Do I really NEED a mixer?

saneproductions

saneproductions

Veteran
First off, thanks everyone for all of the great info on this forum.

Second, I searched and I understand that the sound devices 303 is what everyone is going to reccommend. It is out of my price range right now.

Here is what I do.

HVX-200, Sennheiser MKE2 LAV + Sennheiser MKE104 LAV, Octava-w/BBG, ME66 (not the best, but I bought it before I knew and don't really shoot outside much). Gitzo carbon fiber 12'9" and kssm shockmount.

I do documentary style A/B roll mostly corporate and schools. I am shooting everything 720p24 and continuing to increase production values. I upgraded from the DVX100a about a year ago. Most of my boom sound is just nat sound breaks and I use the LAVs for interviews (I plan to start using the oktava as a channel 2 mic for backup).

I want to know if I can get away without a mixer or if not, then is there a good starter mixer (I have fears about buying used).

I was thinking of the PSC DV Promix 3 or the Sound Devices Mix Pre. Buying either right now would be painful (there isn't anything cheaper worth getting is there?).

Thanks for your help!
 
if you intend doing projects which involved with extencive audio recording , so defenetly yes , if what you do now sutisfi you - keep this way as long no one complain .
about what to buy , nethwer one of them is not exactly my cup of tea , the mix pre as it limmiting device and the promix just bad desighn for un aducate people .
between these 2 i will say used 302 or used wendt 4 , ad 260
or even used sqn mark 2 which you can find

you can get disent sound go staright to the camera with a projects you do, it just limit your choices and qoality for other stuff .
the other way is just hire people who make the sound for p[rojects you need more quality whith their oun gear
 
Thanks Oleg, I will look at those mixers. I can't hire someone for $3-500/ day every time I go shoot b-roll (my wife would kill me). If it was a bigger buget/more complex shoot it is a possibility. I will keep thinking about it.

What am I missing out on with the mixers I listed (essential features)
 
Yup, oleg got that straighten out.

I can't comment on anything except for the PSC DVPromix3. Save up or somehow get enough budget to get a Sound Devices. This should be your minimum. What I notice on shoots is that the headphone mini jack is too loose. Whenever I try booming or one of my boom ops try booming, the headphone jack always pop out. The socket isn't secure enough to hold the jack. The electrical layout is somewhat decent, but the limiters are nasty. You've got to becareful whenever you're riding the levels. If set too high, this thing will limit so bad to your audio. The pres aren't anything to write about, but the other more professional series are more solid, reliable, and have great components that make it work wonders! This thing has a tape return so you can monitor how the camera sounds like, but the jacks are too loose. It doesn't feel as solid as a SD302, but it works.

Since your budget isn't up there yet, the Mix Pre would be a good alternative. It does have 2 in 2 out, and the pres are good.
 
The majority of the audio people here are SD loyalists and will seldom recommend anything other than an SD mix pre or up. They are entitled to their opinions. Mine is different. SD make awesome equiment, so do others . You should look at the Sign Video ENG 44 mixer. It is not a 302 but it is an excellent mixer for the money. Ty Ford has done a wonderful review of it on his site and you can also find info here as well as on DVINFO.com. The PSC DV 3 s simply too simple and limited and the 6 too big for most doc guys.. it took them a couple of years to finally put a tone gen in it. I did the research, bought and bought a SIgn mixer a couple months ago and it is excellent. Yes it has some limitations compared to mixers costing 6 times the price. It sounds great and if you are a bit techncaly handy you can pop the case and tweak the limiter and l/r outputs to work the way you like with your camera. When it gets to the point that you have major concerns about audio on a gig, do what I do, hire someone who is equipped and enjoys that worry. They will more than likely arrive with an SD,a Cooper, Zaxcom SQN or something else. Anyway read Ty's review as well as all the other great info here.
Cue Oleg.....
 
Hmm SIGHN video is not really good mixer , it is a price poin mixer as the psc is , with aditional input .keep your money for a betetr product
the only good thing you still have phantom when you ingange the line ins so its garte for gunshotes :-)
for 20aditional $ per month for 3 years you really get nice 302

.
 
I shot A/B roll at a college for a year or so and I cannot understand why you would need a mixer. Just set the mic levels lower on one of the inputs. Don't buy anything until you need it. Right now you don't need it. Maybe if you shot outdoor more but not all indoor slow pace controlled environments.
 
saneproductions said:
First off, thanks everyone for all of the great info on this forum.

Second, I searched and I understand that the sound devices 303 is what everyone is going to reccommend. It is out of my price range right now.
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Take a look at the PSC Promix 3 field mixer if price is any consequence. I have one and it works fantastic for my audio needs.

Nice quiet preamps, reliable built in limiters, good battery run times, and solid construction.
 
You guys are great! I will look at the Sign video ENG44 and the Promix (I am still thinking of the Sound Devices Mix Pre or 302).

Now I suppose it comes down to getting a starter mixer, or waiting until I can get the 302. I just bought the Boom, Oktava/BBG/Jammer, so I think I am going to be in trouble if I buy anything in the 302's price range for a few months at least.
 
It all comes down to price/performance. Just as we say with the Sennheiser G2 it is the minimum acceptable for wireless, the PSC or the Sign is the minimum acceptable for mixers. But, I would not for a second hesitate to buy used. My 302 was used, and even had a problem when I bought it. Sent it in to SD, they fixed it for free (it was still under warranty) and now I have a great mixer that I paid much less than retail for. Trew and Coffey have great consignment departments - check with them. You could also look at the Shure FP series mixers - they would probably be better than the PSC or the Sign and cost roughly the same used.

Phil
 
Oleg 2 said:
change the college
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Only Banned Twice would say that. I know this is the audio section so don't take it personal, but I have never seen a 1 or 2 camera shoot that had a mixer. I have never seen any of the news camera crew men with a mixer. I have only seen mixers on 3 camera shoots for Concerts and Sporting events. Obviously if you have it use it, but don't feel inferior because you don't have it.
 
Nik Manning said:
I have never seen a 1 or 2 camera shoot that had a mixer. I have never seen any of the news camera crew men with a mixer. I have only seen mixers on 3 camera shoots for Concerts and Sporting events. Obviously if you have it use it, but don't feel inferior because you don't have it.
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I'm a News Cameraman, with 18 years in my current job, and i would love to have a soundman with a mixer.
the reason we don't have them anymore is down to budget
 
Nik Manning said:
Only Banned Twice would say that. I know this is the audio section so don't take it personal, but I have never seen a 1 or 2 camera shoot that had a mixer. I have never seen any of the news camera crew men with a mixer. I have only seen mixers on 3 camera shoots for Concerts and Sporting events. Obviously if you have it use it, but don't feel inferior because you don't have it.
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dont feel bad i know colleges which dont attach mics at all

next time you see documentary , features or just nice talk show , imagine something that calls a mixer .
you not only need change the college but maybe the city you live
 
ian hunter said:
I'm a News Cameraman, with 18 years in my current job, and i would love to have a soundman with a mixer.
the reason we don't have them anymore is down to budget
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ian - dont feel bad , in a year or 2 the reporter will do your job as well - who cares how it looks or sounds as long as it yellow .
 
oleg,
it's not the college, or city, it's probably more like the lecturers have never been out on the road in the last 20 years.

ian
 
Oleg 2 said:
ian - dont feel bad , in a year or 2 the reporter will do your job as well - who cares how it looks or sounds as long as it yellow .
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i don't feel bad, big lad!!!!!!!!!
in a year or 2 i'll do the reporter's job, or i'll retire,

TV News always needs picture's, if not, it would be Radio!!!!!!!!

ian
 
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