Sound Devices MixPre-3 and 6, Part 4

[noahbickart]

From the release notes, this would appear to allow the much clamored for channel linking (also two channel) with front knob gain control!

yup, I just updated mine, and the channel linking option is no longer greyed out.

It looks like SD is listening.

[nolamule]

Great news here! Thank you Sound Devices for listening. I just updated my unit w/o issue and love that I can finally operate the MP6 like my old 744. 

From the release notes, this would appear to allow the much clamored for channel linking (also two channel) with front knob gain control!

yup, I just updated mine, and the channel linking option is no longer greyed out.

It looks like SD is listening.

[goodcooker]

This is good news. I really like the idea of a MixPre6 and a Sennheiser AMBEO VR mic as a compact surround rig.

[rigpimp]

Does the 7xx series have the option to record to FLAC?

[johnw]

^yes the 7xx can record to flac

[sos]

Does the 7xx series have the option to record to FLAC?

https://www.sounddevices.com/tech-notes/recording-to-flac-file-format-with-7-series-recorders

[vwmule]

Full details:

[dallman]

Can someone explain why this would be useful for me?  I typically run a cardiod pair and a MS pair.  The two are never close to being the same levels, really ever, especially the mid and side channels.  Why would I want to control gain on 4 mis-matched channels by just spinning a single knob?

I was happy to see that with the firmware update using the front panel knobs for gain, I can link channels 1/2, and then separately link channels 3/4. ISO (front panel) Knob 1 controls 1/2, and ISO (Front panel) knob 3 controls 3/4. That is exactly how I have used my Tascam DR680. I do not foresee ever linking all 4 together, at least not with my mic combos. I did not think to check if there is an option to link 5/6, I'll have to look at that tonight.

There is a specific linking option for m/s, so you could balance your M/S and control that with ISO 1, and then control your cardioid pair after balancing on ISO 3, so you would have 2 master balance controls instead of 4 separate controls.

[dactylus]

Can someone explain why this would be useful for me?  I typically run a cardiod pair and a MS pair.  The two are never close to being the same levels, really ever, especially the mid and side channels.  Why would I want to control gain on 4 mis-matched channels by just spinning a single knob?

I was happy to see that with the firmware update using the front panel knobs for gain, I can link channels 1/2, and then separately link channels 3/4. ISO (front panel) Knob 1 controls 1/2, and ISO (Front panel) knob 3 controls 3/4. That is exactly how I have used my Tascam DR680. I do not foresee ever linking all 4 together, at least not with my mic combos. I did not think to check if there is an option to link 5/6, I'll have to look at that tonight.

There is a specific linking option for m/s, so you could balance your M/S and control that with ISO 1, and then control your cardioid pair after balancing on ISO 3, so you would have 2 master balance controls instead of 4 separate controls.

^
+T

[noahbickart]

https://www.trewaudio.com/product/cable-techniques-mx-powersled/

[voltronic]

https://www.trewaudio.com/product/cable-techniques-mx-powersled/

Looks just like the Hawk Woods version:
https://www.trewaudio.com/product/hawk-woods-sd-1/

Hawk Woods also makes a single L battery sled:
https://www.trewaudio.com/product/hawk-woods-sd-2/

...Speaking of which, anyone here powering these units with the L style batteries?  I haven't seen much discussion about that option here.  The USB-C packs seem to be the cheaper option if starting fresh, unless you already own the Sony batteries and charger.

[mnm207]

Volt, I had a handful of unbranded NP-550 size L batteries from some LED lights gathering dust so I got one of SD's L sleds. With one in each of the sled's sockets it's just a bit thicker than the recorder itself (and roughly the same thickness as the Hawk Woods single L sled). I get plenty of record time out of two batteries for my needs and can easily hot swap in a spare. I prefer the all in one form factor that the L batteries provide and two of the batteries are lighter than my USB battery pack. If an extremely long recording situation comes up I can use my Anker 20100+ (again, already on hand from another task).

If I hadn't had either on hand to begin with I'd lean towards USB powering. On a longer trip I have coming up later in the year, I will likely bring the Anker since I'll be carrying it and its charger anyway (and the one charger also charges my phone and camera batteries). The L batteries mean one more (large-ish) charger to pack.

[voltronic]

Volt, I had a handful of unbranded NP-550 size L batteries from some LED lights gathering dust so I got one of SD's L sleds. With one in each of the sled's sockets it's just a bit thicker than the recorder itself (and roughly the same thickness as the Hawk Woods single L sled). I get plenty of record time out of two batteries for my needs and can easily hot swap in a spare. I prefer the all in one form factor that the L batteries provide and two of the batteries are lighter than my USB battery pack. If an extremely long recording situation comes up I can use my Anker 20100+ (again, already on hand from another task).

If I hadn't had either on hand to begin with I'd lean towards USB powering. On a longer trip I have coming up later in the year, I will likely bring the Anker since I'll be carrying it and its charger anyway (and the one charger also charges my phone and camera batteries). The L batteries mean one more (large-ish) charger to pack.

Thanks for sharing your experience.  I also like the form factor and ability to hot-swap the NP / L batteries, which is why I was interested in them, but the smaller ones that don't stick out that far like the 550s make me wonder about runtimes with 4 mics.

As for chargers, this kit looks attractive since the charger is small and can be powered off of a 12V car outlet:
https://www.amazon.com/DSTE-NP-F550-Sony-CCD-RV100-CCD-RV200/dp/B00CPYXQ2S/

[justink]

MixPre-10T?

If this is what I think it is, THIS is why I didn't buy a mixpre6!

https://www.sounddevices.com/component/tags/tag/tn-mixpre-10t

[voltronic]

MixPre-10T?

If this is what I think it is, THIS is why I didn't buy a mixpre6!

https://www.sounddevices.com/component/tags/tag/tn-mixpre-10t

Looks like they took those links down, but here's someone who grabbed a screenshot:
http://ironfilm.co.nz/leaked-is-a-new-sound-devices-mixpre-10t-coming-soon/