Sound Devices mixers...

D

Dave Draper

Well-known member
No doubt a stupid question, but I thought I'd ask anyway...

I was looking at Sound Devices' line of mixers, and was just wondering, for what reason / situation(s) would I need more than two channels on a mixer?

DD.
 
A more helpful answer might be that the 3 channel SD302 has features the 2 channel Mixpre does not. For one, the 302 has a more desirable meter, i.e. greater number or display levels, has a yellow zone before the red and has programmable meter ballistics which is pretty neat. Beyond that, somebody with real experience will hopefully add to this. I only have the Mixpre.
You can also check out the specs here. Their site is pretty good.
 
If you do location sound for any length of time you'll find that even 3 channels isn't enough.

I use 2 channels on ONE PERSON. (lav and boom)

Versatility and OPTIONS will quickly become your best friend on a shoot where location sound is an afterthought... which means "on every shoot".

I would like to have 8 discreet channels... and I'd use them on many occasions... so 3? Easy... after a few gigs you'll have an "ah-ha moment".
 
Think of a simple scene or ENG scenario - a walk and talk with 2 people. You'd have each person mic'ed with a lavaliere (most likely wireless), and you'd also have a boom up. That's three channels right there. And remember, this is a basic, bag type of scenario. In my last feature, there were times I was running 6 wireless lavs, 2 booms, and a plant mic or two. I think the max I had on that shoot was 11 mics of various kinds at a time. So, 2 or 3 is really just a starting point, depending on the type of work you're doing.

Phil
 
Derrick_SA said:
What about the Edirol R44, seems cool? it has ... three-band parametric EQ, six band graphic EQ, noise gate, compressor, de-esser, limiter, and a low-cut filter.

...- Derrick
Click to expand...

None of which except the limiters and low-cut filters (and MAYBE very rarely the de-esser) would you ever want to use for location recording. The place for EQ, compression, gating, etc is in post production, not when recording the original tracks on location. EQ on location and later in post decide it doesn't work when heard in context, you're screwed because you can't undo it.
 
I agree,

the limiter would be most used, but sometimes the EQ can be handy, and it's giving you 4 channels.

I use the HVX straight cause I seldom use more than 2 channels, and as far as I understand, and what I hear (and I'm no pro on the field) the DVX and HVX get's hi praise for it's pre-amp's quality.

I'm getting ready to purchase the Edirol R44 cause where going on the road for a TV show where I will need more channels.

derrick
 
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