ASC Minx Mixer
Canford has announced the last batch of that stalwart of radio or TV outside broadcast, the ASC Minx Mixer. The Minx has been a mainstay of OBs going back more than 25 years. Its unique and comprehensive range of features on such a compact, portable unit, have made it a firm favourite with production crew heading out into the field. The last ever batch has been built and are available for immediate delivery.
The AP version Minx started its life in the early 80s and can still be found being used by engineers today. Its robust build and comprehensive features made it ‘de rigueur’ at a time when not many companies were addressing the need for specialist portable outside broadcast products. Its compact design but professional build quality and attributes endeared the mixer to engineers more used to needing a truck to carry the necessary equipment with them.
The Minx has three balanced XLR mic/line inputs featuring highpass filter, PFL button and dual-concentric gain and fader controls. Phantom power can be applied to all inputs simultaneously via a switch. These controls enables the user to mix three mics and lose most of the wind noise or vehicle background noise and also listen to any or each of the channels before introducing them into the mix. A cue input is provided on balanced XLR and terminal posts. The main output is provided on both balanced XLR and terminal-posts (isolated from each other) and switchable 0dB/- 50dB, so Minx mixers can be cascaded, feed a radiomic, or be used as a microphone sub-mixer.
There are two headphone outputs, with separate level controls. It also features a high-quality PPM meter with a red LED overload indicator that’s linked to a switchable limiter. The limiter is set at PPM6 or if you prefer, +8dBm. There is also a built-in talkback microphone that can be used to talk to either the presenters on the cued inputs or alternatively the output mix. Presenter’s and engineer’s headphones can be switched separately to cue or output.
The output is transformer balanced via screw terminal and XLR. The XLR output is switchable between mic and line level for added flexibility. A line-up oscillator is also provided and the mixer is powered from either mains or 2 x PP3 size batteries, giving approximately 10 hours use. A battery test facility is built in to permit the user to monitor remaining battery life. A charger for NiCad batteries (PP3 size) is also included. A padded carrying bag is also available as an accessory to offer an extra degree of protection and for ease of transportation.
The last ever units are now in stock – hurry to avoid disappointment! It just goes to show that with good design comes longevity and even a place in UK broadcast history.