As I met more business owners and other people working in or around the fishing industry while field recording in Ostend, I noticed that even though my equipment was already top-level for capturing sounds all over the city, some elements were missing for interviews, and above all, for recording vessels passing by but out of reach.

So it was time to grab a few pieces that, while they don’t fully revolutionize my kit list, add exactly what I need to enhance what’s coming next for Wildtek @ Sea…

Rode AI-Micro

Might be the smallest sound card in the world! But it’s a genuinely great little unit for anyone shooting on one or two iPhones like me. It lets you connect two microphones straight to the iPhone, so you can record video with top-quality sound on the go. Simple, lightweight, straightforward. On another level, you can connect the output of, say, your DJ mixer, use your iPhone camera, and stream a DJ set without any hassle.

XLR to mini-jack cables

To connect XLR microphones like my two Clippy EM172s, or the output of my XONE:4D DJ mixer, these cables are a necessity. They carry pro audio-level output straight to the Rode AI-Micro sound card, basic, but essential.

Handle with hanging rope

Like a gun ;-) I do love guns… Another subject entirely. This element is essential too, since it lets me move around with an iPhone and a recorder connected together for filming and recording, lightweight, solid, easy to set up, and if needed, I can mount the whole rig on a tripod for extra stability or longer takes. Extremely efficient.

Tascam DR-05XP

The hype these last two years has been all about 32-bit. Everyone talks about the benefits. I love my 24-bit Zoom H5, and keeping my levels tight and working them is my job! But I wanted to try 32-bit and see for myself if the hype was real. So I bought the smallest model from Tascam to test it out. Since I got it, it never leaves my pocket, it’s with me at all times, ready to catch anything my ears pick up on my travels. I’m in love with it. Naturally, I now plan to get the Tascam Portacapture X8, which would become the master brain of my whole setup.

Zoom SSH-6

Even if I invest in a Tascam Portacapture X8, I’ll keep my partner of years, the Zoom H5. To record top-level interviews or distant vessels, I needed a shotgun microphone. Those tend to be pretty expensive, so the Zoom SSH-6 came as a nice alternative. Despite some harsh reviews floating around online, I’m genuinely impressed by this microphone and its plugin for managing Mid/Side recordings. Never forget: it’s not the gear that’s creative or great, it’s how you use it. You can own a €1,500 microphone and still record garbage or make magic with one that costs €130–150. Be creative ;) The only real letdown is the included dead cat, which just isn’t up to par, I need to find an alternative.

The magic: mounts and adapters

With iPhone holders, recorders, sometimes my camera, tripods, etc.. Everything needs to be tightly secured. I found a box full of all-in-one thread adapters, and it genuinely saved my life. It’s an essential part of my setup, since depending on the kind of recording I’m making, my gear needs to be attached one way or another. They come in handy :-)

The little things…

No need for a picture, but I bought a total of 16 rechargeable IKEA LADDA 2450 batteries, since they’re rock solid for my recorders. Why so many? Because my professional approach can’t allow running out of batteries mid-recording or mid-interview. Simple as that. I also picked up a second power bank so my iPhones are always ready to film too.

Next step?

The Tascam Portacapture X8 for sure, plus a refresh of my Sennheiser HD 25 Aluminium headphones. My DJ/studio/recording headphone for years, and for many more to come.

Dimitri Pike / Wildtek (http://wildtek.net / wildtek.concept@gmail.com)

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