Topic: Sound Devices MixPre-3 and 6, Part 7

[JiB97]

I would spend a little more and get the Mixpre-6ii (or 3) that records in 32 bit. I never watch levels anymore (besides out of habit).

a very nice taper was attempting to explain the benefits of 32-bit recording during the Halloween show, and basically I believe I walked away with that I can run my levels a little lower and not worry about the effect on overall quality when applying gain in post for ultimately dithering to 24 or 16 bit, do i have that mostly right?

[Gordon]

yes or you could clip like crazy and it'll sound fine after you lower the gain in your daw software.

[JiB97]

yes or you could clip like crazy and it'll sound fine after you lower the gain in your daw software.

Huh? How is that even possible?

This is very interesting…

[Gordon]

yes or you could clip like crazy and it'll sound fine after you lower the gain in your daw software.

Huh? How is that even possible?

This is very interesting…

It's real!  Check this out and download the samples.  I was sold after editing the first sample myself!  +27db to just below zero and it sounds perfect.

https://www.sounddevices.com/noise-in-32-bit-float/

[JiB97]

yes or you could clip like crazy and it'll sound fine after you lower the gain in your daw software.

Huh? How is that even possible?

This is very interesting…

It's real!  Check this out and download the samples.  I was sold after editing the first sample myself!  +27db to just below zero and it sounds perfect.

https://www.sounddevices.com/noise-in-32-bit-float/

Thanks for that link!! They even included pictures so dumbos like me could understand!!

 That really is an awesome feature. I’m assuming the file sizes though are a lot larger? And I would probably need to figure out a new editing program since I am not sure if Audacity supports this futuristic 32-bit space magic.

[Gordon]

I record at 32/48 and dither to 24/48.  32bit file size is a few hundred mb bigger as I recall.  I don't use audacity but pretty sure it supports 32b.

[rigpimp]

It's real!  Check this out and download the samples.  I was sold after editing the first sample myself!  +27db to just below zero and it sounds perfect.

https://www.sounddevices.com/noise-in-32-bit-float/

Holy crap, this is incredible.

[adrianf74]

That's the whole reason I jumped on a MixPre-6 II. Not having to worry about levels is a godsend.  Ideally, you want to set them close but if something should happen where levels spike and clip or are too low, it can be fixed. Helpful when you have frequent board access.

[rigpimp]

Seriously considering selling my MP6 V1.  If anyone here is interested before me posting it up in the Yard Sale feel free to PM.

[willndmb]

I am sure it’s in the threads somewhere butttt confused on the 3 vs 6 track/channel numbering.

The 3 says it is 5 and the 6 says it is 8…
3 has 3 xlr and aux/mic in = 5
6 has 4 xlr and aux/mic in = 6, where is the extra 2??

Does the 3 not do a “mix” and the 6 does?

Tia

[Gordon]

extra 2 are the l/r on the fly mix.  I disable it....

[justme]

The “3” does three isolated tracks plus a two channel stereo down mix.
The “6” does six isolated tracks plus a two channel stereo down mix.

The “3” can do five channel input and two channel out over usb.
Where the “6” can manage eight in and four out.

[aaronji]

A new firmware release is up on the Sound Devices website (v7.15).

[carpa]

The “3” does three isolated tracks plus a two channel stereo down mix.
The “6” does six isolated tracks plus a two channel stereo down mix.

The “3” can do five channel input and two channel out over usb.
Where the “6” can manage eight in and four out.

I'm also interested in understanding this thing. I.e. mixpre 6 has 4 xlr inputs + a stereo 3,5 for an additional stereo microphone. But, the device has only 4 preamp, so this are the questions:
1) Must the 3,5 input  be intended as a pure line-input, with no preamp stage, no gain etc? In that case I guess you could just plug a line signal - i.e. a line out signal from an external preamp or mixer and provide the needed gain before.  In case this is correct, I guess that mixpre 3 could allow to record simultaneously with 5 mics and mixpre 6 with five mics ( providing the extra two mics with their own powering and gain)
2) Does the 3.5 input provide gain? In the specs the Aux-in is described as having a line or mic mode with the indication of 30 db of gain. That would mean there is another dedicated preamp stage in addition to the 3 or 4 Kashmir preamps, which I don't think is advertised, though 

So the main question is how many microphones can be actually used at the same time with these devices?
Thanks all

[aaronji]

^ The MixPre-6 has four Kashmir (class A discrete) pre-amps on the XLR mic/line inputs, plus a chip-based pre on the 1/8" stereo input. A total of 6 ISOs. The MixPre-3 can NOT record five channels of ISOs, only three.