Topic: Apogee Mini Me

[pmonk66]

How does it rank among pre-amps and A/D convertors??

Right now I have a UA-5 busman mod and was wondering is it worthwhile to snag one for a good price?

[stirinthesauce]

How does it rank among pre-amps and A/D convertors??

Right now I have a UA-5 busman mod and was wondering is it worthwhile to sang one for a good price?

That question is suspect to opinion, as everyone here as there favorite.  However, I will give you my 2 cents since I have owned several modded ua-5's, own a minime, owned other pre/ad's, and played extensively with Grace boxes.

The converters in the minime are top notch.  As for the pre, I really dig it.  Some do, some don't.  It is definitly all apogee.  Full bodied with it's own distinct character.  One thing I've noticed, apogee owners tend to stick with apogee products.  Same can be said for Grace owners.  Just depends on YOUR EARS.  For me, I don't like Grace boxes, hence why I own the minime for my 2 channel needs.  That's my ears.  Others like Grace, and not Apogee, that's what their ears tell them. 

My advice, if you can, borrow one and run it for a bit and see if you like it.  Or match your mics to the minime in a archive search and listen and see what your ears tell you.

As for a change from your modded ua-5, this would most definitly be a step up in quality, both build and sonic characteristics.

[johnw]

The only thing wrong with the Apogee is it seems fragile and has an awkward layout that requires some creativity when getting it into a bag.  Also it is painful to adjust levels on when going line in. All that said, I really like the way it sounded with my AKGs.

[Chuck]

Yeah, I had a Mini-Me for a while and I really liked it. I've also run the W-mod UA-5 and I'm currently using a Grace V3. Of the three boxes, I found the Mini-Me to have the most *character*. They have come down in price lately and I have even thought about picking up another one. The comment about running line-in is fitting. You have to use a tiny screwdriver to get the levels right. But, other than that, it's a good sounding pre-amp.

[danlynch]

I really can't say enough good things about my Mini-Me.  I believe you've heard my Roger Waters recording from 2006 ( http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=111900 ), PMonk.  I'm always giving kudos to the Neummies for that pull, but the apogee was a major part of the equation.  Its an incredibly easy a/d pre to use, and the results are rich and warm. 

[pmonk66]

Thanks for the input - I'm such a fucking slut!

[JoeKiller]

Slut it up.  I love my minime

[gusbud1]

I love my mini-me too.  I think it is the optimal ad converter, of course I think some mics sound better with a V3, so it does depend on what mics you use and what your ears like.

[pmonk66]

Just picked it up and it came with a Oade battery. The MM is fucking long and the battery weighs a fucking ton but for the price

[danlynch]

Congrats!  You'll love it.

[pmonk66]

Congrats!  You'll love it.

Can't wait to use it!

[gusbud1]

Just picked it up and it came with a Oade battery. The MM is fucking long and the battery weighs a fucking ton but for the price

Yeah that is the one drawback of the mme is its shape, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else. As for the battery, I am guessing there are probably battery options that weigh less than what you have.

[stirinthesauce]

yup, I run mine on one of those 9v Lion wallyworld batts.  Super slim, lightweight, and I get PLENTY of time on one. 

Think I've finally found a solution for the long ass mini me odd size.  Thanks to a tip by brianp, I'm using the accessory pouch on my sonicase.  Been through numerous bags trying to find one I like with this sucker.

[danlynch]

I've been using the actual Apogee case.  It has a nice little pocket for the Microtrack, and also the strap works well.  I got a nice deal on the case from Sonic Sense.

[pmonk66]

Just picked it up and it came with a Oade battery. The MM is fucking long and the battery weighs a fucking ton but for the price

Yeah that is the one drawback of the mme is its shape, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else. As for the battery, I am guessing there are probably battery options that weigh less than what you have.

I guess the   Initial RB-270 Universal Rechargeable (9v - 5400mAh) I use for the UA-5 will work (of course with the correct polarity)

[stirinthesauce]

I guess the   Initial RB-270 Universal Rechargeable (9v - 5400mAh) I use for the UA-5 will work (of course with the correct polarity)

yup.  I decided I wanted a nice custom power cable, ed (deadheaded of kindkables) hooked me up with a real nice one cheap.  I made one from RatShack parts that works, it's my backup.

[dointhatrag]

did someone say mini me's are fragile?

you gotta be kidding me, I have had mine for 8 years and it gets thrown around everywhere, its covered in scratches but works as good as the day I got it.


