Topic: Sound Devices New MixPre Series

[rogs]

I hate Sound Devices....
 
I've been an amateur taper for more years than I care to remember. Nothing serious - I just enjoying playing around with audio kit.

But I know my place.  I bought an Olympus LS5 (which I still think is the best made ever of the small 2 track recorders)....I bought a Sony M10 - mostly after following reports on this board - lovely piece of kit.

I always wanted something by Sound Devices of course, but the prices were always way above what I could justify spending.

Now they go and bring out the MixPre3... I still can't really justify spending that much, but it's soooo tempting... I now have to wrestle with my conscience.... if only they'de kept their prices stratospheric, I shouldn't be suffering all this anguish.

As I say, I hate them!...

[pohaku]

Ted, let's see that baby lined up with the F8.

Better yet, I would be interested in a comparison of the preamps with the F8, since you now have both.  I am obviously just looking for an excuse to get one of these.   

Like you need an excuse

I have a wife.

[pohaku]

Ted, let's see that baby lined up with the F8.

Damn.  It is much smaller than I expected.  Impressive.

[dogmusic]

I'm thinking this battery looks pretty good. Same length at the recorder (about 6.5"). Anyone else pick up one of these? Anyone know how long this battery should run this sucker with 4 channels going?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X5RV14Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A294P4X9EWVXLJ

That's the battery I ordered, sitting here waiting for the MP6 to show up.  I think I was figuring 10-12 hours runtime optimistically, and probably 8-10 hours more conservatively.

Are you planning to use the supplied SD Y-cable to plug into both ports of this battery simultaneously?

I'm wondering if I could get by for now just using two external USB battery packs that I already have. But their maximum output port is only 2.1A.

[tgakidis]

Are you planning to use the supplied SD Y-cable to plug into both ports of this battery simultaneously?

I'm wondering if I could get by for now just using two external USB battery packs that I already have. But their maximum output port is only 2.1A.

My guess is you will be ok because I sued a Tekkeon 3450's usb out and that worked and there is no way it's more then 2.1A, most likey it's 1.5a

[Todd R]

I'm thinking this battery looks pretty good. Same length at the recorder (about 6.5"). Anyone else pick up one of these? Anyone know how long this battery should run this sucker with 4 channels going?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X5RV14Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A294P4X9EWVXLJ

That's the battery I ordered, sitting here waiting for the MP6 to show up.  I think I was figuring 10-12 hours runtime optimistically, and probably 8-10 hours more conservatively.

Are you planning to use the supplied SD Y-cable to plug into both ports of this battery simultaneously?

No plan yet, guess I was figuring I'd get an appropriate right angle cable and just use the supplied Y cable in the meantime.  Didn't realize until yesterday's reporting that the cables might be so finicky and that the Y cable would only work if both USB-A ends were plugged in. 

It looks like I'll have plenty of time to play with it once I get it and before I get out to record, but in a pinch hopefully the Y cable will work plugged into both ports of the above battery.  I also have 4-5 smaller single port USB external batteries, so hopefully some combination of a couple of those and the Y cable will work until I can get a working right angle cable.

[rippleish20]

After some googling, the USB-C cable situation is more complicated than one might think. Many companies appear to skip the specs although thanks to one Google Engineer many of them are no up to spec. And some companies, ie Apple, introduce their own solutions that go above spec...



https://www.engadget.com/2015/11/04/google-pixel-engineer-vs-shoddy-usb-type-c-cables/

http://www.androidauthority.com/usb-type-c-and-3-1-explained-656552/

https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/5x948s/answering_your_questions_about_usb_typec/


Although I have bought some, random Chinese cables bought off Ebay make me a little nervous. The Mixpre presumably only draws 1.5 amp so cables lacking the resistors specified in the standard might not be a problem, but I would prefer to have cables that provide protection.

This cable looks good

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010VFFU1W/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3MG5HP7HSRMFL


I would be interested in comments from those who build cables etc and know more about some of the issues...

[vwmule]

Holy hell that's small. The F8 is compact itself.

Thanks for doing that. Hope my MP6 arrives soon.

[dogmusic]

Are you planning to use the supplied SD Y-cable to plug into both ports of this battery simultaneously?

I'm wondering if I could get by for now just using two external USB battery packs that I already have. But their maximum output port is only 2.1A.

My guess is you will be ok because I sued a Tekkeon 3450's usb out and that worked and there is no way it's more then 2.1A, most likey it's 1.5a

That's really surprising that 2.1A alone or even 1.5A will work. Thanks for that info.

[dogmusic]

I'm thinking this battery looks pretty good. Same length at the recorder (about 6.5"). Anyone else pick up one of these? Anyone know how long this battery should run this sucker with 4 channels going?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X5RV14Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A294P4X9EWVXLJ

That's the battery I ordered, sitting here waiting for the MP6 to show up.  I think I was figuring 10-12 hours runtime optimistically, and probably 8-10 hours more conservatively.

Are you planning to use the supplied SD Y-cable to plug into both ports of this battery simultaneously?

No plan yet, guess I was figuring I'd get an appropriate right angle cable and just use the supplied Y cable in the meantime.  Didn't realize until yesterday's reporting that the cables might be so finicky and that the Y cable would only work if both USB-A ends were plugged in. 

It looks like I'll have plenty of time to play with it once I get it and before I get out to record, but in a pinch hopefully the Y cable will work plugged into both ports of the above battery.  I also have 4-5 smaller single port USB external batteries, so hopefully some combination of a couple of those and the Y cable will work until I can get a working right angle cable.

I've got my eye on that battery as well, so it'll be interesting to see how that works out.

[dactylus]

Are you planning to use the supplied SD Y-cable to plug into both ports of this battery simultaneously?

I'm wondering if I could get by for now just using two external USB battery packs that I already have. But their maximum output port is only 2.1A.

My guess is you will be ok because I sued a Tekkeon 3450's usb out and that worked and there is no way it's more then 2.1A, most likey it's 1.5a

Ted looking at the left and right side of the MP-6 it appears that the standard exit angles for RA XLR's of 1:30-2:00 on the left side and 10:00-10:30 on the right side might cause some issues with the usb-a port & the 3.5mm Mic/Aux aux input.  What is your opinion of workable, RA xlr cables for the MP-6?  Thanks!

David

[jbell]

I grabbed this cable and it worked fine for 2 channels!  I haven't tried 4 channels

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01932JAIS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also grabbed this battery

Vinsic 20000mAh Power Bank, Ultra Slim External Battery Pack Backup Portable Charger with Qucik Charger, Type C, Smart USB Outputs for All Smartphones

[tgakidis]

Ted looking at the left and right side of the MP-6 it appears that the standard exit angles for RA XLR's of 1:30-2:00 on the left side and 10:00-10:30 on the right side might cause some issues with the usb-a port & the 3.5mm Mic/Aux aux input.  What is your opinion of workable, RA xlr cables for the MP-6?  Thanks!

David

i guess it all depends on what things might get in the way.  i personally wouldn't be using the usb-a in the field.  Most of my angles are 7:30 on the left and 4:30 on the right since i have a tube amp powering my telefunkens and not straight in from the mics.  in your case 4:30 on the left and 7:30 on the right.

[sos]

More pics, to get a sense of scale...

Pictured below, with a SD MixPre-D, inside a Sachtler #SN607 (small) audio bag

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Mine just shipped. Worst case scenario it arrives in the afternoon of TAB at Red Rocks (next Wednesday). Hopefully the day before so I don't have to figure things out in the section! (I do have my M10 rig, so I'll have a backup rig going).