Mixers comparison: Cooper, Audio Developments

[j***@gmail.com]

Hey Hey,

OK, so here's my dilemma:

I have a feature starting around December and I am building a cart for
it. I currently own the following:


Sound Devices 702T
Sound Devices 442
VDB Pole
Senn. 416 48V
All the appropriate cables (Duplex, 200 ft. Boom snake, breakaway,
etc.)

I have a budget of about $12,000 and am looking through tons of used
equipment. I have about $5000 budgeted for a mixer, if I can't find
one that would be a step up from my 442 by then, I'll just use the
442. However, I don't want to be stuck mixing narrative for two
months on rotary pots. There is also a good chance that I will need
more than 4 tracks. I've worked with this DP before and know about
his love of 1'ers and extreme wide shots where you see the whole
world.

I've been looking at old Cooper CS-106's and various used Audio
Developments boards. I've only used the Cooper first hand and was
wondering how the Audio Developments boards compare. Particularly in
the realm of Audio Developments stuff, I've been looking at the
AD-146's.

Any info/suggestions are very appreciated.

Thanks guys,

joe

[oleg kaizerman]

if you have ac or willing work with inverter the a&h wizard 14/4/2 is a
super flexible animal - 1400 new

Post by j***@gmail.com
Hey Hey,
I have a feature starting around December and I am building a cart for
Sound Devices 702T
Sound Devices 442
VDB Pole
Senn. 416 48V
All the appropriate cables (Duplex, 200 ft. Boom snake, breakaway,
etc.)
I have a budget of about $12,000 and am looking through tons of used
equipment. I have about $5000 budgeted for a mixer, if I can't find
one that would be a step up from my 442 by then, I'll just use the
442. However, I don't want to be stuck mixing narrative for two
months on rotary pots. There is also a good chance that I will need
more than 4 tracks. I've worked with this DP before and know about
his love of 1'ers and extreme wide shots where you see the whole
world.
I've been looking at old Cooper CS-106's and various used Audio
Developments boards. I've only used the Cooper first hand and was
wondering how the Audio Developments boards compare. Particularly in
the realm of Audio Developments stuff, I've been looking at the
AD-146's.
Any info/suggestions are very appreciated.
Thanks guys,
joe

[Chris Newton]

Post by oleg kaizerman
if you have ac or willing work with inverter the a&h wizard 14/4/2 is a
super flexible animal - 1400 new

Post by j***@gmail.com
Hey Hey,
I have a feature starting around December and I am building a cart for
Sound Devices 702T
Sound Devices 442
VDB Pole
Senn. 416 48V
All the appropriate cables (Duplex, 200 ft. Boom snake, breakaway,
etc.)
I have a budget of about $12,000 and am looking through tons of used
equipment. I have about $5000 budgeted for a mixer, if I can't find
one that would be a step up from my 442 by then, I'll just use the
442. However, I don't want to be stuck mixing narrative for two
months on rotary pots. There is also a good chance that I will need
more than 4 tracks. I've worked with this DP before and know about
his love of 1'ers and extreme wide shots where you see the whole
world.
I've been looking at old Cooper CS-106's and various used Audio
Developments boards. I've only used the Cooper first hand and was
wondering how the Audio Developments boards compare. Particularly in
the realm of Audio Developments stuff, I've been looking at the
AD-146's.
Any info/suggestions are very appreciated.
Thanks guys,
joe

Hi Joe,
What else do you need to buy for the $12K? How many RFs do you think
you will need? Maybe you should stick with the 442, upgrade to a 744T
for the 4 tracks you might need and maybe pick up a Schoeps or other
quality hypercardioid with the change. I've done lots of TV movies
with the 442, and it works well. The direct-outs would work well for
your anticipated isos. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Chris Newton.

[Noah Timan]

Post by j***@gmail.com
I've been looking at old Cooper CS-106's and various used Audio
Developments boards. I've only used the Cooper first hand and was
wondering how the Audio Developments boards compare. Particularly in
the realm of Audio Developments stuff, I've been looking at the
AD-146's.

The AD-146 is OK, but I prefer the Cooper CS-106 by far. The Cooper
just seems to have better headroom and is less prone to saturation,
especially on unexpected peaks. The interface and layout are also a
bit sturdier and more user friendly to me, although some of that may
just be habit.

nvt

[Whitney Ince]

Post by Noah Timan

Post by j***@gmail.com
I've been looking at old Cooper CS-106's and various used Audio
Developments boards. I've only used the Cooper first hand and was
wondering how the Audio Developments boards compare. Particularly in
the realm of Audio Developments stuff, I've been looking at the
AD-146's.

The AD-146 is OK, but I prefer the Cooper CS-106 by far. The Cooper
just seems to have better headroom and is less prone to saturation,
especially on unexpected peaks. The interface and layout are also a
bit sturdier and more user friendly to me, although some of that may
just be habit.
nvt

I agree upgrade to 744t and mix on the 442. Buy 3 used lectrosonic or
3 new 411 and a Scheops The 442 will work fine for you. Jeff Wexler
uses one for insert car work

[Jeff Wexler]

Post by Whitney Ince
I agree upgrade to 744t and mix on the 442. Buy 3 used lectrosonic or
3 new 411 and a Scheops The 442 will work fine for you. Jeff Wexler
uses one for insert car work

I think the SD 442 is a very good mixer and I do use it for some car
stuff, but I would not use it in place of the Cooper if it were not for
space considerations. I would not want to mix a feature with only the
442.

My recommendation would be a used Cooper 106.

