Solving Annoyances & Mixer Question

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DrThesaurusPhd

Member
I have a DVX100B. I find the audio level controls on the DVX extremely annoying. I find them cumbersome & temperamental. When I film events, I get distracted from the shoot by trying to get the levels where I want them. And there is no way to link them if you want to. Unless anyone knows any? I mean, for crying out loud,
I think the levels control knobs on the PD150 are better. I'm shocked that after 2 updated models after the original 100, no one complained enough for Panasonic to fix this problem.

A question that is also related. I was planning to buy an Azden SGM-X1, because I don't have that much $, & they sell packages on ebay. I was also planning on buying a Beachtek DXA-8 Mixer. Does anyone have any opinions about this mixer? And if I have a mixer such as this, does that mean I wouldn't have to concentrate on the DVX's level knobs as much, because I can just control it from the mixer?

Thank you to all who answer for taking your time to help.
 
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DrThesaurusPhd said:
I have a DVX100B. I find the audio level controls on the DVX extremely annoying. I find them cumbersome & temperamental. When I film events, I get distracted from the shoot by trying to get the levels where I want them. And there is no way to link them if you want to. Unless anyone knows any? I mean, for crying out loud,
I think the levels control knobs on the PD150 are better. I'm shocked that after 2 updated models after the original 100, no one complained enough for Panasonic to fix this problem.

A question that is also related. I was planning to buy an Azden SGM-X1, because I don't have that much $, & they sell packages on ebay. I was also planning on buying a Beachtek DXA-8 Mixer. Does anyone have any opinions about this mixer? And if I have a mixer such as this, does that mean I wouldn't have to concentrate on the DVX's level knobs as much, because I can just control it from the mixer?

Thank you to all who answer for taking your time to help.
Click to expand...

You answered your own question. The DVX level dials are not meant to be used to ride levels as you shoot. They are meant to match levels with your mixer and the audio to be controled from there.

I understand your budget concerns but if you read thru some of the threads here I think you will find a better use of your money then the Azden and Beachtek (which is not really a mixer).

Cheers and welcome to the forum :beer:
 
QUOTE: SignVideo ENG-44, $579.00. Four channels, no waiting.

Ty Ford

Although i have till the year end to decide on a mixer i am always on the look out for a solid best buy value for money product.

Reading many of the posts about mixers usually ends up with "sound devices" 302 coming out as best value for money in terms of build
quality/value for money and just as important a high resale value. At least that is the impression i get. Other mixers tend to get some negative feedback and i am always wary of investing any money on a product that fails to perform well. Often you find the product is superseded and you are left with a product that has a very poor resale value. In the end you would have been better off paying the extra for a "does what it says in the can" product

Just wondered how this mixer compares to the 302 taking into account it is half the price. Are there any negatives?

I take it the SignVideo eng-44 is a new model out this year. Also Thank you Ty for coming up with alternatives as some people have an upper limit to spend.

Michael
 
mike the beginner said:
QUOTE: SignVideo ENG-44, $579.00. Four channels, no waiting.

Ty Ford

Although i have till the year end to decide on a mixer i am always on the look out for a solid best buy value for money product.

Reading many of the posts about mixers usually ends up with "sound devices" 302 coming out as best value for money in terms of build
quality/value for money and just as important a high resale value. At least that is the impression i get. Other mixers tend to get some negative feedback and i am always wary of investing any money on a product that fails to perform well. Often you find the product is superseded and you are left with a product that has a very poor resale value. In the end you would have been better off paying the extra for a "does what it says in the can" product

Just wondered how this mixer compares to the 302 taking into account it is half the price. Are there any negatives?

I take it the SignVideo eng-44 is a new model out this year. Also Thank you Ty for coming up with alternatives as some people have an upper limit to spend.

Michael
Click to expand...

Make no mistake, I own and use a SD 442. The 302 is a better machine than the ENG-44. The ENG-44 works. I reviewed it in TV Technology magazine a few months back.

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
stay away from the eng 44 as long you can .
if you need a review you can find it on this board

the wendt 3 is the cheapest 3 channel normal mixer , usially will survive every abuse .
exellent bang for the buck
 
QUOTE: stay away from the eng 44 as long you can .
if you need a review you can find it on this board

the wendt 3 is the cheapest 3 channel normal mixer , usially will survive every abuse .
exellent bang for the buck Oleg

Straight to the point no messing, thats what i like about Oleg. I shall look at the alternative and compare with the 302 :dankk2:

Michael
 
Well you also have to take into consideration that Exile has had a hard on against me ever since I showed up here. Don't know why. Don't really care. If I say "White", He'll say "Black", whenever possible.

Regards,

Ty Ford
 
There's something about getting the right tool for the job. For years I put off buying a mixer, I either went without, borrowed, or rented when a client was willing to pay for kit... Eventually I bought the Sound Devices 302. It's rugged, quiet, excellent price/performance, it has the features I need like MS Stereo monitoring, and I don't regret waiting until I had the dough for the right tool. I have often gotten cheap things and then suffered from buyers remorse. I have no remorse about getting the 302, no regrets. The bitterness of paying a little more is long forgotten when you have the right tools in your hands. Now if your budget is very, very tight, then by all means, get the best you can within your budget. For entry level, I do concede, the Sound Devices is a little pricy.
 
