Sept I bet Church can get you the Audix cables before you leave.

2 other quick points:

If you wanted to switch up the form factor of your deck, you can pick up a used "all-in-one" deck that provides phantom like a PMD-660 or -661, or something similar, in the Yard Sale.  I think one just went for $330.  The 660 does have a larger form factor and is only 16bit, but it's still smaller than a UA5+MT.  There are smaller "all-in-one" options like the Tascam DR-100 (though I think it may require external powering  due to short battery life when providing phantom) or Zoom H4 (but that is probably not advisable for a number of reasons).  The littlebox is great, but since your decks both need digital in, it isn't really an option for you right now.

If space in your carryon is tight (and I should have suggested "carryon" originally myself - I don't even love how my shoes/suits are in checked luggage...), you could always use one of those "cigar cases" for the Neumanns.  Those are pretty small and protect the mics well.  Not sure if you're doing that already, but it's a lot better than using the Neumann wooden box, space-wise.

[Elana]

^^ If you have until Sept I bet Church can get you the Audix cables before you leave.

2 other quick points:

If you wanted to switch up the form factor of your deck, you can pick up a used "all-in-one" deck that provides phantom like a PMD-660 or -661, or something similar, in the Yard Sale.  I think one just went for $330.  The 660 does have a larger form factor and is only 16bit, but it's still smaller than a UA5+MT.  There are smaller "all-in-one" options like the Tascam DR-100 (though I think it may require external powering  due to short battery life when providing phantom) or Zoom H4 (but that is probably not advisable for a number of reasons).  The littlebox is great, but since your decks both need digital in, it isn't really an option for you right now.

If space in your carryon is tight (and I should have suggested "carryon" originally myself - I don't even love how my shoes/suits are in checked luggage...), you could always use one of those "cigar cases" for the Neumanns.  Those are pretty small and protect the mics well.  Not sure if you're doing that already, but it's a lot better than using the Neumann wooden box, space-wise.

I'm using the wooden box right now :-)  And I have a pelican 1060 that came w/ it (bought the mics off of someone on here) but it's almost the same size.  Not familiar w/ the "cigar cases".  You know... I looked at the PMD-661 a while ago when I was thinking of going to an all in one, but then I decided I should probably go R-44 eventually.  However, those units are much smaller and more compact.  I can take a look at those again.  If the battery life is decent, that may be a good solution, because they all I need is mics and that.

[stevetoney]

As far as charging, I'm pretty sure you already know that AC is 220V supply over there.  You'll need a converter to switch to the round prongs used in Europe, but most (not all, but most) wall warts will work fine.  I did have a couple of electronics components fry on me while over there because they only worked from 120V (of course, I only discovered that after smelling the infamous fried electronics smell), but 95% or more of the wall warts have a rating from 100V to 240V, which means that you'll have no problem re-charging your batteries over there. 

[page]

As far as charging, I'm pretty sure you already know that AC is 220V supply over there.  You'll need a converter to switch to the round prongs used in Europe, but most (not all, but most) wall warts will work fine.  I did have a couple of electronics components fry on me while over there because they only worked from 120V (of course, I only discovered that after smelling the infamous fried electronics smell), but 95% or more of the wall warts have a rating from 100V to 240V, which means that you'll have no problem re-charging your batteries over there. 

Bingo, for 80+% of what you're messing with, you just need a pin adaptor. It's the other random stuff you'll need a voltage/cycle transformer (don't take that stuff if you can help it, or take a DC battery that you can use in leau of AC if it's possible). I did fine in Italy once I figured that out.

[Elana]

Yep I'm well aware of all of that.  Almost everything I have that needs to be plugged in has a transformer that's 100v-240v 50-60hz, so I should be good.  Though I'm gonna double check before I leave in case any of them are weird.

[jbell]

I have an otterbox cigar caddy for my CK1's and it is AWESOME.  Small foot print and bullet proof, I would grab one if you are trying to reduce your mic box.

^^ If you have until Sept I bet Church can get you the Audix cables before you leave.

2 other quick points:

If you wanted to switch up the form factor of your deck, you can pick up a used "all-in-one" deck that provides phantom like a PMD-660 or -661, or something similar, in the Yard Sale.  I think one just went for $330.  The 660 does have a larger form factor and is only 16bit, but it's still smaller than a UA5+MT.  There are smaller "all-in-one" options like the Tascam DR-100 (though I think it may require external powering  due to short battery life when providing phantom) or Zoom H4 (but that is probably not advisable for a number of reasons).  The littlebox is great, but since your decks both need digital in, it isn't really an option for you right now.

If space in your carryon is tight (and I should have suggested "carryon" originally myself - I don't even love how my shoes/suits are in checked luggage...), you could always use one of those "cigar cases" for the Neumanns.  Those are pretty small and protect the mics well.  Not sure if you're doing that already, but it's a lot better than using the Neumann wooden box, space-wise.

[Elana]

I have an otterbox cigar caddy for my CK1's and it is AWESOME.  Small foot print and bullet proof, I would grab one if you are trying to reduce your mic box.

^^ If you have until Sept I bet Church can get you the Audix cables before you leave.

2 other quick points:

If you wanted to switch up the form factor of your deck, you can pick up a used "all-in-one" deck that provides phantom like a PMD-660 or -661, or something similar, in the Yard Sale.  I think one just went for $330.  The 660 does have a larger form factor and is only 16bit, but it's still smaller than a UA5+MT.  There are smaller "all-in-one" options like the Tascam DR-100 (though I think it may require external powering  due to short battery life when providing phantom) or Zoom H4 (but that is probably not advisable for a number of reasons).  The littlebox is great, but since your decks both need digital in, it isn't really an option for you right now.

If space in your carryon is tight (and I should have suggested "carryon" originally myself - I don't even love how my shoes/suits are in checked luggage...), you could always use one of those "cigar cases" for the Neumanns.  Those are pretty small and protect the mics well.  Not sure if you're doing that already, but it's a lot better than using the Neumann wooden box, space-wise.

Cool.  They look nice.  Which size do you have?  The two-stick one looks like might be a squeeze, the 5-stick one looks a little large.