Regards, Jeff Wexler

[engaudio]

On Jun 26, 10:38 am, Whitney Ince <***@gmail.com> wrote:
<The 442 will work fine for you. Jeff Wexler uses one for insert car
work>

mmmm, think I'll rush out and buy one tomorrow because Jeff Wexler
uses one....
More likely because It has the features I need then a " big name user
" list.
Sorry Jeff... But I can't be bothered with the " he uses it, so I must
" arguement. I'm sure you use the 422 because it fits your needs with
outputs etc for tracks / and small footprint.... and good pre's.

Grant.

[Charles Tomaras]

Post by engaudio
<The 442 will work fine for you. Jeff Wexler uses one for insert car
work>
mmmm, think I'll rush out and buy one tomorrow because Jeff Wexler
uses one....
More likely because It has the features I need then a " big name user
" list.
Sorry Jeff... But I can't be bothered with the " he uses it, so I must
" arguement. I'm sure you use the 422 because it fits your needs with
outputs etc for tracks / and small footprint.... and good pre's.

Actually SD made a special all-white i442 for Jeff with only one button and
no knobs.

[Jeff Wexler]

Post by Charles Tomaras

Post by engaudio
<The 442 will work fine for you. Jeff Wexler uses one for insert car
work>
mmmm, think I'll rush out and buy one tomorrow because Jeff Wexler
uses one....
More likely because It has the features I need then a " big name user
" list.
Sorry Jeff... But I can't be bothered with the " he uses it, so I must
" arguement. I'm sure you use the 422 because it fits your needs with
outputs etc for tracks / and small footprint.... and good pre's.

Actually SD made a special all-white i442 for Jeff with only one button and
no knobs.

C'mon guys... I didn't say the thing about "Jeff Wexler uses it so you
should" so let's not get silly. Actually, my 442 is the prototype for
the unreleased iRecord (therefore, I am?) from Apple and it isn't white
(but the whole unit is a touchscreen that Steve promises will work
nicely in the iBag).

- JW

[j***@gmail.com]

Post by Jeff Wexler

Post by Charles Tomaras

Post by engaudio
<The 442 will work fine for you. Jeff Wexler uses one for insert car
work>
mmmm, think I'll rush out and buy one tomorrow because Jeff Wexler
uses one....
More likely because It has the features I need then a " big name user
" list.
Sorry Jeff... But I can't be bothered with the " he uses it, so I must
" arguement. I'm sure you use the 422 because it fits your needs with
outputs etc for tracks / and small footprint.... and good pre's.

Actually SD made a special all-white i442 for Jeff with only one button and
no knobs.

C'mon guys... I didn't say the thing about "Jeff Wexler uses it so you
should" so let's not get silly. Actually, my 442 is the prototype for
the unreleased iRecord (therefore, I am?) from Apple and it isn't white
(but the whole unit is a touchscreen that Steve promises will work
nicely in the iBag).
- JW

***UPDATE****


Just got a quote from Gotham for the new Audio Developments AD-255.
If I went through with that, i would probably get an 8 channel chassis
with six inputs in it. I would upgrade to 8 in the future. This is
seeming my best option right now because the last used CS-106 that I
know of is on www.gothamsound.com and someone's already made an offer
on it. The AD-255 is a bit over what I budgeted but seems like my
best option right now. I know that if I buy an older AD board I'm
going to regret it in a year. Let me know if you guys think
differently.


Thanks guys,

joe

[a***@gmail.com]

Post by j***@gmail.com
Hey Hey,
I have a feature starting around December and I am building a cart for
Sound Devices 702T
Sound Devices 442
VDB Pole
Senn. 416 48V
All the appropriate cables (Duplex, 200 ft. Boom snake, breakaway,
etc.)
I have a budget of about $12,000 and am looking through tons of used
equipment. I have about $5000 budgeted for a mixer, if I can't find
one that would be a step up from my 442 by then, I'll just use the
442. However, I don't want to be stuck mixing narrative for two
months on rotary pots. There is also a good chance that I will need
more than 4 tracks. I've worked with this DP before and know about
his love of 1'ers and extreme wide shots where you see the whole
world.
I've been looking at old Cooper CS-106's and various used Audio
Developments boards. I've only used the Cooper first hand and was
wondering how the Audio Developments boards compare. Particularly in
the realm of Audio Developments stuff, I've been looking at the
AD-146's.
Any info/suggestions are very appreciated.
Thanks guys,
joe

Joe,

A flat panel mixer for drama is a must! Unless you are isolating
everything to it`s own tracks on a multi track recorder and your mix
really doesn`t matter! Even then we are often judged only on our
comtek and dalies mix.

Speaking from experience, I would have to say that there are major
differences in older "Pico" designs of Audio Developments to the newer
"Pico". This would explain the drastic price differences. I would also
put it out that there are several different designs of Audio
Developments that cater to different styles of production. The AD146
does not have auxiliary output capabilities. This is handy for a
separate mix for comteks, IFB, EPK, etc. I currently use a AD147
Mercury mixer, 6ch with a direct out modification for iso tracks. This
is 99.9% capable of handling everything I through at it for the last
eight years. I particularly like the fact that it has separate mic and
line XLR inputs with a switch to select either. This enables me to
leave equipment hooked up and switch in and out of up to twelve inputs
as needed. It is still a slight step down from the AD149 which has
factory direct outs, inserts, compressor/limiter on every channel,
etc.

I am considering an upgrade so contact me off group if you might be
interested.

Good Luck,
Eric Lamontagne
ericatacmesounddotnet