Author Topic: Can the Apogee Mini-me be used as just a pre-amp? (Read 9025 times)

landshark · « **on:** July 17, 2007, 01:50:17 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2007, 01:57:35 PM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2007, 03:14:17 PM »

get a mini-MP instead ...

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2007, 04:07:05 PM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2007, 05:09:21 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2007, 05:21:56 PM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2007, 06:01:16 PM »

Thanks Nick!!!

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

Jamos · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2007, 07:39:31 PM »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2007, 09:41:11 PM »

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

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2007, 07:16:33 AM »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2007, 10:04:17 AM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2007, 11:03:33 AM »

sax?
ugh

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

landshark · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2007, 12:26:39 PM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on July 18, 2007, 11:03:33 AM

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2007, 12:27:29 PM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2007, 12:29:21 PM »

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

stirinthesauce · « **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2007, 12:30:17 PM »

If size is the issue, the mixpre is a great choice. Nice transformer sound (lundahls at that!

). If size isn't, go apogee.

My .02

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2007, 02:12:47 PM »

IMO, the apogee sounds better, but that footprint is atrocious.
both can be had around the same price. the apogee is more familiar and pleasing to my ear.

Kevin Straker · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2007, 11:28:07 AM »

If you bought a minime for the preamps, you may be the first. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough, when I had one, and it was the preamps that sucked. Do yourself a favor and buy a minimp, psp2, or v2.

Kindguy · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2007, 12:55:58 PM »

Quote from: Kevin Straker on August 02, 2007, 11:28:07 AM

If you bought a minime for the preamps, you may be the first. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough, when I had one, and it was the preamps that sucked. Do yourself a favor and buy a minimp, psp2, or v2.

The AD is why I'd buy a mme.

Also take a look at the areco mp-2. Same flavor as the psp-2 / 148

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2007, 05:39:13 PM »

areco's are almost a lame duck recommendation.
near impossible to find.

MattH · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:25:12 PM »

I actually have used the MME headphone output several times before, even to DSD. I don't have a MME anymore but thought the headphone out sounded much better than any digitally converted signal out of the MME.

Kindguy · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2007, 08:13:48 PM »

Quote from: Nick's Picks on August 02, 2007, 05:39:13 PM

areco's are almost a lame duck recommendation.
near impossible to find.

For 750 you can buy one new. much easier than finding a psp-2 or v2.

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2007, 07:55:25 AM »

I guess I was thinking psp2 actually when I posted.
ok, scratch that.

OOK · « **Reply #23 on:** August 04, 2007, 11:28:17 AM »

Quote from: MattH on August 02, 2007, 10:25:12 PM

I actually have used the MME headphone output several times before, even to DSD. I don't have a MME anymore but thought the headphone out sounded much better than any digitally converted signal out of the MME.

ditto

I used to send patches to the occassional MD user via the 1/8 out on the minime...

MBHOTAPER · « **Reply #24 on:** August 15, 2007, 12:48:13 AM »

Quote from: stirinthesauce on July 18, 2007, 12:30:17 PM

If size is the issue, the mixpre is a great choice. Nice transformer sound (lundahls at that! ). If size isn't, go apogee.

My .02

Isn't that the same transformers used in the sd mp-2?

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #25 on:** August 15, 2007, 07:25:12 AM »

same company..., so it wouldn't surprise me.
the mix pre is like the "new" version of the mp2

NOLAfishwater · « **Reply #26 on:** August 20, 2007, 03:29:17 PM »

I have been looking at that Apogee Mini-MP. I guess I could run the analog XLR outputs into my PMD660, but with the phantom power turned off, correct?

landshark · « **Reply #27 on:** August 20, 2007, 04:08:05 PM »

Hi NOLA -

Nope.

There are no analog XLR outputs - check the pictures of the unit. There are 2x XLR inputs, but the only outputs are the headphone jack and the SPDIF. There is also an AES/EBU, but I think that's also an output, for digital out and "world clock" function (but that's just a guess). I was thinking along the same lines as you, until I took a look at the pictures and couldn't figure out where the heck the analog-out was.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minime.php

Interesting note from their website: "As of July 25th, 2007, Mini-Me is no longer available."

Looks like it's out of production, I wonder if they're going to replace it.....

Mike

GDfan · « **Reply #28 on:** August 20, 2007, 04:54:00 PM »

Quote from: landshark on August 20, 2007, 04:08:05 PM

Hi NOLA -

Nope.

There are no analog XLR outputs - check the pictures of the unit. There are 2x XLR inputs, but the only outputs are the headphone jack and the SPDIF. There is also an AES/EBU, but I think that's also an output, for digital out and "world clock" function (but that's just a guess). I was thinking along the same lines as you, until I took a look at the pictures and couldn't figure out where the heck the analog-out was.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minime.php

Interesting note from their website: "As of July 25th, 2007, Mini-Me is no longer available."

Looks like it's out of production, I wonder if they're going to replace it.....

Mike

I see xlr ins and outs in these pics:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MiniMP/
and I was wondering the same thing NOLA, how would the mini MP sound in front of the pmd 660 =D

NOLAfishwater · « **Reply #29 on:** August 20, 2007, 05:47:13 PM »

Quote from: NOLAfishwater on August 20, 2007, 03:29:17 PM

I have been looking at that Apogee Mini-MP.

Sorry but the Mini-ME was discontinued as of July 27th. I was talking about the Mini-MP.

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #30 on:** August 21, 2007, 07:16:52 AM »

hmmm.....
I have no idea how that would sound, but i'm sure it would be cool.
Love my MMP.