Go Apogee !!!

[gusbud1]

did someone say mini me's are fragile?

you gotta be kidding me, I have had mine for 8 years and it gets thrown around everywhere, its covered in scratches but works as good as the day I got it.


Go Apogee !!!

Agreed!!

[silentmark]

Can't wait for my new play toy to arrive next week sometime 

[silentmark]

yup, I run mine on one of those 9v Lion wallyworld batts.  Super slim, lightweight, and I get PLENTY of time on one. 

Think I've finally found a solution for the long ass mini me odd size.  Thanks to a tip by brianp, I'm using the accessory pouch on my sonicase.  Been through numerous bags trying to find one I like with this sucker.

What kind of run time are you getting out of that 9v lion ?

Any pictures of that sonic case setup ? I know once my minime arrives I will have some re arranging to do and any suggestions would be great ...

[stirinthesauce]

yup, I run mine on one of those 9v Lion wallyworld batts.  Super slim, lightweight, and I get PLENTY of time on one. 

Think I've finally found a solution for the long ass mini me odd size.  Thanks to a tip by brianp, I'm using the accessory pouch on my sonicase.  Been through numerous bags trying to find one I like with this sucker.

What kind of run time are you getting out of that 9v lion ?

Any pictures of that sonic case setup ? I know once my minime arrives I will have some re arranging to do and any suggestions would be great ...

Haven't tested the length but I did notice less of a drain (via checking the led's after the show) on the 9v then either of the two modded ua-5's I used to run.  And contrary to the ad1000's, it doesn't get hot.  Runs cool and on little juice.  I suspect an easy 5-6hr or more on a 9v.  I've run 2 opening acts and headliner with plenty of juice to spare.

As for my setup, well, haven't taken any pictures as of yet.  But anyways, the minime in the accessory pouch is working great.  The front zippers hold power cable and two 9v lithiums and I can even slide my MT in there when it is opened.  Leaves PLENTY of room for everything else in the 2 shelf main pouch.

[ellaguru]

contemplating eliminating the sxm2 for a field test of just mg210>mini me for an upcoming show...anyone run this rig?
cr

[stirinthesauce]

contemplating eliminating the sxm2 for a field test of just mg210>mini me for an upcoming show...anyone run this rig?
cr

I run beyer mc930>mini me a good bit.  The beyers are very similar sonically to the gefells.  I'm really happy with the results.  Give it a shot, you may find you like it (or not).   

[Nick's Picks]

IMO....
the Mme works like no other box...but that synergy is with the right mics!!!
I LOVE it w/any and all Hyper-cards.  If you tape w/those a lot, the the MME is right up your alley.

I like it with AKGs  LOVE it w/the neumann km150.
all sorts of great features w/its "push it" settings and various other ways to manage the signal.  Powering it is easy, I believe anything from 6-12v will work.  Drain is not huge..so a 4amp battery should be sufficient for run of the mill recording.

[silentmark]

Have you run it with the 140's ? 130's ?

I've heard a couple of 150 recordings and I agree, sounds nice and I am not a fan of the 150 caps at all ...

[ellaguru]

IMO....
the Mme works like no other box...but that synergy is with the right mics!!!
I LOVE it w/any and all Hyper-cards.  If you tape w/those a lot, the the MME is right up your alley.

I like it with AKGs  LOVE it w/the neumann km150.
all sorts of great features w/its "push it" settings and various other ways to manage the signal.  Powering it is easy, I believe anything from 6-12v will work.  Drain is not huge..so a 4amp battery should be sufficient for run of the mill recording.

sounds like you talked me into taking that sax out of the chain next time out....210>mme may be the shizzle in the right situation...too bad the next show is at the blind pig   

[danlynch]

Have you run it with the 140's ? 130's ?

I've heard a couple of 150 recordings and I agree, sounds nice and I am not a fan of the 150 caps at all ...

Have you heard this one?

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,84895.0.html

[silentmark]

Yuppers, quite nice.

I also heard a Zappa Plays Zappa show from 10/31/06, which also sounds quite nice.

Hmmmmm maybe I should get a set of hypers again, lol ...

[danlynch]

Yuppers, quite nice.

I also heard a Zappa Plays Zappa show from 10/31/06, which also sounds quite nice.

Hmmmmm maybe I should get a set of hypers again, lol ...

That ZPZ is my recording, too:
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=119665

[silentmark]

+T 

[Nick's Picks]

I ran it w/the 140s, but thought that it was a little "too thick" sounding at times.  w/the 150s, it was perfectly juicy.

