Sitcom-fi. . . guys, share your knowledge please!

[soozieq]

WRITING A SITCOM AND I NEED HELP!


[size=xx-small]OK I'll try and explain briefly the help I need. I know I could use the search function to find some of the answers, but a) I don't want to. . . and b) it won't be as much fun for me[/size]. . .

I'm 'writing' a sitcom and two of my four characters (the males) already have a 'music' background together. Most of their scenes take place in their 'home-made' studio/listening room. But now - having hung round here for a while - I think it would be fun (as a continuing thread) to have one of them start on a quest for the 'ultra' portable rig (with all the extras) each week adding another item (that a 'forum' suggested!) and thus reducing its portability, so by episode 6 he can barely move. . . while his friend ends up with an ultra sleek rig for himself

The problem is, I know nothing about portable rigs at all. . .

and am way too lazy to search.
My knowledge about anything 'portable' is limited to my headphones and dap, so on this occasion I'd like to know. . .

1. Is it even possible to add six items to a portable rig? If so, what are they?

1. If not - have you seen an unneccessarily over-sized overkill 'portable' rig that caused you to weep with laughter?? What did it consist of?

1. What's the smallest - and largest portable rig available? How small, how big? Is there such a thing as an 'ugly' rig?

I'd really appreciate any input at all. Hopefully, this will be an ongoing thread as I have other episodes to write, and as you guys here seem to know just about everything about everything, I thought you might be able to help me with the 'technical' side of anything I need to know

1. Other snippets welcome at any time on the thread, are deliberately complicated explanations of headphone impedance, sensitivity rating, harmonic distortion etc. What would you say if you were aiming to confuse someone?

Please can you put your sitcom hats on and contribute?

Thanks xxx

 

[Assorted]

1. Very possible

1. Optical/coax source (like a digi-out from PCDP, iRiver H1xx)
2. digital interconnect
3. DAC
4. another Interconnect
5. amp
5a. impedance adaptor
5b. external crossfeed circuit
5c. PTH?
6. Headphones

But it would be more fun to see the bozo keep selling/upgrading his equipment to "keep up with the times."


2. Yeah, use the macbook as source, HR desktop portable just as a DAC, and stack another desktop portable just for the HP amp.

 

[enjoiflobees]

I great thing to talk about would be the redwine audio iMod. That seems to be one of the best portable audio sources that you can actually walk around with reasonably. If you want the portable rig to be over kill just make sure he has a pair of k1000 and walks around outside with them. thats just funny.
Good luck!

 

[soozieq]

Quote:

1. Optical/coax source (like a digi-out from PCDP, iRiver H1xx) 2. digital interconnect 3. DAC 4. another Interconnect 5. amp 5a. impedance adaptor 5b. external crossfeed circuit 5c. PTH? 6. Headphones But it would be more fun to see the bozo keep selling/upgrading his equipment to "keep up with the times."

Ha ha ha ha - the list itself made me laugh, and yes, there's always the possibility he will keep selling and upgrading and will never be happy knowing that there's something 'better' round the corner!

Quote:

If you want the portable rig to be over kill just make sure he has a pair of k1000 and walks around outside with them. thats just funny

I guess the K1000 are bulky then? If they look funny, then he has to wear them! Of course, brands can't be mentioned but at least I'll have an idea of how ridiculous he'd look.

 

[will75]

Keep the premise as is. I think it's a great idea for this guy to be a bit misguided in his search for the ultimate portable rig.

When I read the little character arc planned I definitely smiled thinking about it. The key will be making it outrageous but with a solid rationale behind each new piece of equipment.

 

[bundee1]

Check this out:

 

[Aevum]

actually, go to the portable audio section and look for a thead called along the lines of "my imod grew balls",

but just imagen a guy with a old school PCDP, a chunky portable amp and a AKG K1000, or those weird U shaped headphones,

 

[soozieq]

Quote:

Originally Posted by will75 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Keep the premise as is. I think it's a great idea for this guy to be a bit misguided in his search for the ultimate portable rig. When I read the little character arc planned I definitely smiled thinking about it. The key will be making it outrageous but with a solid rationale behind each new piece of equipment.

That's what I want to do - make it outrageous while keeping it based in the 'real' world. Also, the 'conflict' will come from his friend who is basically there to ridicule each and every addition to his 'portable' rig.

That's where you lot come in as I don't actually know what each addition would do, apart from the amp. If I'm to provide his 'reasoning' for buying all this stuff, then I need to know the part all these additions would play. . . what's considered useful, what's considered overkill, that kind of thing.

As I said before, it will just be a small continuing thread throughout the series, but I still have to get my facts right! Thanks for all the suggestions so far, they're really useful

 

[Agnostic]

"Moderately Portable"
Portable cd player optical out>Monica DAC>TEC TC-754 Pre-amp>Sonic Impact T-amp>Stax Sigma Earspeakers

Powered by a 12v sealed lead acid battery.

And a backpack to carry it around in of course!

 

[33Leon]

NT

 

[soozieq]

This is exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for, thanks

Aevum, good idea, I'll check the "my imod grew balls" thread for proof of how things get out of control!

The more info I can get, the better. Now I have a list of 'additions' to the portable rig, I can slot them in, piece by piece.

One more thing, how heavy can these portable rigs get? And also, how light?

As you can see, I have more questions with each post!

 

[Quaddy]

 

[Deiz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaddy /img/forum/go_quote.gif http://img.engadget.com/common/images/3060000000052288.JPG?0.4550144997195069

That is decidedly transportable.

To create ultimate clunkiness in a portable, you need an XLR-balanced CMOY and balanced earbuds. (Ref: Balanced Yuins)

 

[soozieq]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deiz /img/forum/go_quote.gif To create ultimate clunkiness in a portable, you need an XLR-balanced CMOY and balanced earbuds. (Ref: Balanced Yuins)

I take it a CMOY is some kind of clunky amp then? Some of the pics that have been posted are very funny!

 

[Deiz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soozieq /img/forum/go_quote.gif I take it a CMOY is some kind of clunky amp then? Some of the pics that have been posted are very funny!

A CMOY is usually assembled in a mint tin, so it's fairly small. Balanced XLR3s, on the other hand, would likely double the thickness.

Edit: Balanced Yuins