John Garrett demonstrating his location recording rig.
Boston AES Meeting
Feb. 2012
On Tues. Feb. 21st the Boston Section of the Audio Engineering Society held an event entitled, "Location Sound Recording: Using the Zaxnet Wireless Recording System" presented by G. John Garrett. John discussed his work in the field of Live Sound Recording for motion picture and television shows. He gave a description of the portable recording studio that he uses for Location sound recording and demonstrated some of the capabilities of the Zaxcom wireless recording system as used in motion picture production sound.
Zax-Net is designed for the distribution of remote control signals, time code, IFB audio and metadata for production sound. It wirelessly links Zaxcom's Deva/Fusion, digital recording wireless, encrypted IFB receivers, and compatible digital slates into a single system for audio recording and metadata distribution.
John stated,that he anticipates that we will see this type of system at other venues. He still uses the Lectrosonics wireless products but the Zaxcom equipment is completely digital regarding its' transmission functionality. He ran through the various menus and explained how he utilizes it to create the different feeds that he uses in conjunction with the control surface. He talked about the role of the boom operator in setting up and capturing the sound of a scene and the benefits of having a wireless connection, which saves time due to the lack of need to run cable and allows for communication with the boom operator.
John Garrett has been a Location Sound Mixer and Recorder since 1982, sound mixing and recording for television, motion pictures and music industries. He has been an Instructor at Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts, where he developed and executed the curriculum employing a hands-on adult learning environment, teaching sound recording techniques for digital filmmaking. He has served as Editorial Contributor to Digital Video Magazine, C.A.S. Quarterly and the Association of Motion Picture Sound Journal, UK. He has been a Freelance consultant since 1996 for studio design and construction and location recording engineer with an emphasis on problem-solving. He has instructed "location sound" seminars for professionals and students at Boston University, Emerson College, The MFA Museum School, and has trained professionals in various aspects of location sound recording. He is a member of IATSE 481, NABET 16, IBEW 1212, Audio Engineering Society and the Cinema Audio Society.
