Topic: Some MP-2 Mixpre Questions

[Sanjay]

OK so i did a search and didn't find exactly what I was looking for but found some stuff, i just want a bit more opinion.

Looking at picking up one of the two.

First Question:  External power, the specs say External 5 to 17 VDC, so this means that I could run a wal mart 7.2v lith ion into it correct?  It would just trim it down to whatever level it needs.

Second. I noticed the MP-2 has a an automatic gain of +16db whereas the mixpre starts at 0 db.  My question is, how many of you has this been a major problem for?  Is there a way to get it to start at 0 gain without the use of attenuators? 

Third:  those little switches on the left side are not for gain are they?  I just want to make sure this isn't like the modded dmic with dip switches and then a pot to control the gain between levels.

Thanks
-Sanjay

[Brian Skalinder]

First Question:  External power, the specs say External 5 to 17 VDC, so this means that I could run a wal mart 7.2v lith ion into it correct?

Correct.

Second. I noticed the MP-2 has a an automatic gain of +16db whereas the mixpre starts at 0 db.  My question is, how many of you has this been a major problem for?  Is there a way to get it to start at 0 gain without the use of attenuators?

I never had a problem running my MixPre without attenuators.  But I think you're asking about the MP-2.

Third:  those little switches on the left side are not for gain are they?  I just want to make sure this isn't like the modded dmic with dip switches and then a pot to control the gain between levels.

If memory serves, the switches on the left end (if you're viewing the front) are for setting phantom power (15v, off, 48v), HPF (80Hz, off, 160Hz), and limiter (on, off).  Plenty of details on both units in their respective manuals:

MP-2
MixPre

[Sanjay]

I never had a problem running my MixPre without attenuators.  But I think you're asking about the MP-2.

yup, but maybe you can answer this, have you ever used the mixpre turned all the way down or to a point where you think it was providing less than 16db of gain.  I need to decide if $350 vs $450 is worth it for this feature. 

thanks

[Brian Skalinder]

yup, but maybe you can answer this, have you ever used the mixpre turned all the way down or to a point where you think it was providing less than 16db of gain.  I need to decide if $350 vs $450 is worth it for this feature.

Hmmmm...don't think I ever had it turn the MixPre all the way down, even for loud bands:  Wilco, STS9, Death Cab For Cutie, Dismemberment Plan.  Though I don't recall ever running it more than ~ 09:00 on the dial.  Sorry, I don't know to what dB level that correlates.  I'd say go with whichever you can find for the lowest price - they both sound the same to my ears.  Though if you want to try M-S, only the MP-2 offers M-S decoding.  But personally I'd rather do the decoding in post, anyway.  And remember, on both units the Tape Out (stereo mini) provides -10dB of gain relative to the Line Out (XLRs).  So min gain on the MP-2:  16dB via Line Out and 6dB via Tape Out.

[Sanjay]

yup, but maybe you can answer this, have you ever used the mixpre turned all the way down or to a point where you think it was providing less than 16db of gain.  I need to decide if $350 vs $450 is worth it for this feature.

Hmmmm...don't think I ever had it turn the MixPre all the way down, even for loud bands:  Wilco, STS9, Death Cab For Cutie, Dismemberment Plan.  Though I don't recall ever running it more than ~ 09:00 on the dial.  Sorry, I don't know to what dB level that correlates.  I'd say go with whichever you can find for the lowest price - they both sound the same to my ears.  Though if you want to try M-S, only the MP-2 offers M-S decoding.  But personally I'd rather do the decoding in post, anyway.  And remember, on both units the Tape Out (stereo mini) provides -10dB of gain relative to the Line Out (XLRs).  So min gain on the MP-2:  16dB via Line Out and 6dB via Tape Out.

maybe i'm not thinking bc its -5 here and im tired, but what is m-s decoding?  and good to know about the -10 through tape out. 

[Brian Skalinder]

maybe i'm not thinking bc its -5 here and im tired, but what is m-s decoding?  and good to know about the -10 through tape out.

Mid-Side.  More info here:  http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/feb97/stereomiking.html.

Normally, I'd link to the DPA Microphone U, but looks like the site's down at the moment.

[Sanjay]

Mid-Side.  More info here:  http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/feb97/stereomiking.html.

Normally, I'd link to the DPA Microphone U, but looks like the site's down at the moment.

wow thats funky. thanks for your help +T again in 12