Mounting an Audio Mixer on Rails

[Brian Iannone]

Has anyone tried mounting a portable audio mixer like the Sound Devices MixPre-D onto rails? I plan on using one along with a Scarlet on a small rail system, but I'm not exactly sure where to attach it onto the rig. I know that audio mixers typically do not belong on-camera, however for this particular scenario, I'm trying to find a spot for it.

Also, while this thread involves an audio mixer, because it has to do with mounting a camera accessory onto rails, I thought Accessories for DSMC might be a better location for it rather than the Audio section.

 

[Marc Wielage]

I think you'd be better off hiring (or "getting") a sound mixer to worry about the sound, and record that way. To me, trying to do everything in one box is too much of a compromise.

 

[Hudson Tanimoto]

The MixPre has an accessory mount to allow it to be slung under a DSLR using the tripod socket. It wouldn't be too difficult to adapt this (or just the mounting points on the MixPre itself) onto rails, say with a Wooden Camera TinyVersal.

While I like the idea of a fully self contained run-n-gun Scarlet setup I would highly recommend also 'dualling' the audio out to a Zoom H4 or similar so you have backup audio (at least while audio on the Epic/Scarlet is still very much a beta feature)

 

[Brian Iannone]

I think you'd be better off hiring (or "getting") a sound mixer to worry about the sound, and record that way. To me, trying to do everything in one box is too much of a compromise.

Probably a good idea. I'm just thinking about the times where I won't have a dedicated audio person with me.

The MixPre has an accessory mount to allow it to be slung under a DSLR using the tripod socket. It wouldn't be too difficult to adapt this (or just the mounting points on the MixPre itself) onto rails, say with a Wooden Camera TinyVersal.

While I like the idea of a fully self contained run-n-gun Scarlet setup I would highly recommend also 'dualling' the audio out to a Zoom H4 or similar so you have backup audio (at least while audio on the Epic/Scarlet is still very much a beta feature)

Thanks for the suggestion! I think I'll try that.

 

[Marc Wielage]

I have to say, the MixPre is an extremely clean, high quality mixer, especially in a box this size. If you had to one-man-gun it, this would be one way to go. But don't forget the need to get the microphone close to the subject, especially if there's dialog.

 

[Lee Saxon]

The MixPre has an accessory mount to allow it to be slung under a DSLR using the tripod socket. It wouldn't be too difficult to adapt this (or just the mounting points on the MixPre itself) onto rails, say with a Wooden Camera TinyVersal.

Brian, in case you missed "(or just the mounting points on the MixPre itself)": you only need the accessory in the picture if you're mounting under a DSLR. It connects to the DSLR, and there's another "built-in" 1/4-20 tap on the bottom of the MixPre-D that connects to the tripod/rails/etc.

If you're just attaching the thing to rails, you only need the "built-in" one.

 

[Brian Iannone]

Brian, in case you missed "(or just the mounting points on the MixPre itself)": you only need the accessory in the picture if you're mounting under a DSLR. It connects to the DSLR, and there's another "built-in" 1/4-20 tap on the bottom of the MixPre-D that connects to the tripod/rails/etc.

If you're just attaching the thing to rails, you only need the "built-in" one.

Thanks for your reply. I'm actually not going to be using it with a DSLR. I'm trying to find a spot on my rail system to attach it to for use with a Scarlet.

Also, what do you mean by the "built-in" one?

 

[Lee Saxon]

Also, what do you mean by the "built-in" one?

There's a 1/4-20 thread on the bottom of the MixPre-D (but NOT on the original MixPre, be aware if you decide to buy one used) which is all you need.

The accessory in the picture attaches to the top of the MixPre-D. It's designed for ultra compact DSLR configurations that don't use rails: the tripod plate connects directly to the bottom thread of the MixPre and the DSLR connects directly to that accessory in the picture.

 

[Brian Iannone]

There's a 1/4-20 thread on the bottom of the MixPre-D (but NOT on the original MixPre, be aware if you decide to buy one used) which is all you need.

The accessory in the picture attaches to the top of the MixPre-D. It's designed for ultra compact DSLR configurations that don't use rails: the tripod plate connects directly to the bottom thread of the MixPre and the DSLR connects directly to that accessory in the picture.

I wasn't aware that there's a 1/4-20 threaded hole at the bottom of the device. That solves all my problems! Thank you Lee.

 

[Hudson Tanimoto]

Great advice Lee