Mounting the MixPre

Lee Saxon said:
Oh btw the mic (AT4053b) was picked because of your review and I LOVE it, so thanks for that.
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Right on! I love that mic too! I just put up an example of 3 voices on my Vimeo page using the AT4053b. I was doing testimonials and I got a few different people, so I wanted to have something on hand to show if someone is wondering how the mic sounds.
 
Chadfish said:
Right on! I love that mic too! I just put up an example of 3 voices on my Vimeo page using the AT4053b. I was doing testimonials and I got a few different people, so I wanted to have something on hand to show if someone is wondering how the mic sounds.
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The testimonials look great dude! Very nicely lit and sound great! My wife and I have been doing some interviews for a video installation she's putting together so I like to see what others are doing lighting-wise, camera-wise, etc. Hope you're well...Now back to the thread :)
 
One small note about the lighting. I have been surprised that I'm getting away with only bringing 2 small LED lights. I have one Dot Line DL-DV60 (that I don't recommend) and one Opteka VL-126 that I do recommend. I use a window for the key, Opteka VL-126 for the fill and the Dot line for a hair light. Both are el-cheapo lights that I got on amazon for about 60.00 ish each. The Dot Line is a one trick pony that is just on or off, and I find it sometimes goes off inexplicably, before the battery rns out. I taped some 5600 filter plastic to it. The Opteka VL-126 has a fader and comes with 3 filters (soft/ 5600 soft / 3200 soft). It's a bit plasticy and a little wobbly, but it puts out a lot of light, and I've veen using it a lot because I hate dragging out the ARRIs to just go get 5 minutes of a talking head. The Opteka VL-126 is going for about 80.00 but can be had for 65.00. It's no LedZilla, but for an extra light it's not too shabby. I use my old Sony VX2100 batteries on both and can get 3 hours out of an NP-F330.

Still I want a ledzilla!
 
I'm getting in on this a bit late since I have been outatown for a month. I have been using this generic Manfrotto shelf. I mount it on an arm clamped to my stix. Basically I have covered the platform with velcro and can stick anything to it; SD302, wireless receivers, etc. If you want it off your tripod, it will fit on any 5/8" spud. Not as cool as the Norbert or similar, but for a few basic audio accessories, it works well and is a thrifty solution.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553998-REG/Manfrotto_311_311_Video_Monitor_Holder.html
 
Lee,

I believe manfrotto sells just the 5/8 socket mounts so you could do your own sheet metal shelf also. I have thought about doing this in a size suitable for a MBPro.

Grant
 
Chadfish, if you had it to over, would you have considered the halo rig? It seems you don't have anything to grab for handheld?
 
8string said:
Chadfish, if you had it to over, would you have considered the halo rig? It seems you don't have anything to grab for handheld?
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Oh I don't know. In the photos I took I had 3 preamps on the rig for illustration purposes. For real world use I would have less stuff on it. With the JuicedLink DIY101B I could just not put something where my hands would go and have a steady rig. I also set up a run & Gun thing with the JuicedLink DIY102b, which is a "Z" shaped bracket, and it held the DS214, Rode VideoMic Pro, & Senheiser G3 wireless easily with room for my hand.

I'm making a video now demoing both of these brackets, so I'll be getting more acquainted with them as well as the preamps. Of course I'll post the video when I get 'er done.
 
Xl-cam?

Xl-cam?

If somebody can enlighten me on how to remove the casing off the MixPre (which Chadfish had apparently already done), I think it's possible to install the XL-CAM mount (an optional accessory for the just-announced MixPre-D). Then drill some holes in the casing on the top and bottom. The case dimensions of both units are exactly identical, that's why I'm thinking for budget reasons get the XL-CAM to mount the MixPre on a DSLR (presuming it may be purchased separately).

I'm still waiting for the price and availability of the XL-CAM. Somebody on Creative Cow said the MixPre-D is $749. It's essentially the same thing as the MixPre (in regards to preamps, limiters, functionality, etc.) with DSLR and USB enhancements. I don't need all the new electronics....the MixPre works fine with my GH2 DSLR. I want to mount it, like a Juicedlink.


xl-dslr_mixpre-d-350px.jpg

mixpre-d_425x162.jpg
 
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You have to unscrew all the little Philips screws on the side. It's a drag. I can't remember if you need to do both sides or not. Just be careful not to strip the screws.
 
I removed the four screws on each side, but not the other philips that hold the XLR. Still, the casing won't come off. It seems like it's caked on. But as long as I know that the case can be removed, I will entertain purchasing the XL-CAM when it's available and persevere to install it. I can't afford $749 for the MP-D. Seems like a redundant expenditure.

Chadfish said:
You have to unscrew all the little Philips screws on the side. It's a drag. I can't remember if you need to do both sides or not. Just be careful not to strip the screws.
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Are you sliding the extruded metal casing off like taking a pillow case off? I think once you get the 8 screws off the XLR input side, you just can pull it off.
 
8string said:
I like that better than other ideas. Where did you come up with that? DIY?
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I didn't want to drill holes in the MixPre (unless I had to) and I use it off camera too so I did not want it to be permanent . There is no good way to mount it, cables out both sides.
The only way I could think of is use a clamp arrangement. I made the clamp to hold the MixPre out of aluminum and the clamp
for the tripod leg is a lighting fixture clamp from Guiter Centar: http://www.guitarcenter.com/American-DJ-Lighting-Fixture-1-5---O-Clamp-100821651-i1156197.gc
It works great and is easy to mount and remove.


 
Depending on the diameter of your tripod leg you might have to glue
some sort of cushion material to the inside of the “fixture clamp”. The
inside diameter of the clamp is 1.5” , my tripod leg was smaller.
I had to glue a thin cushion on the inside of the clamp, but it fits great
and it protects the tripod from scratches.
 
Hi, and first of all my appologies. Post number 1 is going to be off topic..

Are y'all using the Mixpre-d with magic lantern? The amp stage in my 5D is horrendous. With ML and the analogue+digital gain at 0 the recorded audio is usable, but i need some output level control from the mixer. It seems to be a around 9dB lower than line level from my current (Azden) mixer. I'm over soldering padding cables and am hoping the tape-out will match the zeroed canon input?
 
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