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Author Topic: Sound Devices USBPre 2  (Read 128333 times)

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Offline SClassical

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« Last Edit: September 10, 2010, 05:43:52 AM by scyue »
Mics: DPA3552 kit/DPA3521 kit/DPA SMK4081 kit/DPA SMK4060 kit/Schoeps 2X MK21, 2X MK22 and 2X MK4v and 2X Schoeps CCM2S
Mixers/preamps: Sonosax SX-M32/Sonosax SX-M2 LS/Grace Design V3/DPA MMA6000/Millennia HV-32P
Recorders: SD722/PCM-D50/MT2
Playback: Grace m903 - Sennheiser HD650 / Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 805s

Offline sunjan

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2010, 04:44:48 AM »
Can someone watch this can tell me if it is the same as the MixPre but with extra features like digital out etc...?

So it can be used as a preamp/AD for a PCM-D50?

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/usbpre2.htm

If you read the link that you just posted, yes, in theory at least. Compared to the Mixpre there are other non-vital differences though (2 vs. 3 XLR inputs with ability to mix down etc.)

"Stand-Alone Operation

The USBPre 2 can be used in Stand-Alone mode where it operates as a high-quality, portable microphone preamplifier and analog-to-digital converter. Digital signals connected to the USBPre 2 are converted to analog and available at the headphone, XLR, and RCA outputs. Stand-Alone operation requires the unit to be connected to a USB power source. Stand-Alone mode is a great option when an additional microphone preamplifer, A-D converter, or D-A converter is required."

You'd just have to pick up an external USB battery like Tekkeon. Remains to be seen how much running time you'd get if you want P48.

This is actually pretty exciting news. The original USBpre didn't support standalone use, IIRC.
The only weird thing as I see it, is the inclusion of toslink digital jacks, but no coax?!

This narrows down the use with field recorders with 24bit and optical input to almost none.
D50 is pretty much the only one I know with the right specs. Note that the D50 is known to be very fickle about the optical signal it's being fed. It's not compatible with UA-5 (use the search for the full story), and it remains to be seen if it actually plays nicely with USBpre 2.
Then there is the H120 and the JB3, but they're 16bit and getting antiquated...

Another interesting question is wether it supports analog pass-through, or if the signal goes through A/D/A conversion?

No MSRP posted yet.
It's being presented at the IBC this week. If anyone happens to be in Amsterdam, go there and quiz the SD crew:
http://www.sounddevices.com/news/usbpre-2





Frequency Response (reference 1 kHz, at 96 kHz Sample Rate)
10 Hz - 40 kHz, ± 0.5 dB (any input to PC recording)
10 Hz - 40 kHz, ± 0.5 dB (PC source to AUX output)

THD+N (22 Hz - 22 kHz measurement bandwidth)
0.05% max (any input to PC recording, gain control at min, input driven to -6 dB FS)
0.009% max (AUX output, 0 dB V output, 100 ohm load)
0.05% max (HEADPHONES output, 2 V rms output, 600 ohm load)

E.I.N. (MIC inputs)
-127 dBu min (22 Hz - 22 kHz bandwidth, 150 ohm source, gain control fully clockwise, 15 dB pad out)

Input Clipping Level (1% THD)
Mic: -10 dBu
Mic (15 dB pad): +4 dBu
Line: +28 dBu (19.45 V rms)
Aux: +9 dBu (2.18 V rms)

Input Sensitivity (typical, for 0 dB FS)
Mic: -9 dBu min, -60 dBu max
Mic (15 dB pad): +6 dBu min, -58 dBu max
Line: +29 dBu min, +10 dBu max
Aux: +12 dBu min, -7 dBu max.

