Mixer Question ...

bartoy

bartoy

Active member
Well, since I have been completely convinced by the forum on the necessity of the mixer, I am trying to budget accordingly. It really seems that the SD302 is the best thing out there in the $1000 range and perhaps the best overall for small producers. However, I have been reading about the PSC Promix 3 and it seems to be a pretty good product for the price. I know that the "for the price" is the key here. But, I would like to hear some thoughts on the pros and cons of the SD302 at $1000 to $1200 and the PSC Promix 3 at $350 to $500. I have also heard that the "new" Promix 3 also includes a reference tone oscillator.

Sorry if this just gets down to a "bang for your buck" type of question. But, what do you all think for someone starting out and really just making the initial plunge into audio.

Thanks,

Kevin.
 
I worked with 302 couple of times. it is pretty good mixer I just don't like the layout they use. Some of the buttons are hard to reach. Especialy when you have gloves on.
 
I had a Promix 3 and thought it was a great basic field mixer. Feature-wise it's not a SD302 but I think PSC did a good job of designing a no-frills mixer that does not achieve a lower price by simply using cheap components and materials. Adding the reference tone in the newer models takes care of the most glaring feature missing in the original models. It does not provide the flexibility of attenuating the outputs or adjusting the limiters, for example, but I found it's output specs nicely matched the line inputs of the DVX.

I now have a SD302 that I bought used at a good price. I like the flexibility it has but I have to admit that part of the decision to switch was SD lust. I had both mixers for a short while and did a quick side-by-side test recording my voice using an Oktava 012 through both mixers and then directly into the DVX. I knew I always liked the sound of the Promix over the DVX preamps but I was still somewhat shocked how different they were. Between the mixers, if I had to pick blindly, I don't think I could have distinguished the 302 from the Promix. Keep in mind this was a hasty test but the point is that the two mixers were much more similar to each other than either were to the DVX.

-Dan
 
The real question is what kind of work you're going to be doing. If you're going to be doing a lot of bag work, a Promix is a decent entry-level mixer. Remember that the SD 302 is the state of the art standard now.

But, if you're in a situation where you can sit and mix, you might want to look at board types of mixers. I've used a Mackie 1202 for quite some time, and am very happy with the results (and you can pick one up fairly inexpensively.) (BTW, I also have an SD 302 for my bag work, so it's really about having the right tools for the type of work you're doing - same as microphones).

Phil
 
Phil's point about a board mixer is great, and something that doesn't get a lot of attention on this site. We talk about portability a lot, and that is a major aspect of mixing, but a board mixer (one that needs constant power and weighs too much to be thrown over your neck) is an excellent alternative for cerain applications. The nice thing about Mackie's is that they are built so rugged that the pots rarely get scratchy and they are ideal for studio or field applications (when you have power and the ability to mix that way). Mackie also maintains a pretty nice and strong resale value... It's just hard to go wrong with a Mackie system.

-Jeremy
 
Ill second that... unfortunately, I do almost only bag work, so theres no real need for me to own any kind of board mixer.. Im still gonna buy one soon though - Im pretty keen to get into doing some commercials here in SA.

If you have to choose a "do all" mixer though, the 302 is better choice - the 302 can do the Mackies job (although, not as well), but the Mackie cant do the 302's at all.

While we're talking about PSC, is it just me or are those mixers really innovative? Some of the features on, say, the promix 6, are damn cool - iso outputs, 6 channels (not essential, but I could see that being useful occasionally!), dual camera support etc etc.

I really think Sound Devices, while still the best, could learn from the innovation of PSC - it feels like that really listen to audio people. My only issue is that the mixers seem less "finished" - less built and with less of an interface than the SD's.
 
I do have to say that the best way to really excite a new customer that isn't real sound savvy is to show them the 302 and turn it on. Everyone loves the LED run at startup. ;-)

Phil
 
Yeah! ha ha! i do that all the time. yesterday i turned on tone, set the monitor select to return (with no camera attached) and put the headphones on one of the contestants on this show im on (down to final four now), and told her id turned on the "bleeping" machine- if she swore it would bleep her. So everytime she swore id nudge the switch from return to stereo, and she'd get a beep in the phones! ha ha had her going the whole day.

she was quite disappointed when I told her we were messing with her.
 
