Mixer Situation

olsonbock623

olsonbock623

Active member
I am a poor college student who likes filmmaking as a hobby. (I have a dvx100a). I own an NTG-2 shotgun microphone and a wired Countryman EMW lav mic. I also enjoy recording my occasional piano compositions, and have been doing so with my NTG through my camera onto my computer. This is very impractical because I have to then capture video and seperate it and delete it from my hard drive. My brother is offering to buy me a mixer for my birthday. The price range is sub-$300. So my question is, is there anyway I can get a mixer in that price range that I can use both for recording audio onto my computer (music, sound effects, narrations for my movies) and as a field mixer plugged directly into my dvx100a? So I guess what I'm looking for is a firewire or USB mixer that also has an xlr output. Or will I be ok plugging the mixer into the camera with regular unbalanced RCA outputs? What kind of quality would I sacrifice by doing this? A good firewire mixer in that price range seems to be the Alesis Multimix, but I don't believe it has an xlr output. So what are your recommendations? I have a macbook and a pc that I would want to be able to record audio into.
 
How about an H4. Should work well for what you want to do. Has 2 inputs for your 2 mics and is more portable and will likely sound better than a field mixer in that price range.
 
Look at the Alesis Firewire mixers - they fall into the price range you're looking for. I use the FW16 with BoomRecorder for iso production recording and it works great.

Phil
 
Hey,

It's wonderful that you're doing this as a hobby. I would also recommend the Alesis Firewire mixers that Phil has suggested. It won't break the wallet, has firewire output+XLR outputs, and portability.
 
Don't think you can plug the firewire into your camera and expect to get anything if you are still recording video, but I may be wrong.

I would guess best bet in the field would be to use the 1/4" outputs to the camera, or firewire to a laptop and take camera audio out of the picture.
 
Yes, you can use the main outs to go directly into the camera. You cannot use the firewire to go into the camera. It works, I've done it.

Phil
 
I also like the Alesis mixers. The only down side for you might be that they need to be pluged in to AC, thhough I bet one could rig a battery pack.
 
For what? And of course you should have a whole bag of addapters, but that's a diferent question.
 
If you want to use the board as a field mixer and record into the camera, you will need a 1/4" to XLR cable.

To record to your PC you should just need the firewire.

I don't know if you have a laptop, but I would suggest if you are going to use this board.....that you keep the audio out of the camera and just capture straight to the PC.
 
Woa woa woa, do not attempt to connect your mixer into your camera. It won't work, there's impedence differences and the preamp in the camera is horrible anyways. If you invest in the mixer, it should come with audio recording software. Use it to your advantage! Now you'll be able to have a more pro sound. Make sure your mixer has preamps and that sound decent, and ofcourse it should have phantom power. Now you're also gonna have to learn how to record audio seperately from your cam and sync it. All you need is a cheap slate to keep track of each take visually and also make some forms that are specific on the audio. The forms should include: Date,sample rate (usually 44khz ),frame rate on the camera,scene and take, and always write little comments such as too much noise from a/c.Each time you record audio be very specific when naming the files on the pc and make sure you label them the same as the forms. Keep all the audio files in one main folder for that movie/event and have subfolders for each scene. When you record it is also wise to state the scene and take verbally.

As for equipment, if you can invest on something like a firepod or a true DIGITAL mixer then do that. Basically a digital mixer is any mixer with a connection via firewire or usb, just stay away from Beringher products. The firepod is more of an interface but it has killer preamps, interface is also a good option.
 
maybe you will learn to read what does the guy like to do in his first post ,

by the way - there is no problems with impedance and alesis preamp -and sorry there is nothing in common between digital mixing and mixers which have a tod to fire wire connection .
my suggestion is still keep your knowledge to yourself :-)
 
Oleg 2 said:
maybe you will learn to read what does the guy like to do in his first post ,

by the way - there is no problems with impedance and alesis preamp -and sorry there is nothing in common between digital mixing and mixers which have a tod to fire wire connection .
my suggestion is still keep your knowledge to yourself :-)
Click to expand...
woa.. Dude back up. First yes, there will be issues with the signal from the mixer going into the camera. Second, a digital mixer is a mixer that is NOT analog, meaning it has firewire or usb. Digital mixing was never mentioned BUDDY.

Digital Mixers:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-O2R96V2-Digital-Mixer?sku=630171

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Numark-DXM06-2Channel-Digital-Mixer?sku=637003

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Edirol-M16DX-16ch-Digital-Mixer?sku=630146

Analog Mixers:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...2Channel-Analog-Live-Sound-Console?sku=634280

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-DFX12-12x2-Mixer-with-Effects?sku=634264

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-1402VLZ3-Compact-Mixer-120V-?sku=630132
 
my dear digital mixer is what you mix in digital domain - preamp-ato d converter - digital mixing
fire wire have nothing to do with it
b- there is no any issues to record anything with mixer to the camera - i do it on daily bases
with cameras from 2 grand( dvx) up to 150 0000 ones ( cine alta)
not to mention i did few with analog beta cams for cinema release

now scroll back and after you get some knowledge about audio for cinema business come back
 
PST,

I have to hang with Oleg on this one - I've sent audio from both "analog" and "digital" mixers to cameras on many many projects and never had a problem. While I firmly believe that audio sent to the camera is not the best way to go, it is still usable audio.

I'd be curious to understand how you're routing things and why you think there would be a problem.

Phil
 
Okay, now I feel compelled to respond - name calling is really poor form here.

I suggest you look Oleg up on IMDB before you accuse him of not having a clue. My guess would be that in one year he has probably worked on more film, tv and commercial projects than you have in your entire career. Maybe even in 6 months knowing how much Oleg works.

Respect and courtesy breeds respect and courtesy.

Phil
 
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