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Eric D

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    Belgium
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    Broadcast sound (ENG)
  • Interested in Sound for Picture
    Yes

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  1. Yes, all the outputs can be used simultaneously . Yes, you can select a totally independent source for each output (Phones, Line out, AES out, USB out), and you can even select a different source for the left and right channels of this output . For each output, you can individually select the source signal between these options : Mic/Line Inputs, AES inputs, USB inputs, or the internal Mix (please note, the internal mixer is just a matrix, you can't adjust the mix levels of the inputs) . And for each source, you can choose how you want to assign them them to this output : off, mono, stereo, reverse stereo, MS, 1>Left, 1 >Center, 1>Right, 2>Left, 2>Center, 2>Right . In other words, any input channel can be routed to any output channel, and even multiple input channels can be routed to any output channel ! The SX-M2D2 is a very powerful machine, despite its very small size !
  2. Hello, I own 2 SX-M32, the first bought in 2011 and the second bought in 2012 . They have a lot of gain, the preamps are quiet and sound extremely good with most microphones, particularly with Neumann microphones . The preamps are superior to that of any Sound Devices product I have used (all of them), except for the 788 preamps, which can compete the SX-M32 ones . The sound of the SX-M32 is full and has a very good definition, allowing the "personality" of each microphone to be clearly heard . The variable high-pass filters are very useful and efficient . This is for the most positive aspects of the SX-M32 . Now the less positive aspects . The limiters are not famous, the output limiters are really destructive for the transients, and the (fixed )treshold of the input limiters is set too high, with loud sounds they won't prevent audible saturation . The power consumption is very high . The build quality is clearly inferior to that of Sound Devices, don't expect the legendary swiss quality here . For the reliability, I can only speak about my own experience, but it was not good, my mixers had to go back to Switzerland several times . From my personal experience with these little mixer, I would say that it's a good choice if great sound quality is your absolute priority (except for the limiters), but for the rest I think it can't match the Sound Devices products for build quality and reliability ...
  3. The Lectrosonics receiver doesn't read the battery level from Sennheiser transmitters .
  4. Please note the Lectrosoniccs SRB (or SRB5P) is perfectly compatible with the Sennheiser 3000 and 5000 series, but not with the other series (G2, G3, 2000), becausehey have a different compander . In the "M3" compatibility mode, he SRB(5P) emulates the Sennheiser HiDyn Plus compander with perfect results (I use this every day), but the lectrosonics has no compatibility mode for the Sennheiser HDX compander used in the G2, G3 and 2000 series . Somme people say you can use the Lectro receiver with Sennheiser HDX transmitters, but this is not correct . If you do this, you will have pumping effects, a bad transient reproduction and strange effects in the bass and in the treble . The Wisycom receiver is also perfectlly compatible with the sennheiser 3000/5000 series, but for the compatibility with other Sennheiser series I don't know if it has a specific mode . The main advantage of the Wisycom is its very large bandwidth, but the price is much higher than the Lectro .
  5. The Wisycom has 4 separate receivers for 2 channels, the Lectrosonics has two receivers for 2 channels . About the bandwidth : here in Europe, the frequency regulations were changed in the last years in several countries, and a lot of users had to buy new systems or to make them modified . This was a very expensive operation, and unfortunately this could happen again in the next years . With a Lectrosonics system, if this happens you have to send it back to the factory for a block change . Your system isn't available for a few weeks, and the block change is a very expensive operation . With a Wisycom system, you just continue to work and don't have to spend money . Just tune the system to the new channels . Don't misunderstand me, I have no personal interest with Wisycom . My systems are Lectrosonics SMDB and SRB, I am very happy with them . The price difference between the two brands is generally important, the Wisycom are very expensive . But if in the future you have to send you Lectros back for a block change, the Lectrosonics become much more expensive . Of course for american users the situation is probably different than for european users : different costs, different frequency regulations ...
  6. The two systems have been recently tested by experienced users from my company, and were also measured . From a technical point of view, their quality is very similar, their range is also very similar . The Wisycom receiver is a true dual diversity receiver, the Lectro is not but during the tests no difference in range could be detected between the two . For the audio quality, both are excellent, but the Wisycom was slightly more natural sounding . The main difference between Wisycom and Lectrosonics is the very wideband for Wisycom and the much narrower band for Lectro . You really don't have to worry about the 50 mW power compared to 100 mW, the range difference is extremely low . The most important aspect to decide if you go for Wisy or for Lectro is the big difference in bandwidth . A wideband system such as the Wysicom is a guarantee that it can be used nearly everywheree in the world and in nearly any conditions (such as a lot of frequency users at the same place at the same time) . My opinion is that if the price difference is not so big, the Wisycom is probably the best choice . Hope this helps, and sorry for my bad English . Eric D Belgian Radio-Television
  7. Hi Glenn, Sorry if you take my remark as an offense, this is absolutely not my intention ! As you perfectly know, sound quality is not only a question of numbers or of nice, extended frequency responses ... When I tested the Maxx (please remember my global opinion was very positive), the sound I heard from the headphone amplifier was very clean and clear but lacking body and slightly fatiguing . But perhaps this was due to a slight problem with the test machine ? John, no problem with your remark about "a complete lack of understanding about electronics design" , but could you please explain why ? If you add gain, you generally also add some noise, that's why I ask the question . Thank you very much, Eric
  8. I tested the Maxx last month, and my opinion was very positive about it, except for a few aspects : - lack of input gain (a recent update added 10 dB of digital gain, it's a very positive news but is this enough and is it a "clean" added gain, without added noise ? ) - impossible to link the output limiters . Howie from Zaxcom told me this would be a future upgrade . - the high-pass filters, with their smooth slope (6 dB/octave ?) are not efficient against wind noises - the headphone amplifier doesn't let you hear the "real" sound quality of the Maxx . Its sound is not naural and midrange oriented . If you connect the Maxx to a better headphone amplifier, you can hear a warmer, fuller and more natural sound . I didn't buy the Maxx for these reasons, but if the new version could solve these little problems, I wouldn't hesitate to choose it against the 633 (nice machine, but I need 4 mic inputs ...) . So, let's hope ...
