Topic: AETA Mix 2000 4 Channel Portable Field Mixer

[hammerhorror]

I have purchased a used AETA Mix 2000, and I wasn't able to find any information on taperssection regarding the Aeta Mix 2000, so I figured that I would start this thread on it.

It supposedly uses the same transformer preamps that the EAA/AETA PSP-2 does. Instead of only 2 channels though, this offers 4. It also features a mid-side decoder and a slew of other features (see below).

The model I am receiving has the A/D converter upgrade that will output either 24/44.1 over spdif or 24/48 over AES/EBU. Not all models contain the A/D converter (it was an upgrade that you had to pay extra for).

I am really looking forward to trying this out in the field. As I learn more about it, and get a chance to play around with it, I will update this thread with links to recordings, etc....



Below is an excerpt from the website, and links to the owner's manual & specifications:

http://www.aetausa.com/Media/PDF/mix2000_manual.pdf

http://www.aetausa.com/Media/PDF/Mix2000_lit.pdf

Following extensive consultations with film sound recording engineers and the electronic newsgathering requirements of the television industry, AETA has developed the MIX2000 Portable mixer.

Incorporating the latest audio circuits to reduce size while increasing overall performance,
The MIX2000 is the most advanced portable ENG mixer available. Weighing less than 2 kgs (4.4 lbs.) the unit is equipped with insulation transformers and offers a remarkable 46 dB input headroom with an equivalent input noise of almost 130 dB. Master control stage uses VCA circuits allowing outstanding precision and stability of the built-in selectable limiter and compressor.

An optional AET/EBU digital output enables a direct connection with linear and non-linear recording and transmission devices.

This four-channel mixer also provides all types of microphone supply, pre-fade, independent monitor and master output, MID/Side coding/decoding, panning and an adjustable brightness monitoring bar-graph display with a scale ranging from –40 dB to +8 dB.

[jlykos]

Hey, congratulations!  AETA are good people; they showed me love so I show them love back.  I would be very interested to hear how this sounds.  They said that the preamp designs they have in the MIXY (their 3-channel mixer) are the most advanced they have ever designed.  It looks like this one is different, however, because they told me that they are not using transformers anymore.  If you have some recordings and such, I would love to hear them.

Also, shoot me any questions you may have about the device; I am on good terms with their sales director and can probably get an answer for you pronto.

I sound like a shill for these people.

[Kevin Straker]

They said that the preamp designs they have in the MIXY (their 3-channel mixer) are the most advanced they have ever designed. 

I wonder  how they quantify that statement and how that translates to actual real life sound? The pres in the psp2 and psp3 both sound nice, but different.

[George2]

Metering is out-dated. Sonically probably really nice.

[TNJazz]

Metering is out-dated. Sonically probably really nice.

huh?

[jlykos]

They said that the preamp designs they have in the MIXY (their 3-channel mixer) are the most advanced they have ever designed. 

I wonder  how they quantify that statement and how that translates to actual real life sound? The pres in the psp2 and psp3 both sound nice, but different.

The PSP-2 uses transformers and the PSP-3 does not.

[Kindguy]

Metering is out-dated. Sonically probably really nice.

huh?

  yea it's not a 722, but nicer than the v3 (meters y'all)


Seriously very nice score. Looking forward to hearing this.  T+

[easy jim]

I cannot seem to find any pricing online.

What is the cost on this unit?  W/ and/or w/o the AES digital upgrade. 

[TNJazz]

I cannot seem to find any pricing online.

What is the cost on this unit?  W/ and/or w/o the AES digital upgrade. 

I think it's been discontinued for a while now.  It came out in late 2000 I believe.  I looked at it a couple of years ago but I couldn't ever find any place to buy it either.

[easy jim]

I think it's been discontinued for a while now.  It came out in late 2000 I believe.  I looked at it a couple of years ago but I couldn't ever find any place to buy it either.

:shrugs: thanks.

[Kevin Straker]

They said that the preamp designs they have in the MIXY (their 3-channel mixer) are the most advanced they have ever designed. 

I wonder  how they quantify that statement and how that translates to actual real life sound? The pres in the psp2 and psp3 both sound nice, but different.

The PSP-2 uses transformers and the PSP-3 does not.

Indeed, and I have used them both. They both have a high quality sound, but are different. i wonder which way this thing leans?

[hammerhorror]

They both have a high quality sound, but are different. i wonder which way this thing leans?

