Cheap 3 or 4 Channel Field Mixer? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Toogood · December 10th, 2004, 09:55 PM

What do you guys think of this?

http://www.artproaudio.com/products....cat=13&type=90

I want to be able to run 3 mics into my GL2 and came across this.

Is it usable or complete junk?

Rhett Allen · December 10th, 2004, 10:44 PM

I couldn't see if it had XLR input, it looked kind of small to have it though.

I have had excellent results with this little unit;
http://www.behringer.com/MXB1002/index.cfm?lang=ENG

It's not quite as small but it has a compartment on the back where it will hold 9 volt batteries so you don't have to have it plugged into 120V. It also supplies phantom power to your mics. It's not really as big as you might think though. It was one of the smallest units I could find with this many XLR inputs, and the price was really reasonable (about $100 -$150 at Guitar Center). They also make a few smaller ones but with less inputs, unfortunately I think they (the smaller ones) have been discontinued so you could probably get one used really cheap. I've seen them at Guitar Center as well.

as a completely different question, why is HTML code "OFF" for me? I always prefer to post a real link instead of just the text but it doesn't work for me. I only ask because I noticed you can use it. sorry to wander off topic there.

Sean McHenry · December 10th, 2004, 11:20 PM

You might take a look at the Samson Mixpad 4 or the rest of the Mixpad series. Portable, battery operated and phantom power available.

Also look at the Behringer series of smaller mixers. I bought a small Eurorack UB802 to use on my editor. Has 2 XLR inputs with Phantom and the rest are a combination of RCA and TRS (1/4").

It allows me to bring other sound into my Avid like a voice over mic and tape decks people sometimes bring with them.

They have a battery powered version of one of their small mixers but I forgot the model number.

Seems pretty good.

Sean McHenry

Ty Ford · December 11th, 2004, 08:07 AM

The PDF on the site (available if you click on DOWNLOADS at the top of that page) explains it pretty well.

There are no XLR inputs. There are no xlr outputs. The unit is unbalanced, using 1/4" unbalanced jacks for input and output.

There don't appear to be any mic preamps or phantom power.

Axiom #1: Cheap stuff is usually cheap for a reason.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Christopher Go · December 11th, 2004, 09:10 AM

Check out the DV Promix from Professional Sound Corporation, a very reputable manufacturer of field audio equipment among other products. Website can be found here. Price is just under $500 US I believe.

Jonathan Nicholas · December 11th, 2004, 01:38 PM

I too recommend the Behringer MXB1002 which has pretty much everything except a balanced output.

Jon

Hsien Yong · December 11th, 2004, 05:53 PM

Hi Jeff,
I would second the Behringer MXB 1002 or Samson Mixpad.

But if you're intent on the ART Mixer, I think the model
you should look at is the ART Pro Mix.
3 xlr inputs and a xlr output. It doesn't have 48v power though.
(unlike the Behringer and Samson)

Bryan Beasleigh · December 11th, 2004, 10:39 PM

<<<-- Axiom #1: Cheap stuff is usually cheap for a reason.-->>>

Some people just don't have the cash. In that case, do without and save for something decent. Cheap stuff will be in the trash and worthless when the better quality stuff will still be worth almost what you paid for it.

Cheap, 3 or 4 channel and the words field mixer, just don't go together.

Something like the mixPad would be the absolute minimum.

Jeff Toogood · December 12th, 2004, 08:35 PM

What do you guys think of this?

http://www.audio-technica.com/guide/.../ATMX341a.html

Ty Ford · December 12th, 2004, 11:09 PM

Not bad. AT knows how to make good auto mixers. This one only supplies 12VDC phantom power which won't be enough for mics requiring a full 48 VDC.

It'd be nice if it had limiters or a master limiter. It'd be nice if it ran on batteries. How much?

Reagrds,

Ty Ford

Jose di Cani · December 15th, 2004, 04:23 PM

go for the cheaper mixers like those sold by behringer, samsung, phonic etc etc. They offer good quality for a low price.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · December 15th, 2004, 05:29 PM

We use the little samson mixpad 4 for small events, works wonderfully. 3 9volt batts, phantom, EQ, pan, and an aux.

Jeff Toogood · December 15th, 2004, 09:56 PM

Cool, I just picked up a Samson Mixpad 4 off ebay, now what cable(s) do I need to output this to one XLR channel on my beachtek?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · December 15th, 2004, 10:05 PM

A male TRS to a Male XLR will do ya.

Jeff Toogood · December 15th, 2004, 10:07 PM

I notice with pictures of the mixpad-4 that there are stereo TRS outputs. So I really only need to output from one of those jacks?