  9. Can someone please explain how to link the output compressors of the Maxx ? The linking is available for the inputs, but I can't find this feature for the output compressors . I can't believe such a feature doesn't exist on this kind of equipment ... Thank you, Eric
  10. I just received a Maxx for some tests . The build quality is vey good, and the low weight is impressive ! About the gain, I tried the Maxx with a Neumann km 150 . And with this microphone, my conclusion is clear : the input gain is too low ! I hope the additional 10 dB will be implemented very soon . If more than 10 dB was possible, it would be a very useful with some microphones or in some situations . Now, about how the Maxx sounds : to my ears, crystal-clear but a little lacking warmth and bass weight . I have a recent version with the 28 Hz cutoff .
  11. I am pretty sure the preamps are analog . Costantin, yes the Maxx will be used fore live broadcasts . That's why it's important for me to have perfectly calibrated output levels . If I choose for the Maxx, it will be mainly used as a mixer for daily ENG work (including live broadcasts), the recorder will be a bonus for complex situations . If the preamps are good enough, the Maxx could also be used for music recording . I know that "good enough' is very subjective, but I mean the same kind of quality than the preamps in my Sonosax SX-M32 . These preamps are truly exceptionnal for a portable mixer . Glenn explained that the preamps in the Maxx are the best Zaxcom has ever made. Let's see what the users think abou that ...
  12. Hi Vasileios, There is really no problem, I never felt offended ! It's just that, due to my weakness in English, I was not really sure about what you expected from me ... Thank you and to Jack for the response about the levels . It's a little strange and disappointing that the main outputs of the Maxx can't be continuously adjusted . Unfortunately, none of the fixed levels suits my needs ( based on the supposition that all the output levels in the instruction manual are for -20 dBFS, which nobody confirmed ) . Can the main outputs levels be adjusted to the customer's needs at the factory ? My last question is about the mic gain of the Maxx . Howy (from Zaxcom) told me that the maximum gain of the preamps is 50 dB . This seems an extremely low value (my Sonosax has 77 dB gain at the preamp, a Sound Devices 302 has 60 dB gain at the preamp and is considered as a relatively low gain mixer ) . Perhaps I am wrong, but with such a low input gain it could be a real problem with tiny sounds and relatively low sensitivity microphones, such as the Neumann KM 150 (my favourite, sensitivity 10 mV/Pa), no ?
  13. Vasileios, I am not really sure about what you want to hear from me, but I suppose you want to know a little more about who I am ? As I explained in my first post, English is not my language and it's not easy for me to come here as an active member (I read this forum for a long time, but posting here is another story ...) . I am a Belgian sound engineer (should I say sound technician ?), and I work for the French speaking Belgian Television since 1985 . Before beginning this professional activity, I studied sound techniques from 1981 to 1985 in a cinema school in Belgium . From 1985 to 2002, my work was the tv studio and oustide broadcasts, and in 2002 I changed this to work exclusively for ENG . Today, I would like to change and become independent . With this in mind, during the last years I invested in audio gear and still do today . The Zaxcom Maxx seems to be a nearly perfect machine to suit my needs, that's why I ask questions about it here . I know there are several Zaxcom users here, I also know the Zaxcom engineers and the Zaxcom boss himself come on this forum, so I think this is the best place to ask questions about the Zaxcom products ... Vasileios, is this is the kind of information you wanted to know about me ? I don't like to speak about me, and I am sorry for all the guys that are not interested to read this, but I just answer to the question ... Regards, Eric
  14. Vasileios, yes I am sure about -9 dBFS . Of course, there is no unique "universal" reference level for broadcast work in Europe , but several broadcasters here in western Europe use this reference level . To claryfy, - 9 dBFS corresponds to the maximum level (peak level), not to the tone level . The tone level is set at -18 dBFS . Does someone have responses to my questions about the output levels of the Maxx ? These informations are decisive to choose for the Maxx (or not) . Thank you !
  15. Thank you Glenn . Another little question, about the output levels : are the XLR and AUX output levels continuously adjustable (as for the TAPE and MONO outputs), ore can they only be adjusted to fixed levels (0, -10, -35 dBu) ? After reading the instruction manual, I am not really sure about that . Also, can you confirm that all the analogue output levels of the Maxx are specified at -20 dBFS ? The output level I need from the Maxx should be + 6dBu at -9 dBFS (this is the most common reference for Broadcast work here in Europe) . Thank you Eric
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