Contents of Josh Rogosin's Bag Unveiled

Contents of Josh Rogosin's Bag Unveiled

With the right gear strapped on my back, I've got what it takes to multitrack record an entire band in various settings. My go-to bag is the XL BaileyWorks bag, a constant companion on my recording journeys.

Josh Rogosin, the audio maestro behind our website Music's Tiny Desk Concerts, knows a thing or two about capturing raw music away from the concert hall. He's always on his toes, ready to record the next big act. Here's a peek into his field recording secrets, focusing on preparation and flexibility.

Isolation is the prime challenge when recording stripped-down music sessions in unique locations. His solution? Shotgun mics that help isolate vocals without the unnatural proximity effect typically seen with traditional vocal mics. He also uses direct boxes and mikes amps to capture a nice mix. The real magic happens during post-production, where he stereoizes mono sources, uses equalization and compression to make every instrument pop, and restrains himself from adding much reverb.

When our website Music asked shoegaze band Slowdive to record their new song, "Sugar For The Pill," at the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Brooklyn, Josh requested a stripped-down instrumentation and gear setup. No monitors, no PA – just musicians in a room, playing loud enough for everyone to hear each other acoustically. The challenge was worth it, resulting in refreshing takes on their songs they play every night on the road. He thinks the video came out sounding great!

Traveling light and staying prepared for anything are essential for field recording. Josh's packing strategy ensures he's ready for any eventuality while keeping his load light. Here's a breakdown of his gear:

Recording gear- Sound Devices 788t 8-channel recorder- Sony PCM-D50 back-up recorder (similar models available)- Shure se215 in-ear headphones- Spare recorder battery- Spare CF card- Mini-to-mini cable for line out to the backup recorder- 8-channel snake- 3 15-foot XLR cables to jump from snake to vocals and guitar amp mics- 4 TA3 adapter cables- 2 Whirlwind passive DI boxes- 2 1/4-inch to 1/4-inch cables for DI boxes (DI boxes interface with instruments like guitars and basses)- Sennheiser e609 side address dynamic mic- 2 Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun mics- 2 MERF collapsible tripod stands- 2 Auray suspension shock mounts for the shotgun mics- 2 stand adapters for mic clips- 2 3/8-inch female to 5/8-inch male thread adapters

Josh keeps some smaller items in his bag, including the primary and backup recorders. He also has handy accessories like a Sharpie with gaffer tape, a Leatherman Skeletool, a handkerchief, a collapsible reusable shopping bag, nuts, an insulated water bottle, gum, hand sanitizer, press ID, deodorant, sunscreen, a CF/SD card reader, a USB key, a USB battery with charger, a 5-port headphone party splitter, a carabiner lightning cord, and wired Apple EarPods.

Outside of the bag on the cross strap, Josh carries a microfiber lens cleaning cloth, a Swiss Army pocket watch, and a luggage tag.

Field recording is a demanding job, so Josh carries essentials like prescription sunglasses, a Leatherman Skeletool, a handkerchief, a collapsible reusable shopping bag, nuts, an insulated water bottle, gum, hand sanitizer, press ID, deodorant, sunscreen, a CF/SD card reader, a USB key, a USB battery with charger, a 5-port headphone party splitter, a carabiner lightning cord, and wired Apple EarPods.

Now that you've seen Josh's field recording setup, you're one step closer to capturing your own unique musical performances. Happy recording!

[1] hide captionSources don't list an exhaustive equipment list for Josh Rogosin's field recordings for Music's Tiny Desk Concerts. Common equipment for intimate concert recording sessions may include portable multitrack audio recorders, high-quality condenser microphones, lavalier or handheld mics, portable audio interfaces and preamps, headphones and monitoring equipment, cables, mic stands, and mounting accessories, and battery packs and power solutions. Without confirmation from Rogosin or Tiny Desk sources, the specific brands and models of gear he uses remain unspecified.

[2] toggle captionWhen setting up for field recording sessions, packing for flexibility and staying light is key. Josh Rogosin's bag is an example of efficient organization for any unpredictable situation. His gear list includes audio recording equipment, accessories, and miscellaneous items to address various challenges and emergencies during field recording sessions.

1. Josh Rogosin, while preparing for field recording sessions, leverages data-and-cloud-computing technology to store his recordings safely, ensuring he never loses precious musical moments.
2. In keeping with the latest trends in technology, Josh Rogosin incorporates micro gadgets into his recording setup, like a mini-to-mini cable for line out to the backup recorder and a compact USB battery with charger for power solutions on-the-go.
3. To aid in isolating vocals during field recordings, Josh relies on ESG-friendly (Environmental, Social, and Governance) gear like Sennheiser's MKH 416 shotgun mics, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable technology.
4. While Indexing his recording sessions, Josh Rogosin uses credits wisely, selecting cost-effective yet high-performing instruments like the Sound Devices 788t 8-channel recorder for multitrack recording, enabling him to accommodate various settings and spatial arrangements.

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