Check out this video overview of the Sound Devices 302 compact field audio mixer. It is the most compact and cost-effective professional audio mixer in its class.
Thanks! It has taken me 8 years to figure out that analog front end equipment like the SD-302 likes to run hot around 0 dBu. Sound guys that process files for advertisements, documentaries, etc., tell me that they like the digital clips submitted to run around -20 dBFS. So, for a couple of years, I matched the bars at 0 and ran the SD-302 low - wrong. Crank the SD-302 up, and the digital recorder down at -24 to -12 dBFS. Thanks for your comment.
This is an awesome overview of the 302! One note about setting levels on an outboard recorder or camera with the 302's tone: If the recorder/camera uses a dBFS ("full scale") meter you'll actually want to align the 302's 0 dB tone to -20 dBFS on the recorder/camera. That way +20 dB on the 302 (clipping point of the mixer) will align with 0 dBFS (digital clipping on the recorder/camera). Nic Stage Sound Devices, LLC Tech Support
Very helpful! If only the guys that the big companies hire to hawk their product were as clear, concise and well organized as you. The only other thing I would wish for would be your description of the sound quality at the outputs: noise, headroom, transparency. But you may have already done so- I am going to search RU-vid for your reviews. Bravo...
Very informative. As if you are a Sound Devices manual in audio form. And much more well spoken. Much appreciated from an up and coming production mixer in Idaho.
Roland, thank you for responding and your help. As you suggest, I do maintain in the recorder in between -12 to -18 db. I will keep the G3 sensitivity around -20 db to as you suggest. To recap, the AF out on the receiver should be around -12 or -18. Thank you again
Yes, you direct the output by setting the pan switch which is located below and to the left of each fader. It is labeled (LCR). L = left channel, C = both left and right channel, and R = right channel.
You´re great man! The best and the most complete review! And the shots are really clear and descriptives. Greetings from Argentina!!! Please excuse my limited english
Sound Devices products are the industry standard today having overtaken Nagra recorders that sold into the late 1980's in excess of $10,000. SD products are the mainstay equipment for field recording in TV and motion picture production around the world. Both of us should sell our SD 302 mixers and buy a SD 664 6 channel mixer/recorder for $4,600, or a 2 channel 552 for $3,000. However, reviews for the DR 680 are very good, nearly always comparing it favorably to the SD 702. It will work 4 u.
Look at the Azden FMX-22 for $308 at B&H Photo. It will run 2 mics w/phantom power, however, it does not have a tone generator and cannot attenuate its line level outputs. So, your camera or recorder must have a line level input option or you can use a Beach Tek adapter on the camera. Also, the input LEDs are sparse. When recording, crank up it's volume to get occasional red LED readings with your camera or recorder showing bars in the range of -18 to -12 dBFS.
Absolutely! When I made the movie more than 3 years ago, I really didn't understant dBu vs dBFS. Bottom line is field mixers like the SD-302 are analog. Same for microphones and mic pre-amps. Analog meters always show a scale over 0 dBu going up to about +20. Think back to old time movies where the radio dj is talking and the camera cuts to the audio board and we see the pointers blasting way into the red upper end of the meter scale. Analog likes to run up there around the red top end over 0 dBu. Digital recorders, however, blow up at 0 dBFS on their scale. It's apples and oranges. Two different scales. So, yes run your mic and field amplifier/mixer hot up around 0 dBu with its limiter at +18 dBu and your connected digital recorder set about 20 (points) below zero on its scale.
@@rolandcomfort -20DBFS is around -12DB on a DSLR or Mirrorless camera. The -20DBFS is for the bigger pro stuff I believe. Your RED and ARRIE etc. So might be worth setting the limiter at +10 on the mixer if using with a DSLR.
In your opinion, if one only uses two channels, is it worth using an SD302 combined with the Fostex FR2-le? Or do the Fostex preamps do the same job? This is leaving aside the fact that the 302's analog limiter is certainly a plus compared to the FR2-le alone.
Oopps. The 302 tone generator is 0 dBu not 100 dBu. If you are in a noisy environment you should probably drop the G2 mic sens to -20 and make up for it with higher gain and/or fader on the 302 when recording. Like I said, experiment from there. Bottom line is you want to run the 302 bars hot around 0 + dBu and recorder bars well under 0 dBFS. Never go anywhere near 0 dBFS on the recorder. You will boost the recorded file back up to 0 dBu in post production.
