‘Chicago Fire’, the new NBC series, captures audio with Sound Devices solutions

Among these solutions, on set they have the 788T and 744T digital audio recorders, the 552 and 442 production mixers, and the CL-WiFi interface for the 788T.

For dynamic audio recording on new NBC Universal and Wolf Films production, Chicago Fire, sound engineer Blair Scheller has opted for the range of solutions from Sound Devices, including the 788T and 744T digital audio recorders, the 552 and 442 production mixers, and the CL-WiFi interface for the 788T. Together with his sound team, Scheller is in charge of collecting the dialogues for the episodes.

Initially filmed at Cinespace Chicago and on open locations in this American city, Chicago Fire presents the experiences of the men and women who make up the “Chicago Firehouse 51” firehouse.

Filming is carried out with two cameras and So Boom microphones (usually Schoeos CMITs), although the dialogues rely on wireless microphones. Scheller employs 12 channels of wireless Lectrosonics with SR transmitters and Venue receivers. The wireless receivers connect to an AD 146 analog console.

The on-set recorder is the 788T, which records simultaneously to CompactFlash and its own internal hard drive. For backup, a 552 records the mix to SD cards. The CompactFlash are connected, starting the transfer at the end of each recording.

Another important aspect of the system is CL-WiFi. "It's essential when using the 788T. I can quickly restart after a false break so it's ready right away," Scheller said. In other cases, this technician's equipment bag also includes a 744T, a 442 mixer and a Lectrosonics field receiver.