Calibrating New Mixer W/XL2 at DVinfo.net

Mark Weisen · May 20th, 2008, 04:30 PM

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?

Marco Leavitt · May 23rd, 2008, 08:29 PM

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.

Graham Risdon · May 24th, 2008, 12:10 AM

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

Marco Leavitt · May 24th, 2008, 10:22 AM

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

May 20th, 2008, 04:30 PM	#1
Mark Weisen Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 26	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?

May 23rd, 2008, 08:29 PM	#2
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	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.

May 24th, 2008, 12:10 AM	#3
Graham Risdon Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 192	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

May 24th, 2008, 10:22 AM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Anybody know where the limiter kicks in on the ENG-44? I can't seem to find that in the specs.