The Fostex is superior and has true line level inputs via the 1/4" plugs. I did a video on the H4n because so many people use it, and I was looking for a way to make it sound better, however, $300 vs. $600 speaks for itself. Look at the Marantz PMD661 MKII at $660 for mid-market performance.. Next step up is Sound Devices starting at about $2k.
Thanks for this video Roland. Can you explain how to setup the coarse gain/trim control? How do I know I've set it correctly? Where should the fader be set in relation to the trim control? Thanks!
Fader should be straight up "noon", otherwise called unity, however, I usually end up running at about "2:00 o'clock". Note, you can dial in your mic using the headphone selector. Doing so takes the fader out of the chain and assumes unity, 12:00 o'clock. Try it. Select mic 1, 2, or 3, whichever one is connected. Dialing the fader does absolutely nothing. When you switch back to Stereo, you will get the same sound with fader at unity.
Roland, thank you for your instructional video. Question: When you connect the Sennheiser EW 100 G3 to the Sound Devices 302, what would advice are the best settings within the G3. Would you change the sensitivity and AF out?
Can you please explain the function of the L & R return feed dials? They are the little blacks dials with a slot for a small flat head screwdriver. Also, can the feed be monitored as it is adjusted? And, is there a default setting? Or do you just have to do it by ear?
Hello Roland! great video! I would like to make a question, why you connect with TRS and not a XLR fro SD to Zoom ? and why not a TRS Balanced ? Best regards and congrats again!
Great video Roland, i like how concise you are! Can i ask if you have any opinions on the Tascam DR680 recorder? Also, whether or not it would work well paired with the 302? Can you explain why there is such a jump in price from this recorder to the Sound Devices' 702 that only offers 2 track recording compared to the DR680's potential 8 (although i only think of it as 6)? The plan is to record with a Sennheiser MKH8070 and two (or four) sets of Sennhieser G2's.
Hello Roland. I would like to know if you can set each Input on the 302 to either the Left or the Right Output? I have a SD722 Recorder with 2 input channels, but I need to record with a boom mic and two lavalier mics. So I'd like to send the boom mic in input 1 to the left output, and both lavalier mics in input 2 and 3 to the right output. So that I can have them on separate tracks after the recording. Thanks a lot in advance for your help! PS: Great video!
First set up the 302 to your recorder with 302 100 dBu tone = -12 to -18 dBFS on your digital recorder. Do this by adjusting the recorder input gain/fader. Then set the G2 mic sens at default -10 and AF out on the receiver at -12 or -18 with 302 input selected for mic not line. Your 302 fader and gain should be set initially at unity (straight up). You should end up with led's on the 302 running around 0 to 110 dBu and bars on your recorder around -12 dBFS. Experiment from there.
Thanks for the video but I have a quetion, if I want to connect it to a 744t sound devices recorder what should I do? is it from the tape out? thank you very much
Roland, I know it was the Zoom H4N you gave us an example with, but will the Tascam portable recorders (DR 40 and 100) also behave the same when used as a recorder with the 302 ?
11 лет назад
Hi! Thanks for the info. I have a question related to the recording device that you use with your mixer. In this video you're using the FR2-LE but in another tutorial you are using the H4N. Which one do you prefer to use and why with the SD 302? Thanks
I currently drive a SD 702T with an old Shure FP32, however, I am going crazy on what direction to go on my next mixer. The Azden FMX42 was an option but no more. Now is between the SD 302 or the SD 442. The 442 seems the way to go for me, but now that has been discontinued. I don´t know. Any comments? Thank you.
The SD MixPre-D is a great choice for up to two mics. Google it, you'll buy it. It has all of the goodies that the SD 302 has including tone generator and MS-stereo. I wish I would have thought of it before I spent the extra $ for the 302 as I seldom use more that one mic anyway.
Hi! Sorry for the stupid question, I' a beginner. I have everything (camera, mixer, mic) set up and with the headphone selector switch set to "RNT" I don't hear anything on my headphones (on "L" I do). What am I doing wrong?
Assuming that you are recording in your camera, and you have an audio cord coming from your camera headphone jack routed back to the 302 RTN jack located on the 302 output end, you will hear what your camera is recording. If you just want to hear what the 302 is sending out, then 1 = mic 1, etc, then L and R channel, then M for mono which will put L or R channel into both sides of your 302 headphone, Stereo will give you whichever L or R channel you have going out on your 302 output channels in only the appropriate headphone side. Forget MS stereo for now unless you have read up on it and have a figure 8 mic as the side mic.
