Topic: Sound Devices USBPre 2

[kirk97132]

I did misunderstand and thought you had run it on 3.7 volts.  And it seems that real answer you were after is covered already.  I don't know if this has any bearing but maybe the manufacturers are required to rate it at actual battery voltage and not what they design a unit to output with other electronic parts.  I am itching to get out and run this stuff at a show.   

[sunjan]

why do they use 3.7V when they are 5V devices, is there some standard I am unaware of here?

Maybe the OP already knows this, but 3.7V is the nominal cell voltage for Li-ion. This is the inherent native voltage for this particular battery chemistry, so I guess you could say that it's a standard of sorts. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery#Specifications_and_design

[jbell]

Has the digi signal locking issue with the DR680 and Sony D50 been resolved??

[kirk97132]

Has the digi signal locking issue with the DR680 and Sony D50 been resolved??

Well, yes and no.  Officially they have not released the fix yet.  But, I was told that there is a fix.  I am assuming they will run it through it's paces to be sure before it is official.  The word on the street is that it solves the problem.  It had something to do with the way the Tascam and Sony unit read the incoming data stream.  So now the USBPre2 outputs the information the Tascam/Sony units are looking for.   Those two units(maybe others?) get their lock off the header information and not be reading the signal itself.  Sorry for the nontechnical explanation but it gets way over my head at this point.  Initial testing looks good so far.   I'm sure that Nic will post a link for the firmware update as soon as it is ready. 

[MichaelPatrick]

I'm confident that Sound Devices will get this right --they always do-- so I ordered a USB Pre 2.  I'm going to test the SPDIF out with a few devices when it arrives.  If it has problems after loading the code fix I'll post something here.  We'll test it with Edirol R-44, Tascam HD-P2, MicroTrack II, Tascam DR-680, SD 788T, and of course a computer via USB 2.0.

[NicStage]

Firmware posted. Just in time for your Thanksgiving recording sessions...

http://sounddevices.com/download/usbpre2-firmware.htm

[jbell]

Nice!

Firmware posted. Just in time for your Thanksgiving recording sessions...

http://sounddevices.com/download/usbpre2-firmware.htm

[jbell]

Anyone used one in the field? 

[kirk97132]

Thought I'd post here first before the yard sale....I am about to switch over the voltage regulator I had tried to build for my Apogee.   I will be making a voltage regulator box for the USBPre2.  It will accept a 9V DVD battery input.  It will output 5 volts via a USB connector for the USBPre2.  It will also have a 9 volt pass thru.  The 9 volt pass thru will have a polarity switch in order to be used with either center pin negative or positive devices.  The pass thru will have an adapt-a-plug end so that you can put what ever plug you want on the end.If you are interested in buying this let me know. I have not finished it yet so I could make the the input  be able to hot swap batteries if you wanted.  I could also add more outputs too if you wanted to run more than two devices off a single unit or if you wanted both outputs to be 5 volts.  I was thinking with hot swap, polarity switch and dual outputs selling it for $40.  I'll post some pictures later as it comes together, Kirk

[bhadella]

Anyone used one in the field?

Ran mine on Friday.   Had to run it mic in (phantom off) from my sonosax so it went thru the pres on both units.   Ordering cabling to run into the line-in section (1/4 TRS) which allows for a hotter (pro level) signal and bypasses the pres.   I've going to make a set of xlr splitters this weekend so I'll be able to run a few good comps (24/48) at Christmas Jam in a few weeks using DPA 4023s (FOB) into various combinations of my R44, Sonosax SX-M2 and USBPre 2.  8 sets makes for 8 comps.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 
Sonosax SX-M2 (pre)  > Edirol R44 (a/d conversion)
vs
Sonosax SX-M2 (pre)  > USBPre 2 (a/d conversion) > Edirol R44
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. 
Sonosax SX-M2 (pre) > Edirol R44 (a/d conversion)
vs
USBPre 2 (pre) > Edirol R44 (a/d conversion)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. 
Sonosax SX-M2 (pre) > Edirol R44 (a/d conversion)
vs
USBPre 2 (pre, a/d conversion) > Edirol R44 (a/d conversion)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
USBPre 2 (pre, a/d conversion) > Edirol R44
vs
USBPre 2 (pre) > Edirol R44 (a/d conversion)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. 
Edirol R44 (pre, a/d conversion)
vs
USBPre 2 (pre, a/d conversion) > Edirol R44
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. 
Edirol R44 (pre, a/d conversion)
vs
USBPre 2 (pre) > Edirol R44 (a/d conversion)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. 
Edirol R44 (pre, a/d conversion)
vs
Sonosax SX-M2 (pre) > USBPre 2 (a/d conversion) > Edirol R44
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. 
Edirol R44 (pre, a/d conversion)
vs
Sonosax SX-M2 (pre) > Edirol R44 (a/d conversion)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[page]

