Building a Location Sound Bag Around a SoundDevices MixPre-6
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- An overview of the gear in my bag for location sound work for video. It's a basic set-up: 2 lavs and a boom, timecode, and cam send + return, with a SoundDevices MixPre-6 at the center of it all.
SoundDevices MixPre-6: www.sounddevices.com/product/...
Stingray MixPro: ktekpro.com/product/kstgmix-s...
LyxPro Y-Cable: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Anker PowerCore+ 20100: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Canare Breakaway Cable: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Adafruit USB-to-DC cable: www.adafruit.com/product/2778
Cable Techniques Low Profile XLR: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Lectrosonics UCR 411a: www.lectrosonics.com/US/UCR41...
Tentacle Sync E: tentaclesync.com/sync-e
Sescom A/B switch: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Super nice, informative, easy to watch. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you Field Noise, this is excellent content, very helpful. I am setting up a similar system, except with the Mix Pre 3, all of your research and links are much appreciated. Subbed.
Nice bag, I love the setup.
Great looking compact setup!
I just instantly fell in love with that cheap but highly effective sescom A/B monitoring system. That is such a useful tool to this setup!
That is a great setup! Looking at picking up the mixpre 6. Thanks for the video
Wicked set up man 🔥
Brilliant kit ✒️🎬🎥💪🏼
Well done and very interesting!
Very helpful. I've been a solo video shooter for a while but since I've begun producing a podcast I realize how much I don't know about audio recording and editing. I've been wanting to get ahold of a MixPre-6 in anticipation of a project I'm putting together and am very pleased to have found this nugget. Thank you!
Great kit! 😊
Yes! Very helpful. And totally bullshitfree. I just got my MixPre 6ii so it was very inspiring, many CZcams providers could learn from this. I'm look forwards to seeing more from you. Thanks!
Thanks for this. Great job. The strap idea is fantastic. I use lots of Peak Design bags and straps and hadn’t really thought of this. Great idea.
Thanks!
great kit!
Thanks for sharing. I got encouraged to make a simpler, yet similar bag for my Mixpre 3 ii with 2x Rode wl go and a boom mic. I think your camera return setup inspired the most, as it was a feature I thought I had to do without. Thanks !
Thanks!
Thank you so much for this info!
really dope and powerful lil setup!
Thanks!
is great the set up
Loved this! Thanks!
Nice bag!
Thanks for the lesson
Fabulous ! Thanks !
this is so satisfying
Thanks, Marky!
Sweet setup! love it! ;)
Thank you! Cheers!
great breakdown =) a big plus on the time code sync + A/B splitter =)
Hey, thanks!
Excellent video! I just ordered the Anker Battery and 12v USB adapters. I'm using the Mix pre 3ii and a couple old Lectrosonics 195Ds. Simple and inexpensive setup for little projects. (Retired sound mixer here)
According to specs I read, youi can get one 12v usb adapter and a splitter, one usb out should provide enough current to power 2 ucr 411 receivers. Or just buy 2 and have redundancy.
Dude that camera return monitoring switch box is soooo dope
What does it do ?
@@charlesjones5210 rewatch @ 5:16
It swaps your HP signal between camera return and monitoring your mix.
@@ThatLauraPerson what's camera return and what's a mix? Thanks for the reply
Hey that’s lovely - thanks 🙏 for sharing! Bob K 🌺🎶
My pleasure!
Very helpful video ty!
Glad it was helpful!
Great concept, nice video. My standard bag is a 633 but I am buying a MixPre-6 II soon and will likely model that kit after yours. Thanks.
you're changing your 633 with a pre 6 ???
@@MSX-80 This bag setup is a lightweight solution compared to the 633 but doesn't replace it.
@@larryvaughn5843 im just asking why does he replace the 633 by a pre 6. The 633 isnt better from far ?
maybe i get it for a pre 10 but, pre 6, i really dont undrstand , there is possibly somtheing that i dont know and it would be intererestring to know :)
Ma thanks A LOT for that video. I'm no sound engeneer but I bought the MixPre 6 II and I wanted to know what were the options for power supply... Well I must say that I took a full masterclass today.
Thanks again bro !
PS : I think the WB was on Auto ;)
Very helpful
Looks like you've got your kit dialed in! Now that you've used it for a while, would you consider a larger bag? Do you struggle with access to the headphone/edit knob on the right? How easy is access to the SD card? Thanks in advance.
great vid
وااااو 😍😍😍😍
Nice!
