Calibrating New Mixer W/XL2
 

Just bought a SIGN 4channel field mixer - I've tried going in audio 1 (via xlr to rca connection) and xlr out to XL2 xlr in -

Problem is I can't get levels on mixer to match up with levels on camera, and what I hear is not what is recorded when I check playback: sound is overdriven or unusable mud...

The mixer can switch between line/mic level. I'm using "mic level" out.

My Sound Devices Mixpre mixer works flawlessly but I'm not sure how to set up the new mixer - It has a slate tone also - Any suggestions?

First you have to decide how much headroom you're going to leave. I use 20 dB. So you send tone to the camera (reading 0 on the mixer's meter) at -20dB on the camera's meter. You also have to set the limiter appropriately. For 20 dB of headroom, you typically set the limiter at +16, or even +18. Sometimes I set the limiter at 20, and tone up slightly lower to compensate. I then try to keep all levels above zero on the mixer. By the way, I'd use line out on the mixer and put attenuators at the camera end.

Hi Mark

I have an ENG-44 too. Marco's comment about level setting is right except that the limiters on the ENG-44 aren't adjustable externally. I read somewhere that you can take the thing apart and fiddle with something inside the case, but unless you know what you're doing then that's probably a bad idea! That said, the limiters on the ENG-44 are fine for normal use.

Used it on a shoot for Discovery this week - perfectly acceptable sound - it's not the same quality as the SD stuff but it does a reasonable job.

Hope this helps

Anybody know where the limiter kicks in on the ENG-44? I can't seem to find that in the specs.