Tips and Tools
YOU'RE SUCH A TOOL
The following question rears its curious head rather frequently: What tools do I need to be a good engineer/designer/associate? The list below is meant to be a suggestion; by no means is it exhaustive nor is it a list of absolute necessities; they are just recommendations. Some of these tools are not necessarily meant to be items that you, the person in question, carry around with you; they may be instruments that should be provided by the show itself or the shop. The most important thing, though, is to remember that these are just tools— if you don't know how to use them, then they are as worthless as a soggy paper lizard (unless, of course, you have invested in soggy paper lizards, in which case you can ignore this simile and proceed). If you, gentle reader, have any suggestions to add, please send me an e-mail.
SOUND ENGINEER'S TOOLKIT
- Crescent Wrench
- Sharpie™ permanent markers, assorted colors and sizes
- Allen-key set
- Torx-key set
- Screwdriver set
- Low-profile socket-wrench set
- Diagonal Cutters
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Cable stripper
- Portable soldering station
- Tape measure
- Cordless driver/drill with assortment of bits
- Laser pointer
- AC line tester
- Cable Tester (Whirlwind, Behringer, Masque)
- Tone Generator (Whirlwind, Shure, Neutrik)
- Audio Frequency Meter (Gold Line, Neutrik, Terrasonde)
- Polarity Checker (Galaxy)
- Multimeter
- Headphone Amplifier (Whirlwind, Shure)
- MIDI Tester (Masque, Studiomaster)
- MIDI Generator (Masque)
- Brother P-Touch™ labeling system
- Contact cleaner / conditioner
- Assortment of gaffers tape
- Assortment of electrical tape
- Soft camel-hair brush
- Extra Mag-Lite lamps
A2 ASSISTANT ENGINEER'S TOOLKIT
- Crescent Wrench
- Sharpie™ permanent markers, assorted colors and sizes
- Allen-key set
- Torx-key set
- Screwdriver set
- Low-profile socket-wrench set
- Diagonal Cutters
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Cable stripper
- Portable soldering station
- Cordless driver/drill with assortment of bits
- AC line tester
- Cable Tester (Whirlwind, Behringer, Masque)
- Tone Generator (Whirlwind, Shure, Neutrik)
- Multimeter
- Headphone Amplifier (Whirlwind, Shure)
- MIDI Tester (Masque, Studiomaster)
- MIDI Generator (Masque)
- Brother P-Touch™ labeling system
- Contact cleaner / conditioner
- Assortment of gaffers tape
- Assortment of electrical tape
- Extra mag-lite lamps
- Assortment of medical tape
- Hellerman Tool and assortment of sleeves
- Surgical tubing
- Ear rigs
- Elastic
- Bobby pins
- Microphone tester (Masque)
- Scissors, Scissors, Scissors
- Ruler
- Connector-replacement kit for whatever transmitters are used
- Colored paint markers
- Apron
- Condoms / Baggies
- Compressed air
- Floral wire
ASSOCIATE / ASSISTANT DESIGNER'S TOOLKIT
- Sharpie™ permanent markers, assorted colors and sizes
- Brother P-Touch™ labeling system
- Avery labels, assorted sizes (my preferences are 5267, 5260, and 5265)
- Gross of 8.5" x 11" paper
- Notepads
- Manila Folders
- Stapler
- Hole-puncher
- Binders
- Sheet protectors
- Laser printer
- Assorted writing implements
- 3M Post-It™ Notepads
- Envelopes, perhaps even stamps
- Laser pointer
- Patience, Patience, and More Patience
OTHER BITS I LIKE TO HAVE
- RJ-11 / RJ-45 Crimp set, spare spools of cable
- BNC Connector Crimp set
- Assorted spare connectors and connector bits
- Blank media: CD-R, MD, ZIP, 3.5" Floppy
- Matte black spray paint
- Lighter fluid
- Spare headphones
- Two-way radio headset and/or fistmic and/or secret-service earset
- 100-Base-T router, assorted Cat-5/6 cables
- A microphone. Any microphone
- Two-channel mic preamp
- XLR Adaptors: M-M, F-F, IL-19, Pin 1 Lift, Pin 2 Lift, Pin 3 Lift
- Video Adaptors: F-BNC, BNC Barrels, BNC "T"s, RCA-BNC
- Other Adaptors: Speakon barrels, PowerCon barrels, AC cube taps, AC Ground Lift (for emergencies only)
- ClearCom Adaptors: DC Blocking Transformer
- Spare mobile phone charger
- Paperwork software, such as ShowTracker, ShowBuilder, or Audio Organizer.
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Comments, Questions, and Additions should be addressed via e-mail to Kai Harada. Partially responsible for typographical errors.
http://www.harada-sound.com/sound/handbook/thoughts.html - © 2003 Kai Harada. 16.11.2003.