SD302 vs. Shure FP33
- Thread starter jnatalie
- Start date
saneproductions
Veteran
the mixpre is is the one that is the same hardware, not the 302 ($1300)
I would stay with Sound Devices
I would stay with Sound Devices
SMuir
Well-known member
The FP-33 is a solid, reliable mixer. Its served as an industry workhorse for years. There are a lot of them on the market right now, since many rental houses have been retiring their venerable FP-33's in favour of SD 302's.
The FP-33 is not a POS. The SD 302 is just a better mixer, that's all. More features, compact design, high-quality build, and an all-round more economical product (from a manufacturing standpoint).
The FP-32 is, however, not a very good mixer IMHO. If you decide to go the less costly route and buy a used 3-channel Shure mixer, make sure that you get an FP-33 and not an older FP-32.
The FP-33 is not a POS. The SD 302 is just a better mixer, that's all. More features, compact design, high-quality build, and an all-round more economical product (from a manufacturing standpoint).
The FP-32 is, however, not a very good mixer IMHO. If you decide to go the less costly route and buy a used 3-channel Shure mixer, make sure that you get an FP-33 and not an older FP-32.
TVSound
Active member
fp 33 = old workhorse
sd 302 = young stallion with bells and whistles
why are they priced the way they are? people are willing/able to pay and its competitive pricing.
As a side note, SD makes at least one mixer for shure. sd mix pre = shure fp24
guys from SD used to work for shure i think.
sd 302 = young stallion with bells and whistles
why are they priced the way they are? people are willing/able to pay and its competitive pricing.
As a side note, SD makes at least one mixer for shure. sd mix pre = shure fp24
guys from SD used to work for shure i think.
TVSound is right, Sound Devices was actually founded by ex-Shure engineers in 1998. I was talking to my sound mixer friend that also did the Shure to SD switch. Shure was the standard as they have been around a much longer time (Woodstock was recorded with Shure mixers), now that SD has a proven track record most people are switching over.
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
The best reason to get a 302 is the compact size and the metering... other then that I don't care which one I'm using. If I'm running an ENG bag and booming at the same time... the Shure doesn't give me any time to see where my peaks are hitting at a glance... that sucks. I love being able to glance down and see the peak + VU hold function on the 302... that makes my job much, much easier.
But the funny thing is the more I'm working the more I'm understanding the attitudes of guys like Oleg on these boards... as long as the mic, mixer, or whatever... isn't junk... and you know how to use it... I don't care what you use. Does your sound come out good or doesn't it?
If you're on a budget and you can scoop up an FP-33 for $600 or so (I've occasionally seen 'em go for this)... then I'd have ZERO hesitation in getting one. I'd prefer the 302 (that's what I have in my own bag) but I also run gigs with gear that's supplied because they don't want to pay me for my package... and if they hand me a bag with a 33 in it I'll still get the same result for them. No worries.
If you can afford it... get a 302... if you can't... get a 33 used... new for new I think Shure is high... as in smoking pot if they think that thing is worth the same cost as a 302... but in the used market I see nothing wrong with getting a 33 and saving $500-600.
But the funny thing is the more I'm working the more I'm understanding the attitudes of guys like Oleg on these boards... as long as the mic, mixer, or whatever... isn't junk... and you know how to use it... I don't care what you use. Does your sound come out good or doesn't it?
If you're on a budget and you can scoop up an FP-33 for $600 or so (I've occasionally seen 'em go for this)... then I'd have ZERO hesitation in getting one. I'd prefer the 302 (that's what I have in my own bag) but I also run gigs with gear that's supplied because they don't want to pay me for my package... and if they hand me a bag with a 33 in it I'll still get the same result for them. No worries.
If you can afford it... get a 302... if you can't... get a 33 used... new for new I think Shure is high... as in smoking pot if they think that thing is worth the same cost as a 302... but in the used market I see nothing wrong with getting a 33 and saving $500-600.
timapter
Veteran
with you matt. the job is the job - can you do the job with the gear you have? its a yes or no question when you are working in a pro environment.
personally I'll never touch a shure. hate the metering, drives me nuts, but thats my preference and here in SA I get hired with gear for 99.99% of jobs I do.
personally I'll never touch a shure. hate the metering, drives me nuts, but thats my preference and here in SA I get hired with gear for 99.99% of jobs I do.
wabbit
Evil has Ears
My first mixer was a FP32a; definately not a POS. Even dollar, I will take the SD but the Shure was a damn fine mixer for it's time. It is completely overpriced now and hasn't been updated in over 10 years (I get the feeling Shure is trying to burn off a huge backlog of stock instead of modernizing to compete). At the very least they should lower their prices to the same or less then the 302.
As Matt said, go with the SD but if you can find a used fp33 (or 32a, almost same as 33) for under $700 or so it's a good deal...if you are trying to cut corners. Otherwise 302 all the way.
Cheers
As Matt said, go with the SD but if you can find a used fp33 (or 32a, almost same as 33) for under $700 or so it's a good deal...if you are trying to cut corners. Otherwise 302 all the way.
Cheers
the 33 does not produce any more , if you find new ones , its something that was made few years ago, dont touch 32 a , to many problems( espessially bad potensiometsrs) and no spar parts .
the stuff to look on 33 is the extarnal ower voltage supply go bad with the time ( not very often , but it happence)
also it will be good to calibrate the mixer and change the low fq filter point , as it to high .
but it is quit nice working horse for eng stuff .
the stuff to look on 33 is the extarnal ower voltage supply go bad with the time ( not very often , but it happence)
also it will be good to calibrate the mixer and change the low fq filter point , as it to high .
but it is quit nice working horse for eng stuff .