Help finding a small eng mixer?

Marco Leavitt · April 3rd, 2008, 07:58 AM

Sorry, deleted.

Martin Pauly · April 3rd, 2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Leavitt

The 302 has an adjustable limiter (it's fixed on the mixpre) and outputs (fixed at line level on the mixpre). It also has a better meter, and a whole slew of programming options -- too many for me to name, [...]

Therein lies my only complaint about the SD302: when you do need to activate any of these special options, the human machine interface is not exactly intuitive (to say it mildly). Granted, it's not something I need to mess with very often, but it's a good reason to always have the manual on me when I travel with the SD302.

Is the 442 like that, too, or does it have a display with a real menu of some sort? (I've never seen one in real life.)

- Martin

Jeffery Magat · April 3rd, 2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Pauly

Therein lies my only complaint about the SD302: when you do need to activate any of these special options, the human machine interface is not exactly intuitive (to say it mildly). Granted, it's not something I need to mess with very often, but it's a good reason to always have the manual on me when I travel with the SD302.

Is the 442 like that, too, or does it have a display with a real menu of some sort? (I've never seen one in real life.)

- Martin

442's menus are accessed the same way.. Doesn't really matter, just carry the cheat card in your bag. No biggie.

Jack Walker · April 3rd, 2008, 12:19 PM

On the sound devices site you can print out the specifications sheet on the 302 and the MixPre and compare every feature:
http://www.sounddevices.com/products/index.html#field

In my opinion the difference in price between the Sound Devices mixers and cheaper mixers is more than worth it... not an example where a higher price yields only a limited increase in quality.

If you are portable, carrying the mixer and working alone, I think it is a waste of money not to get a Sound Devices, either the MixPre or the 302. (I would lean toward the 302 if possible, see some differences below.)

If you are setting the unit on a table and you need 4 inputs (like round table discussions or whatever) the PSC 4 channel mixer would probably be the best choice.

One feature nice on the SD mixers is the 1/8-inch tape stereo tape output: this can be used with any of the little recorders with a 1/8" input so you can record high quality dual sound.

One feature on the 302 I really like (I don't know if the MixPre has it) is the headphone switch that lets me listen to a mono input in both ears, stereo, and two other options, just be twisting the knob.

Another thing, the preamps on the SD mixers are truly very superior to the preamps on the $500-700 mixers.

I just spoke to Sound Devices. Here are a couple of important differences between the MixPre and the 302.

1. The MixPre is only mic in and line out. The 302 is mic or line in and mic or line out with many options for settings output settings in the menu to match many types of equipment

2. The 302 is designed to do mid-side recording and control the gain with a single control since the controls are linked. The MixPre would require each gain control to be operated separately.

3. Better and more precise limiter adjustment on the 302, controlled in the menu. (On the MixPre the limiter is adjusted with a small screwdriver.)

4. The 302 weighs just over 2 pounds and the MixPre just under 2 pounds, so the difference is not significant.

5. The 302 has a dual adjustment for gain (2 knobs) where the MixPre has a single adjustment. This may or may not be significant depending on the application.

6. The transformer in the preamps is the same in the MixPre and the 302, and there is almost no difference in the performance of the preamps in the two units. They are both superior.

-------------------------------------
The Sound Device mixers are workth the price, I believe. Or did I say this already. Between the 302 and the MixPre, I think the 302 is worth the price.

Ty Ford · April 3rd, 2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Walker

The Sound Device mixers are workth the price, I believe. Or did I say this already. Between the 302 and the MixPre, I think the 302 is worth the price.

Seriously. Stop mucking about and get one.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Marco Leavitt · April 4th, 2008, 12:12 PM

"when you do need to activate any of these special options, the human machine interface is not exactly intuitive (to say it mildly)."

Actually, it's not too tough once you get the hang of it. A laminated card with all the menu settings is included and you just tuck it next to the mixer in your bag. It's pretty easy to use, although I admit, it was daunting at first when I started messing around with the settings.

Ty Ford · April 4th, 2008, 12:56 PM

+1.

I JUST got "the card" for my 442. Had to call in one day last week myself and ask for help switching the TA3 outs to mic. The laminated 442 card slips into my mixder bag right next to teh 442 itself.

Priceless.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Vegard Paulsen · June 19th, 2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

Seriously. Stop mucking about and get one.

Regards,

Ty Ford

And finally i did :)

ordered myself this package with the 302 and a petrolbag and harness :)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...uxe_Field.html

This will fill out my audio requirements perfect.
Sennheiser mkh 416 with rycote full windshield kit nr 5, boom pole, sennheiser wireless set, and now the mixer :)

tnx for the help everybody

April 3rd, 2008, 07:58 AM	#16
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Sorry, deleted. Last edited by Marco Leavitt; April 3rd, 2008 at 07:58 AM. Reason: double post

April 4th, 2008, 12:56 PM	#22
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	+1. I JUST got "the card" for my 442. Had to call in one day last week myself and ask for help switching the TA3 outs to mic. The laminated 442 card slips into my mixder bag right next to teh 442 itself. Priceless. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

April 3rd, 2008, 12:19 PM	#19
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	On the sound devices site you can print out the specifications sheet on the 302 and the MixPre and compare every feature: http://www.sounddevices.com/products/index.html#field In my opinion the difference in price between the Sound Devices mixers and cheaper mixers is more than worth it... not an example where a higher price yields only a limited increase in quality. If you are portable, carrying the mixer and working alone, I think it is a waste of money not to get a Sound Devices, either the MixPre or the 302. (I would lean toward the 302 if possible, see some differences below.) If you are setting the unit on a table and you need 4 inputs (like round table discussions or whatever) the PSC 4 channel mixer would probably be the best choice. One feature nice on the SD mixers is the 1/8-inch tape stereo tape output: this can be used with any of the little recorders with a 1/8" input so you can record high quality dual sound. One feature on the 302 I really like (I don't know if the MixPre has it) is the headphone switch that lets me listen to a mono input in both ears, stereo, and two other options, just be twisting the knob. Another thing, the preamps on the SD mixers are truly very superior to the preamps on the $500-700 mixers. I just spoke to Sound Devices. Here are a couple of important differences between the MixPre and the 302. 1. The MixPre is only mic in and line out. The 302 is mic or line in and mic or line out with many options for settings output settings in the menu to match many types of equipment 2. The 302 is designed to do mid-side recording and control the gain with a single control since the controls are linked. The MixPre would require each gain control to be operated separately. 3. Better and more precise limiter adjustment on the 302, controlled in the menu. (On the MixPre the limiter is adjusted with a small screwdriver.) 4. The 302 weighs just over 2 pounds and the MixPre just under 2 pounds, so the difference is not significant. 5. The 302 has a dual adjustment for gain (2 knobs) where the MixPre has a single adjustment. This may or may not be significant depending on the application. 6. The transformer in the preamps is the same in the MixPre and the 302, and there is almost no difference in the performance of the preamps in the two units. They are both superior. ------------------------------------- The Sound Device mixers are workth the price, I believe. Or did I say this already. Between the 302 and the MixPre, I think the 302 is worth the price.

April 4th, 2008, 12:12 PM	#21
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	"when you do need to activate any of these special options, the human machine interface is not exactly intuitive (to say it mildly)." Actually, it's not too tough once you get the hang of it. A laminated card with all the menu settings is included and you just tuck it next to the mixer in your bag. It's pretty easy to use, although I admit, it was daunting at first when I started messing around with the settings.