Recorder v Mixer

Well, I just bought a Shure FP42 for $70 shipped on eBay. Supposed to work okay, we will see when it gets here.

An yes I know about the pre's and pot's problem on the mixers prior to the FP33. But, at that price I figured it is worth a try. They are supposed to have decent limiters, which seems to be a problem with most of the digital stuff, and I like the idea of the transformer coupled inputs and outputs. Like I said, we will see if I made a mistake when it gets here.

If it works out okay, that will leave enough funds to get some kind of recorder too...
 
I read the manual after pulling the trigger on it. The FP42 takes 3 9V batteries. The only real problem I see from the manual is that phantom power is only 30v. It is also kind of heavy.

Read a comment from a guy that converted one of these to a ENG mixer back in the day. One of the mod's he did was removing the AC power supply. I wonder it that thing has a power transformer in it? Another was putting strap hangers on it, these days I would just bag it.

Anyway, if it does not work out for me, I have a PA amp I can use it with, not to mention those old cassette recorders (grin).
 
Glad to know. I wonder how long it will run on those batteries? I have a two channel mic pre that runs off of 4 9V (Phantom is from another set of 5 9V) that get 5-7 hours on a set.

Reason I wonder is that all the shots I have seen the AC line is not removable which leads me to suspect the 9V were more of an emergency back up than an alternate way of powering but? Hope it works out, $75 for a decent field mixer is a steal.
 
Same here..all I see is a hard wired AC power cord which would indicate an internal transformer. FWIW, I don't know about the 42 but my old FP32 had three spaces for 9V batteries as well.. but the third 9V, was only required if using an A-B powered mics. The Fp42 spes state the internal DC power is 27 volts so all three 9V are likely required for battery operation.
 
Here is the link where I found the guy writing about modifying the FP42 into a ENG mixer:

http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.arts.movies.production.sound/2009-10/msg00587.html

Shure apparently considered the FP42 as a Field Mixer (AC/Battery). There is also a couple of posts in that same thread from a guy who worked for SD. Apparently the Mixpre (FP24) was designed by him when he worked for Shure. He also designed the FP33. Seems like there was a somewhat incestuous relationship between Shure and SD.

Interesting stuff you come across when you are looking at real old posts. Especially, old newsgroup posts.
 
graywolf said:
Well, I just bought a Shure FP42 for $70 shipped on eBay.
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Yeah, bought mine 50$USD (70$CND) + shipping and it was a very nice deal. Slightly used, and once the potentiometer cleaned, it works like a charm, almost brand new!
I don't know if it's any good, but there's an option for the output, between MIC and LINE. Would it be better to use the one that has a higher output, to use with a portable recorder?
graywolf said:
They are supposed to have decent limiters, which seems to be a problem with most of the digital stuff, and I like the idea of the transformer coupled inputs and outputs.
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So far, not bad.
Noiz2 said:
If I'm not mistaken the FP42 requires AC power.
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It can run off 9v battery, but I'm not sure I'd use it. Might worth the try for remote location.
 
OzGizmo said:
You are the exact person that would benefit from the Zoom F4...... It will tick ALL your boxes (just have to weight a couple of months for it's release)
With the F4 on the horizon I wouldn't send a dime on any other combination at the moment.
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I kind of looked the F4 up just now. You are right, it sounds like just what I want. Maybe, by the time they start discounting them a bit, I will have saved, or paid down a credit card, enough to get one.
 
2 suggestions or thoughts for Greywolfs situation. 1. It sounds like your in fairly remote area but you might be surprised at some of resources your community might have available such as public access TV stations which might have useful gear for free or very cheap. You also might find music, recording coop that would have resources. 2. Most people are usually able to grind out some extra cash selling things on eBay. Usually a friend or family member can help you. Its very surprising what sells on ebay and most people have stuff around there house that sells in time.
 
Even if I really like my FP42, I noticed the FP33 seems well-rated on BH.
Would this be a nice alternative to the Sound Devices?
 
I have 2 of the Shure FP33 mixers and have found them to be great little mixers, but i feel the Sound Devices is just a little higher in quality.

Shure made a....
FP21 = Sound Devices Mix Pre
FP31 = 3 inputs to 1 output mono (portable)
FP41 = 4 inputs to 1 output mono (desk top)
FP32 = 3 input to 2 outputs stereo (portable) poor s/n, phantom power is not 48v
FP32A = 3 inputs to 2 outputs stereo (portable) better s/n, phantom power is not 48v
FP33= 3 inputs to 2 outputs stereo (portable) good s/n, phantom power IS 48v selectable.
Used by TV crews for many years worldwide, reliable good small mixer.
FP42 = 4 inputs to 2 outputs stereo (desk top) ...... the one you have.
+ many other mixers also with similar numbering.

And why do the early Sound Devices look like / have similar function to the Shure mixers?..... Several of the Shure design / manufacture engineers left to make their own company....Sound Devices.

So Shure mixers will most times be just a little less in price than the equivalent SD mixer. With the announcement of the Zoom F4 and when it comes to market it should drop the price on second hand mixers as well.

I predict (and this is just a personal prediction) the FP33 on the second hand market will be about 50-60% of the new price of the F4. The SD302 will be about the same price as the F4.
 
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I wonder if the volume controls and limiters on the Zoom F4 are analog or digital. There is a whole world difference between those two.
 
The limiters on the Zoom F4 are certainly digital (not nearly as useful) because of the lack of physical knobs and the low price-point.
If you have to reach the control through a menu on the screen, you can be sure it is NOT analog.
 
Joshua_G said:
I wonder if the volume controls and limiters on the Zoom F4 are analog or digital. There is a whole world difference between those two.
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I do not think anyone who would be using it in the real world has had a hands on with the F4. For what it is worth, the gain controls are labeled 10-75 over a pot like arc, so it looks like they would be at least fake analog. While an analog limiter could be fitted on the first gain stage, I doubt that it would be at that price, and the F8 certainly does not have it. Digital limiters, of course, have to come after the A/D converter.
 
OzGizmo said:
I have 2 of the Shure FP33 mixers and have found them to be great little mixers, but i feel the Sound Devices is just a little higher in quality.
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Sold me!
Got an FP33 for 350$CND. Not a bad deal sincr brand new the FP33 seems to sell for like 1500$US!
 
Great deal. I have a kind of fondness for the FP mixers. As I have previously stated, I used a (1st gen) FP32 through the 90s (which was the ENG standard at the time), and put it though all kinds of abuse (including extensive travel, usually to 3rd world poverty/war torn areas) and it still operates.. AFAIK.. it was a little noisy, but there were never any complaints from post.. I usually hopped the audio to a Betacam via a Lectro 185, expect interviews were usually hardwired. I also sent the audio to the AF tracks (if the camcorder had em'.. PVW series as I recall).
 
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Rick R said:
Great deal. I have a kind of fondness for the FP mixers.
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Yes, let's see how food/bad it is when it arrives, but at 350$ if it works as stated, will be plenty enough for me. I'm not geting much income of the gear I buy, more like a pro-hobbyist at best!
I just like to do things right at first, when possible.
 
Richard Crowley said:
The limiters on the Zoom F4 are certainly digital (not nearly as useful) because of the lack of physical knobs and the low price-point.
If you have to reach the control through a menu on the screen, you can be sure it is NOT analog.
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Thanks.
So, the Zoom F4 (and I guess also the F8) isn't/aren't a replacement for an analog mixer with analog limiters.
 
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