4 Channel Mixer and Recorder?

The SD302 doesn't have direct outs which means the 3 ins have to be mixed down to 2 outs, that defeats the purpose of getting a multitrack recorder.

An alternative to the 442 would be a PSC mixer such as the Alphamix or M4 MKII. While not as good as the SD devices they still sound pretty good and usually go used for well under a ground. A good thing about them too is that they have a built-in NP1 slot and can be used as a power distribution system for the recorder and other equipment with a DC input.
 
To make matter worse, I'm a post video guy (Motion Graphics and Visual FX) so this audio stuff is just WAY over my head.
I think I'm going to go with the DR-680 and the 302.
Can you take a look at this link and see if I could get 3 iso track out of the 302?
I looked, but all this technical jargon is very confusing.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292980-REG/Sound_Devices_302_302_Portable_3_Channel.html

I also figure that if I do need extra lavs, I can go straight into the 680.

Edit: just saw your post marsupilami. Looks like im going to have to track down a 422 then
 
Chadfish: I saw that one but it made me a bit weary because the knobs seem to be different than the regular 422. Makes me wonder if something happened to it.
 
marsupilami: i did but unfortunately i can't contact him because i just signed up for the site but have to wait for an admin to allow my account access. can you contact the seller for me? I am EXTREMELY interested!
 
****, you should have said something in my thread! I just sent it in to pro-sound to trade in for credit on a 552.
 
Dang... Hey if it's worth more money to ship it back and sell it than the trade in price mangler, you could still do the deal!
 
rdblank: I just contacted him, I'll let you know as soon as I hear from him.

Regarding the M4 MKII: I was wrong, it doesn't have direct outs, only the Alphamix does (I guess it's the reason for the new model as they otherwise look pretty much identical).
 
rdblank said:
Chadfish: I saw that one but it made me a bit weary because the knobs seem to be different than the regular 422. Makes me wonder if something happened to it.
Click to expand...

hah those are the original knobs from the first run of 442's before they switched over to the plastic ones.
 
wow this thread is going fast!
Okay, let's dig out that R-44 mentioned before. It's a very capable machine, you wouldn't need a mixer to run it, the menu structure is awesome (I actually prefer it to the SD units but thats a bit like apples and bananas), has M/S decoding, up to 192 kHz/24 Bit and limiters for each channel. Downside is if you have mics that need a lot of amplification (then there's backgournd noise) or if you tend to record very quiet stuff. For lavs and loud SFX and usual dialogue it's perfect though. The noise problem can easily be bypassed if you get yourself a Mixpre for the boom or stereo mics in front of the unit.

And, concerning the 2x Mipre/H4N propsal: you wouldn't need to listen on the Mixpre's headphone out, instead on the recorder's.
 
Ok, so some budget has been pulled from audio to another area. So it looks like I'm down to a 2 channel mixer and recorder. My plan is to go with the MixPre and a Tascam Dr-100. What cables would I need to go from the MixPre's XLR out to the Mic in on the Dr-100? Also anyone know what petrol bag would fit these with a few extras, but still keep it very compact?
 
I have had mixed results sending line level from my Alphamix to the DR-100's XLR inputs, and found repeatable, very good results feeding the 1/8" stereo line in on the DR-100 from the 1/8" transcription output of the Alphamix. For what you're going to spend on the DR-100 and the Mixpre, you might be better off with a Edirol R-44 alone, and then later, when budget allows, add a used SD442 in front.

Perhaps other can comment about whether the Edirol has enough gain to get sufficient level from something like the Rode NTG-2 or 3.

Don't get me wrong, I like my DR-100 and kept it after purchasing the 680, but interfacing from a mixer to the line inputs on the DR-100 may complicate things.

rdblank said:
Ok, so some budget has been pulled from audio to another area. So it looks like I'm down to a 2 channel mixer and recorder. My plan is to go with the MixPre and a Tascam Dr-100. What cables would I need to go from the MixPre's XLR out to the Mic in on the Dr-100? Also anyone know what petrol bag would fit these with a few extras, but still keep it very compact?
Click to expand...
 
Here's a great Petrol Bag. It will handle what you need for now.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/686799-REG/Petrol_PS607_PS607_Deca_Mixer_Bag.html#features

And I disagree with skipping a mixer at this point. Mixer good.... Read above to remind yourself why. I'm not sure if the DR-100's XLR inputs can be used as "Line" in (you best verify that), but you need 2 short (or long?) XLR cables to go from the MixPre to the DR-100, and/or an 1/8" male to male jack cable. In fact you should have 2 1/8" cables, as you can also run one back from the DR-100 headphones out to the MixPre tape in. Then you can plug your cans into the MixPre (much more clean headphone volume) but still be monitoring the recorder - very important.

XLR cables are balanced which will protect you from RF getting in the line. But really get both types of cable. The 1/8" mini cable is cheap, and it's good to have an alternate rout if for some reason you break the XLR connector in the DR-100.
 
For my first recorder I went for the Tascam DR-07 because it was one of the few recorders narrow enough to fit horizontally in my bag (with some tweaking/velcro to keep it there). It was tight with the Lectro's but it worked, and the added benefit is that the tightness kept pressure on the 1/8" jack, preventing it from unplugging itself.
Here's a photo of how it was laid out in the bag:
Soundbag2.jpg

From a sound quality perspective you wouldn't gain much, if anything, with the DR100 provided you feed it with a mixer's line out. The only benefit of the DR100 is that you could use it by itself without a mixer if you needed a more compact rig thanks to its mic XLR inputs.

The DR-07 is now less than $100 at B&H, coupled with the mixpre you'll have 2 channels of very clean audio for less than $800.
 
rdblank said:
Ok, so some budget has been pulled from audio to another area. So it looks like I'm down to a 2 channel mixer and recorder. My plan is to go with the MixPre and a Tascam Dr-100. What cables would I need to go from the MixPre's XLR out to the Mic in on the Dr-100? Also anyone know what petrol bag would fit these with a few extras, but still keep it very compact?
Click to expand...

They always pull from audio... Like it's less important then having 4 flowers on the table or 2 flowers....

Let them pull some of other things...
 
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