Reliable Gear Proves Crucial in High-Pressure Situation
In a recent White House production, Washington-based sound mixer Tom Craca was tasked with recording audio in three rooms within a tight five-minute window. To achieve this, he relied on his trusty Sound Devices 688 field production mixer.
Craca has been using Sound Devices equipment since 2002 and has consistently praised their reliability and performance. For this particular project, the 688's ability to handle multiple inputs and outputs proved invaluable.
Mixing and Recording in Tight Spaces
In one setup, Craca used the 688 to record audio for a group interview featuring First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. He flew two Schoeps boom microphones and fed two Canon C300 cameras analog audio via the HRS 10-pins and a Sony PMW-F5 AES audio feed via the XLR main outs.
With only minutes to spare between scenes, Craca was able to effortlessly switch between rooms and speakers using the 688's aux outputs on TA3 connectors. He also used the mixer to send a program feed to the client from the 688 via the aux outputs.
Efficient Workflow
Craca credits his Sound Devices gear for allowing him to work efficiently in high-pressure situations. 'The transcriptionist dropped her recorder in my bag, so I hit record with five iso tracks enabled, and off we went,' he recalls.
In another setup, Craca used a pre-saved setup on the 688 user menu for his standard two-boom record setup, allowing him to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
A Reliable Partner
For Craca, Sound Devices' 688 is more than just a piece of equipment – it's a trusted partner that has earned his loyalty over the years. 'I would never jeopardize my clients' productions or my reputation with anything less,' he emphasizes.