Thanks
This is great! How has your setup changed since you made this?
Great set up and video thanks . Does the mix pre 6 except 5v from the Angkor battery ? What size / amps are the batteries ? Thanks
The battery is the Anker PowerCore+ 20100, which I think is sold out or discontinued now. The connection from the battery to the MixPre is over USB-C, which Anker lists as being 6v.
Hey, Field Noise. This is a brilliant set-up and the video is perfectly put together. Would you happen to have a model number on the Peak Design strap? Apparently, they make quite a few different straps, and I can't quite figure out exactly which one you used. Is it the SL-AS-3 (Ash)?
Thanks, Scott! Not sure of the model number off hand, but the strap is the Slide: www.peakdesign.com/products/slide
Thanks for this excellent video. Please, what's the internal actual width? Specs say MixPro bag is 2 inches/5.1cm, but that would not allow MixPre (3.6cm) + Lectro UCR... So , what's the "real width capacity" of the main compartment please? Thanks in advance, it's hard to get real size specs of sound bags!
👏👏👏
Nice
Thank you for sharing, so with this setup you can only run 3 lavs at a time?
I’ve seen in other videos that the power on switch is really hard to switch on/off while the usb plug is being used. What’s your experience with this and how do you remedy it if it’s an issue for you? Thanks
Great little video there. I have got a Mixpre6 which normally runs G3 receivers, but just got an UCR411A. Which gain settings are you using on the mixpre for it? I tried to calibrate with the DBU test tone, but it seems to be off, so after some experimenting with what sounded good, I ended up with line level and 12db of gain, but I would be curious how you have it set up?
Well, there is really no one size fits all answer here, of course, since it depends on what you are recording, what mic and transmitters you are using, etc. But for starters, you might want to check your transmitter gain first, before you mess too much with the 411. Also, I run my 411a in at mic level-though I'm not sure if that's technically "correct." But it works for me, and then I can dial things in with the pot.
Is there a video that explains your camera tethering audio cable? that looks like something I need, but where do I buy or make the other end? Thank you for this content!
So these are called 10-bin breakaway cables. Gotham Sound now makes a custom cable for MixPres: www.gothamsound.com/product/mixpre-eng-camera-breakaway-adapter-cable
Then you could connect it to something like this for the camera end: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/577478-REG/PSC_FPSC1093_Breakaway_Snake_Camera_End.html
What model wireless lectrosonic transmitters are you using ? And how do they record into the mix pre 6 you have ? No reciever going into the Xrl of the mix pre 6 to record the lectrosonic transmitter and lav set up ?
Hey Charles - if you look around 2:25 of the video, you can see me connecting XLR cables to the Lectro 411 receivers and then connecting those to the XLR inputs of the MixPre. The transmitters are Lectrosonics SMQV.
Where do I get those wireless transmitters? Will you provide a link please?
With the Mk II versions of the Mixpre models coming out, any thoughts about how you would adjust this setup for that model? If I understand the in/out options for using timecode, it looks like you have to plug something in (like a Tentacle box) to the stereo out, jam that from the Mixpre's TC signal, then plug the camera send back in while shooting. It's great that they added timecode, and maybe it's just that I am missing something, it seems they are one port short (TC out) of it being fully useful without extras like Tentacle boxes.
It's a great question. In an ideal world, you wouldn't need the Tentacles: you would start timecode on the new MixPre II, then jam that timecode directly to a camera using a cable like the Tentacle's 3.5-to-BNC. Once that is done, you would need to switch the Stereo Out setting back to audio, and then you could run the cam return directly into your Aux In since you won't need the tentacle for that. I'm not totally sure it would work like that, though.
Another option would be to sync the MixPre to a Tentacle, then give that Tentacle to your cam. Since the MixPre can run that timecode internally, you can still take the Tentacle out and reclaim your aux-in port.
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow Thanks! Your video made all the difference in me understanding how the Mixpre handles this stuff! In an ideal world, all cameras would have good timecode handling internally and we'd jam periodically and be all set. (Or everything would just read time in realtime from GPS signals which are preposterously accurate.) I'm likely to always be in situations where there are cameras that don't have internal timecode (like the GH5 non-S) so I probably won't be able to avoid Tentacle (or similar) boxes and/or no return to camera. Please keep the videos coming, they're super helpful! Thanks again!