The AETA Mix 2000 definitely sounds alot like the PSP-2 to my ears. In the home tests I have performed, the pres sound nice and warm, definitely NOT bright sounding.

The bass sounded killer on the home stereo recordings I made. There are a few shows I am interested in taping this week, so I should be able to post some samples soon.

-John

[carlbeck]

OK, now that I was lucky enough to purchase this off John & run it last night for the first time all I can say is WOW. I have never used a mixer so I ran it at home for a few days to learn how to run it. First thing using my 2600 mah  AA batteries I got over 6 hours powering my C34 on two channels, I imagine four channels will have a different power drain. So no need for a battery pack with this bad boy at a normal show. Next thing I can say is that is it bigger than I imagined but still manageable. The feature set is incredible, again I have never owned a mixer or even know how to use one but it has more features than most of us will ever use taping concerts, still I love it. I have to say it is the nicest piece of gear I have ever owned & went through a major slutty faze back in the day. I bought it since I felt it was probably the equiviliant of two PSP-2's in one chassis, why not it's four transformers in one box.

Now finally onto the sound? Well it smokes quite frankly. I knew it would but I needed to run it in the most horrible room you could ever imagine taping the worst sound system I have ever heard. I ran it at the Word last night at the Webster Theater. Crappy venue & crappy sound. The house music was boomy & ear piercing grating, I can't even explain. At one point during the show I noticed the sound man sleeping at the board! Can you imagine? OMG, maybe it was just the house board but are freaking kidding me? So anyway, I ran the C34 90 degrees at Cardiod with the HPF set at 80hz in the AETA. Look for samples real soon as well as a BT of the entire show. I have to say I am pleased, I love the feature set of the box, I think it is a real quality & unique piece plus it sounds bad ass, what more could a taper want? So looks like the Portico is for sale officially now.

[terrapinj]

OK, now that I was lucky enough to purchase this off John & run it last night for the first time all I can say is WOW. I have never used a mixer so I ran it at home for a few days to learn how to run it. First thing using my 2600 mah  AA batteries I got over 6 hours powering my C34 on two channels, I imagine four channels will have a different power drain. So no need for a battery pack with this bad boy at a normal show. Next thing I can say is that is it bigger than I imagined but still manageable. The feature set is incredible, again I have never owned a mixer or even know how to use one but it has more features than most of us will ever use taping concerts, still I love it. I have to say it is the nicest piece of gear I have ever owned & went through a major slutty faze back in the day. I bought it since I felt it was probably the equiviliant of two PSP-2's in one chassis, why not it's four transformers in one box.

Now finally onto the sound? Well it smokes quite frankly. I knew it would but I needed to run it in the most horrible room you could ever imagine taping the worst sound system I have ever heard. I ran it at the Word last night at the Webster Theater. Crappy venue & crappy sound. The house music was boomy & ear piercing grating, I can't even explain. At one point during the show I noticed the sound man sleeping at the board! Can you imagine? OMG, maybe it was just the house board but are freaking kidding me? So anyway, I ran the C34 90 degrees at Cardiod with the HPF set at 80hz in the AETA. Look for samples real soon as well as a BT of the entire show. I have to say I am pleased, I love the feature set of the box, I think it is a real quality & unique piece plus it sounds bad ass, what more could a taper want? So looks like the Portico is for sale officially now.

nice Carl - looking forward to hearing this 

[carlbeck]

Here it is on E-Tree in 16 bit:

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=511960

[terrapinj]

Here it is on E-Tree in 16 bit:

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=511960

trying to tease us with the email with no link in it eh? 

[Myco]

Congrats Carl! John is a standup guy also!

[F.O.Bean]

NOICE!!!

[Stagger]

What'd I tell ya buddy!?! wait till you hear these!

[BT] WsP 2007-12-30 Philips Arena * Atlanta, GA AKG c34>PSP2 16bit & 24Bit

and

[BT] WsP 2007-12-31 Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA *6 Channel* 16bit & 24bit

Happy New Year buddy... hope 2008 is a good one for you and Stacy and i get to see y'all soon!

[carlbeck]

Nice, drop me a line when the 24 bit is seeded.

[Tim]

What'd I tell ya buddy!?! wait till you hear these!

[BT] WsP 2007-12-30 Philips Arena * Atlanta, GA AKG c34>PSP2 16bit - for now

Holy shit. This tape is a SMOKER

well done Stagger. I was walking down the hall when it came on my stereo and I stopped in my tracks and came back into the room

very nice