Topic: traveling with mics (Read 6616 times)

j.hall · « **on:** January 10, 2008, 09:27:43 PM »

so, my traveling to work is increasing. seems that the injection of 002's into the market place has finally caught up to bands ever increasing low budgets. i have no problems with this as i've made records in basements and bedrooms practically my entire career.

a lot of my clients are now deciding that it's worth paying me to come and setup their drums. this typically goes down pretty fast, so it's still economical to the band. however, mics seem to be an issue all the time.

so, with that in mind, i've decided to start buying mics for drums (and various other things) once again.

anything i should know about flying with mics in todays rubber glove and KY airport climate?

Iain Graham · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2008, 11:28:59 PM »

When I moved over here last summer, I brought my Royers in my hand luggage as I didn't know how the stuff that followed me was really travelling.

I got some funny looks from the airport security guys, and had to take the wrapping off the boxes so they could have a look, but once they'd checked them out they were happy for me to fly with them. By wrapping I mean some thin padding to keep the boxes protected.

That's only 2 mics though, a box of them may be a little tougher. And not flying through the US.

j.hall · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2008, 10:26:43 AM »

i've traveled with acoustical test equipment years ago, but that stuff all got checked.

i'm a big fan of earthworks mics, and they have a certain look to them that i'm not sure airport security will be into.......then again.....they might want to probe me with one.

Eric H. · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2008, 11:55:48 AM »

I'm from Paris but living now in Lisbon, and i often buy mics in france that i bring home after.
of course its different that the USA, but I've never had a problem with mic boxes. once was questioned about small speakers.
i would suggest always carry my mics with me in my hand luggage.
its the only way to be sure there will not be any problems and the mics are well treated (without speaking of lost or crushed baggage)

cymatics · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2008, 08:09:32 PM »

I haven't flown with gear since before 9/11; but if I was going to do it on a regular basis, I'd opt for the 'stow below' option. Invest in a solid ATA rated case like this, but hopefully with a more robust lock...

...and hope the airline baggage handling goons don't make off with your gear.

Crying or Very Sad

Hank Alrich · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2008, 11:16:10 PM »

j.hall wrote on Thu, 10 January 2008 18:27

ever increasing low budgets

Oxymoron alert!

tom eaton · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2008, 11:48:41 PM »

http://www.skbcases.com/industrial/products/prod-detail.php? d=s17&id=308&s=p#

I have one of these SKB military "suitcase" cases, with a pull out handle, roller wheels, etc.

Very tough, waterproof, easy to drag around, very much like most carry on suitcases made nowadays.

Lockable, too. Highly recommended. PM me if you have trouble finding one, I have a good source.

You can swing it around and fend off drunks, too.

-tom

j.hall · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2008, 04:03:18 PM »

i have a pelican case that fits in an overhead bin. it's airtight and waterproof and they claim it can not be broken.

i think i'll see how that works out the first trip.

Phillip Graham · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2008, 08:38:48 PM »

j.hall wrote on Sun, 13 January 2008 16:03

i have a pelican case that fits in an overhead bin. it's airtight and waterproof and they claim it can not be broken.

i think i'll see how that works out the first trip.

J,

Go search the archives of the live side of PSW, literally dozens of threads on schlepping various X to XYZ location.

As for Pelican cases, they absolutely rule. Since their warranty is a no questions asked lifetime guarantee, and is transferable, I try to pick up Pelicans used on eBay.

Other than their penchant for alerting thieves to high dollar items, and weight higher than standard luggage, they are fantastic, and not more expensive than name-brand hardside luggage.

I fly with a rolling Pelican, and people always ask me about it.

PS Pelican has interesting product videos on their website. I like the one where the laptop case survives a round from a twelve gauge Very Happy

seedyunderbelly.com · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2008, 08:32:56 AM »

I used to fly with a pair of u67s, I have had to disassemble the mics a few times..

beyer m160 akg414eb no disassembly request so far... good luck! j

Chris Ilett · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2008, 09:54:44 AM »

What would make me not miss a flight back from Italy after spending 12 hours in the sodding airport is if you could get a 'license' for the gear you travel with regularly.

Then, when an airport official asks you to line up so he/she can go through every single case you're carrying, you can shove the aforementioned document in his/her face and actually get home on time.

Tim Halligan · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2008, 05:54:14 AM »

Chris Ilett wrote on Mon, 14 January 2008 23:54

What would make me not miss a flight back from Italy after spending 12 hours in the sodding airport is if you could get a 'license' for the gear you travel with regularly.