[silentmark]

Well I got my minime yesterday 

[danlynch]

Well I got my minime yesterday 

Sweet!  +t

[jlykos]

contemplating eliminating the sxm2 for a field test of just mg210>mini me for an upcoming show...anyone run this rig?
cr

I run that exact rig: M210 > MiniMe > MT.  I have never run a Sax in front of the MMe, but from other Sax recordings I have, the pres on the Sax and on the MMe are pretty much polar opposites.  Try with the Sax for one set of a show and with just the MMe for another set.  This is one where personal taste will rule the day.  I like the MMe preamps; very warm and expansive.  Not the most detailed in the world, but considering the crappy places in which I tape, that is fine with me.  I did pick up a PSP2 to see if I could get an even larger soundstage, but have not been able to try it out yet.  The drawback with the MMe pres is that they are a bit sloppy in the low end, something I would think that the Sax would correct.  Then again, the Sax is a bit thin all around, IMHO, so the other characteristics of the MMe pres would stand out more if you just ran it alone.

[ellaguru]

contemplating eliminating the sxm2 for a field test of just mg210>mini me for an upcoming show...anyone run this rig?
cr

I run that exact rig: M210 > MiniMe > MT.  I have never run a Sax in front of the MMe, but from other Sax recordings I have, the pres on the Sax and on the MMe are pretty much polar opposites.  Try with the Sax for one set of a show and with just the MMe for another set.  This is one where personal taste will rule the day.  I like the MMe preamps; very warm and expansive.  Not the most detailed in the world, but considering the crappy places in which I tape, that is fine with me.  I did pick up a PSP2 to see if I could get an even larger soundstage, but have not been able to try it out yet.  The drawback with the MMe pres is that they are a bit sloppy in the low end, something I would think that the Sax would correct.  Then again, the Sax is a bit thin all around, IMHO, so the other characteristics of the MMe pres would stand out more if you just ran it alone.

got the DAT on right now of last nights dinosaur jr show...210>mme>d8/jb3....top end sounds better than the old sax>sbm combo that i ran for around 5 years...i was not set up in the prime taping location, but im pleased with new gear for the 1st time in a while...mind you, dino jr prob wasnt the ideal 'test' due to the spl/volume and the blind pig is not the best venue if yr off center, but so far, so good...ill be hitting the 2nd show tonight so ill have more to compare with...10db pads on the mics helped for sure!

cr

[jlykos]

contemplating eliminating the sxm2 for a field test of just mg210>mini me for an upcoming show...anyone run this rig?
cr

I run that exact rig: M210 > MiniMe > MT.  I have never run a Sax in front of the MMe, but from other Sax recordings I have, the pres on the Sax and on the MMe are pretty much polar opposites.  Try with the Sax for one set of a show and with just the MMe for another set.  This is one where personal taste will rule the day.  I like the MMe preamps; very warm and expansive.  Not the most detailed in the world, but considering the crappy places in which I tape, that is fine with me.  I did pick up a PSP2 to see if I could get an even larger soundstage, but have not been able to try it out yet.  The drawback with the MMe pres is that they are a bit sloppy in the low end, something I would think that the Sax would correct.  Then again, the Sax is a bit thin all around, IMHO, so the other characteristics of the MMe pres would stand out more if you just ran it alone.

got the DAT on right now of last nights dinosaur jr show...210>mme>d8/jb3....top end sounds better than the old sax>sbm combo that i ran for around 5 years...i was not set up in the prime taping location, but im pleased with new gear for the 1st time in a while...mind you, dino jr prob wasnt the ideal 'test' due to the spl/volume and the blind pig is not the best venue if yr off center, but so far, so good...ill be hitting the 2nd show tonight so ill have more to compare with...10db pads on the mics helped for sure!

cr

I mostly tape metal shows and such (louder than all hell) and have never used the pads at all in the MGs.  The Apogee can take a hot signal and you will be running closer to 0 gain on the MMe, which is ideal.

You have noticed a thing that I am also not too wild about on the M210 > MMe combo and that is the tendency for the top end to become a bit too strident.  The MGs really pronounce guitar tones and cymbals and I have a feeling that the MMe pre allows this through, for better or for worse.  The midrange cannot be beat, however, IMHO.