Field Noise Something I do at start of day is turn on my 633 (or MP6 in this case) Sync a Tentacle to it and put it in my pocket. I leave a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable plugged in so it stays on all day. Then I Sync all other Tentacles to the one in my pocket, and can sync the recorder to the one in my pocket if something goes wrong or if I know the recorder lost sync due to something I did. I also carry all Sync cables I will need for the day with me. It is a good feeling to know I have a master sync clock running independently of everything else should there be a need or a problem.
Thomas Donalek I used to think that cameras should have great TC clocks and used to jam sync every camera in the morning and again after lunch. I learned that was not a good workflow. Any camera can lose TC for a variety of reasons and need to be re-synced. So I bought a bunch of Tentacles when they first came out and always put a Tentacle on every camera, even an ARRI Alexa which has the best TC clock of any camera. I don’t even think about TC again until wrap when it’s time to collect up all the Tentacles.
There is a company making GPS coordinated TC boxes. Can’t think of the name and it might have been a Kickstarter.
@@RallenMan Everything I'm doing is "small scale" (and very small budget) so I am looking to avoid even the expense of Tentacle boxes. That said, the more I learn, the more your approach makes sense and sounds like the right way to avoid random problems/headaches. Thanks!
Really like the set up! For breakaway cable, I'm only seeing ones with two xlr male connectors at the camera end. Is there an adapter you recommend having at that end for camera?
Most of the time I’m working with video cameras that have XLR inputs or shooters who have purchased audio boxes that integrate. For example, Sony makes one that many people use that adds XLR inputs to the a7 line. If you need to go back to 1/8”, you should be able to use any dual female XLR to 1/8” stereo adapter.
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow awesome thanks for the response. I wasn't sure whose responsibility it would be on set to have those connectors, but I'll definitely be prepared with the 1/8th to dual xlr. really appreciate your video! My kits almost built out and it helped a ton.
It’s ALWAYS good to be prepared, but let me say that I have never had to go in to an 1/8 jack. That said, you can and should ask clients / producers what can will be used, what the expectation is for timecode, etc. RED cams need a different timecode cable from other cameras, etc etc. I have had people tell me to get familiar with camera menus so you can help the shooter adjust settings if necessary-and sometimes, trust me, that is necessary!
Do you think this bag can fit the mixpre 6 with normal XLR cables? (not low profile, nor right angle ones) I don't know if the sides of the bag will put pressure on the XLR's..
For sure it can. Before I got the low-profile cables I was running normal ones and there was still room.
Hi Field Noise, nice video you did there! I was hoping you could answer me a question: Have you ever experienced problems with signal loss/interference, with the outputs being unbalanced, when recording directly into the camera in an ENG setting? I'm putting together a similar sound bag around a, yet to purchase, Mixpre 6 II and am wondering, if I need to reserve room for a DI box, which would also add a considerable amount of weight to the sound bag. Your input would be very appreciated! Thx a lot!
Hey there-so, I have never had any trouble with the signal because of the unbalanced out. My understanding of this-which is not very technical-is that balanced are critical for very long cable runs. My breakaway cable is only 15’ and has never been an issue. Good luck!
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow Thx for your feedback!
The ankor battery is currently out of stock everywhere. What would be an equivalent battery to get? Appreciate all the info. Great video.
Here is what the SoundDevices website says:
- USB-C power source that is compliant with the USB powering specification and is able to output 7.5W
- USB-C cable that incorporates the correct pull-up resistors to identify itself as able to provide 7.5W
Now, I think this is for the MixPre mark II, since the battery I use I think only outputs 6V thru the USB-C port. So I would just search around for those specs. If you can find a battery that does it, chances are the cable that comes in the box would push the correct voltage.
Where did you get the 1/8 stereo to XLR y cable, and what model Ankor power packs are you using.
I got both of those things on Amazon-I added the links in the video description. The Anker is the PowerCore+ 20100. Thanks for watching!
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow E bay is your friend also.
Your kit is nice.. Btw is it possible to load the L mount with npf970 batteries
I'm not sure-I don't have or use those kinds of batteries.