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Well, since you really haven't told us what your actual type of filming is (sounds like event stuff, with no sound crew, but that is an assumption, and you know what they say...) it is hard to recommend a mixer. The 302 is a good, though expensive choice for bag work, but is limited to three (some would argue 5) channels. If you are doing "sit and mix" work, there are lots of low cost, good options for mixers (i.e. the Mackie's).

Remember:

More details=better answers

:)

Phil
 
not that the 302 is not better with its extensive futu7rs ( i have the 302 and the 442 as well)
but the wendt will probably survive longer and it is 200 cheaper ,sounds grate and has better pots ( by the way almost all israelly renting companies returned or sold 302 and took wendt because the 302 falliers after short period ).
never read Mr Ford revue about 44 but played with the small **** for a couple of times- you can find my thoughts on this board about, much earlier that Ty held it in his hands .
-mixer which doesnt have attenuators on input s, headphones matrix and has fixed limiters is far away from what i call really nice box .
 
QUOTE:Well, since you really haven't told us what your actual type of filming is (sounds like event stuff, with no sound crew, but that is an assumption, and you know what they say...) it is hard to recommend a mixer. The 302 is a good, though expensive choice for bag work, but is limited to three (some would argue 5) channels. If you are doing "sit and mix" work, there are lots of low cost, good options for mixers (i.e. the Mackie's).

Remember:

More details=better answers

:)

Phil

QUOTE: I don't regret waiting until I had the dough for the right tool. I have often gotten cheap things and then suffered from buyers remorse. I have no remorse about getting the 302, no regrets. The bitterness of paying a little more is long forgotten when you have the right tools in your hands.
David Tames

Thanks for that Phil it is really appreciated. Didnt like to hijack the original persons thread so did not mention what i would be doing. The more i gather info from you clever people the more i start to realise what i need and why. Your help is really appreciated. I really dont like to trouble others un-neccessarily. When i have read more and listened more i shall explain all and hope you guys can assist. I will return the favour is some other ways i hope.

Thank you David for your advice too i really think advice like that should be burned to the memery banks forever.

My plan is to shoot several fishing videos over a period of years and equip myself with really good equipment that would hold its price well in case of resale. I would be filming with the red camera and whatever other equipment i source from the advice given by many of you. i dont have plenty of money far from it, i am just an ordinary hard working guy that has a burning desire to do what i want to do and a will power that allows me to sacrifice everything else(almost) to get what i want.

My challange is probably beyond realistic belief, in that a complete beginner (virtually) could actually be capable of using such a camera and just as difficult a task to be able to use all the equipment necessary to get really good audio.

I know the odds are stacked against me but in a strange perverse sort of way that makes it all the more exciting/challanging. My back up plan is to sell all the gear if i fail:(

I gather that in this game there are some things you will spend money on and know it has a limited shelf life with little return other than what you make with it over that period, but there are also other items (like mics i suppose) that you could have for a very long time and almost get what you paid for it when you sell it.

I will be getting a hand with several other poeple learning enough (I hope) to assist me throughout the period. I cant rent out gear because it will take several years to complete. I cant hire skilled people for the same reason. But reading the advice from you guys it would certainly be wise for me to pay a really good sound man to spend a day with me and show me how it is done. I would probaly learn more from that one day than all the books i am currently going through. That said i take on board comments from this great site and realise that you still need to learn as much theory as possible to stand any chance of succeeding.

I hope with the right tools and good observation/knowledge and a mind that thinks why am i doing this, instead of this, i can eventually produce something worthwhile. Sorry for the long post but thanks for the excellent advice.

Michael
 
tyreeford said:
Well you also have to take into consideration that Exile has had a hard on against me ever since I showed up here. Don't know why. Don't really care. If I say "White", He'll say "Black", whenever possible.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Click to expand...

if you ask people to jump from the roof i have to remind them that the flor is hard :)
 
Thanks again Oleg. You really know your stuff inside out.

Far better to trust someone in the real world than from a sales advertising or a sales person trying to sell whatever.:) Michael
 
Mixer Options

Mixer Options

ExileOnTheMainStreet said:
but the wendt will probably survive longer
Click to expand...

I've had the wendt that didn't last long and I now use a 302 & 2x 442s (plus a V1 Cooper 208 but I'm waiting for the Miranda... before I upgrade that). I've found the Sound Devices equpment to be really really durable. I have almost everything they make (an MM1, 302, 442, 702T, 744T, and an HX3). If your just looking for something better but still two channel check out the SD MixPre it still has great peak limiters and other features if your on a one man band, but gives you real ability to ride levels when needed.

~Marque
BarnStormer Films & Avatar Sound
 
thats the opposite i found , i had wendt 4 for few years( under the psc name) and that one is still ticking without single problem even it already changed hands twice from a friend to friend and its about 11-12 years old , i also had the wendt 2 for 5 years without any problem.
the 302 is suffering from few major desiases lately - might be its a bad quality control , i dont know but the numbers of returned mixers is very high ( i returned one - noisy channel and problems with the leds ).
the 442 is working without a problem for the last 4 years
but that is fact today here in Israel no renting company wants touch the 302 anymore (they dont touch psc as well :).
 
Heres a question for Oleg:) If you had no mixers but just needed a three channel mixer for whatever and you had a spare $1,300. Which mixer would you choose to buy between the 302 and the wendt x3 ????? Or is that too narrow a question to enable you to give a proper answer:(


Michael
 
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