$300 Azden mixer

H

Hardaway

New member
Hello all,
I'm new here so please forgive me for any ignorant errors.

I borrow an Edirol R09 + a good wireless microphone to record good sound for sync with my D90 for short films, however, since the Edirol has only one mic input and no phantom power, I was thinking of getting this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/422113-REG/Azden_FMX_32_FMX_32_Microphone_Field_Mixer.html

I would plug in two 3.5mm jack wireless mics into it via 3.5mm female to XLR male cables, as well as a very nice Sony XLR shotgun mic I borrow as well.

Do you guys think that would work well? I'm new to audio equipment and need all the help I can get.

Thanks!
 
For starters, stay away from Azden. $300 Azden Mixer = $300 paperweight. Your best bet, though it will cost a bit more, is to look at Sound Devices. The 302 is a 3-input mixer that will get you a good start. The MixPre is also very useful, but is only 2 inputs.

On a budget, you could look at Sign Video for some affordable mixers. You'll pay <$500, and though these are much better than Azden, you do get what you pay for. You might also find a good deal on a used Shure FP33, which has been an industry standard for years (recently overtaken in popularity by Sound Devices, but still perfectly useful).

What mics are you using that require conversion from 1/8" (3.5mm) to XLR?
 
All right, got it. I think I'll get the Sign Video 2-channel one for price and portability. I usually have to work with a crew of three or less; the less pounds the better.
 
Hardaway said:
All right, got it. I think I'll get the Sign Video 2-channel one for price and portability. I usually have to work with a crew of three or less; the less pounds the better.
Click to expand...

Which Sign Video 2-channel? If you can, at all, get a Sound Devices, do it. Audio is not the thing you want to cheap out on... it'll actually prove to be more expensive in the end if you go the cheap rout on audio.

That said, this is the Sign Video miser I was thinking of, actually just over $500.
 
C2V said:
Which Sign Video 2-channel? If you can, at all, get a Sound Devices, do it. Audio is not the thing you want to cheap out on... it'll actually prove to be more expensive in the end if you go the cheap rout on audio.

That said, this is the Sign Video miser I was thinking of, actually just over $500.
Click to expand...

Budget is my #1 concern, as I happen to be 13 with little to no income. This was the one I was thinking of. I think it would be sufficient for my purposes; perhaps I'll plug in the shotgun mike and only use the lavaliers when needed.
 
If you are looking at XLR converter boxes, look also at Juicedlink and Beachtek. You might pay the same or slightly more, but you'll get better results.
 
Hardaway said:
Would they work well with the R09? If so, I'll definitely consider those.
Click to expand...

If the Sign Video won't, neither will these.

In other words, they all do the same thing, and the Edirol's 1/8" input should accept any of them.

And I know you have limited resources, but get the best you can now. Cheaping out on audio is more expensive than buying better gear. The Sound Devices MixPre would be your absolute best bet. It'll hold its value over time, hold up to regular field use, and give you a more flexible piece of gear with very nice pre-amps.

The Beachtek DXA-6 is your best bet for adapter boxes. Or the Juicedlink CX231.
 
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Hardaway said:
All right, got it. I think I'll get the Sign Video 2-channel one for price and portability. I usually have to work with a crew of three or less; the less pounds the better.
Click to expand...

I happen to have that unit and it works every bit as well as the Beachtek. It has more features for the money and sounds just fine. That being said you were originally talking about three mics. Two wireless and a Sony boom mic. This only gives you two inputs and is a passive device. There is no phantom power for the boom mic if needed. I know some models of the Beachtek and for sure the Juicedlink can provide phantom.
Regards,
Bernie
 
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