Rolls MX34c LiveMix 2-Channel Camera Microphone Mixer

Rolls MX34c: Two-Microphone Camera Mixer for Field and Interview Audio

The Rolls MX34c LiveMix is a compact 2-channel microphone mixer that folds two balanced XLR microphones into a single stereo output sized for a camera or portable recorder, all in a 6.3 x 3.7 x 1.4 inch battery-powered chassis. It solves a specific field problem: a videographer needs two proper microphones feeding a DSLR or camcorder that offers only a 3.5mm input and no phantom power of its own. Both mic channels carry level and pan controls plus +18V phantom, and a switchable mic/line output matches whatever level the camera expects. Running on two 9V batteries, it goes wherever a shoot goes without hunting for an outlet. For run-and-gun interview and ENG work, the MX34c is the small box that turns a consumer camera into a two-microphone rig.

Two Balanced XLR Microphone Inputs with Phantom Power

The MX34c gives you two balanced XLR microphone inputs, each with its own +18 VDC phantom power so condenser and electret mics run without an external supply. A balanced input carries the audio on two conductors and cancels noise picked up along the cable, which keeps a run to a boom or lavalier quiet even on a busy set. Because these are real mic preamp stages rather than line jacks, the mixer can host proper microphones and set each to the right level before the mix. Per-channel gain reaches up to +70 dB, enough to lift a quiet interview mic without hiss. For a two-person interview or a host-plus-guest setup, those two phantom-capable channels are the foundation of the whole box.

Switchable Mic/Line 3.5mm Stereo Output

The MX34c sends its mix out on a stereo 1/8-inch (3.5mm) jack that switches between mic and line level to match the input on a camera or recorder. Consumer cameras usually expect a mic-level 3.5mm signal, while a field recorder or audio interface may want line level, and the wrong choice means a distorted or weak track. The switch lets one cable feed either device correctly, so the audio arrives at a usable level the first time. This single output is what makes the MX34c a bridge between XLR microphones and the 3.5mm world of DSLRs and camcorders. For videographers who record straight to camera, that matched output is the reason the mixer exists.

Front-Panel 3.5mm Headset Mic Input

A front-panel 3.5mm headset microphone input lets an operator add narration or scratch voice without tying up one of the XLR channels. On location a videographer often needs to slate a shot or lay down a guide track, and a headset mic keeps their hands free for the camera. The input folds into the same stereo mix as the XLR mics, so the narration sits alongside the interview audio. Because it is on the front panel, it is reachable while the mixer is mounted or bagged. For solo shooters doing voiceover in the field, that extra input is a genuine convenience.

Independent Headphone Monitoring

The MX34c carries its own headphone monitor circuit that lets you hear the full mix without affecting the signal going to the camera. Monitoring on set is how you catch a dead mic, a wind gust, or a level that is clipping before the take is ruined rather than after. Because the headphone amp is independent of the main output, adjusting monitor volume never changes what the camera records. That separation matters when the operator wants the mix loud in the headphones but the camera feed set precisely. For any field recording where you cannot reshoot, built-in monitoring is what keeps the audio trustworthy.

Clean, Quiet Preamps for the Size

For a battery-powered field box the MX34c posts strong numbers: a 110 dB signal-to-noise ratio, total harmonic distortion of 0.02 percent, and a flat 20 Hz to 30 kHz frequency response. In practice that means the mixer adds almost no hiss of its own and does not color the voices passing through it. A high signal-to-noise ratio matters most on quiet interview audio, where a noisy preamp would show up as a background wash under speech. Low distortion keeps a raised voice sounding natural instead of harsh. For content that will be scrutinized in post, those preamp figures are why the MX34c earns a place over a camera's own input.

Battery-Powered for Run-and-Gun Field Use

The MX34c runs on two 9V alkaline batteries, drawing only about 30 mA, so it works anywhere without an AC outlet or a bag full of adapters. Field and ENG audio happens on sidewalks, in vehicles, and on location where power is not a given, and a battery box removes that dependency entirely. Low current draw means the batteries last through long shoot days rather than dying mid-interview. The one-pound chassis drops into a camera bag or clips to a rig without adding real weight. For videographers, documentary crews, and event shooters who move constantly, battery operation is what makes the MX34c genuinely portable.