If size is a concern I'd look at the Mixpre-D!! It is about the size of a littlebox and has AES out great metering and can be powered internally or externally.
This!!!
Another shout out for the Sound Devices MixPre-D!
BTW- If you need A>D built-in, the previous versions of MixPre did not have this capability, they were strictly analog.
Thanks, for the input as always.
just wondering to me I like the form factor of the usbPre2 better then the mixPre-D and it's $50 cheaper. What if any benefit would one have with the mixPre-D over the usbPre2?
--Ian
One very blatant difference is the USBPre-2 requires external power of some kind, either a computer USB or 5 volts via the USB jack. The Mixpre-D can use AA batteries internally. I have not used a Pre-D, BUT looking at the feature set, I would still prefer a Pre-2 over the "D". Even is I exclude the ability to sync externally to a SPDIF signal, I like the multiple inputs and outputs, and I sue it with my computer as a soundcard which also gives me a headphone amp with lots of power. The fact the headphone amp can be on the slightly noisy side at high volume does not bother me. I like the volume and the easy interface to the computer. Supplying external power to the Pre-2 in the field is not that hard. And in fact I am currently working on a voltage converter to allow me to use the 9 volt DVD wallyworld batteries I have to power it. A lot of batteries now provide a USB power jack in addition to their other external power.
Kirk,
thanks
an external USB power is certainly easier that 12v
and I'm not a big AA fan - except in my m-10 where that last like 30+ hours.
I like the flexibility of the usbPre2 seems like it could be useful; I do have a few external LI-ion batteries that can supply USB 5v so that's not an issue.
since you have both the V3 an dthe USBpre2 other than size sonically how do you feel they compare.
I know V3's show up every so often but als seem a bit bigger than the USBPre2.
Opinion?
thanks again
--Ian
The V3 is a little bigger not a lot. Soundwise...they are both very similar to each other. Close enough to interchangeable IMHO. If I were shooping the two preamps side by side and had to pick one I would get the Pre-2. Handles more inputs{Mic; Line rca & Line 1/4"; and USB] Has more outputs{1/8" & 1/4" headphone; SPDIF coax & SPDIF-optical, Line-rca and XLR-mic level & XLR line level; and USB} I also use it as my sound card to my desktop. It is truly plug and play, never have had any issue with computers seeing it, both PC & MACS. IN my office I can have it feed rca line level to a powered mixer for my outside deck speakers & office speakers, 1/8" headphone to feed the living room amp, 1/4for my headphones and mixing and still have the XLR outputs If I wanted to send a feed to a recorder. I also use it for transfers, allows my to hook up my cassette deck, Dat deck both analog and digital without ever have to change out a single connection. I do own the V# and Pre-2 in order to allow the syncing of multiple decks. With the V3 supplying wordclock & SPDIF feed I can sync the clocks on my Alesis HD-24, and two DR-680's which gives a total of 40 tracks or recordings that will not have any drift. There are some Gov't Mule/Warren Haynes Band recordings out in cyber space that could give you a little feel of how the pre's sound . Hope that helps, Kirk
PS: I see Len listed his mic249 V2. I also saw that you must have the updated firmware in order for his pre to work with the Sony regarding SPDIF feed issues. This is something to keep in mind about a DR-680. The Sony and some tascam units have an issue with some SPDIF signals. It is not mentioned on the Core sound website, I don't know if it means that it was tested on a DR-680 and is not an issue or if it is just something that they have not encountered yet. I don't know of anyone here who has a DR-680 and runs that preamp. Obviously the Lunatec and SD units are much more robust with aluminum cases not a plastic box. IT also cannot support standard XLR jacks in such a small case, so it would be more adapters in line with your MiLab or Busman mics.