Input Impedance (actual)
Mic: 4k ohm, active-balanced
Mic (15 dB pad): 4k ohm, active-balanced
Line: 60k ohm, active-balanced
Aux: 80k ohm, active-balanced

Input Limiter Threshold
Mic: -4 dBFS

Low Cut
Mic: 80 Hz, -3 dB, 12 dB per octave

Output Clipping Level (1% THD, PC-controlled output levels at max)
Balanced XLR: +18 dBu with 100k ohm load
Aux: +8 dBu (2.0 V rms) with 100k ohm load
Headphones: +11 dBu (2.75 V rms) with 600 ohm load

Output Impedance
Balanced XLR (Line level): 500 ohms
Balanced XLR (Mic level): 5 ohms
Aux: 2k ohms

S/PDIF Digital
24 or 16 bit input

A/D Converter
24-bit resolution. 114 dB typical dynamic range (22 Hz - 22 kHz bandwidth, A-weighted)

D/A Converter
24-bit resolution. 112 dB typical dynamic range (22 Hz - 22 kHz bandwidth, A-weighted)

Sample Rates / Bit Depths
Recording: 8, 16, or 24-bit at 8, 16, 32, 44.1, 48, 96, or 192 kHz
Playback: 24-bit at 8, 16, 32, 44.1, 48, 96, or 192 kHz

Master Clock
Crystal based, low jitter

Metering
48 segments, 44 dB total range, peak ballistics. 0 dB on meter = 0 dB FS (0 dB referenced to full scale digital)

Phantom Power
48 V through 6.8k ohm resistors. Each mic input will supply 10 mA

Powering
USB bus powered, soft-start meets USB hot-plugging power requirements (5 V, 100 mA max current drawn during enumeration)
5 V, 500 mA max current from USB port (USBPre 2 will not function if connected through a passive USB connection or hub)

Dimensions (unpackaged)
4.3 cm x 18 cm x 10 cm (H x W x D)
1.7 in. x 7.25 in. x 4.25 in. (H x W x D)

Weight
0.5 kg
1.13 lbs.

Certifications
Meets FCC Part 15 Class B
Complies with the Requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC
« Last Edit: September 10, 2010, 04:50:09 AM by sunjan »
Mics: A-51s LE, CK 930, Line Audo CM3, AT853Rx (hc,c,sc),  ECM 121, ECM 909A
Pres: Tinybox, CA-9100, UA5 wmod
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Offline SClassical

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2010, 05:29:57 AM »
The description from the website states:

To interconnect with sound systems big and small, the USBPre 2 includes numerous output connection types, including balanced mic- or line-level on XLR, unbalanced consumer line-level on RCA, S/PDIF coaxial (RCA) and optical (Toslink).

The photo doesn't show the S/PDF coaxial (RCA) out -  but the manual shows it:

http://www.sounddevices.com/download/guides/USBPre2_en.pdf

You can also use it with the Microtrack II

It's 0.5kg (Mixpre is 1.2kg)..Less than half the weight of a mixpre and also have digital optical/coaxial out.

Also it looks as if it runs on 5V USB power. Very interesting.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2010, 05:45:32 AM by scyue »
Mics: DPA3552 kit/DPA3521 kit/DPA SMK4081 kit/DPA SMK4060 kit/Schoeps 2X MK21, 2X MK22 and 2X MK4v and 2X Schoeps CCM2S
Mixers/preamps: Sonosax SX-M32/Sonosax SX-M2 LS/Grace Design V3/DPA MMA6000/Millennia HV-32P
Recorders: SD722/PCM-D50/MT2
Playback: Grace m903 - Sennheiser HD650 / Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 805s

Offline flipp

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2010, 06:03:57 AM »

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/usbpre2.htm



from the link above: "We apologize for the boom-induced noise present in the audio. It was a result of the microphone being spring clamped to the cabled boom due to a forgotten shock mount...and too much coffee."

Nice to know the professionals f*ck-up on occasion.   :D




Looks interesting. Anybody heard a rumor on street price yet?

Offline SClassical

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2010, 06:11:29 AM »
Now I wonder if it's possible to put 2 of them together and make a 4 track preamp/mixer...That will be lighter than the 2 track mixpre (with digital out!).
Mics: DPA3552 kit/DPA3521 kit/DPA SMK4081 kit/DPA SMK4060 kit/Schoeps 2X MK21, 2X MK22 and 2X MK4v and 2X Schoeps CCM2S
Mixers/preamps: Sonosax SX-M32/Sonosax SX-M2 LS/Grace Design V3/DPA MMA6000/Millennia HV-32P
Recorders: SD722/PCM-D50/MT2
Playback: Grace m903 - Sennheiser HD650 / Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 805s

Offline ashevillain

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2010, 09:25:51 AM »
Oh my.

