Any decent ENG-style portable mixers for under $250? at DVinfo.net

Brian Standing · February 27th, 2004, 07:45 AM

I'm looking for a basic, no-frills, portable mixer for field production use. I want:
- at least 3 XLR inputs
- stereo XLR outputs (mic, line or switchable)
- headphone output
- battery powered
- $250 or less
- decent audio quality (low noise)

Easy, you say? Here's the rub. I really want an over-the-shoulder, ENG-style mixer with knobs, not a console-style device with sliders. Trying to strap a desktop console mixer on my shoulder and bending over to adjust levels while shooting fast-moving news coverage is not my idea of a good time.

The new PSC DV ProMix 3 (http://www.professionalsound.com/catalog/DV%20Promix.html)
is perfect, but about twice the price I want to pay.

The Rolls MX54s (http://www.rolls.com/new/mx54.html) is appealing because of its compact size, light weight, and price but I've heard Rolls products are noisy.

Why hasn't Behringer or Samson or someone made a decent, low-cost ENG mixer? Or have they?

Any suggestions?

Bill Ravens · February 27th, 2004, 07:48 AM

The best low price portable I've found is the Sampson Mixpad. The next step up is a Mackie 1202, altho' this really isn't portable. Both can be had for VERY cheap on ebay.

Brian Standing · February 27th, 2004, 07:59 AM

Thanks for the quick response.

However, the Mixpad is a console-type mixer (with the inputs and controls all on the top of something intended to be stationary on a desktop) -- exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

I want a box, with inputs and outputs on one end, and controls on the other; not a wedge with controls on the top. Some of the Studio One beltpack adapters might work, too, but they only have one XLR output.

Bryan Beasleigh · February 27th, 2004, 09:43 AM

The main block is your budget. The marenius is 340-400 and Carlos will discount (to DVINFO members) his precise audio mixer to $300 .

Marco Leavitt · February 27th, 2004, 10:12 AM

I’m on a similar hunt. Why the heck does Studio 1’s XLR-MIX Pro have only one output? In my case, I don’t need the headphone function and the unit needs to be camera mountable. I could live without a third input too, but it would be nice. I'm looking for a passive device. Basically I’m looking for the same features as my current Studio 1 Pro, but with two balanced XLR outputs. Anybody know of something like this?

Marty Wein · February 27th, 2004, 01:05 PM

Brian,

Since you mentiond the Rolls MX54s, It may be of interest to read the review by Jay Rose at DV.COM

Rolls also came out with the MX124, a four channel version of the MX54s

Bryan Beasleigh · February 27th, 2004, 01:22 PM

The Studio One stuff is all passive, there is no active electronics at all. Just impedance matching, attenuation and some rudementary mixing ability. No preamplification and no limiting.

Ryan Graham · February 27th, 2004, 03:19 PM

The MixPad does have notches for straps on the underside of the mixer. I put one strap over each shoulder in order to use it as a sort of reverse backpack. Works great for me.

The only problem with the MixPad is that it doesn't supply a full 48V phantom power when running off of batteries. My Oktava didn't like this too much, so I ended up also purchasing one of those ART portable phantom power boxes. Problem solved.

Good luck,
Ryan

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 27th, 2004, 03:24 PM

Ryan, I'm curious about your Mixpad's phantom. Do the Octava's hum or distort with the battery power? I've got a Mixpad 4 here that I use regularly, and other than being a battery monster, it powers my AT 4033's just fine. 3 9volt in the back. I've added a pair of rubber runners to the side of mine, cut from a cheap tupperware storage box, so that the knobs are protected somewhat.

Brian Standing · February 27th, 2004, 04:36 PM

hmmm.... Jay Rose seems to like the Rolls unit. I have one of their headphone amps that I use as a monitor when I'm fortunate enough to have a boom operator running sound.

Maybe I'll test out the MX124 at my local audio dealer and see what my ears tell me.

Thanks for the tip.

Anthony Williams · February 29th, 2004, 02:11 AM

I currently have a studio mixer (behringer UB1204) that will work for me when I am somewhere I can get AC.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=264886&is=REG

I will be picking up a GL2, NT3 and also a wired lav to put through the behringer or a Rolls MX124. Will I be able to get a left and a right track recorded to the GL2. I am asking because both have left/right outputs but going into a single mic jack.

