In addition to needing the right personnel, the achievement of good Production Sound requires having the right tools. Don't leave the choice of equipment up to others. The Mixer must always assume responsibility for the selection and preparation of the equipment package.

Your capability to record sound hinges strongly on the ability of your equipment to function when on the set. Having the best of gear, but not being able to make it work, is frustrating and career damaging. There are no apologies nor excuses run under the dailies! Bottom line is that the Sound Mixer is responsible for checking each and every piece of gear that is earmarked for the shoot. Every recorder, every microphone, every accessory, every adapter cable, and every mic line must be checked with the same care and concern that a skydiver employs with his parachute.

During the pre-production stage, it will become necessary to think and deal in terms of basic equipment packages. When defining equipment and budgeting in terms of these packages, bear in mind that these are simply terms of convenience. The specific contents of each package type will vary from studio to studio, rental house to rental house, and even from sound mixer to sound mixer.

As I have mentioned before, I do not trust Rental Technicians when it is my career on the line. Double-check and prep everything carefully! Place your order with the Rental House early, at least a few days in advance. If you have a shoot coming up, but it has not yet been 100% confirmed, let them know this. They can pencil your order in tentatively, and then check in with you later to verify a firm commitment.