Nagra 4.2 User Manual page 52

Guide to the Nagra 4.2 and
Production Sound Recording
Expendables
Besides budgeting for personnel and equipment, don't forget about the expendable items. On even a medium sized
production, the bill for these miscellaneous, yet important, sundries can get too expensive for the Mixer to absorb out of
his/her own wallet.
Tape Stock
Make sure it is clear who is buying and bringing the stock. Don't automatically assume that the production company
is bringing it, the cameraman, or the soundman.
Use only the brand and type of stock that the individual recorder is biased (set up) for. Most Nagras are currently
calibrated for Quantegy 406/408 or BASF 468, although there are some set up for other stocks. Also, there are many
Nagras that have been equipped with oversize plastic lids that allow the machines to use seven-inch reels of tape. Seven-
inch recording stock runs twice as long (30 minutes at 7 ½ ips) as the standard five-inch (15 minutes at 7 ½ ips). Seven
inch reels sell for around $8.50 per roll; five inch sells for around $6.50.
How many rolls of tape will you need? I find that on a major production such as a commercial, feature, or television
episode my average usage was two or three rolls of 7".
Another way to calculate tape usage is to find out how much film stock has been budgeted for. A one-thousand foot
roll of 35mm runs for about 11 minutes. A four-hundred foot roll of 16mm yields about 11 minutes. If you are using 15
minute rolls of tape (5" reels), then budget one roll of tape for every magazine of film. If you are using 30 minute rolls of
tape (7" reels), then figure about 2 camera magazines per roll of sound.
Remember that audiotape is relatively cheap compared to film stock and the cost of production. Never be afraid to
"waste" tape. Reload your Nagra while the camera crew is reloading, so as to avoid delays later on.
If you are shooting long takes, especially interviews, or the director likes to talk a lot before calling "Action"—then
reload early enough to avoid any risk of running out during a take.
DAT tapes run longer, with 60 min and 95 min being common. Usually, one or two DAT tapes per day will suffice
(apply the same 15 min/camera mag rule of thumb). However, also figure on not less than one physical tape per day, since
you will be expected to turn in dailies.
Very often, the Sound Mixer will be asked to provide the tape stock and to bill the production company. Don't feel
guilty about making a slight profit on the transaction. If the company wants to "save money", then let them foot the bill
for all of the stock!
You are the one laying out the cash to buy enough stock for the shoot plus plenty of extra (just in case), but will only
be reimbursed for what is actually used. That means that your cash will be tied up in tape stock until the next shoot. You
cannot return unused tape stock to the dealer, since no respecting professional would ever want to go out with tape stock
that someone else may have subjected to excess heat, etc.
More than likely, videotape stock will be provided by the cameraman or the production company. It is rare that the
Sound Mixer is asked to supply videotape, unless he or she is also providing the video equipment. It never hurts to ask,
just to make sure. What you find out could save the cameraman a lot of embarrassment, and since you and the camera-
man probably work together a lot for a number of video clients...
Batteries
Just about everything on your soundcart operates from batteries. Nagra recorders use 12 "D" cells, and will run two
to four days. But always have a spare dozen standing by! Power supplies for your mics generally use two 9-volts.
Comteks and popular wireless mics also use 9-volts, but some brands may be different. Other equipment will have their
own particular battery requirements.
Even if you have AC adapters, it is still better to run off of batteries in order to avoid the risk of AC induced noise.
The same principle that lets the "plug in to any outlet" intercom upstairs in the baby's room be heard on the intercom
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© Copyright 2003 by Fred Ginsburg. All Rights Reserved.