Then, when an airport official asks you to line up so he/she can go through every single case you're carrying, you can shove the aforementioned document in his/her face and actually get home on time.

Isn't this almost exactly what the Carnet system is?

I have used this a few times - however not post 9/11 - as a part of tv crews and haven't had a problem. The customs guy might still want to take a look at one or two of the high dollar items, but usually they're pretty cool.

At worst, it's been "show me the $75,000 camera, the $25,000 lens, and that audio mixer...ok..serial numbers match...thanks have a good flight" when they could have demanded we open all 20 cases and unpack and re-pack 250kg of gear...

Worth investigating.

Cheers,
Tim

Chris Ilett · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2008, 07:01:28 AM »

Nice one. All my ideas are already taken. Like multitrack recording.

j.hall · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2008, 10:36:07 PM »

Phillip Graham wrote on Sun, 13 January 2008 19:38

I fly with a rolling Pelican, and people always ask me about it.

yeah, i get asked about mine all the time. my favorite was, "hey man, what's in the tool box?"
-random guy, Richmond, VA

seedyunderbelly.com · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2008, 05:50:42 AM »

Tools..?..

j.hall · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2008, 03:37:18 PM »

HAHAHAHA, i should have thought of that. i just smiled and said, "i can't talk about it"

knowing that the CIA training facility (the farm) is only miles away.

Daniel Farris · « **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2008, 01:52:51 AM »

cymatics wrote on Fri, 11 January 2008 17:09

Invest in a solid ATA rated case like this, but hopefully with a more robust lock...

If you check locked luggage, TSA absolutely WILL break it to get it open and inspect it. Period. No apologies or reimbursement.

Locked bags are prohibited.

DF

j.hall · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2008, 01:28:48 PM »

yeah, my pelican has a hole for a padlock. don't even own one.......

Andy Simpson · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2008, 11:54:35 AM »

I'm not sure about the 'States, but I've taken mics on the plane a few times. I do get a few 'is that a laser gun or a missile?' looks but I'd never ever put them in luggage that doesn't stay with me!

Andy

Schimpf · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2008, 09:52:45 PM »

j.hall wrote on Fri, 25 January 2008 11:28

yeah, my pelican has a hole for a padlock. don't even own one.......

Something to keep in mind when packing a case for travel, is that if the case is inspected, you can count on them re-packing it wrong. I have been trying to make my travel containers idiot proof (still not good enough sometimes) so everything has its place. Even re-packing a carry-on can be a total pain after getting through security.

That being said, I have been having great luck shipping lots of very delicate gear (mics, computers, converters, etc.) using airline freight. I just sent 6 boxes totaling 110 lbs. for $85, and it was there in two hours. As long as the flights are direct, things seem to be handled very well.

John Schimpf

T. Mueller · « **Reply #20 on:** February 07, 2008, 02:07:26 PM »

Totally agree about Pelican. They're seriously the best on the market. I've tested them. I have proof.

0dbfs · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2008, 02:26:47 PM »

I have done a number of trade shows involving shipping expensive and delicate audio equipment including consoles and other pieces to customers and remote sites.

I have also done several remote/travel sessions as described in this thread.

It seems that a long term workable and affordable solution is to build a couple heavy duty wooden crates to house your "remote rig" and pack them up with your gear secure inside. Ie; speakers, DAW, mics, stands, cables, snake, hp system, pre's, etc...

You can work with a shipping company for pick up and delivery as well as specifying whether a lift gate is needed on the truck or not. You can insure your shipment too although some pieces may be one-of-a-kind.

Just design your crates as muti-purpose so you can use them as a desk when you set it up onsite. Some black cloth and gaffers tape will make the end setup look very nice and you can even use some cloth covered 703 (or heavy duty packing blankets) as padding/gobo material...

The shipping costs are reasonable and good with timing the arrival so you can schedule the crates to arrive before you do, or when you arrive. They will usually provide a window of a couple hours for delivery.

If you stack your crates on a small pallet you can strap them all together and use black shrink wrap to best hide the contents. Especially if you have a cardboard box or two with obvious labeling on the outside.

Just use drywall screws to seal your crates and check your makita with your checked baggage on both ends.

You can ship everything a day or two ahead and include any last minute items in your checked baggage.

-j

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Author Topic: traveling with mics (Read 6616 times)