Topic: the Marenius thread: MM-4220, SMF-5 mkIII etc (was "smallest 4ch/2tr")

[sunjan]

[Edit: I changed the title of the thread to reflect that we're talking about all current Marenius gear]

Just launched in January 2009, this looks like a contender to the R44 for the smallest 4-channel all-in-one unit.

Cheaper than the SD 744T but more expensive than the R44, the currency slump of the Swedish Krona made it more affordable.
Selling in Sweden for 13600 SEK (excl tax), this translates to $1550, provided you find a way to import it without customs.

The biggest drawback is the bitrate: recordings are restricted to 16/48 only.  Maybe their developers will listen to the market and release a 24bit version later on?

I like the form factor. 
Size W x H x D approx. 140 x 60 x 136 mm

Compared to R44:
Dimensions 157(W) x 61(H) x 183(D) mm

Compared to SD 744T:
209 mm x 45 mm x 125 mm (H x W x D)

http://www.marenius.se/products/mm4220.html

The MM-4220 is a true professional Stereo Mixer for portable use, made by MARENIUS. It offers four mic/line input channels, built-in Compact Flash card Recorder, PPM metering with 2 x 8 multicolor LED's, low-noise amplifiers and power supply based on re-chargeable NiMH cells for up to 8 hours use. All this is housed in a compact, all-metal heavy-duty case.

The front panel holds all controls for the mixer. On top of the panel are toggle switches for Power, Test Tone and Battery Test. Each of the four inputs has a gain control pot and a pan pot. In addition there is a gain selector switch for 0, 24 or 48 dB gain. The gain pot adds up to 12 dB and the master pot adds another 12 dB for a total of 72 dB gain, input-to-output. There is also a toggle switch for inserting a HP-filter for bass-cut.
On the upper part of the front panel is the PPM bar graph with 16 multicolor LED's covering the range 0 to -50 dBu in optimized step size. You will also find the Master pot and the Headphones pot, as well as a switch for selecting 48V phantom power for 0, 2 or 4 channels.

The CF card slot will accept up to 8 GB cards. Recording is uncompressed WAV format on FAT32 formatted cards. Recordings are stereo, 16 bits @ 48 kHz, while the internal A/D and D/A converters use 24 bits for higher precision. You will then be sure to get a full 16 bits resolution onto the CF card.

The backside panel holds all sockets for input and output plus external power supply.
There are four input sockets (XLR-3F), for the input channels. Each input has its corresponding toggle switch for enabling 48 V phantom power. There are two sockets (XLR-3M) for the main outputs L and R. A 3.5 mm stereo socket is intended for headphones of most kinds, 32 - 2000 ohms impedance. There is also an AES3id* coaxial output and a USB socket for software updates.

External power supply can be used for prolonged up-time or when the mixer is used in a non-portable mode. The external power should be 18 V @ 1 A. When powered from internal accumulator, expect a total working time of 6-8 hours, depending on battery status and temperature. A high-speed charger function is included for a charging time about 2.5 hours.

*AES3id is a newer standard allowing for transmission of AES3 pro format signal over a 75 ohms coaxial wire at distances up to 1000 meters. It is, in most cases, compatible with both AES/EBU and S/PDIF inputs.
Technical Data
Frequency range 25 Hz -22 KHz (-3 dB)
THD <0,004% @ 1 kHz, +12 dBu
Max. gain 72 dB (48+12+12)
Signal-to-noise ratio >94 dB @ 0 dB gain, A-weighted
Crosstalk at full pan <-50 dB
Equiv. input ref. noise <-122 dBu, A-weighted @ max gain
Input sockets XLR-3F
Audio input impedance  2 K ohms(mic), 20 K ohms(line)
Audio input level max. +12 dBu
Output sockets XLR-3M
Audio output impedance 2 x 100 ohms balanced
Audio output level max. +12 dBm (600 ohms)
Phones socket 3.5 mm 3-pole
Phones output 2.0 Vrms into 300 ohms
Phones impedance 32 - 2000 ohms
Test tone 1000 Hz +/-0,001% @ -12 dBFS
Phantom power 48 V+-6 V, max 5 mA @ 90%
Power supply: internal NiMH
or ext. 18 V DC @ 1 A
Current drain <220 mA
Charge current 650 mA
Size W x H x D approx. 140 x 60 x 136 mm
excl. sockets and knobs
Weight approx. 950 grams

Carrying case: optional

[mr qpl]

for the metrically challenged thats 5.5"  x 2.4"  x 5.3"

a little brick.

