4 Channel Mixer and Recorder?

R

rdblank

Member
Ok, so here is my deal. I'm new to audio.
I'm doing a shoot soon that will have 2 booms and 2 lavs.
Is there a mixer and recorder that can give me each on a separate track. i.e One track for each mic.

Since I'm a post guy I'm very weary of mixing down and going to a 2 track recorder.

If this is a dumb question, I apologize.
 
There are definitely 4-track recorders out there, ranging from the Edirol R-44 to the Sound Devices 744... like sjcampbell said, it all depends on your budget.
 
tascam dr680, $850'sh
edirol r44(which i like better since it has POTS for each channel if using without a mixer) $900'sh
eidirol r4 pro(same as r44 but with hard drive and timecode) $2200'sh
sound devices 442, $4000'sh

and the zoom h4n is 4 channel, but it would require a 4 channel mixer with iso outs in order to efficiently use that recorder that way.
 
Thanks for your reply everyone. I'd like to be under the $3,000 mark for the Mixer and Recorder combo (If possible)

mangler: Is there a good mixer that gives me 4 outputs to go into the Tascam Dr680? I'm 100% sure I'd never use the recorder without the mixer. (I'm going to have to keep them in the same petrol bag anyway)
 
The Sound Devices 744T is a true 4-channel, but it only has 2 mic. pre-amps so you will need an outboard SD unit to get the other two. I think the 744T would be around the $3,000 in the US.

The 788T tends to be the standard for broadcast nowadays as it has 8 tracks and 8 mic. inputs and will even take AES42 digital mics.

At the lower end, the Edirol R-04Pro and R-44 are well worth considering (and you will get nice change from your $3,000).
 
rdblank said:
Thanks for your reply everyone. I'd like to be under the $3,000 mark for the Mixer and Recorder combo (If possible)

mangler: Is there a good mixer that gives me 4 outputs to go into the Tascam Dr680? I'm 100% sure I'd never use the recorder without the mixer. (I'm going to have to keep them in the same petrol bag anyway)
Click to expand...

Sound Devices 552 or its predecessor, the SD 442 (available used). Both have post fader direct outs on each of the mic input channels that can be used to feed separate ISO tracks on the recorder. A very common configuration has been 4 mics into a 442, direct outs to 744T inputs to ISO tracks of each mic for production sound to send to post, main output stereo mix to camera audio input for dailys, secondary output stereo mix to video village or Comtec for monitoring.
 
manglerBMX said:
tascam dr680, $850'sh
edirol r44(which i like better since it has POTS for each channel if using without a mixer) $900'sh
eidirol r4 pro(same as r44 but with hard drive and timecode) $2200'sh
sound devices 442, $4000'sh

and the zoom h4n is 4 channel, but it would require a 4 channel mixer with iso outs in order to efficiently use that recorder that way.
Click to expand...

ZOOM H4N = 2 channel...
 
I am using the PSC Alphamix with the Tascam DR-680. I run the 4 iso tracks pre-fader (but post gain) to the first 4 tracks of the tascam. Tracks 5 and 6 of the tascam get the same feeds I send to camera (track 5 is boom, track 6 is all lavs) which is the two channel output of the Alphamix. The Tascam creates (up to) 4 stereo files so although in essence, my track 1 and 5 are identical, the stereo file for track 1 and 2 are the boom and the first lav, which the stereo file for track 5 and 6 are the boom and all lavs which is also the feed used for dailies and Comtek.

Steve House said:
Sound Devices 552 or its predecessor, the SD 442 (available used). Both have post fader direct outs on each of the mic input channels that can be used to feed separate ISO tracks on the recorder. A very common configuration has been 4 mics into a 442, direct outs to 744T inputs to ISO tracks of each mic for production sound to send to post, main output stereo mix to camera audio input for dailys, secondary output stereo mix to video village or Comtec for monitoring.
Click to expand...
 
two mix-pres and a zoom h4n should serve you well, and you have better preamps than dr-680 and edirol machines. plus you could use the h4n standalone for ambience etc. that package would cost you less than 2000 $ I guess.
 
the 442, 552, alphamix and promix 6 will give you iso outs. the 442, alpha and promix's iso's are all pre-fader. however, psc can mod the alpha and promix so that the iso outs are post fader(i contacted them a while back about it). the 552 can be pre or post fade.

and yes, h4n is 4 channel, the 2 xlrs and 1/8" stereo mic in.
 
You are correct. PSC can mod their mixers for post fader iso output. I prefer pre-fade which allows me to use the gain(trim) control to match levels to the tascam and at the same time allows me level control to the mix output channels while not affecting the iso out level.

manglerBMX said:
the 442, 552, alphamix and promix 6 will give you iso outs. the 442, alpha and promix's iso's are all pre-fader. however, psc can mod the alpha and promix so that the iso outs are post fader(i contacted them a while back about it). the 552 can be pre or post fade.

and yes, h4n is 4 channel, the 2 xlrs and 1/8" stereo mic in.
Click to expand...
 
sonidista: How would that work with 2 MixPre's? How would I get the 4 XLR inputs into the H4N?
I've also heard that the H4N can only do 2 inputs, but then use the other 2 tracks for its internal mics.
 
rdblank said:
sonidista: How would that work with 2 MixPre's? How would I get the 4 XLR inputs into the H4N?
I've also heard that the H4N can only do 2 inputs, but then use the other 2 tracks for its internal mics.
Click to expand...

manglerBMX said:
and yes, h4n is 4 channel, the 2 xlrs and 1/8" stereo mic in.
Click to expand...

if you're going to use 2 mixpre's you would do this:
mix pre 1 for channel's 1 and 2 of h4n would require padded xlr cables(mixpre's xlr's are line out, h4n's xlrs are mic in)
mix pre 2 for channels 3 and 4 of h4n would require a padded tape out of mix pre to mic level in on h4n, 1/8" cable

any major audio production sales place(trew, gothan, pro-sound, coffey, etc..) can make you custom cables with pads built in. just call them and tell them what you need. xlr to xlr w/ mic to line pad and then 1/8" tape to mic cable. probably $30 or so per cable.

send tone out mixpre 1 and set to -12db on h4n's tracks 1 and 2 then send tone out of mixpre 2 and set tracks 3 and 4 to -12db. make sure you pan the inputs of the mixpre 1 to left and 2 to right so that they are iso'd out and not mixed to both channels coming out of the mixer.
 
Thanks so much for the insight mangler. This may not be the best way, but probably the most cost effective way to get it done.
 
The shoots are going to be shot on 1 or 2 7D's and a HPX170. I can see one major flaw with the 2 MixPre systems. Having to plug the headphones in and out of the 2 for monitoring purposes.
 
The DR-680 for sure! Then just find a nice 4 ch mixer, or get 2 x SD MixPre units for 1,350 or so. Then use the remainder of the budget for hookers and booze.
 
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