What Field Mixer?
 

So I've been looking at field mixers such as the Sound Devices 302 and all of those $1200 - $2000 field mixers. I don't want to spend that much at this time, I will wait a year or two and go spend some real money on a recorder and mixer. I just want the ability to allow someone else to adjust levels away from the camera.

BUT my question is, does anyone have suggestions on cheaper field mixers, for much lower budget productions? I've been looking at several choices and its discouraging.

I'd like to have a level meter, and ability to generate tone, and phantom power. although i do understand when your being cheap you cant get everything you'd like...

Does anyone have poor man field mixer suggestions?
(i've been looking at the Sound Devices Mixpre - 2 channels, and the MX124 - 4 channels)

I use the sign 44 its a nice little mixer for around $500

Sign Video ENG-44 Field Mixer Review
ENG-44 Field Portable Audio Mixer

I just read the reviews, that was EXACTLY what i was looking for. amazing price with all the features. Thanks a lot Gary.

I use the PSC Promix 3 Mixer, it's a good mixer for DV camera and field recording.

DV Promix 3

PSC | DV PROMIX 3 - Field Mixer | FPSCDVMIX3 | B&H Photo Video

Also a very nice recommendation, I'm really glad I asked... I'm liking the ProMix, thanks a lot.

I sue a Rolls MX422 four-channel mixer. B&H lists it for roughly $560.00. I've been very happy with it so far. The only gripe I have is that the level control (used to set the input level to match your mic) is hard to get to, being a tiny knob set between the XLR connectors.

Some people in reviews grouse about the small VU meters. Frankly, that's not an issue with me. I use the VU meters to help set the initial levels, then run strictly off what my headphones are telling me. The Rolls has a source switch for the headphones that lets you monitor the signal from the recording device, which is where you should be monitoring anyway.

I especially like the limiter, which is adjustable and cuts in smoothly without a thump or dip in sound quality. It's been a good, solid performer for me, and worth the money. I have been told the preamps are noisier than an SD mixer, but frankly none of the people I've done sound for have complained. Most of the time, they tell me the sound is great, but I suspect that's because previously the only thing they've used has been the on-camera mics.

One thing I like is that it's an all-metal (steel, NOT aluminum) case. Very solid. I dumped the shoulder bag that came with it and made a chest-pack to hold it and the digital audio recorder. Great for those one-man-audio-band sessions where you're running the boom, recorder, and levels all at the same time.

Martin

Keep an eye on ebay, Used shure fp32's and 33's are on there all the time. I got a psc m4 which is great. I think the promix is really bare bones and for the price of a new one you can find something used that will serve you better.

The ENG-44 is am amazing bang for the buck value. I second it.

Another vote for the ENG-44...

Vasco

I've never been crazy about the FP332 or FP33 mixers. The PSC M4 is the Wendt X4, Bob designed this for PSC, then later marketed the product under his own brand. You really can't go wrong with any of the Wendt products, they are pretty bulletproof, which is why you'll see them used on a lot of reality productions.

Personally, I would start looking in the used market. There are a lot of better mixers than the Rolls or Sign 44 which can be had used for not much more than what these two are sold for new.

Wayne

You sure you need a mixer? If you are only using one or two mics at a time, I'd get the SoundDevices MM1 to tide me over until I could get a really good mixer. People sometimes get seduced into buying more channels rather than quality. The MM1 is single channel, but it's top-end single channel.

has anyone plugged in a G2 transmitter into the ENG-44 and got ok results?

Yes me, I use the sign 44 with a rode ntg-1 and two G2 radio mics, I also make sure that the radio mics are set up correctly and that there is not too much gain driving the radio mic.

cheers Gary....thats me sorted.

Just one other note for the sign eng-44, the case that comes with it is OK but not up to serious location work, you are better investing in a petrol or portabrace case so that you can put all your radio mics and flash recorders in.

There's the Sound Devices MIX-PRE too. That only has 2 channels but it's considerably cheaper than the 302

Might be worth adding to your list

I use a Behringer MXB1002 which is both mono and stereo and both AC and DC. It works very well and is inexpensive.

The current version of the model is:

UBB1002. It appears to be the same unit.

Behringer UBB1002 Eurorack 10-Channel Mixer from zZounds.com!

John

My favorite has been the Shure FP33 for many years. They're very common around here and the rental houses usually have them. You might consider renting until you can afford a good quality one. In terms of cheaper mixers, that Sign people have mentioned looks pretty good for the money. I haven't seen one in person but the specs are reasonable and several people are using them now, and it's close to 1/3 the price of the Shure.

Thank you all for all your feedback, all very good advice. I will be reading up on all these mixers and try to make a final decision.

Mike

Thanks to this thread, I have just ordered a sign 44. I've heard too many good things about it now. Lets hope it's what I'm after :)

We just started carrying the Sign ENG-44. It's a great mixer for the money.
SignVideo ENG-44 Portable Mixer at DVcreators.net

I was also just introduced to the boom remote on the PSC DV ProMix 1. That's another model to consider if you don't need 4 channels.

DV Promix 1

Although it's strange that PSC put the boom remote on the ProMix 1 single channel mixer and not on the ProMix 3. I wonder what's up with that.

One of the sound crew for Jeopardy was in here showing me his older PSC mixer with boom remote on a red K-Tek traveler. I thought it was the coolest thing until I learned the boom remote was only available on the bottom of the line model, and on the top of line AlphaMix.

Has anyone tried using a recorder like the Tascam DR-1 Portable Digital Recorder connected to your mixer for recording sound instead of directly to the camera? I'm wondering what is the quality like??????

Reggie,

Yes, I have on several occassions recorded to my Marantz PMD660 compact flash recorder. It sounds great and is easy to hook up through USB and upload the files right to the producer's laptop. There are a number of similar products out there these days, all of which have the specs to get good audio. So from there it's just a matter of price, features and reliability. The Tascam you mentioned gets good reviews as does the Zoom H2 (or H4 if you want 4 tracks). The Sony PCM-D50 is one I'd love to try. Or let's take it another step and dream about owning the Sound Devices 788 8-track! The PMD600 is a little bigger than some of the other units, but I like that it has XLR connectors if you want to use external mics. Usually I am going into a mixer, then on to the PMD600, so I typically only use the 1/8" stereo line-in anyway.

Have fun!

Rob

Thanks Rob...That was very helpful