$500 field mixer at DVinfo.net

Brian Critchlow · October 18th, 2006, 01:30 AM

Recommendations for a $500 field mixer.
I have looked at the PSC DV promix lines as well as the Sign Video and Rolls.

What all do you guys think?

Dave Largent · October 18th, 2006, 02:43 AM

Just as a brand name I've heard very good
things about the PSC stuff. Rolls I'd be
more cautious about. I don't think
it's junk but I think they cut corners to bring
it in at a certain price range, as compared
to PSC and Sound Devices level of build.

Others may have more experience with them
all.

Kalunga Lima · October 19th, 2006, 02:42 PM

Check out this site www.equipmentemporium.com

They specialize in audio gear for video production and give some pretty good advice in terms of equipment, including field mixers (see: Sales/Mixing Panels).

At your price range they recommend the ENG-44 ($529) awhich they seem to praise, and the DVProMix3 ($495), you can always check other source for other opinions.

Being in Europe I can't buy from them, but over the years I've often looked at their site for an opnion on sound gear, so I never hesite to recommend the site to others.

best of luck

Barry Gribble · October 19th, 2006, 03:10 PM

Check out my recent thread here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=77147

I talked to B & H yesterday, and while they said it was close they advised the Rolls (the Sign was out of stock anyway). The sales guy I talked to was very helpful (and not on commision) and he said that the Rolls was just the most popular and that he'd never seen one come back or had any complaints on it. It also had trim controls and a bag, which the sign lacked.

It should be here on Friday... I can let you know how I like it when it gets here.

Ben Winter · October 19th, 2006, 11:49 PM

I have the Rolls you're referring to and it's very high quality. Dual analog monitor VU meters, limiter, noiseless, switchable (!) battery compartments, high quality build. It's all you could ask for in a field mixer and more.

Combined with an MKH-416, it's deadly.

Barry Gribble · October 19th, 2006, 11:58 PM

Well I'm hoping it works pretty well with my ME-66 and a few M2's also :).

Laurence Kingston · October 20th, 2006, 09:36 AM

Another vote here for the Rolls. I love mine.

Jim Schweer · October 20th, 2006, 11:22 AM

I'm curious how my remote substitute for a wired mixer compares with the field mixers described here. I use the BeachTek DXA-8:

(http://www.beachtek.com/dxa8.html)

and monitor the levels in the camcorder. What limitations do I have with this setup that a field mixer would improve on?

Michael Liebergot · October 20th, 2006, 12:01 PM

A vote here for the PSC Promix 3. I have owned it for over a year, and love it. Nice quiet pre amps, and very accurate and responsive meters.

I use it with several setups, mostly use matched pair of NT5's with phantom power and NT3 mic with phantom power (sometime battery). Fed into digital recorder (R-09, and next time testing out my NEW Samson Zoom H4 with it), and also fed into my wireless transmitter to send to camera.

Barry Gribble · October 20th, 2006, 12:14 PM

Jim,

That seems like a fine box, but I needed four channels - to mix 3 lavs down to one channel and put the boom on the other.

Marco Leavitt · October 20th, 2006, 12:41 PM

How many inputs do you need? If you only need a single channel the SoundDevices MM1 is an inexpensive way to get some control over gain, a fantastic limiter, phantom power, and a rolloff switch. It's not a mixer, but it is true professional gear that will make you a happier person and improve your chances with women.

Ty Ford · October 20th, 2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Gribble

Jim,

That seems like a fine box, but I needed four channels - to mix 3 lavs down to one channel and put the boom on the other.

ENG-44

Ty Ford

October 18th, 2006, 01:30 AM	#1
Brian Critchlow Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 133	$500 field mixer Recommendations for a $500 field mixer. I have looked at the PSC DV promix lines as well as the Sign Video and Rolls. What all do you guys think?

October 19th, 2006, 02:42 PM	#3
Kalunga Lima Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Luanda - ANGOLA & Lisbon - PORTUGAL Posts: 160	Check out this site www.equipmentemporium.com They specialize in audio gear for video production and give some pretty good advice in terms of equipment, including field mixers (see: Sales/Mixing Panels). At your price range they recommend the ENG-44 ($529) awhich they seem to praise, and the DVProMix3 ($495), you can always check other source for other opinions. Being in Europe I can't buy from them, but over the years I've often looked at their site for an opnion on sound gear, so I never hesite to recommend the site to others. best of luck __________________ Kalunga Lima PMW-350, PDW-F350, PDW-EX1, MacBookPro, MacPro 8-Core, Final Cut Studio 2, Canon 5D MkII

October 19th, 2006, 03:10 PM	#4
Barry Gribble Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 817	Check out my recent thread here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=77147 I talked to B & H yesterday, and while they said it was close they advised the Rolls (the Sign was out of stock anyway). The sales guy I talked to was very helpful (and not on commision) and he said that the Rolls was just the most popular and that he'd never seen one come back or had any complaints on it. It also had trim controls and a bag, which the sign lacked. It should be here on Friday... I can let you know how I like it when it gets here. __________________ Barry Gribble Integral Arts, IMDB

October 19th, 2006, 11:49 PM	#5
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	I have the Rolls you're referring to and it's very high quality. Dual analog monitor VU meters, limiter, noiseless, switchable (!) battery compartments, high quality build. It's all you could ask for in a field mixer and more. Combined with an MKH-416, it's deadly. __________________ BenWinter.com

October 19th, 2006, 11:58 PM	#6
Barry Gribble Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 817	Well I'm hoping it works pretty well with my ME-66 and a few M2's also :). __________________ Barry Gribble Integral Arts, IMDB

October 18th, 2006, 02:43 AM	#2
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Just as a brand name I've heard very good things about the PSC stuff. Rolls I'd be more cautious about. I don't think it's junk but I think they cut corners to bring it in at a certain price range, as compared to PSC and Sound Devices level of build. Others may have more experience with them all.

October 20th, 2006, 09:36 AM	#7
Laurence Kingston Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Clermont, FL. Posts: 941	Another vote here for the Rolls. I love mine.

October 20th, 2006, 11:22 AM	#8
Jim Schweer Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 60	I'm curious how my remote substitute for a wired mixer compares with the field mixers described here. I use the BeachTek DXA-8: (http://www.beachtek.com/dxa8.html) and monitor the levels in the camcorder. What limitations do I have with this setup that a field mixer would improve on?

October 20th, 2006, 12:01 PM	#9
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	A vote here for the PSC Promix 3. I have owned it for over a year, and love it. Nice quiet pre amps, and very accurate and responsive meters. I use it with several setups, mostly use matched pair of NT5's with phantom power and NT3 mic with phantom power (sometime battery). Fed into digital recorder (R-09, and next time testing out my NEW Samson Zoom H4 with it), and also fed into my wireless transmitter to send to camera. __________________ Michael www.lvpvideo.com

October 20th, 2006, 12:14 PM	#10
Barry Gribble Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 817	Jim, That seems like a fine box, but I needed four channels - to mix 3 lavs down to one channel and put the boom on the other. __________________ Barry Gribble Integral Arts, IMDB

October 20th, 2006, 12:41 PM	#11
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	How many inputs do you need? If you only need a single channel the SoundDevices MM1 is an inexpensive way to get some control over gain, a fantastic limiter, phantom power, and a rolloff switch. It's not a mixer, but it is true professional gear that will make you a happier person and improve your chances with women.