Field Mixer to A1 at DVinfo.net

Kevin Ta · May 3rd, 2008, 01:49 AM

I just purchased a field mixer to make things easier for someone else to mix sound while i shoot. Although it has not arrived yet, i wanted to know before i receive the mixer, is there a way to bypass the camera's audio levels, and have the mixer do all the work?
If not, then how do i make sure that the camera is picking up what sound guy is hearing from the mixer without losing those sound levels from the camera's audio levels itself? Thank You!

- Kevin

Bill Pryor · May 3rd, 2008, 10:59 AM

That's what the tone from the mixer is for. Go line level in, turn on the mixer's tone, set the master switch to zero, and adjust camera level until you get a -20 db. You'll have to crank the camera pots pretty far up. Mine go about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way wide open. Then the soundman will want to set his mic levels so he's averaging out around zero. This should put your camera levels around a -12, which is where you want to be. Some people say never to peak over a -10, others go up to -6. I like to average out around a -12 to a -10.

Once you've calibrated the mixer to the camera, you shouldn't have to worry about it. The soundman does the rest. But make sure he's not one of those recording studio guys who wants everything at too low a level. You need him to be around zero on his incoming mic levels, maybe a little higher on occasion.

Kevin Ta · May 3rd, 2008, 01:06 PM

Thank You kindly Bill :D

Doug Davis · May 4th, 2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Ta

I just purchased a field mixer to make things easier for someone else to mix sound while i shoot. Although it has not arrived yet, i wanted to know before i receive the mixer, is there a way to bypass the camera's audio levels, and have the mixer do all the work?
If not, then how do i make sure that the camera is picking up what sound guy is hearing from the mixer without losing those sound levels from the camera's audio levels itself? Thank You!

- Kevin

Which mixer did you get? I have been shopping around looking for a good one...

Kevin Ta · May 5th, 2008, 12:47 AM

Doug,

I got the Azden Mx20, it's a simple and affordable mixer, something that works if your definitley on a budget.

Pietro Jona · May 5th, 2008, 02:50 AM

one question bill:
if the tone is set to -20 i don't see why when mic levels are averaging out at 0 (mixer) they "should put your camera levels around a -12". they should be around -20, shouldn't they? when you hit 8 at mixer's you should get -12..
correct me if i'm wrong..

pietro

May 3rd, 2008, 01:49 AM	#1
Kevin Ta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 55	Field Mixer to A1 I just purchased a field mixer to make things easier for someone else to mix sound while i shoot. Although it has not arrived yet, i wanted to know before i receive the mixer, is there a way to bypass the camera's audio levels, and have the mixer do all the work? If not, then how do i make sure that the camera is picking up what sound guy is hearing from the mixer without losing those sound levels from the camera's audio levels itself? Thank You! - Kevin

May 3rd, 2008, 10:59 AM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	That's what the tone from the mixer is for. Go line level in, turn on the mixer's tone, set the master switch to zero, and adjust camera level until you get a -20 db. You'll have to crank the camera pots pretty far up. Mine go about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way wide open. Then the soundman will want to set his mic levels so he's averaging out around zero. This should put your camera levels around a -12, which is where you want to be. Some people say never to peak over a -10, others go up to -6. I like to average out around a -12 to a -10. Once you've calibrated the mixer to the camera, you shouldn't have to worry about it. The soundman does the rest. But make sure he's not one of those recording studio guys who wants everything at too low a level. You need him to be around zero on his incoming mic levels, maybe a little higher on occasion.

May 3rd, 2008, 01:06 PM	#3
Kevin Ta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 55	Thank You kindly Bill :D

May 5th, 2008, 12:47 AM	#5
Kevin Ta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 55	Doug, I got the Azden Mx20, it's a simple and affordable mixer, something that works if your definitley on a budget.

May 5th, 2008, 02:50 AM	#6
Pietro Jona Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: italy Posts: 172	one question bill: if the tone is set to -20 i don't see why when mic levels are averaging out at 0 (mixer) they "should put your camera levels around a -12". they should be around -20, shouldn't they? when you hit 8 at mixer's you should get -12.. correct me if i'm wrong.. pietro