Topic: Can the Apogee Mini-me be used as just a pre-amp?

[landshark]

Hi all -

I was assuming that the Apogee MM could do both analog out and digital out.  I'm looking for a better pre- front end to my Korg MR-1 (so I can use line-in rather than the Korg pre's), and figured I might as well get something that could also do digital just to have the flexibility of using with my MT.  I know the V3 can output both analog and digital, allowing it to be used as just a pre, but I can't see how that can be done with the MM.  Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance -

Mike

[JasonSobel]

the only analog output from the MiniMe is the 1/8" headphone jack.  this will output audio before the A/D section, but it's not really ideal because it is just an 1/8" jack.

[silentmark]

get a mini-MP instead ...

[Nick's Picks]

there is nothing wrong w/a 1/8th jack.  Its just not balanced.  no different than RCA inputs when you think of it.

the MMP sounds absolutely nothing like the MME
IMO, FWIW, YMMV

[landshark]

Ugh, that's what I thought.  My whole plan was to have the MR-1 do all the A/D, but the pre's in that are pretty poor (not so much in terms of noise, but they can't take a very dynamic signal) so I need something to get my mics to line-level.  Since the primary purpose is to feed better line-level signal to my MR-1, running through the headphone out (which presumably also involves a headphone amp / more noise?) is sub-optimal.  Nutz.  Anyone run their MiniMe taking analog out of the headphone jacks?

Nick, just a question - you mention that the MMp sounds nothing like the MME - can you describe any of the difference?  Now that the MM's kinda blown as an option, my choice is to pony up the $$$ for a V3 to get pre and A/D capability, or go pure pre (which will save me some $$$ - something like a SD MixPre or the like)...

Thanks!!

Mike

[Nick's Picks]

to my ears, the MMP sounds like a V2>ad1k rig, only outputting an analog signal.
but...its a little warmer..has more features...
i dont know, I just freakin' love it.

straight up analog preamp > MR1 is the way to go Mike.  thats what I run too.

the MMe to me was very rounded sounding.  a little too fat.  nice sound though..just not my cup of tea w/the mics I used w/it when I ran one.  the minimicpre just has a sweetness to it..., and is perfect for the mr1 w/its output attenuation option.

[landshark]

Thanks Nick!!!

(will +t when I hit 50 posts...<grin>)

[Jamos]

Are the MP's outputs are balanced?  I haven't checked it out yet...and want to run it into unbalanced TS 1/4" jacks sometimes.

[ehren]

I personally like the mmp better than the v2 or the analog section of the v3.

[Nick's Picks]

yes, outputs are balanced XLRs.
no headphone jack.

I also like it better than the v2/3.
Its got clarity, detail, speed, monsterous 3d presentation..., and apogee flavor.

[doubled]

if your looking for a preamp not the a/d the
mini me probably isnt your best bet

its the top of the line a/d you should take advatage of that
not many other have the presence the mini me does

but the pre is a little light particularly in the lower end

go for the sonosax or the v3
and go digitally in

[Nick's Picks]

sax?
ugh

no digi in on the MR1.  its a DSD deck.

[landshark]

sax?
ugh

no digi in on the MR1.  its a DSD deck.

Exactly.  Looks like I'll be going pure analog line into the MR-1 as you recommended Nick.  So now I'm down to:

V3 / V2
Apogee MMP
SD MixPre

Of those, my best cost/size is looking like the SD MixPre.  The MMP looks interesting, but the SD MixPre's size and cost are giving it an edge.  I don't have a strong preference between the SD and the Apogee sound, so I'm thinking the SD will suit my needs.  Now to find a quality used one...<grin>

Mike

[rustoleum]

check this torrent out, or I can upload a sample when I get home from work:

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=508017

This is the MME -> headphone out -> Archos GMNI @ line-in.

I didn't have enough space and battery on my lappy to run 24/48 for every act, so I ran the GMNI for YMSB.

[landshark]

Thanks Rust!!!  I'll check it when I get home from work tonight (work as the url blocked...)