Help with a MIXER

B

BXL

Active member
Hi everyone, I need some advise from you gurus... I'll be shooting a doco in two months, mostly interiors... I came across two options for a mixer, the Sound Devices Mixpre and the 302, the truth is that the 302 is a bit out of our budget but I'm also looking at doing an investment long term... do you think the Mixpre is worth for a long term investment? I'm not a sound guy, I'm directing the whole thing but I rather have my own equipment to preserve independance, I also travel a lot with my own stuff so I like to keep my babies with me... what's the main big difference between this two mixers? appart from the number of channels of course... Please some help here would be much apreciated... also, I'm taking an MKH416 with me... any advise on a Hyper not too expensive? thanks in advance and keep on going, this site is DA BEST!
 
The biggest difference (as you've pointed out) is the number of channels. I think the metering is a bit better on the 302, but other than that, they're pretty much the same (though I don't own a MixPre, only a 302). The mic preamps are the same, so you'll get great sound from either one. Also, SD stuff holds it's value well, so if you get a MixPre now, you'll get most of your money back from it later.

The most recommended low cost hyper on this board is the Octava from The Sound Room. If you search the archives for Octava you can find what you have to enter at checkout to get a DVXUser discount. If you get the Octava, it's highly recommended that you also get good wind protection, like a Baby Ball Gag for it.
 
thanks a lot, I guess the Mixpre will be then... I'm a bit concern about battery life when using a 48V phantom, like the MKH416, do you kno anything about that?
 
If you go to sounddevices.com and check out the specs for the 2 units you will see that there is quite a bit of difference apart from the number of channels. I think in the long run you would be much happier with a 302.
 
302 -much better device in almost every aspect
the major one is ability match output levels to almost any camera, better monitoring and much better meters .
for long term you will be much happier with that one .
 
I was originally thinking of getting a MM-1, then thought the MixPre would be better for a number of different reasons and uses, and essentially the MixPre would be like having 2 x MM-1's. Not purchased yet and since read the MixPre does not have a Gain and a Fader per channel (also pointed out by Oleg above :thumbsup:), so my basic and brief study of some of the information on SD's site makes me think it would better to use 2 x MM-1's (for about $35 more - has Gain and Fader) instead of 1 x MixPre, though it may be an impractical setup.

End Game, saving more for an SD302, seems logical and the longevity of use should far exceed my HVX, if I look after it... :D I probably got my analysis wrong, with 302, seems I can't go wrong.

Edit: Scratch above analysis, incorrect.
 
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the mm1 is a preamp with fixed first stage and second amp , it is not fader in any way .
to use 2 mm-1 instead mix pre - why?
the mm1 good as preamp to some recording devices which not have preamp or have luck of a good one , i barely can think it as a good for anything then this or use it as remote preamp in long runs or as booman box .
for eng work i wouldnt touch it and at least go with mix pre .
dont know but most of documentary work ( not reality ****) , you have at least 2 microphones hooked and in more then 30% ( at least what i did) , you have 3 mics , so number of channels is quit important if you intend work on something more then interviu stuff .
 
thanks for your help guys, I'll think about it longer, maybe stretch my budget a bit...
 
Christopher Barry said:
I probably got my analysis wrong, with 302, seems I can't go wrong.
Click to expand...

Oleg, I got it wrong. Still think a 302 is the go in the long run, will buy in due course. Appreciate the info and experience you share. :thumbsup:
 
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