A cart mixer will end up costing you more by the time you add the cart and PS. Additionally, some novice on cart mixer will be tempted to start tweaking the freq and completely screw up your audio.

I have always disliked the PSC mixers and would suggest a used Shure FP33/32a is a better deal.

My opinion
 
Any other opinions?

Any other opinions?

Is there anyone else who has used both a 302 and a ProMix 3? I am considering this exact question. I'd way prefer the cost of the PSC but if that extra $700 will have a noticeable impact on my audio then I might consider it. Anyone?
 
i used a 3 channel psc for 20 days during a job a couple of months ago and i'm using now a two channel sure fp24, which is -i'm pretty sure- a sd mixpre. from my point of view the sure/sd has much better and trimmable limiters. i'll have to buy a mixer soon and my choice will be between two or three channels, that is to say between the mixpre and the 302. not the promix
 
Well, it goes without saying that if you're using a board-type mixer, you put tape over the EQ nobs immediately.

My new Alesis mixer is a 16-channel mixer, and I hardly know what to do with all those channels, but I'm sure I'll find something...let's see...

Shotgun on 1
Wireless on 2-5
Boundry on 6

Yowza...I still have 10 channels to go. ;-)

Again, it all goes back to having the right equipment for the work you do. Hey Wabbit, my cart only cost me $40, and while not great, it works. I think I'm going to switch to a Rock N Roller as soon as I can find someone that has the shelves, too.

Next time I set my cart up I'll take some pictures and post them. ;-)

Oh, btw, the very first feature I mixed, Carrier, is getting a screening at the Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood on October 10th. Very cool...

Phil
 
I ended up getting the SD302 and I am completely satisfied. I have come to realize on the forum that the best bet for the long haul is to make an investment that lasts. You can buy cheaper equipment, but if it is inferior, you are going to be buying more equipment in the future. But, if you think about the SD302, one of the few limitations would be channels. And, the good thing is that you can actually hook the SD302 into another mixer in the future if you need more channels.

For equipment, I think quality and the long haul are the most important considerations. Especially if you are talking about a few hundred of dollars of difference.
 
yup, glad you learned that. the 302 IS limited on channels, BUT its linkable to, say a 442, and if you only need 3 channels, it FREAKIN light!
 
only thing interesting about that mixer is a dedicated xlr feed for a boom op. interesting, but also kinda silly because most eng style jobs dont require a boom op in any case. but maybe a useful thing for a wireless IFB feed. that mixer dont look too special to me...
 
timapter said:
only thing interesting about that mixer is a dedicated xlr feed for a boom op. interesting, but also kinda silly because most eng style jobs dont require a boom op in any case. but maybe a useful thing for a wireless IFB feed. that mixer dont look too special to me...
Click to expand...

I will do some research to see if anyone has reviewed it. But for the record, it has one more channel thatn the PSC DV Pro Mix, has a larger meter display, and the boom feed, well it can't hurt. But it is in the same price range as the PSC.
 
pietro jona said:
i used a 3 channel psc for 20 days during a job a couple of months ago and i'm using now a two channel sure fp24, which is -i'm pretty sure- a sd mixpre. from my point of view the sure/sd has much better and trimmable limiters. i'll have to buy a mixer soon and my choice will be between two or three channels, that is to say between the mixpre and the 302. not the promix
Click to expand...

Very helpful! Can you elaborate? I'm trying to explain to my wife why I need a 3 channel mixer for $1200 that is operationally the same as a $470 mixer and it's not going well. Doesn't a limiter simply clip the upper spikes or does it actually lower the volume of the spikes so it falls within the current settings? Also I heard that the SD302 has better preamps than the ProMix. Is this true? Are there any other reasons to pay over 250% more for a 302?
Thanks a bunch!
-Shawn
 
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