December 10th, 2004, 11:20 PM	#3
Sean McHenry Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 1,193	You might take a look at the Samson Mixpad 4 or the rest of the Mixpad series. Portable, battery operated and phantom power available. Also look at the Behringer series of smaller mixers. I bought a small Eurorack UB802 to use on my editor. Has 2 XLR inputs with Phantom and the rest are a combination of RCA and TRS (1/4"). It allows me to bring other sound into my Avid like a voice over mic and tape decks people sometimes bring with them. They have a battery powered version of one of their small mixers but I forgot the model number. Seems pretty good. Sean McHenry __________________ ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m shooting on D.V.’ - my hero - David Lynch http://www.DeepBlueEdit.com

December 11th, 2004, 08:07 AM	#4
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	The PDF on the site (available if you click on DOWNLOADS at the top of that page) explains it pretty well. There are no XLR inputs. There are no xlr outputs. The unit is unbalanced, using 1/4" unbalanced jacks for input and output. There don't appear to be any mic preamps or phantom power. Axiom #1: Cheap stuff is usually cheap for a reason. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

December 11th, 2004, 10:39 PM	#8
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	<<<-- Axiom #1: Cheap stuff is usually cheap for a reason.-->>> Some people just don't have the cash. In that case, do without and save for something decent. Cheap stuff will be in the trash and worthless when the better quality stuff will still be worth almost what you paid for it. Cheap, 3 or 4 channel and the words field mixer, just don't go together. Something like the mixPad would be the absolute minimum. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

December 12th, 2004, 08:35 PM	#9
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	What do you guys think of this? http://www.audio-technica.com/guide/.../ATMX341a.html __________________ Toogood Studios

December 12th, 2004, 11:09 PM	#10
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Not bad. AT knows how to make good auto mixers. This one only supplies 12VDC phantom power which won't be enough for mics requiring a full 48 VDC. It'd be nice if it had limiters or a master limiter. It'd be nice if it ran on batteries. How much? Reagrds, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

December 10th, 2004, 09:55 PM	#1
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	Cheap 3 or 4 Channel Field Mixer? What do you guys think of this? http://www.artproaudio.com/products....cat=13&type=90 I want to be able to run 3 mics into my GL2 and came across this. Is it usable or complete junk? __________________ Toogood Studios

December 10th, 2004, 10:44 PM	#2
Rhett Allen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 607	I couldn't see if it had XLR input, it looked kind of small to have it though. I have had excellent results with this little unit; http://www.behringer.com/MXB1002/index.cfm?lang=ENG It's not quite as small but it has a compartment on the back where it will hold 9 volt batteries so you don't have to have it plugged into 120V. It also supplies phantom power to your mics. It's not really as big as you might think though. It was one of the smallest units I could find with this many XLR inputs, and the price was really reasonable (about $100 -$150 at Guitar Center). They also make a few smaller ones but with less inputs, unfortunately I think they (the smaller ones) have been discontinued so you could probably get one used really cheap. I've seen them at Guitar Center as well. as a completely different question, why is HTML code "OFF" for me? I always prefer to post a real link instead of just the text but it doesn't work for me. I only ask because I noticed you can use it. sorry to wander off topic there.

December 11th, 2004, 09:10 AM	#5
Christopher Go Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 429	Check out the DV Promix from Professional Sound Corporation, a very reputable manufacturer of field audio equipment among other products. Website can be found here. Price is just under $500 US I believe.

December 11th, 2004, 01:38 PM	#6
Jonathan Nicholas Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 90	I too recommend the Behringer MXB1002 which has pretty much everything except a balanced output. Jon

December 11th, 2004, 05:53 PM	#7
Hsien Yong Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 111	Hi Jeff, I would second the Behringer MXB 1002 or Samson Mixpad. But if you're intent on the ART Mixer, I think the model you should look at is the ART Pro Mix. 3 xlr inputs and a xlr output. It doesn't have 48v power though. (unlike the Behringer and Samson)

December 15th, 2004, 04:23 PM	#11
Jose di Cani Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Holland, Europe Posts: 214	go for the cheaper mixers like those sold by behringer, samsung, phonic etc etc. They offer good quality for a low price.

December 15th, 2004, 05:29 PM	#12
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	We use the little samson mixpad 4 for small events, works wonderfully. 3 9volt batts, phantom, EQ, pan, and an aux. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

December 15th, 2004, 09:56 PM	#13
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	Cool, I just picked up a Samson Mixpad 4 off ebay, now what cable(s) do I need to output this to one XLR channel on my beachtek? __________________ Toogood Studios

December 15th, 2004, 10:05 PM	#14
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	A male TRS to a Male XLR will do ya. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

December 15th, 2004, 10:07 PM	#15
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	I notice with pictures of the mixpad-4 that there are stereo TRS outputs. So I really only need to output from one of those jacks? __________________ Toogood Studios