Eng-44 or MixPre?

R

redfuse

Active member
Hi guys,

I'm trying to decide on a mixer for low-budget and personal (mostly narrative) productions. If we have higher budget-productions we'll use a dedicated sound guy with equipment, but we need something small/inexpensive for personal things.
At the moment I'm looking at the Sign Video Eng-44 and the Sound devices MixPre. Now the way I am currently understanding it is;

MixPre --> entry level from manufacturer of some of the most professional mixers, so circuitry and pre-amps are going to be very good, I believe this one has bit more limiter and other options. Only 2 inputs.

Eng-44 --> a bit cheaper, 4 input channels, but probably not as good internally as the MixPre. Automatic limiter, not possible to adjust it. Probably bit less solid.

Are there people who have experience with either or both? Personal evaluations would be highly appreciated! Thanks!

PS: did anyone notice it says "striclty audio" instead of "strictly audio" in the subtitle of this forum? Or is that on purpose? :)
 
i suspect its a running joke within all of us. :)

sorry i dont know the eng-44 so I probably shouldnt comment on this one. How many channels do you NEED is the key question here... Tim
 
Why don't you get a firepod? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-FIREPOD-10Channel-FireWire-Interface-with-Cubase-LE?sku=184131

The preamps on that thing were built by Jesus Christ himself. THey're very clean but they're solid state. I'm not sure if you need a tube preamp. But anyways, you get 8 channels and it's firewire and it comes with Cubase. If you have a fast laptop, then this is something I'd go for.

If you have mad cash then get the Onyx
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-Onyx-1620-16Channel-Mixer?sku=634266

That's like the firepod but with a mixer. Very nice indeed.


Now if yo don't want what I suggested to you, then I suggest you get the cheaper one of the two that YOU asked about and get a compressor with it.
 
getting something that is bullet proof like the SD is always a good call. It really holds it's walue. You can always sell it for 90% of what you paid for it if it won't do enough. You are right about the pres, they are important.
 
Thanks guys. Good point about the SD holding it's value, could always sell it when I want something else. About number of inputs; as I'm not using lavs I guess I could get away with just 2 inputs. But maybe if I'll be investing in lavs I need something more...

One more question; is the MixPre like the 302 and 442, but with less inputs and features? Does it have the same guts/quality of those mixers?
 
saneproductions said:
The main drawback is that it is mic level in/line level out only.
Click to expand...

Maybe that's because they don't want you daisy-chaining a couple of mixpre's to get more inputs instead of getting a 302/442?
 
no the 302 and 442 offer MUCH more than just inputs. they have vastly better meters, and also the limiters - your best friend in many situations. also many options regarding levels on the inputs and outputs, better headphone matrixes, more aux ins and outs, the list is endless.
 
and for the record, from the 302 up, they actually SUPPORT mixer stacking through the tape in/mix out TA3 connectors - works really well.
 
The Mixpre does have limiters, just not as good or adjustable as those on the 302 and up. If you can afford a 302, get one! I did!
 
it only has limiters on either the input or the output, cant remember which. i think its missing output limiting.
 
Ok, So tim and sane, if you'd had to chose between the eng-44 and the mixpre, which would it be? (and don't say: 302) :)
 
redfuse said:
Ok, So tim and sane, if you'd had to chose between the eng-44 and the mixpre, which would it be?
Click to expand...

302

redfuse said:
and don't say: 302) :)
Click to expand...

Oh... :(

Be aware that the answer to that question will vary depending on the individual needs.

Cheers
 
ENG44 vs MIXPRE

ENG44 vs MIXPRE

I went through exactly what you're deciding a couple months ago and read all the manuals and agonized on what to do. It's a tough choice when you can't physically try them both out side by side. I also looked at Wendt and they looked very good also. In the end I bought the SD302 and I'm very satisfied but it truly was a tough decision. I called SD for some tech support and they were great and I actually talked to Mr. George Wendt on the phone about his product and he was very helpful also. Both products would be an excellent choice in my opinion -- SD or Wendt. The ENG44 looks good for the price but I opted to "buy once and be done with it" rather than buy, trade up later, and in the end spend more overall. If you read a lot of the posts here, a lot of people really seem to like the SD's and Wendt's and that's gotta count for something -- that weighed heavily in my decision as to what I should buy. Use the "search" utility here on the DVX forum and you might some additional info on the ENG44. If I had to pick between the ENG44 and the Mixpre I think I'd go with the Mixpre unless you really need the extra channel and just don't have the cash for something more -- not that I have anything against the ENG44 but I really like the SD products in general. I had recalled reading a review by Ty Ford of the ENG44 some time ago and found the link on another post this morning. Here's the link -- http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=79652&page=2&highlight=sign+video+mixer
Also, check out the website for Sign Video -- it looked to me like they offered a 30-day unconditional money back guarantee. The ROLLS MX22 4-channel mixer is also in that $500 price range also but I don't know much about it. B&H carries all this equipment. In the end it's all your decision, but it's always good to have as much info as possible before buying and you seem to be going about it in the right way. Good luck and hope this helped.
 
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