I want to be able to be as portable as possible, so with the GL2, mx124, nt3, and wired lav as my initial setup can this be done OR would an XLR adapter be better over a field mixer....

Just want to make sure I still have the possibility of having 2 mono tracks recorded simultaneously to tape.

Ryan Graham · March 1st, 2004, 01:00 PM

Douglas,

No, the MixPad's battery-powered phantom didn't make them hum or distort, it just cut the output level of the mics by a significant amount, like 10dB or more. Not acceptable in my book. I was having to push the gain pretty high on the MixPad to get good levels out of the Oktava, and in doing so I was adding a fair amount of hiss.

Of course, this is only on battery power. When plugged into an outlet, the MixPad powers the Oktava just fine, and the levels are perfect. Have you tried a comparison with your AT4033 between battery power and wall-plug power? Maybe the Oktava is just a power-hog!

Thanks,
Ryan

Bryan Beasleigh · March 1st, 2004, 05:02 PM

The Oktavas work just fine on other mixers so it may be just an anomily in one unit or the mixpad 4 ingeneral. My Sound Devices and my marantz PMD670 both supply adequate phantom .

Martin Garrison · March 1st, 2004, 05:17 PM

But Bryan,

The question is do they work fine on 18v phantom?

Ryan Graham · March 2nd, 2004, 01:27 PM

Yeah, like I said, the Oktavas work great when the MixPad is plugged in and running on 48V. They also work when the MixPad is powered by battery and running on 18V phantom. The problem is that with 18V, the output of the Oktava drops dramatically, thus making it necessary to boost the gain on the preamps, thus adding more noise.

I'm pretty sure this is normal for condensers that are underpowered. Just be aware that if you've been running a 48V-rated condenser on anything less than 48V, you might not be getting 100% out of the mic, and that doesn't seem acceptable to me.

Of course, it is remotely possible that I've got a bum Oktava, and that they usually run just fine on 18V. So, if someone else wants to test this out, I'd be interested in knowing the results.

Ryan

February 27th, 2004, 07:45 AM	#1
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	Any decent ENG-style portable mixers for under $250? I'm looking for a basic, no-frills, portable mixer for field production use. I want: - at least 3 XLR inputs - stereo XLR outputs (mic, line or switchable) - headphone output - battery powered - $250 or less - decent audio quality (low noise) Easy, you say? Here's the rub. I really want an over-the-shoulder, ENG-style mixer with knobs, not a console-style device with sliders. Trying to strap a desktop console mixer on my shoulder and bending over to adjust levels while shooting fast-moving news coverage is not my idea of a good time. The new PSC DV ProMix 3 (http://www.professionalsound.com/catalog/DV%20Promix.html) is perfect, but about twice the price I want to pay. The Rolls MX54s (http://www.rolls.com/new/mx54.html) is appealing because of its compact size, light weight, and price but I've heard Rolls products are noisy. Why hasn't Behringer or Samson or someone made a decent, low-cost ENG mixer? Or have they? Any suggestions?

February 27th, 2004, 03:24 PM	#9
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Ryan, I'm curious about your Mixpad's phantom. Do the Octava's hum or distort with the battery power? I've got a Mixpad 4 here that I use regularly, and other than being a battery monster, it powers my AT 4033's just fine. 3 9volt in the back. I've added a pair of rubber runners to the side of mine, cut from a cheap tupperware storage box, so that the knobs are protected somewhat. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 27th, 2004, 07:48 AM	#2
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	The best low price portable I've found is the Sampson Mixpad. The next step up is a Mackie 1202, altho' this really isn't portable. Both can be had for VERY cheap on ebay.

February 27th, 2004, 07:59 AM	#3
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	Thanks for the quick response. However, the Mixpad is a console-type mixer (with the inputs and controls all on the top of something intended to be stationary on a desktop) -- exactly what I'm trying to avoid. I want a box, with inputs and outputs on one end, and controls on the other; not a wedge with controls on the top. Some of the Studio One beltpack adapters might work, too, but they only have one XLR output.

