Fostex FR2/Canon XHA1
 

Can I use the Fostex FR2 as a 'mixer'? Basically I have shure 2 channel mixer and it's dead so the soundman needs something to monitor/mix the sound with into my Canon XHA1.....

The FR2's pre-amps are pretty good and has the usual gain trims and can supply phantom to the mic. It has a phono line-out. Depending on what inputs your cam has the FR2 could perhaps do the job, but it's not strictly the right tool for the job. Beware: this thing absolutely eats batteries be they alkaline or rechargeables. You'll get half a day (3 - 4 hours) out of a set of batteries using the power saving mode, if your lucky.

HTH.

It is possible to connect FR-2 between the mics and camera, but setting the individual levels is not possible on the run as the pots are cocentric and small. Thus it is not a real replacement for a true mixer. And the cable is not balanced.

Fostex sell a connection cable for a large (and cheap) battery you have to buy separatelly from a hobby shop (radio controll toy car battery). That shoud feed the FR-2 for a day or two.

Thanks. Does anyone know where I could get the battery cable from in the UK? The FR2 is VERY power hungry!

check external batteries for laptops /dvd
these usially have 12-16 v out

You can get the aux. battery cable from fostex, but don't expect wonders. The 7.2 batteries only last for a couple of hours at the most.

I use a Tekkeon myPower external battery with my FR2. I forget where I bought it or how much it cost (about 50UKP perhaps), but google is your friend. It will run just shy of a production day on this battery (the internal batteries finish off the day). If you do use this battery you'll also need to custom order the FR2 adapter direct from Tekkeon since it doesn't ship in the default selection.

http://www.tekkeon.com/site/products...apt.php#Fostex

HTH