Mixer info I thought I would share (XLR to 3.5mm) at DVinfo.net

Michael LaHatte · November 10th, 2009, 04:50 PM

I talked to a sound engineer today that enlightened me on a problem i was trying to solve. Like many people, I own a camcorder (Canon HF-S10) that does not have an XLR mic input and no phantom power but only a 3.5mm input. I was considering the Juicedlink CX231 as a mixer to mix and convert the XLR to 3.5mm and provide phantom power to the mic. The sound engineer told me that $299 was very pricey for such a task and he suggested the Behringer XENYX 1002B which goes for $99 on ebay and is way more versatile. Plus the XENYX 1002B can run on battery or AC where the Juicedlink CX231 only runs on battery. The juicedlink does however seem to be more mobile; however, my setting is stationary and does not need mobility nor a boom operator since I mainly do interviews. Has anyone used this mixer for a scenario like this? I would love to hear feedback on this, it seems like a better way of doing things.

Marco Leavitt · November 10th, 2009, 05:18 PM

That does look like a handy mixer, so long as you have time for setup and a place to put it when your shooting. Still, the form factor of the Juicedlink and other XLR adapters designed to mount between the camera and tripod would be well worth the extra dollars to me.

Allan Black · November 10th, 2009, 05:50 PM

Two different mixers each for their own purpose. The 1002b is a 10 input table top small studio job and 3 times as big as your camera.

That JuicedLink CX231 $299 model has 2 inputs and it'll screw onto your camera and IMO would be better suited for interviews. I have one it sounds great, excellent noise figures when the interviewee maybe gets bored and dies in the bum and you've got to wind the level up in post.

And even tho you say 'stationary interviews' my guess is at some point you'll go on location for some. Cheers.

Jay Massengill · November 10th, 2009, 05:50 PM

A friend of mine had the original version of that mixer, I believe it was the MXB-1002. I felt the sound of that mixer was rather harsh and tiring, but the newer Xenyx version may have been improved.
Another consideration is whether the camera's mic jack has plug-in power. The camera-mount boxes usually have capacitors to defeat the noise this voltage can cause when you're not attaching a mic that requires plug-in power. I don't know if the Behringer mixer has that protection or if your camera even has plug-in power (my similar Canon HF11 doesn't) but it's something to think about if you're hooking to a variety of different cameras.
You'd also have to attenuate the output of the mixer to go into the mic-level-only mini jacks of most cameras.
In many cases I've used both a battery-powered mixer AND a beachtek-type box to complete a hookup to non-XLR cameras. Obviously that doesn't save any money... but it works great!

Michael LaHatte · November 10th, 2009, 07:42 PM

I just noticed that the Juicedlink CX231 does not have a headphone jack. I guess you would just use the headphone jack on the camera? Now that I think about it, that would probably be the best place to monitor the sound anyway since it will be after both the mixer and the camera gain?

Renton Maclachlan · November 11th, 2009, 03:57 AM

Hmmm...I bought a JuiceLink CX211...but think now I should have paid the extra and got a CX231 because of the phantom power giving the option of using condenser mics...unless I bought a condenser with a battery.

Anyone know of a cheaper hypercardioid - (they're condensers normally aren't they?) - with a battery?

Perhaps I'll sell it on and buy the other...

Marco Leavitt · November 11th, 2009, 11:07 PM

I can't imagine buying a Juicedlink without phantom power. That just seems like a crime to me. Regarding the headphone issue -- yeah, always monitor at the camera. You need to know what you are getting. Having a headphone jack on the Juicedlink would be handy for trouble shooting, or to give a second person (like the director) a headphone monitor of their own, but that would be it.

November 10th, 2009, 04:50 PM	#1
Michael LaHatte Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 44	Mixer info I thought I would share (XLR to 3.5mm) I talked to a sound engineer today that enlightened me on a problem i was trying to solve. Like many people, I own a camcorder (Canon HF-S10) that does not have an XLR mic input and no phantom power but only a 3.5mm input. I was considering the Juicedlink CX231 as a mixer to mix and convert the XLR to 3.5mm and provide phantom power to the mic. The sound engineer told me that $299 was very pricey for such a task and he suggested the Behringer XENYX 1002B which goes for $99 on ebay and is way more versatile. Plus the XENYX 1002B can run on battery or AC where the Juicedlink CX231 only runs on battery. The juicedlink does however seem to be more mobile; however, my setting is stationary and does not need mobility nor a boom operator since I mainly do interviews. Has anyone used this mixer for a scenario like this? I would love to hear feedback on this, it seems like a better way of doing things.

November 10th, 2009, 05:50 PM	#3
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,927	Two different mixers each for their own purpose. The 1002b is a 10 input table top small studio job and 3 times as big as your camera. That JuicedLink CX231 $299 model has 2 inputs and it'll screw onto your camera and IMO would be better suited for interviews. I have one it sounds great, excellent noise figures when the interviewee maybe gets bored and dies in the bum and you've got to wind the level up in post. And even tho you say 'stationary interviews' my guess is at some point you'll go on location for some. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

November 10th, 2009, 05:18 PM	#2
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	That does look like a handy mixer, so long as you have time for setup and a place to put it when your shooting. Still, the form factor of the Juicedlink and other XLR adapters designed to mount between the camera and tripod would be well worth the extra dollars to me.

November 10th, 2009, 05:50 PM	#4
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	A friend of mine had the original version of that mixer, I believe it was the MXB-1002. I felt the sound of that mixer was rather harsh and tiring, but the newer Xenyx version may have been improved. Another consideration is whether the camera's mic jack has plug-in power. The camera-mount boxes usually have capacitors to defeat the noise this voltage can cause when you're not attaching a mic that requires plug-in power. I don't know if the Behringer mixer has that protection or if your camera even has plug-in power (my similar Canon HF11 doesn't) but it's something to think about if you're hooking to a variety of different cameras. You'd also have to attenuate the output of the mixer to go into the mic-level-only mini jacks of most cameras. In many cases I've used both a battery-powered mixer AND a beachtek-type box to complete a hookup to non-XLR cameras. Obviously that doesn't save any money... but it works great!

November 10th, 2009, 07:42 PM	#5
Michael LaHatte Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 44	I just noticed that the Juicedlink CX231 does not have a headphone jack. I guess you would just use the headphone jack on the camera? Now that I think about it, that would probably be the best place to monitor the sound anyway since it will be after both the mixer and the camera gain?

November 11th, 2009, 03:57 AM	#6
Renton Maclachlan Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,180	Hmmm...I bought a JuiceLink CX211...but think now I should have paid the extra and got a CX231 because of the phantom power giving the option of using condenser mics...unless I bought a condenser with a battery. Anyone know of a cheaper hypercardioid - (they're condensers normally aren't they?) - with a battery? Perhaps I'll sell it on and buy the other...

November 11th, 2009, 11:07 PM	#7
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	I can't imagine buying a Juicedlink without phantom power. That just seems like a crime to me. Regarding the headphone issue -- yeah, always monitor at the camera. You need to know what you are getting. Having a headphone jack on the Juicedlink would be handy for trouble shooting, or to give a second person (like the director) a headphone monitor of their own, but that would be it.