I'm still a greenhorn having only worked on two projects, the first being an exercise program infomercial with live shots during a fitness convention where I worked boom op. I'm currently working on an indie feature doing boom op, troubleshooting, and some foley, fx, and clean-up.
My background starts in live sound reinforcement, and for last 10 years or so, I've been working steady in live sound for theatre, specializing in musical theatre. I hold an AS degree in Electronics (which is where I learned all the principles involved with analog signals), as well as a BS in Professional Aeronautics which supports my day job as a systems engineer for a major aerospace contractor.
As a musician, I operate a small project studio where my lady and I work out ideas, and track into Sonar 8.
So, I understand signal path, proper gain staging, how to interpret and apply microphone polar charts, the behavior and application of pro sound tools such as compressors, limiters and graphic and parametric eq.
Of all the work I've done in sound over the many, many years, I have found location sound to be, by far, the most challenging audio work I've ever done. The obstables are sometimes overwhelming, and always changing, and by currently working with very tight budgets, the need to get the dialog on location is vital to the success of the project.
By the way, I thought studio gear was expensive until I starting buying location sound gear.
So what kind of projects have you worked on in terms of location sound? I'm interested to know your background.