using a Mackie sound mixer for location recordings?

[non]

I'm an ex-musician and have a 16-track Mackie mixer that I used to use when I played in bands.

While I'd only be using a single channel for the mic, should I?

So far, I've only done a handful of dialog scenes and plugged the mic directly into the camera.

I'm using an AT 4073a.

I am often shooting alone, so I use static shots, and then hold the boom myself. Between dealing with the dynamics of the scene and the non-actors involved, the last thing I thought of was using the mixer until last Thurs evening. I shot a scene with 2 people in a big living room. Unfortunately, the refrigerator was picked up a little( I had headphones on and when you record direct into the camera, you get static and a delay in the phones, somewhat rendering them un-needed).

I figure using the mixer is a better idea becasue I can plug the phones into the mixer and really hear what's going on.

But my question is:

How to run the mixer into the camera?

 

[SMuir]

... can plug the phones into the mixer and really hear what's going on.

The mixer's headphone output will only tell you what things are sounding like on the mixer, not neccessarily what'll be on your tracks. A lot can happen (or not happen) between the mixer and the camera, so you're better off getting accustomed to the flaws in the camera's headphone output.

Another possibility is to monitor from the camera's line out. Try this if you have enough busses and outputs: set the mic channel to Bus 1-2, route bus 1-2 out line output 1-2 into the camera's line inputs. Then plug the camera's audio line-out into one of the mackie's stereo line-in channels, which goes to bus 3-4 (this will act as a recorder return). Keep your recorder return fader set to unity, and route bus 3-4 to your headphones. From time to time, switch your headphones to bus 1-2 (just to make sure nothing weird is happenning on the way), and you should be in good shape (although you'll probably still have to get used to the tape delay). Just make sure that bus 3-4 never go to output 1-2, or you'll have a nasty feedback loop on your hands. With a little modification, this setup can be used to easily add a backup recorder or second camera to your audio setup.

Let me know what model of mackie you're using, and I'll be able to explain it a bit more clearly. Also, be sure to double-check your gain structure using an external tone generator, since the mackie's never seem to come equiped with an oscilator.

Also, pan your mic channel to the 10:00ish position, and you won't have to ride your level as much (a handy trick if you're short-handed on set). If an increase in level overdrives the camera a bit on channel 1, you'll still have a clean lower-level recording on channel 2.

 

[ptalsky]

I use a Mackie mixer on all my sit and mix projects and have had no problem with it. (I can't remember the model number, but I'm upgrading to an Onyx 1620 in the very near future). I have never tried to hook it up to a camera (I always record separately). I go line in to my Tascam, but there are several different ways you can go out XLR (line out) to the camera (you will need a set of long cables, potentially, though). If you let us know which model of mixer, we can provide better help. Like SMuir, I recommend a tone generator (this is the one time I recommend a Behringer product...their cable tester/tone generator isn't bad for $50 or so). Also, I strongly recommend you monitor at the recording site (camera in your case) not from the mixer, as you never know what might happen in between the two.

Phil