What Battery Preamp (w/48v) to expand MixPre?

[SMsound]

This thread has been super helpful.

What has been everyone's experience with the 1/8" TRS input (channels 5/6) on the MixPre-6? 

I keep looking at the great options in this thread, then cringing at the thought of my tracks depending on a 1/8" TRS connector...

[DavidPuddy]

This thread has been super helpful.

What has been everyone's experience with the 1/8" TRS input (channels 5/6) on the MixPre-6? 

I keep looking at the great options in this thread, then cringing at the thought of my tracks depending on a 1/8" TRS connector...

It's not bad at all in my limited experience. Of course, it's noisier than the XLR inputs but if you're recording amplified music, it's not an issue.

[SMsound]

It's not bad at all in my limited experience. Of course, it's noisier than the XLR inputs but if you're recording amplified music, it's not an issue.

Thanks.  I'm recording classical/opera, so noise matters---how much extra noise are you getting?  Any trouble with static from the 1/8" TRS connection wiggling/not being perfect? I do wish the mixpre's would have used 1/4" TRS for some extra surface area to make the connection.

[Sebastian]

Thanks.  I'm recording classical/opera, so noise matters---how much extra noise are you getting?  Any trouble with static from the 1/8" TRS connection wiggling/not being perfect? I do wish the mixpre's would have used 1/4" TRS for some extra surface area to make the connection.

The TRS jack on the MixPre has a screw thread. There are actually TRS connectors that can screw onto such a thread. I have attached a picture of the connector I'm using with my tinybox. These types of TRS connectors are usually used on pocket transmitters. However, I currently don't have my MixPre here and therefore can't confirm that the screw thread of the MixPre sticks out enough for the connector to be able to lock onto it. But it might be worth a try. In the worst case you might have to remove the nut from the MixPre's TRS jack (don't worry - the connector is fixed to the PCB, the nut is not needed to secure it).

[morst]

The TRS jack on the MixPre has a screw thread. There are actually TRS connectors that can screw onto such a thread. I have attached a picture of the connector I'm using with my tinybox. These types of TRS connectors are usually used on pocket transmitters. However, I currently don't have my MixPre here and therefore can't confirm that the screw thread of the MixPre sticks out enough for the connector to be able to lock onto it. But it might be worth a try. In the worst case you might have to remove the nut from the MixPre's TRS jack (don't worry - the connector is fixed to the PCB, the nut is not needed to secure it).

Holy wow, will ya look at that?
Mine's got a thread exposed which MIGHT be enough to get some grab?! My room is super dusty.

[SMsound]

^^ Just checked my MixPre-6 (Gen 1)---looks like I have just 1/4 of a thread exposed. Might by a YMMV thing with screw on TRS.

I am still really curious about extra noise from using an external pair of preamps into the 3.5mm TRS connector---can anyone comment (before I pull the trigger on some nice battery preamps)

[Sebastian]

I am still really curious about extra noise from using an external pair of preamps into the 3.5mm TRS connector---can anyone comment (before I pull the trigger on some nice battery preamps)

From a technical standpoint any extra noise depends on the external preamp being used. The 3.5 TRS connector does not "add" any noise. It probably has a similar signal path to the ADC as the rest of the inputs, with just a different gain stage. And the specs don't list a different equivalent input noise level for it. So as long as you're using a low-noise external preamp, I don't think you'll have any problems. Especially if you're running the Aux/Mic input at unity gain.

[SMsound]

I am still really curious about extra noise from using an external pair of preamps into the 3.5mm TRS connector---can anyone comment (before I pull the trigger on some nice battery preamps)

I don't think you'll have any problems. Especially if you're running the Aux/Mic input at unity gain.

^ Very helpful. I'm looking at a Shure FP24 external 2ch pre (and some of the other Sound Devices ones). If I understand correctly, then you're saying that on my MixPre-6, I should set the gain on Ch. 5 and 6 to zero, and use the external FP24 pre's to add gain to the mics?

[jerryfreak]

zero on the mixpre may or may not be "ideal", but its a fair bit of testing to determine the optimum level for S/N, and diminishing return at that.

the "tape out" of an FP24 is an easy mini-to-mini-connection to the mixpre aux in and runs at +11dBFS

[SMsound]

zero on the mixpre may or may not be "ideal", but its a fair bit of testing to determine the optimum level for S/N, and diminishing return at that.

the "tape out" of an FP24 is an easy mini-to-mini-connection to the mixpre aux in and runs at +11dBFS

Thanks!  Just called around and have a MixPre-D on the way.  I didn't realize the MixpPre-D and FP24 have 3.5mm tape output.  I've actually never used a tape output before before---is there any disadvantage to using it vs. the XLR outs? (Cringing again at the thought of my recordings depending on not one, but two 3.5mm jacks...)

I had planned to either:
-Buy/make a two-XLR-F to 3.5mm TRS stereo breakout cable to go from the MixPre-D's two XLR's outputs to the MixPre-6 3.5mm TRS input. 
Or
-buy/make an TA3F (mini XLR) to 3.5mm TRS cable to go from the Mixpre-D's mini XLR unbalanced output.



Thank you all for all of the help!