Sound Devices 302 vs Zaxcom Maxx

L

lasikdenver

Well-known member
I have been considering a mixer/recorder and with the recent price increase of SD the 302 at $1595 for 3 channels in is not much different than the newly announce Zaxcom Maxx at $2195 in the basic configuration with 4 XLR inputs. Also, the Zaxcom can be expanded to more inputs and be used as a wireless transmitter for additional cost. I have considered purchasing it in the basic configuration, but the ability to record and then transmit wireless to my camera seems potentially very useful. I have found this forum to be helpful with advice, and understand that SD has a great reputation, but wonder if there is any good reason to not consider this? I really do not need 4 inputs currently, but imagine that in the future they could be handy. Any advice?
 
If you do any sound effects recording, then the MAXX is a very attractive option. SD has a very good track record of excellent products and tremendous support. It really depends on what your needs are. Do you need something right now? If so, then get the 302. Can you wait until April? If so, NAB is the time manufacturers typically do big new product announcements. I don't know if the MAXX is shipping yet. I know LOTS of people have been pressuring SD to make a 332, which would basically be a 302 with a built in recorder. Also, the SD 664 is shipping, and I know lots of people are very happy with that unit. Both companies have good customer service (I am friends with both, and talk with them regularly) and provide excellent products.

A quick aside:
Back in the day, I used to work at Coffey Sound where I sold lots of Zaxcom and SD products. The DEVA II, which was Zaxcom's production hard disk recorder was 4 tracks with timecode, and it sold for around $10K. The MAXX is a much more advanced machine than the Deva II was, and it is essentially 20% the price. It's amazing how technology advances so quickly and prices drop.
 
The 302 and the Maxx are a bit different products. The first is a very small and light 3-channel mixer, the second a bit bigger but a 4-channel mixer and recorder. Considering that you might need to add a recorder with the first and with that small price difference, if you can wait then I would definitely go for the Maxx! One more channel, a one in all solution, the zaxcom neverclip etc makes it very good. It fits a very good niche of smaller multitrack recorders, which is why many have wanted SD to make a 302 with a two- or three-channel recording.

But then when the Maxx comes out you might find several 302:s and 744:s being sold used, although the second hand value of them are quite high.
 
as a 302 and nomad owner i'm very looking forward to the maxx. however, i will still keep my 302, its a freaking workhorse. but i'll be primarily using the maxx on jobs where i would have been using the 302. but one thing to consider, the maxx is not available at the moment and there isn't an exact time frame of its release(other than Q1 2013). and if you haven't put yourself on a preorder list it might be even longer before you could get one. so if you need to work now and you must buy a machine, well a 302 would be the ticket depending on your job needs. also, the nomad lite is pretty attractive at its price...
 
One thing to consider is the cost of adding the wireless functionality to the MAXX. It's an additional cost to get the transmitter option, and a Zaxcom QXR100 receiever with the QIFB option is also required, which, I believe, will cost in the ballpark of $2000.
 
Yes, I realize that, but the basic system is about 2k which provides a lot of value for someone like myself. With the fully configured system, it is 4k and yes the transmitter adds 2k more, but what you have is truly amazing, a wireless digital link to the camera and a separate mixer recorder that can handle 4 XLR inputs and 4 additional inputs -- all in one small device. I will wait until it is released, but again with the price change of SD, it makes this choice a very viable option. I certainly have very limited experience with sound, and am going just by what I have read, but this does seem like a very nice system potentially.
 
A word of advice, since you say you don't have much experience in sound - rent two or three different systems first to see what you like, before you buy. It's a cheap way to know what you get, and what you might miss.
 
Thanks Jema, but based on your previous advice, I am going to purchase the MAXX -- whether to max it out I am not sure, but it is tempting. I think that the SD 302 type stuff is dated looking, and that they will come out with a new line that looks like the 664, which might be even better, but I cannot pay more for old technology. I also like that Zaxcom is a complete solution with wireless.
 
"I think that the SD 302 type stuff is dated looking"
I assume that means the 'sound quality is also dated.
Unfortunately the new 'modern looking' gear still does not have an 'auto pilot' mode which does the mic selection, placement and all the variables that are occur on shoots.
 
I apologize if my comment sounded that way, I realize that the sound quality from SD equipment is considered among the best, and that professional use is paramount for getting great results. I was just suggesting that there will probably be updated packaging and features to the SD line consistent with the 664 as others have mentioned that there might be a 3 series smaller mixer with record capabilities in one unit. Again, I meant no disrespect.
 
there will probably be updated packaging and features to the SD line consistent with the 664 as others have mentioned that there might be a 3 series smaller mixer with record capabilities in one unit.
Click to expand...
Sorry if it came across like that, but as far as anyone knows there is no such upgrade planned. We only mentioned it as a reference - many people have asked for it since it would make a very compact and flexible kit that could handle a lot of the smaller jobs (3-4 channels with 2+ISO is something of a sweet spot for many smaller gigs). This is one of the reasons why the Maxx is eagerly anticipated among many sound technicians, who prefers to have one small setup and another for bigger jobs.

Also, be advised that there is no option for zaxnet on the Maxx, but it can have a built in transmitter for sending the audio to a camera.

I hope you'll be very pleased with your purchase!
 
It's worth knowing that there is one option to the Maxx--I think it's AES audio, but I'm not sure--that you have to send it back to the factory for the upgrade. Everything else is field upgradable.
 
I wrote to Zaxcom support with this question and this is what they replied:

[FONT=&quot]Jon[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We are trying to reconfigure some things at the moment to make it all upgradable without having to send it back. While we can’t guarantee that will be the case right now that is out goal. You can check back in with us in a few weeks and we will have a better idea.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If you have any out questions please feel free to contact us.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thanks[/FONT]
 
If you are thinking about maxing out the Maxx, approx. $4000, you should at least consider Nomad light or 10. You gain additional channels and Zaxnet, but lose the built in wireless (apart from Zaxnet).
 
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