What's In Your Kit Now?! With Sound Mixer Simon Bysshe from URSA Straps

It’s about time for a Kit Update Video! Simon Bysshe the founder of ‪@URSAStraps‬ shows the latest changes to his Sound Kit in this special ‘Whats In Your Kit?’ video!
Big changes include the use of the brand new ‪@sounddev‬ Sound Devices A20 Transmitters for his Wireless Booms, replacing the A10s. They sound amazing and having 3 battery slots means they can finally use rechargeable batteries to power them! Saving a great deal on the cost and impact of using non-rechargable Lithium AA batteries for these power hungry packs which act as both a source of 48v for a mic and a transmitter.
In Simons words:
"I’m now using a Scorpio + CL16 replacing the 688 + CL12, a much needed jump in power and functionality. The cart has also been modded quite a bit to fit this new mixer and the power consumption has meant needing a much higher capacity battery. The answer for this came from the EasyLife battery designed by sound mixer Simon Bishop. Its a total beast with 100amp hours of running time. You can find more info on them here : easylifebatteries.weebly.com/
I've also introduced a great bit of kit from Audio Wireless called the 'Diversity Antenna Distribution Module' to combine two pairs of aerials and distribute them across four pairs of outputs. This was a much needed improvement and replaced using the aerial outs from my Professional Sound Corp. RF Six Pack to feed my SL6. This filtered distro works really well when needing to run two pairs of aerials (one passive and one active on a long cable run) to cover large distances for radio range. By using this distro Im also now able to use my sharkfins to help improve the range for my teams comms mics, I explain this later in the video.
If you are curious which Lithium Rechargeable AA batteries I use in my A20s you can find them on Amazon here : www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
My kit is always changing but I'm really happy with where it is right now and the sound quality from an all digital radio system is just brilliant.
Sorry for being so inactive lately on the channel, Ive had a busy five months on a new drama for Apple+. But am back now and hope to make more videos in the coming weeks. Do let me know what kind of stuff you would like to see us film."
If you would like to see how Simons kit has changed over the years you can find his two previous cart videos here:
• Vans, Tents & Sound Ca... (2020)
• What’s in your Kit? Wi... (2019)
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro to A20 TX
1:16 - Microphones of Choice
1:55 - The Headphone Box
2:18 - The Mic Box
2:54 - Radio Mics
4:15 - The Sound Trolley
I'll be at the IBC show in Amsterdam later this month if you can make that please do come say hello!
URSA will also have a stand at the UK Institute of Professional Sound sound show in West London in September, so please be there to be the first to try our our new ‘X Strap’ and the new ‘URSA Vesties’ 💖💖

[@dingdong5601]

Hey URSA, please keep making these videos. They are so damn good. Keep up the great work!

[@3absalamz]

Wow, Ursa, your channel never ceases to amaze me! as a production sound mixer from Egypt , your products have been a game-changer. Thank you for not only providing top-notch accessories but also constantly surprising us with innovative and out-of-the-box ideas. Your content is a valuable resource for professionals everywhere . Keep up the fantastic work! 👏🎧

[@marlonclark243]

Sounds like you have it a little mixed up regarding no longer needing to adjust the gain on the transmitter… 32 bit float only pertains to recording, but not needing to adjust the gain on transmitter (or as SD likes to call it “Gain Forward”) is due to it transmitting a full and massive dynamic range.

[@edgariacolenna6627]

Fantastic kit Simon!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@nicolasfieldsoundservices]

Thank you Simon! These videos always get me stoked!

[@FamousJames]

Lovely setup. Love those knuckle mics. Nice Comm setup also. Great Kit Love the A10's.

[@elandrue]

Hey Simon, can you provide the name and where we can get the rechargeable AA lithium batteries please. Thanks.

[@telltalesigns]

This really an impressive arsenal

[@imark7777777]

Cool and don't forget to stay hydrated and stop for tea. Having a large battery means you're not deep cycling this was more of a problem with lead acid but it's still good practice not to heavily cycle lithium it helps them last longer. plus having extra capacity means you're prepared if you're suddenly going into the 25th hour..... Or if for some reason things didn't charge the night before.

[@simonbysshe]

Yay!

[@abittikofer]

Thank you for sharing the updates on your current setup! I am most curious about the XTAR lithium batteries. How long have they been in the kit? Are there any downsides that you have found?

[@aaronnewberry]

What are the pouches you have all your IEM/IFB's in? I have the same ones and I'd love to sleeve thpse bad boys up.

[@OTsuperduper]

Incredible pile of gear!

[@ScoobieDee]

Wow need some Money to pay for all that !!

[@silvestro4578]

Which Orca Bag are you using in this video? Or-332?

[@bobymedia]

Awesome! Is there a reason to use the CMC6 over the small CMC1 on the main booms?

[@simonbysshe]

mainly to avoid shadows, having a slightly longer mic means the boom pole shadow is further away fom the mics shadow and its easier to get the mic clsser to the frame line if you are also not fighting a boom shadow. Also I just slightly prefer the sound of a CMC6, but that might just be psychological!

[@bobymedia]

​@@simonbysshe I see that's a good point! Thank you so much your content is super helpful.

[@telltalesigns]

Those transmitters are too big aren't they? For talent wireless?

[@extrasocks]

Vertical video? Come on, we want to see the gear!

[@simonbysshe]

Sorry we made this quickly for a bit of fun on instagram.

[@pinpinipnip]

Camera mic?????? 🤦