SD 302 vs. 442?

F

frostgfx

Active member
Greetings:
First post to the forum after browsing for tons of great info! I am just getting into audio for film/video as an adjunct to my bricks & mortar recording studio. Wondering if there is a great advantage to getting the SD 442 off the bat instead of the SD302, other than the obvious 2 extra inputs... Planning for the future and all...

Thanks,

Jon Frost
Frost Graphics/Meow Mix
Easthampton, MA
 
the 442 is much heavier.

You do get a few more controls.

I love my 302.

I would download and read the manuals of both to help me decide.

I rarely use more than 2 channels. I like to record each channel on it's own track.
 
You also get slightly better metering, 4 discrete outputs, better pots, and a couple of other things I can't remember right now. None of them are mission critical features for most work. But like Mike said you also get a much heavier bag.

The 302 is more then adequate for most bag work. Also, mixing four or more channels is not for the timid or inexperienced. I would suggest starting out with the 302 and if you need to grow, you can sell the 302 for only a slight depreciation and get the 442 then. Or you could simple add the 442 to your arsenal and keep the 302 for lighter jobs.

Cheers
 
the 302 can work parallel to mix pre to get 5 normal inputs or additional 302
more problematic with multiply outs , but it could be done
the real down sides is the meter and pots
 
hello!

i was surprised to see Easthampton Mass.

i grew up in springfield and lived in south hadley and only moved away in january of 2006

i started out with the 302 and then i went to the 442 simply because i bought a 744t recorder and i am big on recording to separate channels.

i MISS my 302. i will be buying another one again i'm sure.

they are both very well built but if you have read the spec sheets and preferably read the manuals for both then the 302 will be a lot easier/lighter/smaller etc.

in fact i know a guy who is in northampton who does 99% news sound. he covers the big stuff, cnn, CNN etc. his resume is amazing.

i am pretty sure he has both the 302 and the 442.

i'll email you his contact info and depending on his schedule i'm sure he'd be happy to talk to you.

are you doing a specific movie/short/doc or are you looking for a permanent tool for production on a regular basis?

i ask because i still have family and 38 years worth of friends in Wmass and i make it back there often.

i believe Sound Devices will be coming out with a new mixer in the relatively near future...

i don't have anything 100% solid but i know they are getting a LOT of people like me calling and asking for a modification to the 442 or a new model so you can record all four channels direct/separate to the 744t.

it is a real pain to have to use the tiny gain knobs for the direct outs!

right now you can take 4 mic/line in, you can send 4 channels direct post gain but pre trim/fader to the 744t and then you can still send 2 balanced (left/right)

their naming convention is way too useful...

442

4 mic/line in

4 direct outs to whatever (in many cases to a 744t)

2 balanced outs - your choice of XLR, ta3 mini-XLR, the 10 pin hirose to send 2 balance xlr's to a camera plus get the return, and the tape out is also a left/right out that is unbalanced.

matthew
 
Matt:
Thanks for the contact... I am brand new to Audio for Video/Film... have a studio under construction in Easthampton... Meow Mix. Cubase 4/Nuendo 4 (when it comes out) digital recording/post. Want to have a system for remote work as well to fill in the calendar.

Have K-Tek 152cc pole
G2 wireless system x 2
Octava MK 012/BBG/Furry
Senn 416 with full K-tek blimp
Laptop with PT LE and Cubase LE for field work
MOTU interfaces

Mixer is last on the list right now... have used Shure mixers in the past... would like to have industry standard equip for compatability

Primarily plan to work with indie filmmakers/video. Mostly bag jobs for now.

Down the road I'd like to have a digital recorder with SMPTE.

For now, I guess the 302 will work well for snake to cam setup.

Hope to hear more from you soon. Perhaps meet for coffee at Starbucks?

Jon
 
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For about the same cost as the 442, you could buy two 302's that can be connected together to give you those extra channels when needed. Or you could be set up independently with another bag and operator for those situations where you need 2 seperate mixers.
 
Well I bit the big one and ordered the rest of my kit from Sam at Trew... What a bunch of wonderful folks... on the ball!

SD 302
SD 402T
HX-3
Bag to hold everything... that took another call to Sam...

5$ says I've forgotten about a dozen eggs... err things to connect everything together and such.
This forum is quite addictive I must say... and the info, tips, techniques, etc. are grrreat.

Thank to all.

Jon
 
K-TEk 152cc Boom
Senn G2 x Wireless w B6 Lavs (also wired for wired use (XLR-M.)
Senn MK 416 Shotgun with full blimp
RE 50 Handheld
Octave MK012 - 3 caps/BBG/Furry
7506 Headphones
Canare Star Quad cabling throughout
yada, yada, yada... it never ends...
 
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