Yes it is, and you can use L batteries with 2, 4, 6, or 8 18650 lithium cells inside them. But you still need to power the receivers, which could also be powered by an L battery and the correct battery sled and cables, I bought a simple rig that includes test lights.
Awesome Vid! By the looks and checking out Sound Device's website on their power options - that Anker power bank looks like the PowerCore+ 20100. If so, could you please give me an estimate of how long one battery lasts? Thanks!
That is the battery. And honestly, I haven't done a true test of it because I very rarely have both the wireless receivers running for the kind of gigs that I do. But 8 hours safely. I mean, with no wireless on and just powering the MixPre you can get like 16 hours, maybe more.
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow Awesome! How sturdy has the USB C cable been for you? I'm worried I might pull it out while walking around booming
@@PC-oi3dw This comes up from time to time in other forums, but this is a total nonissue for me, especially because I have my boom cable on the other side of the box, as you can see in the video. I forget if a cable comes in the box, but if it does it is way too long. I use a short, basic one from Amazon and have had no problems.
Fancy meeting you here, Peter! 😁
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow They also sell a 26800 model with more juice. You could also power the receivers from a Sony L battery with the correct battery sled with 12 volt outlets and the correct cable to the 411. This would give you more battery life with the Anker and some redundancy.
Very interesting video.
I'm scared about those usb connections. Did you ever experienced problems with unstable connection while moving around? The MP6 has a seamless swap feature that allows the device to continue the recording even if the usb-c power becomes unavailable, providing that the 4AA pack is connected at the bottom, of course.
How long will those anker BPs last with the MP6 and wireless receivers?
No need to be scared about USB. I’ve seen people speculate about that on other forums and it’s just never been an issue. And yes, batteries will work as backup. I usually don’t have both my receivers on for very long, but I think it is safe to say 8 hours.
I also want to add that the key to moving around is to have your bag really dialed in and secure. Like, when I’m moving, nothing in my bag is.
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow You could always use a battery distribution system and make things more complicated but have a couple different power solutions for redundancy.
hi, i want 4ch wireless but with senn g4 or the new ew d , i have to connect for recievers dangling from the zomm f6. do you know of a nice solution like urs but not so expensive
Sony makes a 2-channel package, so you could get 2 of these for 4 total channels: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1699869-REG/sony_uwpd27_14_uwp_d27_dual_channel_camera_mount_wireless.html
Hey I have a couple questions since I am looking at purchasing receivers.
-What is your Anker Battery life with the addition of the USB-to-DC adapters powering the receivers?
-How do you deal with accessing the headphone knob with everything on the left and the bag's internal frame?
-Do you find that a Boom in input 1 has the pig-tail cable awkwardly crossing your body?
Hey Ken-good questions.
- I think I ran an overnight battery test, but I honestly forget the results. Most of the jobs I've worked on recently have only been using one lav, and with that set up I can go all day on one battery. I think on one shoot I swapped it out at lunch just to be extra safe since the afternoon was long and critical.
- I very rarely access the headphone knob. I set my level between 70-74 and then access all of the menu items via the touchscreen. I think Sound Devices know this design is flawed, and almost everything can be done via the touchscreen in the most recent firmware.
- I always have my boom in input 3 or 4
Terrific video. Are you able to access the headphone volume okay with that bag, or do you set it and forget it? Thanks.
Hey Matt-sorry, just saw this. The answer is set it and forget it. I usually have mine around 72 or 74, I think. You *can* get to that headphone knob if you need to, but I wouldn't recommend it! Most of the settings in the most recent firmwares can be updated on the touch screen, so it's not super necessary to get in there very often.
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow I have the MixPre 3 ii - and maybe it's different because with the 3 ii the headphone volume know does other things. But, the question/solution? is the phone app that can do all the settings. ??
@@oliverleslie7382 I'm pretty sure it's the same as on the first version, but like I told Matt, almost all of the settings now can be accessed by the touch screen so that you don't need to use the headphone knob. I'm sure there are exceptions-is there something that you specifically use the headphone knob for?
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow it also scrolls through settings which you can do on the screen but the screen is tiny and fingers can get clunky.
@@oliverleslie7382 I hear you, but I guess I haven't had any trouble with that yet! I also try to set my settings in advance of a shoot as much as I can, so that once things are dialed in in the bag I don't have to tweak things too much!
