Each input on the 302 mixer has a two-position high-pass filter. High-pass filters allow high frequency signals to pass while attenuating low frequency signals. High pass filters are useful at reducing wind noise, microphone handling noise, and room noise while having little effect on speech reproduction. (more…)
The Mix In connection on the 302 and 442 Field Mixers is an unbalanced stereo TA3 Male input designed to link multiple Sound Devices field mixers. This connection routes signals directly to the Master Output Bus and is designed to interconnect with the Tape Out/Mix Out of Sound Devices MixPre, 302, and 442 mixers. There are no level controls on Mix In signals, so levels must be controlled at the source.
In addition to multi-unit linking, the Mix In connection is used as inputs from devices that only have line level outputs such as the Sound Devices MM-1 and MP-1. The diagrams below indicate the connections necessary for an XLR Line Output to the TA3 Mix In of a 302 or 442 Field Mixer. Note that the shell of the TA3 connector must be grounded to Pin-1 to open the connection. (more…)
The 302 has three full-featured inputs, selectable between mic and line level. When additional inputs are needed, such as for additional wireless receivers or for stereo playback, the 3.5 mm Return connector can be reassigned as an input connector for channels 4 and 5. This feature is selected in the Setup Menu. (more…)
The chart below describes the inputs and output panels of the Sound Devices 302 Compact Field Mixer, including functionality and pin configurations. (more…)
The 302 and 442 mixer’s tone oscillators have several modes of operation. From the Setup Menu, the tone frequency and level can be set. (more…)
Q: What does the polarity switch on a 302 do? Sometimes when I switch it I lose signal on channel 2. What is going on? (more…)
If you are a 302 mixer user and can’t spend the 30 seconds to enter the Setup Menu to change the default line-level output to mic-level, there is a simple, quick alternative, our XL-40 attenuator cable. (more…)
Both the 442 and 302 field mixers can decode MS stereo microphone signals. Depending on your workflow you can decide to decode the MS stereo signal in one of two ways: (more…)
Q: Why does the T-powering on my 302 take so long to start up? Is there something wrong with my mixer? (more…)
The 302, like all Sound Devices mixers, including the 442 and MixPre, can exhibit a static, or crackling sound when gain controls are manipulated when the unit is first powered. This noise goes away as the power supply and filter capacitors become fully charged. (more…)
The addition of a mono mic-level output to the 302 is a useful addition for feeding transcription recorders, “Comtek” transmitters, and other inputs. The diagram below illustrates the proper wiring to add a mono mic-level output from the tape level output. (more…)
The Canon XL1 and XL1S cameras are popular DV acquisition tools. While photographers appreciate these cameras because of their ergonomics and image quality, audio engineers are not as happy with them because of their consumer-grade audio connectors and controls. (more…)
Early models of Earthworks microphones (see Models Affected) and Earthworks model M30 microphone will become unstable and oscillate with transformer-balanced microphone inputs such as Sound Devices MP-1, MP-2 and MixPre. (more…)
The line-level inputs on the 302 and 442 are attenuated by 40 dB from mic-level and go through the mic transformer. We chose this topology to maintain transformer isolation of line inputs. For our portable field mixers we chose to keep their size small and not have transformers large enough to handle line inputs. The alternative, electronically balancing line inputs along side transformer balanced mic ins, was not practical. The noise penalty is extremely small, since the noise figure of the unit overall is quite low.
Q: I experience a loud output noise when the mixer is powered up. It blasts the camera audio levels to maximum. The sound is a low thump combined with a much higher “beep” sound. Why? (more…)
The input channel peak LEDs indicate both pre- and post- fade peak levels on the 302. In early production mixers (before 2005) there are two resistors which make channel 2 and channel 3 not indicate post-fade peak levels. This minor condition is fixed on later units. Note that if the channel fader is below unity gain the pre-fade input will always clip first (and be indicated), and if the fader is above unity, the output (as displayed on the meter) will always clip first.
Lectrosonics wireless systems are popular companions to Sound Devices field mixers. Their construction and audio performance make a “kit” built with Sound Devices mixers and “Lectro” wireless very flexible, compact, and capable.
(more…)