I have a Rode NT4 stereo mic which is destined to record small ensembles of music--a singer, a small chorus or a few instruments. I have yet to buy my first audio component that falls into the sphere of mixers, pre amps, MDs, DATs etc. I figure I can simplify the process by just focusing on my primary microphone and what may suit this particular model best. For a stereo mic are there any considerations to make in deciding whether one format is better than another? Which components might possiibly be more compatible a match? I have a DVX100, by the way. My budget, ideally, would be under $1000. Under $500 even better. :)

Thanks!

The DVX100 has very good audio, however a mixer would allow some flexability and convenience.

I'd stick with a known product and that would include the Sound devices Mix Pre or the PSC Promix 3. There are some others but they are more pricey. the shure entry FP24 is the Sound Devices Mix Pre so we won't even mention that one.

http://www.professionalsound.com/catalog/DV%20Promix.htm

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mx2master.htm

The PSC is $500 and the Mix Pre is $655. You can get a mixer for less, but when you have the dvx100 why bother. JMO

Beach Tek is close to anouncing a two channel mixer with line level out. I haven't anymore info. It's supposed to be in the same price range as the DXA-8

Thanks for your suggestions. I realize, given the caliber of the DVX100 and the Rode NT4, I need some precise guidance on this and not blindly grab at anything. There is so much out there to absorb, and I find specific choices as yours very helpful.

One question though--what about a separate recording device? Would that be a worthwhile option? Or is the DVX100 adequate enough?

Barry, you may not need all of that. How 'bout just
use the NT4 straight into the camera? I don't
see a need for a seperate recording device.

Thanks Dave--maybe that's the kind of reassuring advice I'm looking for. ;)

Barry, I'm gonna send you a pic or two showing how
I have the NT4 attached to a VX.
And here's the furry for it. The NT4 is *very* sensitive
to wind, and the supplied foam is not at all effective
against the wind.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=277952&is=REG

Thanks!

I got those pics off to you. Hope you get them okay.
The pics also show how the Sound Devices MixPre
preamp can be attached to the VX. Like I said,
you probably don't even need that.

I agree with Dave. that's why i made the comment about the fine audio that the DVX100 has.

That was also my point that you should only buy a good mixer if you ever do. A cheap mixer wouldn't compliment a camera like the DVX100.

If anyone else wants to see the pictures, let me know
and I'll get them off to you.

The photos are certainly of interest to examine--I'm pleased and rather relieved to know that my DVX100 is suitable as is. I just bought a Lowel Caselite 4 and am not exactly ready to go on another spree anytime soon. ;) But I may look into a mixer since it's all a matter of being informed about audio in general.

Jay Rose just did a review on the PSC mixer. I thought it would make some interesting reading.
http://www.dv.com/reviews/reviews_item.jhtml;jsessionid=NW1FFDET0XUVUQSNDBCSKHY?category=Review%2CHardware&LookupId=/xml/review/rose0604_rvw

Yeah, I checked out that review, and went to
the PSC site. I've heard that PSC does offer good quality, but I think there are better mixers than that around
for camcorder users. For one, what's this about
using it with an attenuator to get good results?
I think you're better off sticking with Sound Devices stuff.

I also can't see why you need a mixer, if you only have the one microphone. I found the Rode NT4 a good match in terms of quality with the DVX100 camera audio. You can just plug it straight into the camera. Unless you are recording dual system, the benefit of using the higher quality pre-amps on a mixer would be marginal.

Dual system recording would definitely give you better quality, but it may be overkill for what you need. If you were going down the dual system route, you need to chose your recording device first, and then the pre-amp or mixer to match. e.g if you used a laptop and the m-audio firewire 410, you still would not need a separate mixer. If you are recording classical music I would strongly recommend the computer route. You can then record at 24bit, which gives you more dynamic range.

Patrick

Patrick, I have a laptop and an M-Audio Firewire 410. What mics would you recomend for live music recording?
I'll be using Vegas for recording the audio.

We also have to take into account the signal level. Sometimes mics are not hot enough to get a good signal at the camera's optimal volume settings. That's when a preamp (Which is what some people often mean when they say mixer) is necessary otherwise your audio will suffer.

Aaron

The NT4 produces a strong enough signal for the DVX100 without needing a Pre-amp.
I was quite happy with the sound of the NT4, for classical music. I was using the M-audio USB duo, which has very similar specifications to the firewire 410.
Eventually I upgraded from the NT4 to Schoeps, which do sound much better, but cost about $2,000. And then you need a better pre-amp and AD converter to do them justice. That's at least another $1,000.
Patrick

Patrik,

To what Schoeps setup did you upgrade to? X/Y? M/S using Colette series mics or CCM mics?

Did you mount them on a mic stand or tripod or on the camera (sorry for asking that) or is it a hand held mic setup? What accessories are you using to keep the M & S mics togerther (if you use M/S stereo)?

Ralf,
I have 2 CMC6 bodies, 1 MK8 figure of 8 capsule, 1 MK41 hypercardioid capsule and 1 MK4 cardioid capsule.
I almost always record M/S stereo, using the MK8 with either the MK4 or the MK41 if I want a narrower angle.
I have the 2 microphones on top of each other, separated by 2 pieces of cork board, mounted in an Audio Technica AT8415 shockmount.
For serious music recording I have them mounted high up, e.g about 3 or 4 metres on a lighting stand, usually about 3 metres in front of the performers. Or, if the lighting stand is too obtrusive, I use a fixed boom pole on a lighting stand at the side.

I have also used the MS pair mounted in the same shockmount directly on my DVX100. But a camera mounted microphone is almost always too far away from the subject to give the best sound.
Patrick

Have you been pretty happy with that 8415?
How do you put two mics in it?

Dave,
The 8415 has been fine for me. I just push the two microphones together through the rubber bands, as though it was a single mic, and then put the cork between them, just to hold them apart, as I don't have the proper piggy back clips.
Patrick

Manfred Klemme of K-Tek has a figure 8 polymer mount that allows you to piggyback two shoeps mics.

patrick
I'm starting another thread so as not to highjack this one it will be
"How do you like the MK4 compared to the MK41."

Bryan,
The K-tek mount looks very nice. Did you try the AT mount first? In what way do you find the K-tek better?
Patrick

I haven't tried the double mount but i do own a k-tek and an 8415. The convenience of the double mount without the "fiddly bits" would be great. I'll email you a jpg that Manfred sent me.