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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: vegreville on October 01, 2013, 05:44:36 PM

Title: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: vegreville on October 01, 2013, 05:44:36 PM
I would like to know if anyone is still using this device and what their thoughts are about it?
I need something extra small with great sound and this looks like a good option but there is little current information out there.
Read some threads where early adopters had growing pains, so would like to know whether it has gotten better with firmware upgrades and work arounds OR  if I should stay clear of it.

My mics would be 2 x DPA 4060's via the internal pres (hopefully) and Soundfield St450 via 4 line inputs. Does the MiniR82 make sense. Thanks for any info. 



 
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: H₂O on October 01, 2013, 06:56:59 PM
The minir82 has 4 analog inputs not 6

You can record 8 solo tracks but at least 4 have to be via AES digital inputs

WifiJeff has at least one he used alot

2 analog inputs are on an 1/8" jack and are line in only

2 analog inputs are accessible via a pair of 7pin binder connectors and can supply parallel power or phantom depending on how they are wired up - I believe it is possible to run via a single binder as well if you are not running phantom
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: vegreville on October 01, 2013, 07:58:05 PM
Sorry i wasn't clear.
I'm not planning to use the two mic setups together. I would either be using the DPA 4060s OR the Soundfield.
So the maximum number of channels I would need at once would be 4 for the Soundfield.
thanks

Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: H₂O on October 01, 2013, 08:42:13 PM
Reach out to user WifiJeff to get the best advice on the MiniR82

I had one for about a week and had to return it back to it's owner.  Great little unit but I never really got to use it.

I understand the battery life is not the best (maybe 4 hours on 4 AA batteries) but the sound quality is outstanding.

From the playing around I did:
 - I loved the size, solid feel, locking binder connectors, power options for mics
 - I was not a fan of the display, wish they had put both sets of analog inputs on the binders (one on each binder), and wish they put a Phantom power switch on the unit instead of jumpering different pins on the binder to turn on Phantom power

Maybe when Sonosax releases the SX-R4 v2 or whatever they call it they will release an updated version of the MiniR82 shortly afterwards (which in Sonosax talk could easily be 3-5 years from now)
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: WiFiJeff on October 01, 2013, 11:26:53 PM
The MiniR82 alas never took off, there are very few out there as far as I can tell.  I have two, one is not problematic, the other will occasionally swap the analog input R/L channels (I use it now to record from a Josephson C700S with the X,Y figure 8s going digital-in and the W omni through the left Binder analog input, I also arm the right Binder channel so when I get a channel swap and the signal jumps from left to right I can mix them to get an intact W recording, not ideal but workable).  I tried at least two other machines which also had the R/L swap problem, so far as I know never solved or even acknowledged by Sonosax. 

I upgraded both machines to a 64Gig SSD (after dropping one machine while it was running and totalling the HD), this extends battery life to 4-5 hours running 4 channels analog-in with 2700 mAh Powerex NiMH AA cells.  I now always attach a 6600 mAh lithium power pack, smaller than a pack of cigarettes and very light, running it at 8.4V (the 5V setting led to power glitches and recording failures), this extends the runtime to nearly 10 hours.  I run the "swapping" machine once a week and the good one 3-4 times a week.  I've looked at but not tried running the Zoom H6 and the Roland R26 as possible replacements if the R82s die.  With the heavy use I give them, I have had the 1/8" mini jack fail (fixed by Lieberman Sound, who also did the SSD upgrade) and one Binder cable need rewiring (done by Vark, who also did my external power supply cables, bad ones caused glitches).  Other quirks exist, but all except the R/L swapping are manageable and no longer trouble me.

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you might have.  You should know that the Binders can be wired to give either phantom 48V power or 3V, so you can run DPA 4063s in the Binders but not 4060s unless you use the DPA DAD6001 phantom adapters (rather bulky).  I run 4060s or more often 4099s to a DPA MMA6000 preamp and then line-in through the 1/8" jack.

Jeff
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: vegreville on October 02, 2013, 08:22:49 PM
Thanks for all that information Jeff.
Thats a little bit scary about the swapping channel issue... and that Sonosax didn't even acknowledge it. Its not a cheap machine and you kind of expect it to be perfect for the money. Thats pretty much a deal breaker for me, I would always be paranoid about that happening and when you're dealing with ambisonic files you want your tracks to be where they are meant to be. Too bad as its looks perfect for me but I don't want there be any nagging doubts and to be always wondering, "does that sound right?"
Sound wise, are you happy with it? How are the pres?
Did you compare the pres to the DPA box you're using for the 4060s or to anything else?  What about that DPA MMA6000? How does it sound? I was thinking of that for use with a DSLR that I have to shoot with at some point.
Anyways thanks again...
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: WiFiJeff on October 03, 2013, 01:04:37 AM
The MiniR82 has pres only on the Binder inputs, the 1/8" jack has to be line-in (or digital).  No problems with the preamps, they are good, and have a really large gain range.  The MMA6000 is great with DPA miniature mics, as the standard DPA microdot connectors go into it.  I use it with a D50 as well as the R82.  With both 4060s and 4099s the MMA6000 gives very good results and is small and easy to use.