This could potentially replace my SD MP-2 and M-Audio Firewire Audiophile.

Offline jbell

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2010, 09:38:36 AM »
Looks nice!  Isn't a TS member running one of these aready?? 
Mics: DPA ST4011ER & 4018ER
Preamps: DPA MMA 6000 | Audioroot Femto
Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre-10 II | Sony PCM A10

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Offline audBall

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2010, 10:11:37 AM »
Nice.  I wonder how the D/A (and headphone out) is on the unit.  It'd be great to have the taping rig double as your digital playback setup as well. 

From the manual:
Sample rates below 32 Khz are not supported on the digital connections. The optical connections do not support the 192 Khz sampling rate. If signal is present at both the optical and coaxial input, the signal from the optical input will take precedence.
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Offline ashevillain

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2010, 10:40:33 AM »
Anyone else find it odd that the XLR inputs and outputs are upside down? Maybe it's just me but I can't recall a piece of gear with XLR's oriented like that.

Looks nice!  Isn't a TS member running one of these aready?? 

Says it's available Oct. 2010. If there is someone running one of these already please step forward! I've got questions!

Offline jbell

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2010, 10:53:46 AM »
I must be thinking of the 1st version.  With the toslink out this might work well with my D50  >:D 

Anyone else find it odd that the XLR inputs and outputs are upside down? Maybe it's just me but I can't recall a piece of gear with XLR's oriented like that.

Looks nice!  Isn't a TS member running one of these aready?? 

Says it's available Oct. 2010. If there is someone running one of these already please step forward! I've got questions!
Mics: DPA ST4011ER & 4018ER
Preamps: DPA MMA 6000 | Audioroot Femto
Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre-10 II | Sony PCM A10

-20        -12         -6        TDS   (32/48)     
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]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]][} 
__________________________
|Record|  Runtime: 4:19.99  {|||] 75%

Offline flipp

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2010, 02:37:49 PM »
Anyone else find it odd that the XLR inputs and outputs are upside down? Maybe it's just me but I can't recall a piece of gear with XLR's oriented like that.

Looks nice!  Isn't a TS member running one of these aready?? 

Says it's available Oct. 2010. If there is someone running one of these already please step forward! I've got questions!



The Fostex FR2's mic inputs are "upside down" but the AES/EBU in/out are the "normal" orientation.
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/FR-2.shtml#2

Offline yug du nord

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2010, 03:42:08 PM »
You guys should check into the power situation for this.  I think that I recall that it NEEDS to be connected to a computer USB.  And that it can not be used as a stand alone preamp.  I might be wrong on that, but that's what comes to mind for me.

edit:  to scratch out false info.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2010, 04:35:24 PM by uncleyug »
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Offline ashevillain

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2010, 04:06:53 PM »
You guys should check into the power situation for this.  I think that I recall that it NEEDS to be connected to a computer USB.  And that it can not be used as a stand alone preamp.  I might be wrong on that, but that's what comes to mind for me.

That is correct for the original USBPre.

This USBPre 2 explicitly states that it can be used in Standalone Mode.

Offline yug du nord

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2010, 04:34:07 PM »
^^^Oops...  my bad.  I didn't realize there was a "2" model......  that makes things a bit more interesting!
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Offline audBall

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Re: Sound Devices USBPre 2
« Reply #14 on: September 10, 2010, 05:06:08 PM »
This USBPre 2 explicitly states that it can be used in Standalone Mode.

While that is correct, the Standalone section states, explicitly that:
Stand-Alone operation requires the unit to be connected to a USB power source.

So, do people plan on using an external battery with a USB (5V) connection?  Maybe I'm missing something here.
mg m20.21.23 ■ akg ck61.62.63 »  nbob■naiant »  aercomp2 ■ v2-3 ■ sx-m2d2
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d100 ■ r44ocm ■ f3

 

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