[JackoRoses]

between this
"File memory Compact Flash, type I, FAT32
formatted, max 8 GB "
and this

"File type WAV, stereo,
uncompressed, 48/16 " Which you pointed out already.
I don't see it being that serious of a contender. I like the construction of it though.
to add at least for me, not saying it doesn't have a market...

[kbergend]

I think this is actually a stereo recorder with an integrated 4-mic mixer in front of it, not a true 4-channel recorder.

[audBall]

I'd like to give their two-channel transformer pre a run...


SMF-5
http://www.marenius.se/products/smf5.html

[sunjan]

I think this is actually a stereo recorder with an integrated 4-mic mixer in front of it, not a true 4-channel recorder.

Ooops, you might be right, I didn't read the specs carefully enough. 
Four simultaneous inputs, but just two tracks recorded. Maybe not such a hot item after all.

[Colin Liston]

The Sonosax Mini R82 is smaller. 

[sunjan]

The Sonosax Mini R82 is smaller. 

Good point! But AFAIK, it has only two analog inputs. Plenty of competition in that segment.
Marenius has 4 x XLR, all with mic preams and P48. That's why I'd rank it as more versatile.

After some consideration, true four-tracks like R44 still represents better value for money compared to the Marenius.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

How would you power this. It says 18V on it.

[Krispy D]

still pretty!

[Ozpeter]

Although this device indeed does not appear to be the equivalent of the R-44 with its four separate recorded channels, it does again point up the downside of the R-44, namely lack of monitor mixing (which is crucial in some uses, and not required at all for many Taperssection-reader uses).   The Marenius device implements the concept of a mixer with a recorder, although it's indeed a pity that it's a four input mixer feeding a stereo recorder rather than a four channel recorder feeding a stereo output mixer.

In my view the R-44 would have been that much better if the digital gain facility had been omitted and if the knob now used for that purpose was a replay/monitoring level control.  If that knob was also pushable like the headphone level knob, its function could have then toggled between monitor level and monitor pan.  That way you could record four well modulated channels but also monitor or play back a balanced and panned mix at the same time, rather than the present system which allows playback level only to be set in playback not record, and left/right assignment only determined by which channel the source happens to be connected to.

[intpseeker]

So what does this mean: 

'Recordings are stereo, 16 bits @ 48 kHz, while the internal A/D and D/A converters use 24 bits for higher precision.'

[sunjan]

So what does this mean: 

'Recordings are stereo, 16 bits @ 48 kHz, while the internal A/D and D/A converters use 24 bits for higher precision.'

Beats me?! Paging Dsatz... 

Regarding power, this is the description from the manual:

Power Supply
MM-4220 runs from an internal NiMH power pack. This is a high capacity pack with re-chargeable accumulators for a full working day without need for additional charging.
The included mains adapter/charger unit can be used for both charging and powering the mixer.
The power supply has a 2.1 mm plug, polarity is any. For both powering and charging the minimum current capacity must be 1 A @ 18 V DC.
When connected the LED next to the socket will be lit red. When the mixer is fully charged the LED will be lit green. This may take up to 2,5 hours for a fully discharged unit.
There is no need to discharge the unit before charging.
The internal, intelligent charging circuitry handles the complete charging cycle.

Just found out one more thing.
MM-4220 is available for rental in Sweden. One day costs 90 SEK = $10, which is a real bargain!
My problem is that I don't have high-end mics (or stands) that would justify this box. But maybe something for other Swedish tapers who want to try on new gear?  ghellquist...?!

[ghellquist]

MM-4220 is available for rental in Sweden. One day costs 90 SEK = $10, which is a real bargain!
My problem is that I don't have high-end mics (or stands) that would justify this box. But maybe something for other Swedish tapers who want to try on new gear?  ghellquist...?!

I might check it out. Marenius is well known among professional TV and radio people here, not a household name though. They have a long history of making specialized stuff for that market.

I run a Sound Devices 722 for two track. For more tracks I have a rack with 8ch of Millenium Media HV3D and Lavry Blue converters + some added channels through a RME Fireface 800. And the mics to go with it. Thinking about downsizing to a SD788T, might happen or not.

// Gunnar

[sunjan]

MM-4220 is available for rental in Sweden. One day costs 90 SEK = $10, which is a real bargain!

Forgot to post the link to the rental:
http://sthlm.filmcentrum.se/media/user/files/prislista.pdf

I just got a mail from Mr Marenius himself (living legend here in Sweden among audiophiles).
He was interested in maybe joining the forum, so he could answer some questions directly, and explain his rationale behind the 24bit>16bit conversion. Stay tuned...