For planned video shoots, I generally use prime lenses. I find that they offer excellent image quality while keeping my camera setup relatively small and lightweight. I also own a couple of zoom lenses for travel and event filming.
The newer version of the A7IV with many improvements.
SONY 35mm 1.8
SONY A7 V
Great rejection of RF interference (which can be a real problem downtown Toronto.
I've had the same ones for a very long time.
Mogami Gold Cables
Canare StarQuad Cables
Rycote InVision INV-6 Microphone Suspension for Short/Small Condenser Mics
Perfect for the Sennheisers, but too small for anything else except perhaps Line Audio CM4's
Perfect for the Sennheisers, but too small for anything else except perhaps Line Audio CM4's
SONY A7 IV
The α7 IV is my primary camera, and I use two of them for my multi-camera shoots. I previously filmed with the α7 III, but the addition of 10-bit video in the α7 IV was a game changer for my work.
Again, a cable you can trust. Much more expensive than the Canare, but an industry standard in all serious recording studios.
CAMERAS & ACCESSORIES
Prism Sound Titan Rack-Mountable
What I have used for about 10 years. 4 preamps with wonderful clarity and never so much as a glitch in its performance. Can connect to the Metric Halo via ADAT to augment your channels. I've used this on all albums for the past decade.
Prism Sound Lyra 2
This has been on my desk for about 10 years. It's a 2 channel version of the Titan.
Here is it in action...
Rycote InVision INV-HG mkIII Microphone Suspension
These are the "heavy-duty" mounts. They are actually too big for the tiny Sennheiser, but they can hold the mic and part of the XLR which I like. These are the best clips.
These are the "heavy-duty" mounts. They are actually too big for the tiny Sennheiser, but they can hold the mic and part of the XLR which I like. These are the best clips.
MICROPHONE ACCESSORIES
Rycote InVision INV-HG mkIII
Rycote InVision INV-6
The smaller version of the 6-ii, for most of us who only need 3 mics maximum. I usually only use 2 mics for solo guitar.
Sound Devices Mix Pre 6-II
I bought this recently and have been very happy. 8 wonderful preamps in one rack. I will be using this much more in the future.
Metric Halo ULN-8 mkIV
Sound Devices Mix Pre 6-II
A compact audio interface with no computer needed. Perfect for travel. Records in 32-bit float, so it is impossible to clip, and has 4 excellent preamps! Records to a removable SD card and can be powered via USB or battery. Most video I've done for Hao Yang and Petra Polackova were done with this interface.
Sennheiser MKH 8020 (pair)
Extremely low self-noise for a small diaphragm condenser, and the same warm tonality as the 8040's.
Used in all my studio recordings, and also my Capriccio Diabolico video and many others. Condenser mics are tricky, because they can have a "sizzle" which brings out everything we don't want (but may be great on other instruments). To my ear, these have the most natural sound for the classical guitar.
My Filming & Recording Gear
Here is a comprehensive list of the equipment I use.
If you use these links it would greatly help to support me and my future endeavours!
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One note, if you are in Canada you can still order from B &H. There are no extra duties on the vast majority of equipment, just make sure to check "BH takes care of duties" on checkout. You will only pay for the sales tax.
MICROPHONES
Royer SF2 Ribbon Mic
Sennheiser MKH 8040 (pair)
The best and quietest ribbon mic I've ever used. Right now I use it as a close mic but I have used pairs with beautiful results.
AUDIO INTERFACES
*For omni-directional mics I use a pair of highly modified AKG C460b. A famous producer, Jim Williams used to do the mod, but he stopped quite some time ago. A friend of mine got the schemetics from Jim, and made a lot of improvements to the componentry. Unfortunately, you can't really acquire these. However, I would suggest the omnidirectional versions of the Sennheiser...