power for mixer in remote location shoot?

non

non

Active member
About to start my first feature and we'll be doing small 2-man crew stuff with just me and a boom operator. I plan to use a 4073a. However, while I am a newbie DV guy, I was a band member/sound tech type for many years and subsequently have a Mackie mixer that I used in my last band that i'd love to bring it with me into the woods. I don't know what to do about power. any ideas? Thanks in advance.
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

I know that there is a little fix to the 16ch Mackie that you can do so you can power it with a marine batt..

call Location Sound or Trew audio and they might help you out..

good luck...

PS: why dont you just rent a portable mixer for the days you need to be on location, it will be a bit cheaper and a more secure way to get your audio...
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

just buy good inverter and big battery ,
if its only one or 2 mikessetup rent small pprtable mixer
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

careful with the inverter and marine battery. while these may be ok for lights, they have the potential to introduce line noise (buzz and hum), and more often than not, do.

if it's just you and a boom op, then that tells me you only have one mic... ???
if that is the case, then why would you use an external mixer? there is no reson to, unless you are using additional outboard gear like a limiter.

just plug the shotgun directly into the camera. the camera has phantom power and records direct-from-boom audio very well.

you would only need your mixer if you are indeed "mixing" multiple audio sources (more than two) before going to the camera.
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

What about keeping the sound from clipping? Seems like it would be impossible to do with just the DVX...
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

..that can also be controlled very well through the low tech methods of the actors using control with their voices and good boom operation... but IMHO i think the dvx does a pretty decent job for the most part with ALC on.
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

Interesting and good to hear. What, might I inquire is ALC? I've only had my DVX for about a week or two now :) ?
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

very true loser about the mic technique and actor's delivery technique. but that is not as reliable as a limiter. not to mention you have to be working with actors who recognize proper delivery as well as a very competent boom operator.
to get the best possible audio, you need all three factors: good boom op, limiter, good actors.

i would seriously reconsider the use of the automatic audio level feature.

... run away! 8)
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

ALC is actually pretty cool, it doesnt add unwanted gain to low levels, it only limits/compresses hot levels.. it basically IS a limiter/compressor. its not super pro, but it works pretty good. and because of it, ive never needed an actuall additional limiter. if something is waaay too loud,, then its just way too loud. usually its nothing the actors and crew cant pull together to make work. although just plain having a better pro level limiter/compressor would be the optimal choice, only it adds to setup and transition time. but if you have the time i agree  its the best way to go.
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

thanks for all the great replies. My biggest concern was controlling levels directly into the camera. I'd love to have a mixer in the chain to control it better. I plan to use it for the Interiros but I'm not sure how I can pull off the Exteriors, especially some of the ones that take place far away from electricity. We're talking hillbilly, that is, backwoods. Is this anything that hooks up to a car battery? ;D
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

an inverter hooks up to a car battery to provide you with power, but the two i have used in the past have both introduced noise into the line, even with a power conditioner.
as i mentioned before, they're fine for lights, but not for audio.
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

Make it simple. The less you have to carry, more setups you'll be able to pull each day. My 2c. Good Luck!
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

I suggest you look at a Behringher MXB1002 10 channel mixer available from B&H for around $100. Runs on 9vold batteries.

Warren
 
Re: power for mixer in remote location shoot?

I must say this is the most polite forum on the entire net. Noobs like myself come in here and ask noob questions over and over and people reply with informative sincere answers. i think this is the most rarest of all online forums- decent non-flaming posters.
I am glad to be here. Thanks, all!
 
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