Sound Devices 302 Production Mixer User Guide

302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information page 11 
engages each Output Limiter separately. They will act on each respective output bus independently of the 
other. 
While all dynamics processing “distorts” the audio signal, overloading a circuit is usually far more objectionable. For 
most applications the limiters are a signi cant bene t and should be enabled. 
HEADPHONE MONITORING 
The 302 has a fl  exible headphone circuit capable of selecting a variety of audio signals for...

page 12 302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information 
Indicated by the RTN positions on the rotary switch, audio sources connected to the mixers 3.5-mm jack 
labeled RTN can be monitored in headphones. Return, or “confi  dence monitoring,” is useful to monitor au-
dio from a camera or recorder. Typically, camera headphone outputs are used as the Return Monitor source. 
Return levels are controlled by the heaphone level, while the return level sensitivity can be adjusted with 
the...

302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information page 13 
Source 
The meter can display levels of the output buses, the PFL levels or levels from the RTN inputs. Default 
operation is always the output bus except when PFL’s are selects from the Headphone Selection Switch. This 
operation can be modifi  ed in the Setup Menu. 
press to cycle through 
available meter bal-
listics selections
press to 
change LED 
brightness 
Scale 
When viewing peak information on the meter, its scale is...

page 14 302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information 
MIXER LINKING 
make the connection between 
Tape Out and Mix In 
To add inputs to the 302, an additional mixer can can be connected (linked) into its Mix In connection. The 
unbalanced Mix In connection is directly compatible with Sound Devices MixPre, 302, and 442 mixers. A 
simple connection between those mixer Mix Out/Tape Out and the 302 Mix In adds their input channel to 
the 302’s output bus. The unit connected via the Mix...

302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information page 15 
The external DC supply is isolated (fl  oating) from the circuitry to minimize ground loop and interaction 
among devices sharing the same DC source. The external DC connector is a Hirose 4-pin female. This lock-
ing connector mates to Hirose P/N HR10-7P-4P (Sound Devices P/N XL-H). Pin-1 is negative and pin-4 is 
the positive voltage. 
Power Metering 
The battery check button indicates battery voltages of internal and external...

page 16 302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information 
The mixer will not pass audio when in the Setup Menu. When in the Setup Menu the fl  ashing LED on the 
left meter (L) position indicates the selected setup feature. The right meter (R) position indicates the values 
selected for the setup. Use the PK/VU button advance from one setup to another. If the intended setup is 
passed, setup mode must be re-entered since you can only step forward through the Setup Menu. 
To adjust...

302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information page 17 
SPECIFICATIONS 
Measurement settings (unless otherwise specifi  ed):  Gain controls for the channel being measured at mid 
point, all other channels gains fully down; pan switches centered; high-pass off; inputs in ‘mic’ position; 
outputs in ‘line’ position. Mic input driven with 150 ohm source. Outputs measured with 100k ohm load. 
Temperature at 25º C. 
Maximum Gain, typical (trim, fader, master, phones RTN fully up): 
 XLR...

page 18 302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information 
Input Limiters: 
+18 dBu threshold, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time, 200 mS 
release time. 
Temperature:
Operating: –20°C to 60°C, 0 to 95% relative humidity; (non-condens-
ing); Storage: –40°C to 85°C 
Output Limiters: 
affects the Line Output and Tape Out, 
threshold selectable from +4 dBu to +20 dBu, 
1 dB steps, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time, 200 mS release 
time 
Power supply: 
Internal ±16 V (bi-polar)...

302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information page 19 
WARRANTY & APPROVALS 
Warranty 
Sound Devices, LLC warrants the 302 Production Mixer against defects in materials and workmanship 
for a period of ONE (1) year from date of original retail purchase. This is a non-transferable warranty that 
extends only to the original purchaser. Sound Devices, LLC will repair or replace the product at its discre-
tion at no charge. Warranty claims due to severe service conditions will be...

page 20 302 Compact Production Mixer 
User Guide and Technical Information 
ADVANCED GAIN STRUCTURE AND INTERCONNECTION 
The 302’s unique output attenuator circuit is adjusted in the Setup Menu. This can be thought of as a master 
gain control which comes after the 302’s output meter. This circuit allows the user to match the 302’s output 
level to any recording device. When properly set, the dynamic range of the system is maximized and the 
302’s meters will “match” the recorder ’s meters. 
For simple...