RODE NT1-A Microphone & SignVideo ENG44 Field Mixer into Panasonic HPX170

http://www.dvestore.com/products/SignVideo-ENG%252d44-Portable-Mixer.html

http://www.dvestore.com/products/Rode-NT1%252dA-Microphone.html A question was asked on DVinfo.net, "Should I buy an audio mixer?" http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/all-things-audio/316859-should-i-get-field-mixer.html

Beyond the awesome control, limiters and meters that you get with a field mixer, the original poster wanted to know if you get more fidelity, a better, cleaner sound...

Is there a difference between running a mic through a mixer or running in direct to camera? You can hear that there is a subtle difference on a good camera. The difference would become more apparent on a lower end camera. Bottom line is that if you have a good camera, with good pre-amps, you will hardly notice a difference. Now if you needed the control in changing environments and the peace of mind that on-board limiters give you against "Clipping" when audio gets too "hot" then get a mixer.
It's also nice to be able to connect to the camera via an ENG or breakaway cable so you can have one cable to disconnect instead of a bunch.

RODE NT1A on the Left is fed directly into HPX170
RODE NT1A on the right is fed into the SignVideo ENG44 field mixer then into HPX170 Line level.

Both mics use the exact same Audio Technica Premium 30' XLR cabling.

More info:

SignVideo Mixer here http://bit.ly/bcAH7
RODE NT1-A here http://bit.ly/M4s0F

The HPX170 is attached via HDSDI into an AJA Kona LHe card and recording directly into Apple's Final Cut Pro in the ProRes422 HQ codec at 1920x1080.
Compression is with the Matrox CompressHD card and the Maxx H.264 for YouTube HD Preset
http://www.dvcreators.net/matrox-compress-hd-accelerator-card/

YouTube has a low frequency cut which takes away a bit of the bass in the test. You can hear a better version over at http://bit.ly/bcAH7

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• mic
• microphone
• rode
• signvideo
• audio
• mixer

[yobhsiFehT]

Just a quick comment from an objective third party, if you will, I'm just researching the mic, but I thought the mixer sounded better than direct. Just a TIIIINY bit more open and dynamic, if you ask me... which no one did... but just sayin:)

[dvestore]

@yobhsiFehT We appreciate your comment and found the same results upon close examination with studio monitors here.

[dvamateur]

Honestly, I am not sure why the manufacturers charge $1K or more for 4-channel field mixers. I mean, they're all analog (sans the Sony DMX), and I got two 16-channel Behringers for $100 each. Is adding battery power to a mixer making it worth like it's been made out of gold? I just don't get it... I mean, don't get me wrong, I got the Sony DMX-P01, and Edirol R-44, and I am salivating over the Fostex FM-4. But why the price curve is so steep for a batter powered analog mixer?

[dvestore]

@dvamateur Thanks for your comment. I'm betting that the price difference is because Field mixers take a beating. The cases need to be built tough and the internals need to be able withstand a blow - not to mention a bit of weather proofing. There are certain laptops and cell phones that are also built "military grade" to hold up in rugged conditions. Check eBay for used Shure FP33's and look at the condition that they're in, the Behringer wouldn't last out in extreme environments.

[woodlanduk]

hello Guy: what about using these mics in the field rather than in a studio i cant find any videos to compare field recording kit it all seems to be in a studio ,Bedroom or garage does nobody record the real world anymore?

[dvestore]

@woodlanduk thanks for asking take a look at a few of my other videos, there are plenty of examples of using mics outdoors. The RODE NTG-2 and NTG-3 and RODE SVM all have outdoor examples. Best of luck in your recordings.

[MusicianDeBoy]

would there be a difference if you plugged in the mic into a mixer or an interface?

[JBr33zyMusic]

Hey man i really hope you respond to this! Im looking into getting the new Rode Microphone bundle so what Phantom Power should I buy? Please respond ASAP!

[a1a2a2qwer]

hi the Rode NT1-A vs. Rode NT2-A... what's the difference?! NT2-A costs more but is there really a need to get the NT2-A for someone who is simply trying to record vocals?

[girotube]

LOve Rode Mics...!

[576ito1080p]

@dvestore im sure you could build a field mixer out of the Behringer/Alesis type mixers and run them on batteries,to be honest you are paying for the name in many OEM electronics, even the Sound devices field mixers are basically Low noise preamps,control of gain,monitoring,and output switching other than that even a basic mixer with a few tweeks using close tollerance componants will work.and cheap to boot

[Nosmoth76]

thanx for this. I wish they did this for all mics.. I have an NT!A & NT2A & I test out pre amps on different interfaces too...the differences were only slight by my ear (& that will really depend on how good your monitors are & therefore how much they can reveal) Perhaps maybe next time mic a vocal or an instrument solely by itself? good vid tho..