[stirinthesauce]

contemplating eliminating the sxm2 for a field test of just mg210>mini me for an upcoming show...anyone run this rig?
cr

I run that exact rig: M210 > MiniMe > MT.  I have never run a Sax in front of the MMe, but from other Sax recordings I have, the pres on the Sax and on the MMe are pretty much polar opposites.  Try with the Sax for one set of a show and with just the MMe for another set.  This is one where personal taste will rule the day.  I like the MMe preamps; very warm and expansive.  Not the most detailed in the world, but considering the crappy places in which I tape, that is fine with me.  I did pick up a PSP2 to see if I could get an even larger soundstage, but have not been able to try it out yet.  The drawback with the MMe pres is that they are a bit sloppy in the low end, something I would think that the Sax would correct.  Then again, the Sax is a bit thin all around, IMHO, so the other characteristics of the MMe pres would stand out more if you just ran it alone.

got the DAT on right now of last nights dinosaur jr show...210>mme>d8/jb3....top end sounds better than the old sax>sbm combo that i ran for around 5 years...i was not set up in the prime taping location, but im pleased with new gear for the 1st time in a while...mind you, dino jr prob wasnt the ideal 'test' due to the spl/volume and the blind pig is not the best venue if yr off center, but so far, so good...ill be hitting the 2nd show tonight so ill have more to compare with...10db pads on the mics helped for sure!

cr

I mostly tape metal shows and such (louder than all hell) and have never used the pads at all in the MGs.  The Apogee can take a hot signal and you will be running closer to 0 gain on the MMe, which is ideal.

You have noticed a thing that I am also not too wild about on the M210 > MMe combo and that is the tendency for the top end to become a bit too strident.  The MGs really pronounce guitar tones and cymbals and I have a feeling that the MMe pre allows this through, for better or for worse.  The midrange cannot be beat, however, IMHO.

I just had to set my jumpers back to low gain.  On high gain, I was running -15db pad switch on the mics and the signal was STILL to hot at alot of loud shows fob.  Thank goodness for the soft limiter, saved my ass many a times.  I was running Beyer 930's.

Question Jamie, were your jumpers at high or low gain?

[silentmark]

Any reason why you just don't leave the jumpers set to low all the time ? High gain for acoustic music perhaps ?

I am still learning the mm and just had my first outing with the jumpers set to high gain, not good. I had to flip the -10dB pads on the mics bodies instead of the soft limit as I thought it would compress the signal too much. I was going over -2dB a fair amount. I got home and switched the jumpers to low gain. Now I just need a show to tape 

I forgot how it was learning new gear in the field, totally dig it 

[stirinthesauce]

I bought it, realized after that it was set on high gain, to lazy to change it out til now    The former owner ran jk labs/akg setup.  Having run this setup before, I noticed output was low.  Probably why the former owner had the jumpers set on high.

Love the soft limiter.  When running fob at loud shows, really helps when the soundman starts to tweak things around. 

[ellaguru]

ran the soft limiter last night for the 1st time...cant claim any results since i just got out of bed & havent popped the dat in yet...

cr

[danlynch]

I ran the soft-limiter once, and frankly, I didn't like the compressed feel of the sound.  At this point, I've recorded some loud concerts without the limiter but with the -15dB on the Neumann's, and the results are much more dynamic.

[silentmark]

Have you found you have to still run the -10dB pad even with the low gain setting ?

[stirinthesauce]

I ran the soft-limiter once, and frankly, I didn't like the compressed feel of the sound.  At this point, I've recorded some loud concerts without the limiter but with the -15dB on the Neumann's, and the results are much more dynamic.

There are several settings.  Which one did you use?  The first setting, for soft limit, does not involve the compressor.  I just starts rounding off the signal at I believe -4 or -2 (have to check my manual) so as to prevent overages.  The 2nd setting engages the compressor, where you have curves for 1, 2, or 3.  I generally run mine so that it will never even engage, but there are times when a player really "gets on it" where the transients spike.  I personally hate clips and would much rather have a soft limit, in difference to a hard limit, any day to save the recording.   Feel free to check out any of my recordings made with the mini me, I always use the soft limiter.  www.archive.org/bookmarks/stirinthesauce

[carlbeck]

I ran the soft-limiter once, and frankly, I didn't like the compressed feel of the sound.  At this point, I've recorded some loud concerts without the limiter but with the -15dB on the Neumann's, and the results are much more dynamic.