Been using the NPF sled and have been having issues with it. Is it possible to power this via USB-C while also having the AA Battery sled in? Or does it have to be USB-C only without a sled?
You can power it from USB-C with the sled in. I think it smartly chooses its power source.
Curious to what this total bag setup weighs
Hey my friend, in B&H they say they don't recommend using usb power for the mixpre II? just wondering if the anger batterys u are using really works good for field use. ? thanks
Not sure why B&H would say that. The battery I use, the Anker PowerCore+ 20100 USB-C, is still recommended on the SoundDevices website. Obviously I haven't tested with the MixPre II, but this has always worked fine for me in the field.
@@craigeley thanks Craig !
@@xanxpty USB 1, 2, 3 and C progressively provide more amperage from the USB connection, specs says you should be ok with the Anker.
Question: Do you find the USB-C connection into the side of the Mix Pre itself secure and reliable? That connection seems a little flimsy to me.
I’ve never had a problem with it!
But for security you could tinker with right angle cables that might be less prone to being jostled, but I keep that side of my bag zipped up and it feels rock solid to me.
May I ask which SD card you use in the MixPre? If non-Sound Devices, have you had issues? Thanks.
I've been using the 'SanDisk 32GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I' in my MixPre-6 without any issues.
Me too!
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow I'm pretty sure that's what I bought and it's working. Thanks again.
What is the workflow for videographers capturing audio on the MixPre 6 ii (32bit float). I think most video editing apps don’t support 32bit.
You can throw the files into Twisted Wave and normalize to -24db LUFS (or your preferred working level).
Sorry, I’m still familiarizing myself with a lot of the nomenclature of film sound. What kind/brand of wireless microphone set up are you using?
No need to apologize! The transmitters (the part on the talent / interview) are Lectrosonics SMQV. The receivers (the things in my sound bag) are Lectrosonics 411a. The mic attached to the transmitters is the Sanken COS-11d.
Many people start out with Sennheiser G3 / G4 systems, which can be fine for a lot of circumstances. But even with those I would STRONGLY suggest upgrading the mic to the Sanken one. It’s an industry standard for a reason.
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow thanks a bunch! 👍🏼
Wouldn't it be easier to connect a wireless transmitter like a G4 ew500 to connect to a camera? Just asking. New to this. I know cameras, trying to learn sound.
The answer is yes and no. Running wireless in that direction will be one channel and probably require a special cable-this is often called a "camera hop." However, camera hops do NOT provide production level audio, so you have to be sure that your production company is gonna pull the audio off your SD card in post and then sync it. One of the reasons you buy an expensive cable to send sound to the camera is that it then mirrors the SD card exactly, so your production company can save a step and have the sync'ed audio already on their video files. Hope that helps clarify! Sorry for the long delay!
what are you bringing to a shoot in terms of redundancy? Do you have a backup for every aspect of your kit?
I do not have a backup for everything Shane, save for batteries and SD cards. If something bigger than that blows, I'm in trouble. One thing about the MixPre (version 1) compared to the more expenseive SoundDevices mixers is that it doesn't have any writable backup options, so I have been known to run my mix into an old iPhone and record a backup of my entire day in there. Recovery would be a pain, but it would be there if you need it.
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow noted. that amount of redundancy makes sense since you could ask to reshoot something if absolutely necessary. I work in the remote recording world of concerts and televised musical events, so asking for a reshoot is impossible.... so redundancy is a must.
can you access the knob on the right side in that bag? looks very tight
i was thinking the same thing - that knob really helps to navigate without touching the tin screen. If it was just head phone volume then fine.
Hey guys-so I think I said this on another comment, but I pretty much never access the knob once we get rolling. Got my settings / presets dialed in, and I keep my headphone volume consistent. In the most recent firmwares pretty much anything can be adjusted with the screen.
You use a boom and wireless mics on the same shoot? If so, why?
Also is the person that records the sound also responsible for mixing that sound into the film? If so what software do you suggest?
Boom audio sounds different than body mounted mics for wireless. Not typically, post production audio is done by someone specializing in that, but anything goes for you tubers.
Hey FB - As for your first question, I like to think of boom and wireless as redundant backups for each other. A properly mounted lav can do great on a windy day or in a noisy environment; I think booms tend to sound more natural in well-controlled environments-and mixers will have their own opinions.
