The 442 mixer, introduced in 2001, brought many powerful capabilities, common to the studio, to field mixing. Features like direct outputs, multiple output connections, solo metering, two-stage gain, and comprehensive limiters changed the expectations of sound mixers everywhere. The introduction of the 552 and the discontinuation of the 442 warrants a look at what is similar and what is different between these two powerful field production mixers. (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 polarity of the 442 and 442N mixers tone oscillator is inverted between the main outputs and the direct outputs. This polarity “flip” only affects the tone oscillator and not audio signals. (more…)

The 442 Field Mixer has been shipping since January 2002. Some of the questions we received early in the product’s development are still useful to look at today. Questions have been edited for content and appropriateness. (more…)

Follow the link (image) below for a single page .pdf document of 442 User Setups. This reference covers version 5 firmware only. This handy reference can be used in the field to quickly set 442 user-adjustable parameters. (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…)

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…)

Condition:

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 have a Sennheiser MKH418s stereo mic to complement my kit and upon plugging it up to my 442 I have found the level to be very low. (more…)

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.
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