What Field Mixer? at DVinfo.net

Michael Robertson · May 12th, 2009, 08:13 AM

So I've been looking at field mixers such as the Sound Devices 302 and all of those $1200 - $2000 field mixers. I don't want to spend that much at this time, I will wait a year or two and go spend some real money on a recorder and mixer. I just want the ability to allow someone else to adjust levels away from the camera.

BUT my question is, does anyone have suggestions on cheaper field mixers, for much lower budget productions? I've been looking at several choices and its discouraging.

I'd like to have a level meter, and ability to generate tone, and phantom power. although i do understand when your being cheap you cant get everything you'd like...

Does anyone have poor man field mixer suggestions?
(i've been looking at the Sound Devices Mixpre - 2 channels, and the MX124 - 4 channels)

Gary Nattrass · May 12th, 2009, 08:27 AM

I use the sign 44 its a nice little mixer for around $500

Sign Video ENG-44 Field Mixer Review
ENG-44 Field Portable Audio Mixer

Michael Robertson · May 12th, 2009, 09:15 AM

I just read the reviews, that was EXACTLY what i was looking for. amazing price with all the features. Thanks a lot Gary.

Mark Boyer · May 12th, 2009, 09:52 AM

I use the PSC Promix 3 Mixer, it's a good mixer for DV camera and field recording.

DV Promix 3

PSC | DV PROMIX 3 - Field Mixer | FPSCDVMIX3 | B&H Photo Video

Michael Robertson · May 12th, 2009, 10:12 AM

Also a very nice recommendation, I'm really glad I asked... I'm liking the ProMix, thanks a lot.

Martin Catt · May 12th, 2009, 04:57 PM

I sue a Rolls MX422 four-channel mixer. B&H lists it for roughly $560.00. I've been very happy with it so far. The only gripe I have is that the level control (used to set the input level to match your mic) is hard to get to, being a tiny knob set between the XLR connectors.

Some people in reviews grouse about the small VU meters. Frankly, that's not an issue with me. I use the VU meters to help set the initial levels, then run strictly off what my headphones are telling me. The Rolls has a source switch for the headphones that lets you monitor the signal from the recording device, which is where you should be monitoring anyway.

I especially like the limiter, which is adjustable and cuts in smoothly without a thump or dip in sound quality. It's been a good, solid performer for me, and worth the money. I have been told the preamps are noisier than an SD mixer, but frankly none of the people I've done sound for have complained. Most of the time, they tell me the sound is great, but I suspect that's because previously the only thing they've used has been the on-camera mics.

One thing I like is that it's an all-metal (steel, NOT aluminum) case. Very solid. I dumped the shoulder bag that came with it and made a chest-pack to hold it and the digital audio recorder. Great for those one-man-audio-band sessions where you're running the boom, recorder, and levels all at the same time.

Martin

Sacha Rosen · May 12th, 2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Robertson

Also a very nice recommendation, I'm really glad I asked... I'm liking the ProMix, thanks a lot.

Keep an eye on ebay, Used shure fp32's and 33's are on there all the time. I got a psc m4 which is great. I think the promix is really bare bones and for the price of a new one you can find something used that will serve you better.

Chris Swanberg · May 12th, 2009, 07:09 PM

The ENG-44 is am amazing bang for the buck value. I second it.

Vasco Dones · May 12th, 2009, 08:53 PM

Another vote for the ENG-44...

Vasco

Wayne Brissette · May 13th, 2009, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacha Rosen

Keep an eye on ebay, Used shure fp32's and 33's are on there all the time. I got a psc m4 which is great.

I've never been crazy about the FP332 or FP33 mixers. The PSC M4 is the Wendt X4, Bob designed this for PSC, then later marketed the product under his own brand. You really can't go wrong with any of the Wendt products, they are pretty bulletproof, which is why you'll see them used on a lot of reality productions.

Personally, I would start looking in the used market. There are a lot of better mixers than the Rolls or Sign 44 which can be had used for not much more than what these two are sold for new.

Wayne

Marco Leavitt · May 18th, 2009, 10:11 AM

You sure you need a mixer? If you are only using one or two mics at a time, I'd get the SoundDevices MM1 to tide me over until I could get a really good mixer. People sometimes get seduced into buying more channels rather than quality. The MM1 is single channel, but it's top-end single channel.

Resham Singh · May 18th, 2009, 11:58 AM

has anyone plugged in a G2 transmitter into the ENG-44 and got ok results?

Gary Nattrass · May 19th, 2009, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resham Singh

has anyone plugged in a G2 transmitter into the ENG-44 and got ok results?

Yes me, I use the sign 44 with a rode ntg-1 and two G2 radio mics, I also make sure that the radio mics are set up correctly and that there is not too much gain driving the radio mic.

