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Originally Posted by Enos  Hi guys!
I'm doing production sound recording for a short film in December and am putting together a list of desired equipment for the producers to include in their budgetting.
They are shooting with two cameras and for most of the film there is only two characters speaking at one time. My plan of action is hiring out a Sound Devices 744T, two booms + 2 radio mics. I'd have radio mic coverage of each actor at any time plus two booms covering either actors, specifics or simply as a stereo take of the shot. My question is regarding using the 744T. Obviously I need a mixer to use the additional two channels as the 744 only has two preamps. However, cosidering the two preamps on the machine have digital trims, would it be wise or is it common to run your mics through a mixer with analog gain trims before going into a sound devices?
This question is not only regarding this shoot. I am planning to invest in a 722 soon adn would like to know how many of you use this with a separate mixer or wether going straight into the SD preamp is fine? |
The preamps in the 744 are very good. That said, I find it more convenient to use a small outboard mixer: more connections, easier to mix on. If you really want to connect all your sound sources to the 744 directly you can do it (most wireless receivers have line-level out and thus can feed the 744's line ins directly, leaving the 2 mic pres for the boom mics), but then you lose quick level control of the wireless. For a simple project I'd recommend using a small mixer and mixing your booms to one output channel and your lav mics to the other. On scenes where you use only 2 booms or only two lavs or one of each you can split them out. Otherwise you will need a 4 channel mixer with direct outs (SD 442 etc) and will have no mixed track for editorial or dailies. An new alternative is the SD 552--5 inputs with a built in 2 track recorder--that plus the 744 would be a very versatile combination.
Philip Perkins