As for the question about "mixing," there are two things here. Often the person holding the sound equipment on the set is called the "location sound mixer," because the expectation is that you are delivering production-ready audio as you are recording it. There are production companies-from quick-turnaround commercials to reality tv shows-we're for a variety of reasons they are going to take what you give them, sync it to picture, and call it a day. More complex and bigger budget projects will edit your audio after the fact, with a different person than you. My sense is that the industry standard for this is still Pro Tools.
can this go around your waist?? I bought it thinking this! Not sure it will work if it goes over my shoulder while im booming, and if I switch than I cant reach knobs
Hey Jeff-I don't think this bag has a waist belt option. I've never run into problems while booming, but for extra security you could wear it using a harness, which I started doing. This one is great: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/982920-REG/porta_brace_ah_2hb_audio_harness_without.html
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow Orca and K-tek also have waist belts. Either should work, unless something gets in the way.
So if I understand correctly, you are actually cabled up with the camera?
Doesn't that limit your movement and the camera's movement drastically? :)
You cable up for when the camera(s) are on tripods and are focused, typically, one someone they are interviewing. Otherwise, put a sync box on the camera or send them wireless to the camera for scratch audio.
Hey Tajs-just for a follow-up here, you probably wouldn't tether in fast moving / run-and-gun situation, as Larry mentioned below. This is almost always for fixed shots. For other uses, yeah, use a Tentacle to sync timecode and then have the editor sync in post.
have you update to the mixpre 2 and if so what have you changed in your bag
Hey Lawn-have not upgraded yet, not sure if I will. One of the things I'd be interested in is if I could disconnect the Tentacle, then I think I could run the cam return back into the MixPre, which means I wouldn't need that external box. However, I would want to set a headphone preset or really figure out the routing in the settings so that the cam return does't accidentally end up back in the mix, create feedback, etc.
Field Noise yes you can because the new one has its own real TC
your link for the breakaway cable is not correct, can you please correct it? I can't find the exact same :(
thank you !!
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/258103-REG/Canare_FP32MIX_15_Breakaway_Cable_for_Portable.html
@@FieldNoiseWorkflow thank you sir
More
Should I get a mixpre 3 ii or mixpre 6 ii? 🤔
The six! It’s a more robust machine for not a major increase in price. You’ll be happy you did!
Any updates on this? I'm setting up a lightweight bag with about the same gear.
Well, all of the MixPre mkII models can generate their own timecode. My guess is this means you don’t need to keep the Tentacle attached and can monitor cam return from the aux in jack!
Amazon sells a less expensive A/B switch and my Porta Brace case for a 302 mixer fits the mix-pre 6 and is very light. The receiver bag that fits onto it is a little large but could be modified to make them fit tighter and can fit 4 receivers easily. The Anker fits underneath the Mix-Pre. Having said that, I changed to an Orca bag designed for this use.
Will you tell me what brand of lav mics he’s using in this video?
He says in the video that they are
Sanken. The transmitters are made by Lectrosonics@@iwritelife3635
So you are sending unbalanced output signal to a balanced input of the Camera? That doesn't sound right?! And you just hope they don't turn on phantom power an fry your Mix pre?
Hey there-if you are worried about that, then there are custom cable solutions that allow you to connect the MixPre's 1/8" ins and outs with a 10-pin ENG cable. For example: www.gothamsound.com/product/mixpre-eng-camera-breakaway-adapter-cable
Why do you need an external timecode ?
Because the first generation MixPres don’t generate their own.
How much did this rig setup cost ?
New it would be well over $5K, but the key is finding the expensive things used. It's been a while now, but I was able to get the wireless channels used as a package (receiver and transmitter), which saved a TON off of the Lectrosonics retail price. (I think I bought one channel then saved up for the other one while still using a Sennheiser channel). Likewise, you can often find Sennheiser 416s for $600 or $700, not the $1K retail cost.
What is the bag please?
Ktek Stingray MixPro: ktekpro.com/product/kstgmix-stingray-mixpro/
Having problems operating the headphone encoder when mixer in bag? Are your settings dial in enough so you don't need to get at it much?
Exactly. I use the presets to save settings, but also in the more recent firmware versions I find that almost everything I need can be accessed from the touch screen display.
That said, since it’s on the headphone side I usually have that side of the bag open a little anyway, but truly I almost never need to get at it.