mixpre-d in the field

B

Bruce Watson

Veteran
I'm mostly a one-man-band kind of operation. But I lucked into a used MixPre-D; seems like a great opportunity to improve the sound side of my videos.

I'm trying to figure out how to actually use it in the field. Physically. I got most of the settings down, and the cables. But physically, where do I put this thing?

I first looked at the XL-CAM mounting bracket thinking I could join the MixPre-D and my DSLR. Which I could. Then what? There's no way to mount the combined mixer/camera to a tripod. It would be nice if there were mount points on the bottom of the MixPre-D, but it's just a featureless plate on the bottom. Hmmm...

So, how 'bout a bag? I could use a sound bag on my chest while I'm operating the camera. I've also got a couple channels of wireless, so I need a bag that holds both the tiny MixPre-D and a couple of Sennheiser g3 wireless receivers, and lets me route the cables and bring in XLR cables from wired mics when required, etc. But which bag will work for this? Any suggestions?

How 'bout mounting this thing to the tripod somehow? Velcro maybe? Some sort of strap system?

I guess what I'm asking is, how do you MixPre-D / DSLR users work the MixPre-D into your workflow in the field? Pictures would be nice ;-)
 
ade4all said:
theres a threaded hole for tripod on the bottom of my mix pre-d - only one but it works
Click to expand...

Really? Cool. The bottom of mine is covered in a big swatch of velcro (from the previous owner I'm guessing). The pictures I've seen were featureless. Guess it's time to rip off that velcro and see what's really underneath!

Assuming it's like a 1/4-20 screw thread, that should be enough to attach, say, a quick release plate, yes? So I can mount the whole thing on a tripod? That would work.

Anyone use a MixPre-D in a bag? If so, any recommendations on which bag(s) work best?
 
I use a MixPre porta-brace bag with a digital recorder ( Olympus LS-12 or Sony PCM-M10 ) tucked into the front pocket with the TAPE-OUT running to the recorders LINE inputs.

This works for dual-system recording, but I can also run XLRs from the MixPre-D to my camera as a reference/back-up recording.

If I have a boom-op then he wears the PB bag, or I set it on a near-by table or on the ground. ( I don't ride the levels when I'm shooting by myself )

Unless absolutely necessary, I hate having crap bolted to my camera.
 
TheDingo said:
I use a MixPre porta-brace bag with a digital recorder ( Olympus LS-12 or Sony PCM-M10 ) tucked into the front pocket with the TAPE-OUT running to the recorders LINE inputs.
Click to expand...

Second system sound is where I'm headed, eventually.

Are you talking about one of the MX-24 bags? If so, which one? Does it have room for a couple of wireless receivers too? And (I hate to keep asking questions) but which harness do you like with it?

I'd love to stop by my local audio video store and paw through stuff, but where I'm located is way away from my nearest dealer. It would take me a complete day to get there, find what I need, and get back. Sigh... This surely ain't Hollywood.
 
Bruce Watson said:
Are you talking about one of the MX-24 bags?
Click to expand...

Yes, I bought it years ago when I first bought my MixPre and kept the bag when I upgraded to the MixPre-D. I think it's the blue MX-24 bag, though it looks like the black version is the one B&H stocks today.

As long as you are using one of the smaller recorders ( like the Olympus or Sony ) you could jam in some wireless receivers, or perhaps sew on some straps to the outside so the Sennheiser wire clip-on mount could slide in. ( An audio friend had some elastic pockets sewn on to his Porta-brace neck strap to hold two Sennheiser G3 recievers, which works pretty good ) Otherwise I would look at one of the larger Petrol audio-bags for a proper audio kit. ( I like small and compact, so the Porta-brace bag is enough for me )

As for harness, I use the thick padded Porta-brace suede neck strap, which is very comfortable and can easily be worn for hours.

Here is the cable I use to connect the MixPre-D TAPE-OUT to the recorder : Hosa Stereo Angled Male to Stereo Angled Mini Male Cable - 8" : $3.60
 
When I'm shooting with my 7D, I use a MixPre-D. It has a threaded hole on the bottom, so it goes between my camera and my Norbert DSLR frame. I then run audio into the camera from the MixPre-D (this is just a scratch track), and I take the main audio outputs and run that to a recorder I mount on my Norbert. I just put a quick release plate on the bottom of the MixPre-D and have that bracket thing that goes on the top of it.
 
I'm getting a little bit ahead of you Bruce, but here goes. When I shoot from stix and want a mixer and or dual audio, I use a sheet metal shelf mounted on a magic arm from the tripod. I Velcro my 302 onto the shelf. I have a couple of these shelves, one by Manfrotto, and two others I had bent up at a local fab shop from 1/8 aluminum. Mathews has 5/8 swivel socket mounts which can be bolted to the bottom. There is enough space on the Manfrotto to add a small recorder and a couple of wireless receivers. Mounting the shelf near the cam, I can monitor the audio better than riding the levels on the cam. You can find the shelf, with arm and a clamp bundled on the BH site. Put the Velcro back on the Mixpre. I also use this same setup for iPad or laptop teleprompter use.

Grant
 
I shoot a lot of interviews, so this may be different than your situation, but I mount the MixPreD on my sticks using a Noga arm and a Mafer clamp.
Pretty sure a Nano clamp would work just as well, i just don't happen to have one laying around.

I hang my Small HD off a Noga also - which gives me a pretty comfortable setup for an interview situation where the camera is locked off most of the time.
Here is a pic from an interview I did a while back:
 

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Noah,

I couldn't find the Manfrotto kit I purchased some years ago, but this is very similar to what I fabricated, and you can see the exact Mathews swivel I used which takes any of the 5/8 stud mounts. You could have a sheet metal shop shear and bend the aluminium for less than $50 and the Mathews swivel receiver is about the same, so some money can be saved.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/818521-REG/Tether_Tools_TTATBLK_Aero_Traveler_Black.html

This is the arm I use, but there are many out there, just make sure it is stiff enough for the duty. This has the 5/8 studs needed for the swivel. I do wish this one was just a little longer, but the longer it is, the stress by leverage increases. I use a super clamp mostly to secure it to a tripod leg.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325446-REG/Manfrotto_143N_143N_Magic_Arm_without.html

Grant
 
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