Camera Settings W/ Field Mixer? at DVinfo.net

Jack Barker · December 18th, 2005, 09:36 AM

I'm looking to get a little field mixer like the BeachTek DXA-4S for use with my XL2 and boomed shotgun. God knows that there's enough to do at the camera end without having to fiddle with the sound controls as well.

When using such a setup (mic>mixer>camera), where do you set the volume controls at the camera? Seems like you should set them at Max, then dial it down at the mixer, but my "logic" has been faulty in the past, so I thought I'd ask.

Steve House · December 18th, 2005, 10:41 AM

I understand setting the camera level controls somewhere between 60 and 75 percent of full-up is optimum for most cameras. Then adjust the Beach's controls to give you an average recording level of -12dbfs on the camera's meters.

IMHO, the Beach will be redundent with an XL2. The Beach DXA-4s are really more of an XLR to phono or miniplug adapter than they are a mixer. But you already have XLR inputs on the XL2 so you don't need an adapter. Besides, it's going to be as awkward to adjust its controls while you're rolling as it is to adjust the camera's. Better to get something such as the Sound Device's MixPre for the boom op to clip to his belt and use to monitor and adjust levels during the shot from his end. Send the MixPre output via XLR cables and a line-to-mic level pad direct to the camera's XLR inputs. Calibrate everything with tone so a 0db indication on the MixPre's meters results in a -12dbfs recording level in the camera.

December 18th, 2005, 09:36 AM	#1
Jack Barker Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 342	Camera Settings W/ Field Mixer? I'm looking to get a little field mixer like the BeachTek DXA-4S for use with my XL2 and boomed shotgun. God knows that there's enough to do at the camera end without having to fiddle with the sound controls as well. When using such a setup (mic>mixer>camera), where do you set the volume controls at the camera? Seems like you should set them at Max, then dial it down at the mixer, but my "logic" has been faulty in the past, so I thought I'd ask.

December 18th, 2005, 10:41 AM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	I understand setting the camera level controls somewhere between 60 and 75 percent of full-up is optimum for most cameras. Then adjust the Beach's controls to give you an average recording level of -12dbfs on the camera's meters. IMHO, the Beach will be redundent with an XL2. The Beach DXA-4s are really more of an XLR to phono or miniplug adapter than they are a mixer. But you already have XLR inputs on the XL2 so you don't need an adapter. Besides, it's going to be as awkward to adjust its controls while you're rolling as it is to adjust the camera's. Better to get something such as the Sound Device's MixPre for the boom op to clip to his belt and use to monitor and adjust levels during the shot from his end. Send the MixPre output via XLR cables and a line-to-mic level pad direct to the camera's XLR inputs. Calibrate everything with tone so a 0db indication on the MixPre's meters results in a -12dbfs recording level in the camera. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!