Benefit(s) of Different Kind of Mixers

N

nomorechecks

Member
I'm not sure if this is a ridiculous question or not, but I couldn't seem to find any information on this (I try to avoid posting questions as much as possible unless I'm stuck in circles looking for an answer).

What are the benefits of using a field mixer as opposed to a standard music-type mixer?

And I guess the question that should go before that is, can a standard music-type mixer be used on a set in place of a field mixer? If anyone has tried this, I'd love to hear about that experience. I understand the issue of portability, but as far as sound quality is concerned, is there a difference? Or maybe equipment compability that I might be missing?
 
Field mixer can run on battery, generally has transformers on I/O, maybe no EQ. I've seen people using
standard mixer (Mackies from Guitar Center) running on AC on set.
i wouldn't do it. i like battery.
 
Here's my first quick response - I'm sure others will have details to add. By "field mixer" I mean a bag-type mixer. I'm not particularly familiar with tabletop field-production mixers....

Differences between "field mixers" and "music mixers":

1) As you say, portability/operating style/convenience

2) Powering

3) Metering (IMO, temds to be better on GOOD field mixers)

4) Limiters - field mixers tend to have 'em, music mixers tend not to

5) Monitoring (good field mixers tend to have more flexible/powerful/accessible monitoring features)

6) Number of inputs: music mixers tend to have more - often a LOT more

7) EQ - music mixers tend to have it, field mixers tend not to (except for a fixed low-cut)

8) Bussing - many music mixers allow multiple simkulaneous mixes to be output; most field mixers don't.

9) Outputs - Music mixers tend to have more (main, monitor, alt, rec, headphone of main mix; bus outs, sends, inserts, direct outs, etc).

10) Inputs - Music mixers tend to have multiple connections for each input (XLR, TRS, some RCA) - needing fewer adapters for varied sources.

11) Continuous panning - music mixers tend to have a continuous pan knob for L/R panning, field mixersa tend to have a left-center-right switch

12) Gain staging - music mixers tend to have more levels of gain staging (especially a main mix level control - most field mixers don't let you change the mix level while retaining the relative channel levels, with one knob)

13) Multi-channel control - faders on a music mixer allow smooth control of many channels at once; knobs on field mixers don't allow for more than one channel / hand to be modified at a time.

Quality-wise... in general, you can get equal or better sound quality at a lower per-channel price with a music mixer. But cheapo music mixers are not as good as decent field mixers... that is, the cheapest popular field mixers are better than the cheapest popular music mixers. For field use, I think the Yamaha music mixers give some of the best bang-for-the-buck... they have pretty good quality in the basics (where it counts), but don't have as many secondary features (not used in field production) as other brands. But from the SD mixers up, the audio quality is very high, better than most music mixers in the sub - $1,000 range; and they tend to have a wider gain range which is essential in many situations.
 
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Cart mixers are the standard on studio films. The weakness is, as already stated, you need to plug in. Movies with budgets will always have a source of power and the mixer will bring their own backup. For ENG and low budget films power and the portability become a factor so field mixers are the best choice.

The biggest advantage of a cart mixer is the amount of inputs which on a proper budget set you will often have 8 or more open mics at a time. Low budgets cant afford to get that many mics so the extra inputs become unnecessary.

Basically a professional mixer is going to have several mixers to choose from depending on the situation. People trying to cobble together a cheap audio package need to figure out their needs and proceed from there.

Cheers
 
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