Jeff
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: Paloalto on October 10, 2013, 01:34:11 PM
Hello Jeff,

I've read several of your posts about the minir82 and I see that you know the machine very well. Therefore I would like to ask you what do you think about the line in of the machine.
I have bought a minir last year and have never been able to use the line in properly. The internal noise is horrible. I have talked about this issue to Sonosax, and they say all the machines have the same issue. Apparently it's the noise coming from the timecode and the dsp.  The trade for getting a machine so small. They brought this issue in the last firmware, but really the sound is bad. Also you can hear the track 1/2 on 3/4 and vice versa.
Have you noticed these issues?

Thank you very much for your consideration.
palo
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: WiFiJeff on October 10, 2013, 04:50:47 PM
I do not use timecode so I'm not sure about that.  The issue with the line-in can be solved, I found.  Since I do not usually monitor with headphones, turning the headphone feed off and the headphone levels to -30dB eliminated the bleed I was getting from inputs 1/2.  When I have a set of headphones plugged in, I don't get the bleed either.  I was told it happens because the headphone jack and the inputs 3/4 use the same real estate.

Jeff
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: Paloalto on October 13, 2013, 12:55:47 PM
Hi Jeff,
I have tried and it's true I don't get the bleed from track 1/2 but I can still hear some noise, probably from the DSP, when the input feeding the line in is low. Timecode is always running even tough you don't use it, there's no option to disable it. I don't know, i'm a bit disappointed to find this issue with a machine of that quality. I use it with AA nimh, but i don't think the issue come from that. Anyway, thanks for your input and happy recording.
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: gianni.pavan on January 06, 2014, 11:02:22 AM
Hi, I'm using a Sonosax MiniR82 since 3 years ago mainly for nature recording. I like it for its very low noise mic preamplifiers, and high gain (two selectable gain ranges). I use it with Rode NT1A and AudioTechnica AT4022 mics and no hiss affects my recordings. I feel it is equivalent, or maybe a bit better, to the SD 722; however I can't do a direct comparison because my 722 is broken (hope to repair for spring recordings).

I like it because of its quality and compactness.

I hate the miniature microphone connectors, the difficult to read display, the not easy to set knobs with only a white dot to see their position, and the 4 command buttons. Also it is difficult to manage it with gloves.

As for powering, I use 4 2700mAh rechargeable AA batteries to get 2-3 hours of operation, but if I need more, I use non rechargeable Lithium AA batteries (4-6 hours operation) or an external battery pack.

Never used more than 2 channels, however I'm now willing to use more mics and thus I'm looking around for a good mic pre with digital out. Any hint ??
I'd be delighted to read more user experiences and comments....

Gianni




Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: yates7592 on June 25, 2014, 09:11:22 AM
Just signing in to this thread to report my experiences with the R82. So far I have used it 5 times with my 4006's. I am always going mic-in on channels 1-2 with the stereo binder wired for P48. Loving the balanced and locking binder and not having to worry about dodgy miniplug connections.

Firstly, and most importantly, the sound is fantastic, really dynamic and transparent super-quiet pre's, amazing.

Battery life is more than adequate for me - 5 hours P48 on 4xAA 2700mAh rechargeables, so long enough for a couple of openers and a 2hr show, no worries. I tried non-rechargeable lithiums and got 6 hours on P48 with those. If I ever needed longer for festivals etc I would just swap over the AA's rather than buggering around with external battery packs. I swapped out the 30GB HD for the 64GB SSD. I'm usually recording at 24/192 and that still gives me around 15 hours if needed. I really like not having to think about SD cards now.

All the control buttons lock, except the two gain control knobs - but these dials are very stiff and virtually impossible to move unintentionally. The screen sucks, as others have noted, but I am slowly getting used to its small and minimalistic appearance and it tells me what I need to know (without the bells and whistles of an M10 for example). Actually the backlit blue screen is very easy to read in the dark, just small.  Love the size of the unit though, so easy to  >:D. Due to the all-metal construction it is surprisingly heavy especially with the batteries in, and gets very warm while recording too.

Touch wood I don't have Jeff's channel-swapping issue either.....Jeff, was your problem apparent from an early stage or did it develop with time/use?
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: WiFiJeff on June 25, 2014, 07:52:16 PM
Yes, the channel-swapping was there from the first, and it hasn't gone away.  The non-swapping unit is still perfect.

The unit with an external power pack doesn't get as hot as when using internal AAs, which is a benefit when it is in a jacket pocket. 

Jeff
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: beenjammin on March 29, 2019, 09:57:20 PM
Yes, the channel-swapping was there from the first, and it hasn't gone away.  The non-swapping unit is still perfect.

The unit with an external power pack doesn't get as hot as when using internal AAs, which is a benefit when it is in a jacket pocket. 

Jeff

Reviving this thread to see how this recorder is holding up for you in 2019. This is older tech, but the size and preamp quality seem compelling. It seems like it's still for sale, and I wonder if it's a viable option nowadays.

I'm looking for something ultra portable with excellent preamps and AD stage for nature recording. I know there are newer options, including Sonosax's soon(ish) to be release preamp, but this little box keeps turning in in all my searches.
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: IronFilm on April 17, 2019, 11:39:40 PM
What is Sonosax going to be releasing soon?
Title: Re: Sonosax MiniR82?
Post by: jerryfreak on April 18, 2019, 12:38:51 AM
I'm looking for something ultra portable with excellent preamps and AD stage for nature recording. I know there are newer options, including Sonosax's soon(ish) to be release preamp, but this little box keeps turning in in all my searches.

d:vice + 4060s checks all those boxes