![[mid-drop rig_case.jpeg]] As I started doing more drop-rig recording this year for a long-term project, I wanted to design a no-compromise system that would last me a lifetime. I hike with this case through streams, mud, rain and snow, and it gets thrown around — so the gear inside needs to survive all of that. This is overkill for most use cases, but I'd rather over-engineer once than lose a recording I traveled/hiked many hours for to a failing equipment. This is a work in progress and this article may get updated in the future. ## Case ![[mid-drop rig_packed.jpeg]] The whole setup fits inside a [Peli 1400](https://peliproducts.co.uk/1400-protector-case) case, which also serves as protection for the recorder and power during deployment. I chose the 1400 because its size is a perfect fit for the Mini-ALTO windshield and recorder setup. As I wanted absolute water protection of the equipment inside, the case has a passthrough audio system using 5-pin [Amphenol](https://www.amphenol.com/) military circular connectors. You will need to drill out a hole for the connector and the attachment screws (I recommend stainless). These are all-metal and extremely robust. Cheaper alternatives are [Neutrik]([https://www.neutrik.com/](https://www.neutrik.com/en/neutrik/products/xlr-connectors/xlr-cable-connectors/top-series)) watertight connectors from the "TOP" line. For the part on the Peli I used MS3100A14S-5S (female panel connector), 97-60-14 (dust cap) and MS3057-6A W/B (inner strain relief). The inner strain relief is there to protect the solder joints from the inner interconnects — used [Tasker TSK 1144]([https://www.tasker.it/en/catalogue/microphone-cables/tsk-1144](https://www.tasker.it/en/products/audio/code/?p=tsk1144)) copper-braid 100% covered microphone cables and gold-plated Neutrik XLRs ([NC3MXX-B](https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nc3mxx-b)). I think it is important to have well-shielded cables to avoid interference from the recorder screen and radio devices (see Niceties bellow). ![[mid-drop rig_inner connection.jpeg]] ## Cable For the outdoor cable you will need MS3106A14S-5P (male), MS3057-6A W/B (strain relief) and dust cap (97-60-14P) on one end and Neutrik 5-pin gold-plated XLR (NC5FXX-B). The multicore cable is [Sommer SC-Quantum](https://www.sommercable.com/en-gb/Multipair-SC-Quantum-QMC-S-PVC-black-2-x-0-14-mm2-x-number-of-pairs/100-0451-02) (100-0451-02). The reason for the 5-pin connector and multicore is that both MS channels run through a single cable. The dust caps can be skipped, but it happened to me several times that I accidentally dropped the cable connector into the snow/dirt and it is not easy to clean in the field. It is better to make things easy for yourself and as foolproof as they can be — you don't want to be fiddling around with gloves in rain or sub-zero temperatures. ![[mid-drop rig_amphenol connectors.jpeg]] ## Niceties I am also using a [Peli 1500D Desiccant Silica Gel](https://peliproducts.co.uk/1500d-desiccant-silica-gel) in the bag to get rid of excess humidity after I pack the gear inside again — the case is watertight, so it is nice to have some sort of absorption inside. I am also experimenting with remote temperature monitoring and location tagging using mesh radio networks such as [Meshtastic](https://meshtastic.org/) and [MeshCore](https://meshcore.co/). This would allow me to remotely check up on the recorder and find it if it is too hidden in the forest (it happens). Ideally it would be great to implement hardware/software solution that would also check if the recording is still running. Another alternative for finding a lost drop rig would be [Apple AirTags](https://www.apple.com/airtag/). ## Microphones Microphones in this kit are [Sennheiser MKH 8030](https://www.sennheiser.com/en-de/catalog/products/microphones/mkh-8030/mkh-8030-500428)/[8040](https://www.sennheiser.com/en-de/catalog/products/microphones/mkh-8040/mkh-8040-500429) MS combo in a [Radius Mini-ALTO 115](https://radiuswindshields.com/collections/mini-alto-windshields) windshield with fur. Inside the Mini-ALTO I made a custom Neutrik 5-pin XLR to 2× [Switchcraft AAA Series Low Profile](https://www.switchcraft.com/) right-angle XLR cable with thin [Mogami W2697](https://www.mogami.com/) lavalier cables. The windshield is mounted on a [König & Meyer 23105](https://www.k-m.de/) plastic tripod that I weigh down using stones to reduce movement in the wind. ## Recorder I use the [Tascam FR-AV2](https://tascam.com/us/product/fr-av2). It has excellent quiet preamps, 32-bit float recording and lasts for many hours on 3×AA batteries. I keep AAs installed as backup, but primarily power the recorder externally (see Power below). I also use its timecode functionality to time-tag my recordings for future reference, as I am writing time-correlated notes on when I heard particular sounds in my notebook. ## Power I use the [XTAR PB2SL V2](https://www.xtar.cc/product/xtar-pb2sl-charger-213-html.html) lithium battery charger that can be used as a power bank with two Samsung INR21700 rechargeable batteries giving me a nominal 10 Ah capacity — more than enough for a 24-hour recording session with this particular setup (actual usable capacity will be somewhat lower due to voltage conversion). It is connected to the Tascam FR-AV2 via a short USB-C cable. In case I need more capacity, I can bring just more 21700 cells. The benefit over a regular power bank is that I don't need to throw the whole thing away once the batteries lose their capacity and I can put in smaller, lighter cells if I need less capacity to save weight. ## Deployment ![[mid-drop rig_deployed.jpeg]] I often cover the case with leaves and branches to hide it from animals and passers-by. In case someone does find it, there is a bilingual notice on the case reading "ONGOING FIELD RECORDING" so they know what it is about and hopefully leave it alone. The Peli case can be locked via small pad-locks and chained to a tree if deployed in more sketchy location — this is harder to do with the microphone though.