Beginners Guide to the ENG 44 Portable Mixer

Mic Boom Operator's Headphone

In addition to the two XLR LINE LEVEL outputs on the side of the ENG 44 mixer, there is a third XLR output designated for the MIC BOOM operator. This output is merely a connection for a second pair of headphones. Sort of like putting a Y cable into the headphone jack of the mixer. The headphone volume control affects both headphones.

The advantage of using an XLR connector for the second set of headphones is that it allows you to use a mic cable as the headphone extension cord. Traditional headphone extensions are flimsy, coiled cables that rarely exceed ten feet (without a lot of hard stretching!). Mic cables, on the other hand, can go as long as you need, even hundreds of feet!

I suggest that you use the same length of cable for both the headphone feed and the boom mic. Tape the two cables together to form a "duplex" or "snake". Attach an "XLR female to stereo headphone jack" adapter to the headphone cable, and that's it! Now, your boom operator can hear the complete soundtrack, so that he or she is aware of not only the boom mic, but also any other live mics working on the set.

In between takes, you can speak to the boom operator via your slate mic. But never use your slate mic during a take, as it will put your voice onto the soundtrack.

Because the BOOM headphone is controlled by the same volume control as your headphones, it is a good idea for each of you to use the same model of headphones.

And NEVER say anything over the slate mic that is confidential. You never know when someone else on the crew might be listening in on the camera, etc.

Installing the Optional Soft Field Case

An inexpensive ($49.95) soft field case is available for the ENG 44 Mixer.

To attach the case, first place the velcro support belt around the mixer chassis. Align the strap loops to coincide with the strap wings on the mixer. Undo the shoulder strap, and insert each end thru both the mixer's metal strap wing and the loops on the velcro belt.

Spread out the soft case onto a work surface. Place the mixer on top of the case, aligning the top center of the mixer with the center point of the case. Make sure that you position the mixer so that the top of the case (where the accessory belt loops are) will be against the top of the ENG 44. Those belt loops are for attaching accessories, such as wireless mics, to your mixer.

Bring the bottom or underside of the case up and over the mixer (like folding a taco) and attach to the velcro.

The case also features a snap removable flap for protecting the control panel of the mixer when not in use. The flap can be stored completely out of the way by fully unsnapping all four connectors and re-positioning, or it can be in the "ready" position by attaching just the top two snaps on either side.