New location audio mixer
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:04 am
Having been doing video for many years I have never got past the stage of recording sound on the camera with various external microphones. (Sennheiser RM, tie clip and hand held and Sennheiser MK66 etc.). I had frequently thought of acquiring a proper location sound mixer, for myself and for my video club to use. The high price of these was definitely a drawback. Recently I learned about a more reasonable priced piece of kit that clearly wont be of the same quality as a broadcast model but will be OK for my less ambitious needs. This is the SignVideo ENG-44. The internet will give you all the specs.
I now have obtained this from a West Country dealer and the boss has been more than helpful in all my dealings and always offers to answer any points arising.
I have mentioned to him (via e-mail) that, whilst the hand book explains all the controls in detail, it doesn’t explain how to actually set-up and use all the many facilities. I think the manufacturers assume that any sound man using this or any advanced broadcast location audio mixer will have had suitable training and experience in this area. For instance any driver will soon be able to drive any car as they will have learnt the basics years ago. I will say again that my dealer always offers to help with guidance etc. but one doesn’t like to keep on asking the simplest questions.
For instance, I wasn’t sure what the ‘reference tone’ was about or how to use it. My man explained and I think I have got to grips with that now. He explained that proper ‘pro’ cameras have a special mark for setting but such as Sony PD170 etc. it will take a bit of trial & error.
What is needed from the manufacturer is a proper handbook for the true novice. How to set up and use the mixer correctly to get the best results. Various examples and so on. This could be available on-line as a pdf file. The manufacturer already does show online some articles with guidance about the general principles of using a mixer but nothing specific relating to using the controls.
An example is the use of the coloured diodes in setting the volume of the mic input. There is a set of green, changing to yellow before hitting the top end red. Lots of talk about ‘limiters’ etc. What is the difference between the green and the yellow diodes I wonder? A rookie like me with no training or experience, needs some guidance as to whether to set the mic level in the ‘green’ or at the beginning of the ‘yellow’ or at the top of the ‘yellow’ before hitting the ‘red’ overload.
I plan to e-mail the manufacture with my thoughts but wonder if anyone in the IAC has this specific item (or similar and would care to pass on thoughts and advice. (Can you hear me Howard Gregory?)
I’m sure advice from experienced users will be welcomes by others as well as myself.
Regards.
Pete
I now have obtained this from a West Country dealer and the boss has been more than helpful in all my dealings and always offers to answer any points arising.
I have mentioned to him (via e-mail) that, whilst the hand book explains all the controls in detail, it doesn’t explain how to actually set-up and use all the many facilities. I think the manufacturers assume that any sound man using this or any advanced broadcast location audio mixer will have had suitable training and experience in this area. For instance any driver will soon be able to drive any car as they will have learnt the basics years ago. I will say again that my dealer always offers to help with guidance etc. but one doesn’t like to keep on asking the simplest questions.
For instance, I wasn’t sure what the ‘reference tone’ was about or how to use it. My man explained and I think I have got to grips with that now. He explained that proper ‘pro’ cameras have a special mark for setting but such as Sony PD170 etc. it will take a bit of trial & error.
What is needed from the manufacturer is a proper handbook for the true novice. How to set up and use the mixer correctly to get the best results. Various examples and so on. This could be available on-line as a pdf file. The manufacturer already does show online some articles with guidance about the general principles of using a mixer but nothing specific relating to using the controls.
An example is the use of the coloured diodes in setting the volume of the mic input. There is a set of green, changing to yellow before hitting the top end red. Lots of talk about ‘limiters’ etc. What is the difference between the green and the yellow diodes I wonder? A rookie like me with no training or experience, needs some guidance as to whether to set the mic level in the ‘green’ or at the beginning of the ‘yellow’ or at the top of the ‘yellow’ before hitting the ‘red’ overload.
I plan to e-mail the manufacture with my thoughts but wonder if anyone in the IAC has this specific item (or similar and would care to pass on thoughts and advice. (Can you hear me Howard Gregory?)
I’m sure advice from experienced users will be welcomes by others as well as myself.
Regards.
Pete