Topic: Sound Devices MixPre-3 and 6

[b_curl]

Much appreciated, Todd R.

[Ronmac]

I am concerned about the amount of torque those attenuaters are placing on the mic pre inputs. Do you normally run like that, or apply some strain relief?

[if_then_else]

I am concerned about the amount of torque those attenuaters are placing on the mic pre inputs. Do you normally run like that, or apply some strain relief?

Yes, some cable binders and k&m cable clips. The MBHOs are quite sensitive and need attenuating.
Actually, I'm more concerned about the usb-c input.

[dpower]

Mic  ---> Preamp  ---> ISO track
                   ^^
                   | |
                Fader

Now whether the basic mode puts the fader gain stage before the kashmir mic preamp gain stage, or whether in Basic mode the mixpre switches from a 3-gain stage configuration to a 2-gain stage configuration (kashmir mic preamps and output gain stage, skipping the fader gain stage), I have no idea.  But if overall the Mixpre across the full signal path provides an EIN of -128dbu and a dynamic range of 120db, I'm not sure why it really matters.

Todd... I agree with your analysis. Thanks for sharing it.

While my signal flow diagram was (is) not ideal, what I was driving at was, "Can the fader be set up to control preamp trim?"

Some say, "yes."

Others say, "no."

A few ask, "Why does it matter?"

It might be the case the difference is inaudible for all practical purposes and therefore "irrelevant" in any reasonable use case.

BUT... We are (with limited exceptions) a group of technically-minded gear heads. For that reason, I propose the answer matters—if only from the perspectives of knowledge and accuracy.

In no event is it a deal breaker for me. But I'd still like to know the answer.

[aaronji]

The MBHOs are quite sensitive and need attenuating.

Are you sure? Sound Devices says the XLR mic inputs can handle 14 dBu. Unless the mics are REALLY sensitive and the SPLs are REALLY high, you'll have a hard time hitting that (I think most of the usual suspects would distort before outputting that level)...

[Todd R]

what I was driving at was, "Can the fader be set up to control preamp trim?"

I didn't realize the question was as simple as this.  I think it's been answered several times now by SD and since there remains so much concern and confusion about it, they put out a short video showing how it is done.  I'll test on my MP6 this weekend, but it seems pretty clear their intention is that it can be done (front channel knobs controlling trim gain and recorded at that gain level in the ISO tracks) by using either basic mode or custom mode.

[gewwang]

I'll have some runtimes DPA4023 > mixpre3 using 4 brand new/fully-charged x Powerex 2700 mAh later today.

My test was DPA4028 > MixPre3 with mics going into xlr1 and xlr2 using 4 Powerex 2700 mAh AAs. The total record time before the batteries died was 2 hr 36 min.

I thought I had it all setup correctly, but ended up with 4 channels in each wav file. I was expecting a normal stereo wav file with 2 channels.

[sos]

I thought I had it all setup correctly, but ended up with 4 channels in each wav file. I was expecting a normal stereo wav file with 2 channels.

You'll want to download SD's Wave Agent, and get familiar with polyphonic wave files:

https://www.sounddevices.com/support/downloads/wave-agent

[dogmusic]

what I was driving at was, "Can the fader be set up to control preamp trim?"

I didn't realize the question was as simple as this.  I think it's been answered several times now by SD and since there remains so much concern and confusion about it, they put out a short video showing how it is done.  I'll test on my MP6 this weekend, but it seems pretty clear their intention is that it can be done (front channel knobs controlling trim gain and recorded at that gain level in the ISO tracks) by using either basic mode or custom mode.

Todd R, thanks very much for taking the time for that explanation. What intrigued me about dpower's questions, was that the explanatory video could be interpreted to mean that the MP6 was not being set up to control preamp trim, but merely to divert the channel information from the mix tracks to the ISO tracks, so that it was not affecting the preamp at all.

But your explanation seems to say that this doesn't matter given the excellence of the preamps, and that seems satisfactory.

[tgakidis]

Here is a quick taste:

Jazz is Phish - 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH
Onstage 4 channel Mix.
1 Telefunken AR-51 sub card, left stage spot mic on the horns section
1 Telefunken AR-51 sub card, right stage spot mic on the bass & keys
Center Pair of Telefunken ELA M260's with Blue B6 Lollipops NOS Configuration

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3kz2lsqa4ndz3q8/twist.wav?dl=0

[rigpimp]

Here is a quick taste:

Jazz is Phish - 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH
Onstage 4 channel Mix.
1 Telefunken AR-51 sub card, left stage spot mic on the horns section
1 Telefunken AR-51 sub card, right stage spot mic on the bass & keys
Center Pair of Telefunken ELA M260's with Blue B6 Lollipops NOS Configuration

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3kz2lsqa4ndz3q8/twist.wav?dl=0

Thank you Ted!  Sounds great!

[willndmb]

Here is a quick taste:

Jazz is Phish - 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH
Onstage 4 channel Mix.
1 Telefunken AR-51 sub card, left stage spot mic on the horns section
1 Telefunken AR-51 sub card, right stage spot mic on the bass & keys
Center Pair of Telefunken ELA M260's with Blue B6 Lollipops NOS Configuration

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3kz2lsqa4ndz3q8/twist.wav?dl=0

thanks

If you are taking requests, can we get a sample recording done with akg and Naiant actives
On a more serious note, how do you feel it compares to the other all in one boxes you have?

[if_then_else]

Update: Got a total recording time of 15h10' with the mixpre-6, 4x MBHO mics (48V phantom power) + and the RAVPower 26800mAh powerbank (using the split USB cable).

[tgakidis]

Jazz is Phish - 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH
Onstage 4 channel Mix.
1 Telefunken AR-51 sub card, left stage spot mic on the horns section
1 Telefunken AR-51 sub card, right stage spot mic on the bass & keys
Center Pair of Telefunken ELA M260's with Blue B6 Lollipops NOS Configuration

https://archive.org/details/jazzisphish2017-06-01.ar51.elam260-b6.mixpre6.flac

[jbell]

Sounds great Ted!  How did you power the Mixpre-6?