There are several settings.  Which one did you use?  The first setting, for soft limit, does not involve the compressor.  I just starts rounding off the signal at I believe -4 or -2 (have to check my manual) so as to prevent overages.  The 2nd setting engages the compressor, where you have curves for 1, 2, or 3.  I generally run mine so that it will never even engage, but there are times when a player really "gets on it" where the transients spike.  I personally hate clips and would much rather have a soft limit, in difference to a hard limit, any day to save the recording.   Feel free to check out any of my recordings made with the mini me, I always use the soft limiter.  www.archive.org/bookmarks/stirinthesauce

I always ran all my Apogee's to never hit the soft limit but if something like a bomb goes off it is nice to know you are covered. I can't believe ANYONE could hear the difference with the soft limit engaged as long as you are not into it constantly.

[ellaguru]

after 1st listen, im pleased with the soft limit.  i was taping dino jr. the past 2 nights & their volume is a bit over the top at times.  ran the -10db pads on the 210's (for only the 2nd time ever IIRC).  did NOT use the compressor or any of its settings....im afraid how that would sound   

[carlbeck]

after 1st listen, im pleased with the soft limit.  i was taping dino jr. the past 2 nights & their volume is a bit over the top at times.  ran the -10db pads on the 210's (for only the 2nd time ever IIRC).  did NOT use the compressor or any of its settings....im afraid how that would sound   

I would try to run less gain at the pre-amp so you don't have to use the pads, I could always hear a difference in my AKG's when I used the pads.

[jlykos]

I have used low gain on the MiniMe since the day I bought it.  I only tape amplified shows and have never seen the need to use the high gain option.  I also have never had to use the pad on the mics for any reason with the unit set at low gain.

I am not a big fan of the soft limit.  If you go over, you will get compression with the SL or compression and possible clipping with SL off so you are not really good either way.  I just set my levels somewhat conservatively and have never had any problems.  When they start flashing yellow at the peaks, I leave it set.  I have never used the compressor / curve feature on the MiniMe and have never seen any reason to use it.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

after 1st listen, im pleased with the soft limit.  i was taping dino jr. the past 2 nights & their volume is a bit over the top at times.  ran the -10db pads on the 210's (for only the 2nd time ever IIRC).  did NOT use the compressor or any of its settings....im afraid how that would sound   

I would try to run less gain at the pre-amp so you don't have to use the pads, I could always hear a difference in my AKG's when I used the pads.

I hate to have to use a pad but it seems that for a lot of mics the pad must be engaged to utilize the max SPL capability. It isn't just about reducing the output.  It won't matter what you do at the pre if the mic has already distorted... so sometimes it is a necesary evil.  I wish I'd had a pair of 4011's to run...

[stirinthesauce]

just so we don't get confused.  Pulled out the manual to make sure on this.  The soft limiter is not a compressor.  It is a limiter only in the first setting.  The only time the soft limiter is engaged to the "push it" control of the compressor is on the second setting, not the first soft limit.  The soft limiter starts rounding the signal off at -4db gradually rounding it off up to 0db to keep from clipping the a/d chip caused by high level transients.

A normal limiter will give you a signal blocked off at the top where as the soft limiter gives a more "unnoticeable" rounding of the signal.

I agree with you, however, that ideally in ambient situations, many may not want this feature engaged.   

[Nick's Picks]

I know a few MME owners (who pull outstanding 150>MME tapes) who swear by the all the curves and limiters and other apogee garbage on that thing.
whatever..., but their recordings do smoke.  I guess its one of those things where if you figure out what you like and exactly how to use it in a loud setting then you can dial it in nice.

the last time I tried it was at an ABB show.  lights looked good...but I was clipping the shit out of it and the limiter/push-it stuff was working hard...the results were a very saturated and not so enjoyable recording.  at times...it was brilliant...but mostly (during all the best parts that were loud/rockin' out), its crap.

[jlykos]

just so we don't get confused.  Pulled out the manual to make sure on this.  The soft limiter is not a compressor.  It is a limiter only in the first setting.  The only time the soft limiter is engaged to the "push it" control of the compressor is on the second setting, not the first soft limit.  The soft limiter starts rounding the signal off at -4db gradually rounding it off up to 0db to keep from clipping the a/d chip caused by high level transients.

A normal limiter will give you a signal blocked off at the top where as the soft limiter gives a more "unnoticeable" rounding of the signal.

I agree with you, however, that ideally in ambient situations, many may not want this feature engaged.   

True, the SL is not a compressor, but it does affect the signal when the unit is about to clip.  The "Push It" is a compressor, but either way you look at it, the signal becomes compressed when you are about to clip.  It is just what kind of flavor of signal manipulation you want.

