Topic: Sound Devices MixPre-3 and 6

[gewwang]

Got mine and unboxed it. Wow, I second those that said this thing is tiny. Here are some pics of it against the 744t and Tascam DR100mkIII.

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

[mnm207]

The Anker 20100 USB-C should put out 5V/3A from the USB-C port (it's both input/output). If anyone in NYC with one of the recorders wants to test the viability of a USB-C to USB-C cable with this battery I'm happy to loan mine for a few days.

[sos]

Has anyone here given any thought to an applied screen protector, yet? They seem to work with cellphone touch screens - shouldn't be any different, right? You know how pissed you'll be, the minute that first hairline scratch shows up...

I may have a spare laying around that's meant to easily mount/remove a vehicle city sticker, although that may be a bit on the thicker side. May give it a try, by the weekend. Any better offerings?

[rippleish20]

The Anker 20100 USB-C should put out 5V/3A from the USB-C port (it's both input/output). If anyone in NYC with one of the recorders wants to test the viability of a USB-C to USB-C cable with this battery I'm happy to loan mine for a few days.

I ordered one of these:

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=16240


it does 3amps @ 5 volts via USB-c port and is a lot cheaper than the anker. Although Ted came uop with a cable that will work with batteries with USB-a, it seems like a USB-c battery is a good thing to investigate

[sos]

SD just posted a very brief "tiptorial", titled:

"How to Use Channel Knobs to Adjust ISO* Levels"...

https://youtu.be/vL_dmV8n43c


*ISO = isolated, or individual tracks

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Couple of photos. Top one is testing. Bottom is all packed up. This is all in the Sachtler Lightweight Audio Bag (Small). Bag is a great size for this thing. I thought it might be too large. Turns out to be just about perfect for me. Plenty of room for my 4 channel setup. I could probably squeeze another 2 mics in to run 6 channels if I really wanted to. The IPA really helps with that option though.







Running 4 channels in the test.

Source 1: Nevaton MCE400 > MP6 (CH1/2)
Source 2: Beyer CK930 > Naiant IPA > 1/8" in (routed to CH3/4 on the MP6)

The USB power low issue seemed to have cleared by the time I ran that test.

Thanks for the video on the gain settings, sos. With my test I had my stereo turned up loud, but not concert loud. Still want to play with the gain some more before my first show with this thing.

[dogmusic]

I ordered this Anker PowerCore II:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LQ7MQG6?tag=slicinc-20&ascsubtag=c51eaabe429111e7ab492ed1168216e50INT

It also is described as having a 6A output and is somewhat cheaper.

[dpower]

SD just posted a very brief "tiptorial", titled:

"How to Use Channel Knobs to Adjust ISO* Levels"...

https://youtu.be/vL_dmV8n43c


*ISO = isolated, or individual tracks

Still no specific demonstration on setting up the channel knobs as gain controls—as Paul Isaacs has indicated in previous posts.

[rippleish20]

SD just posted a very brief "tiptorial", titled:

"How to Use Channel Knobs to Adjust ISO* Levels"...

https://youtu.be/vL_dmV8n43c


*ISO = isolated, or individual tracks

Still no specific demonstration on setting up the channel knobs as gain controls—as Paul Isaacs has indicated in previous posts.

Isnt that what this video shows you how to do?

[Paul Isaacs]

Regarding powering options, this tech note should help ....

https://www.sounddevices.com/tech-notes/mixpre-3-mixpre-6-powering-options

[rippleish20]

The Tech Note is useful but this note is interesting

NOTE: A USB-A power source used in conjunction with a USB-A to USB-C cable cannot deliver the required 7.5W for full power operation.


Ted found one his cables works and 5v x 2.4 amps = 12W so this is confusing

[rogs]

I'm trying to discover if the entire signal path of the MixPre 6 is full bandwidth?..... At 192KHz sampling the MixPre 6 frequency response extends to 80KHz... That makes it an ideal high quality recorder of ultrasonic sounds.

What would be really nice is if the full signal path - including the outputs - retains the full 80KHz bandwidth.  That would provide a very simple way to monitor the ultrasonic signals via an external heterodyne converter connected to the output jack - or even the headphone jack? -(although that's less likely to be full bandwidth).

 Sound Devices support themselves suggest it should retain the full bandwidth throughout, but unfortunately "Engineering has no time to confirm this at the moment".....

Does anyone know if any of the expert users/reviewers here on the board have done a check on the output signal bandwidth with 192KHz sampling?......I realise it's unlikely - but just maybe someone has?....

[dpower]

SD just posted a very brief "tiptorial", titled:

"How to Use Channel Knobs to Adjust ISO* Levels"...

https://youtu.be/vL_dmV8n43c


*ISO = isolated, or individual tracks

Still no specific demonstration on setting up the channel knobs as gain controls—as Paul Isaacs has indicated in previous posts.

Isnt that what this video shows you how to do?

It "might" be. But not necessarily.

I believe the default signal path looks like this:

Mic -> Preamp -> Fader -> Stereo Mix

I interpret the video demonstration to be instructing us how to modify the path to this:

Mic -> Preamp -> Fader -> ISO Track

My interpretation extends to the belief that in neither of these cases is the Fader controlling Preamp gain—only post-preamp signal level.

I'm still hopeful faders can be configured to control preamp gain. I just haven't seen any explicit demonstrations of this. And I don't yet have a unit I can experiment with.

[Paul Isaacs]

The Tech Note is useful but this note is interesting

NOTE: A USB-A power source used in conjunction with a USB-A to USB-C cable cannot deliver the required 7.5W for full power operation.


Ted found one his cables works and 5v x 2.4 amps = 12W so this is confusing

If that cable delivers full power (green USB power icon in MixPre homescreen), then it is not compliant with the USB power specifications. You use it at your own risk.

[willndmb]

Why are people not using the supplied USB cable?
Want right angle, only have one port available on your battery??