Anyone used one in the field?

Ran mine on Friday.   Had to run it mic in (phantom off) from my sonosax so it went thru the pres on both units.   Ordering cabling to run into the line-in section (1/4 TRS) which allows for a hotter (pro level) signal and bypasses the pres.   I've going to make a set of xlr splitters this weekend so I'll be able to run a few good comps (24/48) at Christmas Jam in a few weeks using DPA 4023s (FOB) into various combinations of my R44, Sonosax SX-M2 and USBPre 2.  8 sets makes for 8 comps.

I have a set of single female end to dual male end cables already made if you want to borrow them. XLRs on both ends, but you could use adaptors if you want to run the 1/4" for the USBPre.

[bhadella]

Anyone used one in the field?

Ran mine on Friday.   Had to run it mic in (phantom off) from my sonosax so it went thru the pres on both units.   Ordering cabling to run into the line-in section (1/4 TRS) which allows for a hotter (pro level) signal and bypasses the pres.   I've going to make a set of xlr splitters this weekend so I'll be able to run a few good comps (24/48) at Christmas Jam in a few weeks using DPA 4023s (FOB) into various combinations of my R44, Sonosax SX-M2 and USBPre 2.  8 sets makes for 8 comps.

I have a set of single female end to dual male end cables already made if you want to borrow them. XLRs on both ends, but you could use adaptors if you want to run the 1/4" for the USBPre.

I'd love to but the materials are due in tomorrow.  Oh the cabling making fun!

[jbell]

The line in isn't XLR??  I'll be at Xmas jam, really want to see one of these. 

Anyone used one in the field?

Ran mine on Friday.   Had to run it mic in (phantom off) from my sonosax so it went thru the pres on both units.   Ordering cabling to run into the line-in section (1/4 TRS) which allows for a hotter (pro level) signal and bypasses the pres.   I've going to make a set of xlr splitters this weekend so I'll be able to run a few good comps (24/48) at Christmas Jam in a few weeks using DPA 4023s (FOB) into various combinations of my R44, Sonosax SX-M2 and USBPre 2.  8 sets makes for 8 comps.

I have a set of single female end to dual male end cables already made if you want to borrow them. XLRs on both ends, but you could use adaptors if you want to run the 1/4" for the USBPre.

I'd love to but the materials are due in tomorrow.  Oh the cabling making fun!

[bhadella]

Mic in is xlr.   Line in is 1/4.  Consumer ins are rcas. 

The line in isn't XLR??  I'll be at Xmas jam, really want to see one of these. 

Anyone used one in the field?

Ran mine on Friday.   Had to run it mic in (phantom off) from my sonosax so it went thru the pres on both units.   Ordering cabling to run into the line-in section (1/4 TRS) which allows for a hotter (pro level) signal and bypasses the pres.   I've going to make a set of xlr splitters this weekend so I'll be able to run a few good comps (24/48) at Christmas Jam in a few weeks using DPA 4023s (FOB) into various combinations of my R44, Sonosax SX-M2 and USBPre 2.  8 sets makes for 8 comps.

I have a set of single female end to dual male end cables already made if you want to borrow them. XLRs on both ends, but you could use adaptors if you want to run the 1/4" for the USBPre.

I'd love to but the materials are due in tomorrow.  Oh the cabling making fun!

[mepaca]

Anyone used one in the field? 

I used mine for an acoustic jazz trio. It was amplified nylon sting guitar and acoustic bass with drums. I used Schoeps with mk4 caps ortf >
usbpre 2 > r-44 coax and d50 optical. The recordings sounded exceptional. I thought it sounded more open and better than my v2 > mini-me
combo.