February 27th, 2004, 09:43 AM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The main block is your budget. The marenius is 340-400 and Carlos will discount (to DVINFO members) his precise audio mixer to $300 .

February 27th, 2004, 10:12 AM	#5
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I’m on a similar hunt. Why the heck does Studio 1’s XLR-MIX Pro have only one output? In my case, I don’t need the headphone function and the unit needs to be camera mountable. I could live without a third input too, but it would be nice. I'm looking for a passive device. Basically I’m looking for the same features as my current Studio 1 Pro, but with two balanced XLR outputs. Anybody know of something like this?

February 27th, 2004, 01:05 PM	#6
Marty Wein Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 229	Brian, Since you mentiond the Rolls MX54s, It may be of interest to read the review by Jay Rose at DV.COM Rolls also came out with the MX124, a four channel version of the MX54s

February 27th, 2004, 01:22 PM	#7
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The Studio One stuff is all passive, there is no active electronics at all. Just impedance matching, attenuation and some rudementary mixing ability. No preamplification and no limiting.

February 27th, 2004, 03:19 PM	#8
Ryan Graham Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 81	The MixPad does have notches for straps on the underside of the mixer. I put one strap over each shoulder in order to use it as a sort of reverse backpack. Works great for me. The only problem with the MixPad is that it doesn't supply a full 48V phantom power when running off of batteries. My Oktava didn't like this too much, so I ended up also purchasing one of those ART portable phantom power boxes. Problem solved. Good luck, Ryan

February 27th, 2004, 04:36 PM	#10
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	hmmm.... Jay Rose seems to like the Rolls unit. I have one of their headphone amps that I use as a monitor when I'm fortunate enough to have a boom operator running sound. Maybe I'll test out the MX124 at my local audio dealer and see what my ears tell me. Thanks for the tip.

February 29th, 2004, 02:11 AM	#11
Anthony Williams Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 26	I currently have a studio mixer (behringer UB1204) that will work for me when I am somewhere I can get AC. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=264886&is=REG I will be picking up a GL2, NT3 and also a wired lav to put through the behringer or a Rolls MX124. Will I be able to get a left and a right track recorded to the GL2. I am asking because both have left/right outputs but going into a single mic jack. I want to be able to be as portable as possible, so with the GL2, mx124, nt3, and wired lav as my initial setup can this be done OR would an XLR adapter be better over a field mixer.... Just want to make sure I still have the possibility of having 2 mono tracks recorded simultaneously to tape.

March 1st, 2004, 01:00 PM	#12
Ryan Graham Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 81	Douglas, No, the MixPad's battery-powered phantom didn't make them hum or distort, it just cut the output level of the mics by a significant amount, like 10dB or more. Not acceptable in my book. I was having to push the gain pretty high on the MixPad to get good levels out of the Oktava, and in doing so I was adding a fair amount of hiss. Of course, this is only on battery power. When plugged into an outlet, the MixPad powers the Oktava just fine, and the levels are perfect. Have you tried a comparison with your AT4033 between battery power and wall-plug power? Maybe the Oktava is just a power-hog! Thanks, Ryan

March 1st, 2004, 05:02 PM	#13
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The Oktavas work just fine on other mixers so it may be just an anomily in one unit or the mixpad 4 ingeneral. My Sound Devices and my marantz PMD670 both supply adequate phantom .

March 1st, 2004, 05:17 PM	#14
Martin Garrison Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 173	But Bryan, The question is do they work fine on 18v phantom?

March 2nd, 2004, 01:27 PM	#15
Ryan Graham Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 81	Yeah, like I said, the Oktavas work great when the MixPad is plugged in and running on 48V. They also work when the MixPad is powered by battery and running on 18V phantom. The problem is that with 18V, the output of the Oktava drops dramatically, thus making it necessary to boost the gain on the preamps, thus adding more noise. I'm pretty sure this is normal for condensers that are underpowered. Just be aware that if you've been running a 48V-rated condenser on anything less than 48V, you might not be getting 100% out of the mic, and that doesn't seem acceptable to me. Of course, it is remotely possible that I've got a bum Oktava, and that they usually run just fine on 18V. So, if someone else wants to test this out, I'd be interested in knowing the results. Ryan