Hey guys,

I am looking to buy a 4-channel field mixer for production. My plan is to take three lavs mixed in to one channel, and a boom in to the other channel. I need a good (cheap) field mixer that can handle that.

At B&H I found these at around $500:

Sign Video ENG-44
(http://www.signvideo.com/fpamxr.htm)

and

Rolls MX422
(http://www.rolls.com/new/mx422.html)

Does anyone have any experience with either? They both seem to have what I need:

- 4 channels
- panning
- battery operation
- tone

Any input is appreciated.

Or, maybe, are there other 4 - channel mixers someone would suggest?

Yes I believe Wendt and Shure make similar mixers. The 44s specs. look good to me, and I like that dual oval meter.

We've got 2 of their smaller XLR-PRO mixers, they're very well built and sound very good for the price.

Or, maybe, are there other 4 - channel mixers someone would suggest?

Sound Devices 442. Maybe a bit above your budget though.

Steve,

Yeah, I love those Sound Devices boxes, and if I was doing pro sound I'd put out for it... but basically I'm just looking to have something to fill in with when I'm on a low-budget shoot that I can't have a real sound guy out for.

I can't quite see putting out $2500 to mix my $500 mics :).

Allan,

Thanks for the feedback. When B&H opens again I'm going to try to get some info from them also, but that was the way I was leaning already.

Steve,

Yeah, I love those Sound Devices boxes, and if I was doing pro sound I'd put out for it... but basically I'm just looking to have something to fill in with when I'm on a low-budget shoot that I can't have a real sound guy out for.

I can't quite see putting out $2500 to mix my $500 mics :).

Allan,

Thanks for the feedback. When B&H opens again I'm going to try to get some info from them also, but that was the way I was leaning already.

Here's a thought - Sound Devices 302 plus a SD Mix Pre or even MM-1. The 3 lavs go to the 302 and feed one channel. The MixPre or MM1 is on the boom and feeds direct to the other channel. That way your boom operator could monitor his positioning with phones.

Here's a thought - Sound Devices 302 plus a SD Mix Pre or even MM-1. The 3 lavs go to the 302 and feed one channel. The MixPre or MM1 is on the boom and feeds direct to the other channel. That way your boom operator could monitor his positioning with phones.

I'm not positive but I vaguely recall hear that
someone had somehow connected a MixPre to
a 302. Anyone ever heard of this?

I'm not positive but I vaguely recall hear that
someone had somehow connected a MixPre to
a 302. Anyone ever heard of this?

Yep. The 302 has a "Mix In" connector exactly for that purpose that couples a MixPre, MM-1 or other mixers directly to its main bus. Barry mentioned 3 lavs and a boom. Was thinking the boom op could clip a MM-1 mic preamp and headphone monitor to his belt - he needs to hear where he's holding the mic anyway - and feed its output to the 302's mix in.