In my experience, there is no substitute for setting conservative levels.  The need for compression, soft limit, or anything like that is obviated in favor of a clean, undistorted signal.

[marc0789]

the only decent application for the SL is  acoustic bluegrass, imo....really makes it hard to clip when during the applause...and that's it. no other reason to run that thing, other than laziness. I ran it once for an LoS show when I had just picked the thing up, and I was nervous about being able to adjust the pots on the fly, without SL. Highs were nice at times, but when bouncing reds, very brittle. Never ran it again. For non-acoustic music, just don't think it's necessary....the mme is extraordinarily hard to clip, as long as you don't hit any solid reds.

[pmonk66]

First time running the MME last night - very good box. Did mange to clip a few points during the recording (cymbal crash) but overall a nice sounding recording.

[danlynch]

I ran from FOB at 40 feet at the loudest concert anyone has ever attended, Dinosaur Jr.  The Neumann KM 150's with the -15dB activated.   I used no limiter on the M-Me, and the results are pretty damned nice.

I have the recording up on my site at http://www.nyctaper.com if you want to check it out.

[rustoleum]

the only decent application for the SL is  acoustic bluegrass, imo....really makes it hard to clip when during the applause...and that's it. no other reason to run that thing, other than laziness. I ran it once for an LoS show when I had just picked the thing up, and I was nervous about being able to adjust the pots on the fly, without SL. Highs were nice at times, but when bouncing reds, very brittle. Never ran it again. For non-acoustic music, just don't think it's necessary....the mme is extraordinarily hard to clip, as long as you don't hit any solid reds.

QFT... music peaks around -5db... then the applause and the loud screamers are the only time the SL is engaged.  Additionally, I did use the soft limit for a Trey show during the acoustic portion (which even when amplified was still quieter than the screaming drunks) and the results are quite nice.

[Jamos]

First time running the MME last night - very good box. Did mange to clip a few points during the recording (cymbal crash) but overall a nice sounding recording.

^^^
A perfect example of a time when a limiter could come in handy.  I like to run levels on the conservative side, but sometimes unexpected things happen and the SL can save the day.  Obviously if you feed it a solid level that's too high, it's not going to prevent clipping, but that's not really what it was designed to do.

[pmonk66]

I was actually surprised of the gain the Mini Me has. The first song I had the levels half way and was flashing crazy red (some clipping occurred but not very noticeable on the recording) and adjusted the levels accordingly.

This is a very nice box!

[silentmark]

This is a very nice box!

I agree as I am being sold alittle more each time I use it 

[silentmark]

Can someone tell me the range of gain applied for the low & high settings ? I can't seem to find it anywhere ...

[creekfreak]

I loved my V2--->mini-me recordings back when I ran that pair. Great sounding unit, creates an outstanding soundstage and killer image I just got sick of the size and the huge bats...switched to the V3 and haven't looked back.

[silentmark]

Can someone tell me the range of gain applied for the low & high settings ? I can't seem to find it anywhere ...

Anyone ? I know the overall gain range is 12 - 65dB, just looking for the ranges in the low & high settings ...

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I thought it was in the manual but I couldn't find it..  If you decide to call apogee and ask, it would also be interesting to know whether the low setting is done via attenuation.

[silentmark]

I thought it was in the manual but I couldn't find it..  If you decide to call apogee and ask, it would also be interesting to know whether the low setting is done via attenuation.

Yeah the manual only has the overall gain range of 12-65dB but not the range of the low & high settings. In any case I did call Apogee and it seems as if their tech guy thought it would be in the manual as well. He even got in touch with one of the engineers who worked on the design of the minime, who also thought it was in the manual.
Sooooooo at this point he took my number down and said he will look into finding an answer. Unfortunately I forgot to ask him about whether the low setting is done by attenuation, hopefully when I get the call back I actually answer so I can throw that question at him as well, stay tuned ...

EDIT: Just got the callback and the "rough" ranges are as follows:

High setting: 30 - 65 dB
Low Setting: 10 - 45 dB

These were, as the tech told me, "rough" numbers as the manual does state a minimum of 12 db, hence the 10 dB on the low setting. Also he said the low setting is NOT done by attenuation.

[saxophoner]

sorry to get of topic, but will the mini me run into a jb3?  thanks

[stirinthesauce]

sorry to get of topic, but will the mini me run into a jb3?  thanks

you will need an coax to optical converter ala hosa odl 276