This toolbox is a resource to find the products that can help you achieve your goals.
Click on an item to see more about it.
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In The Booth
Live Mixing Headphones
What is it: Over the ear headphones that are great for live mixing.
Why I like it:The frequency reproduction is as flat as I have found at the price point. They cover up your ears so even while you’re mixing you can clearly hear the headphones. They come with an 1/8" to 1/4" adapter that screws on so you won't accidentally lose it.
What I do not like about it: To hear the true sound coming out of the headphones, especially with the lower frequencies, you need to push them against your ear.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Studio Headphones
What is it: Over the ear headphones that are great for mixing in a non-live environment.
Why I like it:The frequency reproduction is great, they cover your ears well but they're not extremely enclosed, so you can hear some noise come through. They come with an 1/8" to 1/4" adapter that screws on so you won't accidentally lose it.
What I do not like about it: The cable isn't very elastic so there's a long leash from where it's plugged in. Could be a trip hazard if it's not managed correctly.
Portable Audio Recorder
What is it: 32 bit audio recorder with 6 discreet recording channels
Why I like it: This recorder, originally made for recording on video shoots is the single greatest recorder on the market. With it being 32bit depth, you have 1,500dB of dynamic range. There is no possible way that you will clip your audio as long as you have a DAW to bring the gain to optimum level. This is a truly plug in, turn on, and record system. It also has a very small footprint at 4"x 3"x 5" before cables are plugged into the side of it. It's best used with 1 or 6 microphones plugging straight into it as digital boards will create a digital signal at 24bit thus loosing the advantage of 32bit dynamic range.
What I do not like about it: There isn't a good battery indicator, so you always need a backup battery on hand. Also the screen is small for the amount of surface area it takes up.
Cable Management
Velcro Cable Ties
VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP Cable Ties
What is it: Small Velcro strips that wrap around all types of cables to store neatly away.
Why I like it: It takes 10 seconds to put on the cable. When the cable is wrapped it keeps a low profile.
What I do not like about it: If you have a carpet stage they may stick to it while you’re wrapping it up. While the cable is unraveled, the Velcro sticks out so you’ll want to hide it if you can.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Velcro And Cloth Cable Cover
What is it: A flexible cover with velcro to stick to carpet to keep cables runs looking clean.
Why I like it: The covers come in different widths to fit different sized or multiple cables. They are easy to cut to lenth or to fold over itself to keep for future use or to go around corners.
What I do not like about it: The cover is just fabric so it's more of a visual solution as opposed to a protective one.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Rubber Cable Cover
Electriduct D-2 Low Profile Rubber Duct Cord Cover Floor Cable Protector
What is it: Protective rubber strip to cover cables on the ground.
Why I like it: They are great to protect power cables, 2-3 cables can fit in one cover.
What I do not like about it: They are hard to cut to length, and they don't have feet to keep it from sliding on a smooth surface.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Gaffer Tape
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Gaff tape after a while tends to leave sticky residue on the cables and sometimes on carpet if it stays in one place too long. If it’s a more permanent place for the cables, I’ll use either the velcro or rubber cover. Gaff tape has tons of other uses, I would recommend always having 3 rolls on hand. One by the stage preferably backstage, one in the booth, and one in another storage area as a backup.
What are is it: Tape that is great to cover cables or keep things in place.
Why I like it: It is very strong and easy to tear. Has a matte black finish that hides well on stage. Can be used for anything that needs to be stuck and usually won't leave any residue when you're done.
What I do not like about it: If it is left on a cable or surface too long it will leave a sticky residue.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Zip Ties
What is it: Black Zip Ties
Why I like it: They're great to attach cables to pipes without leaving any sticky residue as well as placing in between fan blades to clean out interiors of equipment.
What I do not like about it: You need cutters to clip off the ends and you'll have to pick up those ends when you're done. They can also leave a spike where it was cut so you need to make sure not to cut yourself if your close to it.
Read more about how it can be used for maintenance in this blog post.
Maintenance
Microfiber Cloth
What is it: Lint free and streak free cleaning rags.
Why I like it: Great to clean lenses and screens to keep projectors and lights shining as bright as possible.
What I do not like about it: Although I haven't used these specific ones, (I've just purchased them from Wal Mart) they'll stick to velcro pretty easily and they'll grab and keep all dust particles. Which is good while cleaning, but you may need to keep using clean ones if you have a lot of cleaning to do. Then you can just wash them and they're good as new!
Read more about it in this blog post.
2" Paint Brush
What is it: Simple paint brush to agitate stuck particles
Why I like it: Makes it easy to get into tight corners and crevices to get out all the dust and dirt particles.
What I do not like about it: Who doesn't like a brand new, never used on paint, paint brush?
Read more about it in this blog post.
Low Pressure Compressed Air
What is it: Oil and moisture-free, low pressure compressed air
Why I like it: Safe to use on electrical components and lenses. Helps to move particles out of hard to reach places
What I do not like about it: The can can get pretty cold while you are holding it if you use it a lot at a long time so you have to space out your use or have two cans to switch back and forth. You also can't spray while the nozzle is below the can.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Techspray Cleaning Swabs
What is it: Foam tipped swab
Why I like it: It works great to clean surfaces. Particles stick to the foam and it can also double as a gear oil applicator.
What I do not like about it: You have to touch the surface at an angle so the foam gets the most coverage otherwise there's a possibility you could scratch the surface. The plastic handle can also break if too much pressure is placed while it is at an angle.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Alcohol Swabs
What is it: Alcohol swabs to clean lenses and other surfaces
Why I like it: These small pads are great to clean a lamp before inserting it into a fixture to take off any oil that may have found its way on it. It's also great to clean the surface of a microphone and lenses of projectors and lighting fixtures
What I do not like about it: They're fairly small, only about 2" by 1" so you'll usually go through more than one at a time, even if you are cleaning microphones.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Air Blower
What is it: Powered air blower
Why I like it: Compact air blower to clean off exterior dirt and dust that accumulates on fixtures. There are two speeds so ou don't overpower anything.
What I do not like about it: It blows air fairly powerfully but it doesn't gaurantee that it's oil and moisture free. It's also electric so it needs a power source to plug in the 12' cable.
Read more about it in this blog post.
Lighting
4 Channel Dimmer Pack
What is it: 4 channel power dimmer or relay pack.
Why I like it: Great for dimming conventional fixtures like elipsoidals or less power intensive fixtures like 60 watt incandescent lamps. It's easy to set up and can get working with a lighting console or stand-alone. I've been using this kind in many applications and rarely have issues.
What I do not like about it: What you see is what you get, there isn't really anything fancy with this dimmer. It maxes at 15 amps total and 5 amps for every channel, so as long as the power consumption needs is under that, this is a great dimmer for you.