Resham Singh · May 19th, 2009, 04:42 AM

cheers Gary....thats me sorted.

Gary Nattrass · May 19th, 2009, 08:48 AM

Just one other note for the sign eng-44, the case that comes with it is OK but not up to serious location work, you are better investing in a petrol or portabrace case so that you can put all your radio mics and flash recorders in.

May 12th, 2009, 08:13 AM	#1
Michael Robertson New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Winter Park, FL and Atlanta, GA Posts: 14	What Field Mixer? So I've been looking at field mixers such as the Sound Devices 302 and all of those $1200 - $2000 field mixers. I don't want to spend that much at this time, I will wait a year or two and go spend some real money on a recorder and mixer. I just want the ability to allow someone else to adjust levels away from the camera. BUT my question is, does anyone have suggestions on cheaper field mixers, for much lower budget productions? I've been looking at several choices and its discouraging. I'd like to have a level meter, and ability to generate tone, and phantom power. although i do understand when your being cheap you cant get everything you'd like... Does anyone have poor man field mixer suggestions? (i've been looking at the Sound Devices Mixpre - 2 channels, and the MX124 - 4 channels)

May 12th, 2009, 08:27 AM	#2
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	I use the sign 44 its a nice little mixer for around $500 Sign Video ENG-44 Field Mixer Review ENG-44 Field Portable Audio Mixer __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

May 12th, 2009, 04:57 PM	#6
Martin Catt Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Colony TX Posts: 327	I sue a Rolls MX422 four-channel mixer. B&H lists it for roughly $560.00. I've been very happy with it so far. The only gripe I have is that the level control (used to set the input level to match your mic) is hard to get to, being a tiny knob set between the XLR connectors. Some people in reviews grouse about the small VU meters. Frankly, that's not an issue with me. I use the VU meters to help set the initial levels, then run strictly off what my headphones are telling me. The Rolls has a source switch for the headphones that lets you monitor the signal from the recording device, which is where you should be monitoring anyway. I especially like the limiter, which is adjustable and cuts in smoothly without a thump or dip in sound quality. It's been a good, solid performer for me, and worth the money. I have been told the preamps are noisier than an SD mixer, but frankly none of the people I've done sound for have complained. Most of the time, they tell me the sound is great, but I suspect that's because previously the only thing they've used has been the on-camera mics. One thing I like is that it's an all-metal (steel, NOT aluminum) case. Very solid. I dumped the shoulder bag that came with it and made a chest-pack to hold it and the digital audio recorder. Great for those one-man-audio-band sessions where you're running the boom, recorder, and levels all at the same time. Martin __________________ Canon XF300, Canon 5DMkII, Canon XL2, Rolls MX422 mixer, Zoom H4N, AT899 lavs, AT2020's, Azden SGM 1X shotgun, Manfrotto 501 head on 351 tripod

May 12th, 2009, 08:53 PM	#9
Vasco Dones Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: El Cerrito, CA Posts: 266	Another vote for the ENG-44... Vasco __________________ www.donesmedia.net bricioledamerica.blogspot.com (in Italian)

May 19th, 2009, 08:48 AM	#15
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Just one other note for the sign eng-44, the case that comes with it is OK but not up to serious location work, you are better investing in a petrol or portabrace case so that you can put all your radio mics and flash recorders in. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

May 12th, 2009, 09:15 AM	#3
Michael Robertson New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Winter Park, FL and Atlanta, GA Posts: 14	I just read the reviews, that was EXACTLY what i was looking for. amazing price with all the features. Thanks a lot Gary.

May 12th, 2009, 09:52 AM	#4
Mark Boyer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bothell Washington Posts: 174	I use the PSC Promix 3 Mixer, it's a good mixer for DV camera and field recording. DV Promix 3 PSC \| DV PROMIX 3 - Field Mixer \| FPSCDVMIX3 \| B&H Photo Video

May 12th, 2009, 10:12 AM	#5
Michael Robertson New Boot Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Winter Park, FL and Atlanta, GA Posts: 14	Also a very nice recommendation, I'm really glad I asked... I'm liking the ProMix, thanks a lot.

May 12th, 2009, 07:09 PM	#8
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	The ENG-44 is am amazing bang for the buck value. I second it.

May 18th, 2009, 10:11 AM	#11
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	You sure you need a mixer? If you are only using one or two mics at a time, I'd get the SoundDevices MM1 to tide me over until I could get a really good mixer. People sometimes get seduced into buying more channels rather than quality. The MM1 is single channel, but it's top-end single channel.

May 18th, 2009, 11:58 AM	#12
Resham Singh Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 27	has anyone plugged in a G2 transmitter into the ENG-44 and got ok results?

May 19th, 2009, 04:42 AM	#14
Resham Singh Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 27	cheers Gary....thats me sorted.