Why not the ENG-44 vs 302
- Thread starter jnatalie
- Start date
saneproductions
Veteran
You should read the manuals and decide.I got the 302
MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
Believe it or not this is an apples and oranges comparison. I don't think the eng-44 is a bad choice for a first mixer... but I wouldn't make any comparisons with a 302. There's a lot involved here... and without getting into mixer 101... let's just say that I'd sooner compare the mixpre with the eng-44... in THAT case I'm surprised that somebody wouldn't consider the eng-44 as an option.
Here are the facts... the mixpre will hold it's value better... so when you sell you're more likely to get more of your total cash outlay back. If you buy a used mixpre it's possible that you'll get 100% (or MORE) of your money back in a couple years. The eng-44 will most likely drop in worth by somewhere between $100-$200 depending on the condition at the time you sell it.
Now as far as function... I don't understand what would be wrong with the eng-44... and IF it does last for years... then what's the harm in having 2 extra channels... line or mic in... line or mic out... a boom op feed... and a more detailed meter then the mixpre? Functionally... as best I can tell... the eng-44 does everything the mixpre does and then some... plus it's got 2 extra channels... and it's cheaper (and probably MADE cheaper too... but the specs are acceptable considering the versatility for a mixer at this price... IMO...)
I'm not going to break down why the eng-44 over a 302... that's kind of pointless... there's little to compare... again... IMO. The 302 is in a totally different class... in versatility AND specs. (If the mixpre did everything the 302 does but only via 2 channels I would never mention the eng-44 with that one either... it just happens that the mixpre specs VERY high... but isn't all that versatile.)
Here are the facts... the mixpre will hold it's value better... so when you sell you're more likely to get more of your total cash outlay back. If you buy a used mixpre it's possible that you'll get 100% (or MORE) of your money back in a couple years. The eng-44 will most likely drop in worth by somewhere between $100-$200 depending on the condition at the time you sell it.
Now as far as function... I don't understand what would be wrong with the eng-44... and IF it does last for years... then what's the harm in having 2 extra channels... line or mic in... line or mic out... a boom op feed... and a more detailed meter then the mixpre? Functionally... as best I can tell... the eng-44 does everything the mixpre does and then some... plus it's got 2 extra channels... and it's cheaper (and probably MADE cheaper too... but the specs are acceptable considering the versatility for a mixer at this price... IMO...)
I'm not going to break down why the eng-44 over a 302... that's kind of pointless... there's little to compare... again... IMO. The 302 is in a totally different class... in versatility AND specs. (If the mixpre did everything the 302 does but only via 2 channels I would never mention the eng-44 with that one either... it just happens that the mixpre specs VERY high... but isn't all that versatile.)
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MattinSTL
Sound Modulator
I've got both a mixpre and a 302... the mixpre doesn't do all that much, but what it does it does very well. For normal day to day use I'd be surprised if the eng-44 wouldn't simply feel like a 4 channel mixpre with a couple extra monitoring LEDs.
The downer about the mixpre is that it only does line-in and mic-out... (and there's no special boom-op feed like on the eng-44... which is an odd feature that I think is actually a great idea.) That's why I say that functionally the eng-44 seems to me like it could be a really fun mixer to own... reliability and durability issues unproven of course.
I've never owned an eng-44... so keep in mind that I'm merely intrigued by it. My perception (which may be flawed here) is that it's a well-positioned product and I wish we had some more users on the boards that had 'em and told us about their ownership experience.
When you put the 302 in the mix it's just not fair to either the eng-44 or the 302... it's like Mike says... if you read the owner's manuals and you know what you're reading you'll see that there's no comparison. The 302 does so much to address the needs of a run 'n gun soundguy... which is my bread and butter.
Hey maybe I should go to the ADNC... you'll show up in STL and realize why people have anxiety here... it's because this is where we live. :thumbsup: Maybe you can get my miiiind schtraight.
The downer about the mixpre is that it only does line-in and mic-out... (and there's no special boom-op feed like on the eng-44... which is an odd feature that I think is actually a great idea.) That's why I say that functionally the eng-44 seems to me like it could be a really fun mixer to own... reliability and durability issues unproven of course.
I've never owned an eng-44... so keep in mind that I'm merely intrigued by it. My perception (which may be flawed here) is that it's a well-positioned product and I wish we had some more users on the boards that had 'em and told us about their ownership experience.
When you put the 302 in the mix it's just not fair to either the eng-44 or the 302... it's like Mike says... if you read the owner's manuals and you know what you're reading you'll see that there's no comparison. The 302 does so much to address the needs of a run 'n gun soundguy... which is my bread and butter.
Hey maybe I should go to the ADNC... you'll show up in STL and realize why people have anxiety here... it's because this is where we live. :thumbsup: Maybe you can get my miiiind schtraight.