#61

No bad choice here. I have the MixPre 6 and don’t feel the need to upgrade–the sound quality out of that machine is remarkable, and the analog limiters work beautifully. Would you use the timecode generator? If so, that’s worth the extra $$ alone. The new 32 bit recording feature looks incredible, but I haven’t had any issues with setting the gain for recordings. I’d get the 6 over the 3–the extra channels are incredibly useful. If your budget choice is between a 3II and a 6–would go for the 6.

#62

I just bought a used Mixpre-6 Mk1.
Got a good deal with 4 big batteries and a bag for it.
Great recorder!

#63

in my experience with previous generation MixPre-s, they appear to be (and sound) very well isolated, so I wouldn’t go for a DI before testing just the MixPre on its own. There are also cheaper DIs out there. For an overview of how DIs affect sound, I got a lot out of this page.

2 Likes
#64

I’m looking into getting a new field recorder as my beloved little Olympus LS11 is at the end of its life. I’m not field recording that often so I’m not sure if it’s worth the investment for me, but it seems that the mixpre6 II ticks all boxes and could also replace my kmix which I use for standalone recording synths (and which I always wanted a recorder with), so I could feed two birds with one scone. My biggest worry is the 3.5mm TRS stereo unbalanced out: is it good/high level enough for output to my monitors on my synths desk? Also I’m curious what your experiences are working with 32bit files is in practice :slight_smile:

1 Like
#65

I have the MixPre 6, and the output is high quality, and strong enough to drive any input destination, like monitors, a mixer, or a PA. You can also adjust the gain on the output. My original MixPre doesn’t have the new 32 bit float recording mode, but using 24 bit files has been great with synth recordings. 32 bit would allow you to more or less not worry about how you have gain set at the expense of larger files.

1 Like
#66

Hello!
I know it’s an old post, but it’s touching exactly on the questions I have on the MixPre:
Does it work at all with Linux?
Not getting UAC-2 support means, that I won’t have access to multiple channels recording or higher samplerates, right?
I’m toying with the idea to buy a MixPre-3 Mk1 for field recording and stuff, but also for having a small external USB-Interface for my linux-laptop for everyday listening tasks. (files, bandcamp, youtube, etc.)
I don’t believe in high resolution SR for listening/consuming purposes, so I’d be fine with a “normal” resolution, meaning samplerate and bit depth, as long as it works reliably without long sync waiting or crackling with Linux…
Greetings, Tilman

#67

Yes it does work with Linux. I think there is a bit of a bug in the Linux kernel with respect to how it chooses UAC configs, it doesn’t always choose the best one!1 So on my MixPre it chooses config 1 (UAC-1), instead of config 2 (UAC-2).

Anyway, all I need to do with my MixPre 6 mk1 is tell the kernel to switch to config 2. You can do this using sysfs, or easier still with the usb_modeswitch command.

I have the following udev rule so that the command runs automatically when I connect the device.

# SoundDevices MixPre 6, switch to configuration 2
ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0926", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0206", RUN+="/usr/bin/usb_modeswitch -v 0x0926 -p 0x0206 -u

You might find that the product id values are different for the MixPre 3.

Hope that helps.

1 one day I’ll finish writing a patch and try to get it submitted to the kernel…

3 Likes
#68

Oh thank you so much for your answer in such great detail!
I guess there goes my money away :smile:

2 Likes
#69

does anyone have an opinion on the performance difference between the mixpre line of Sound Devices and their field mixers (442, 552, etc.)?

#70

Haven’t used the field mixers but have a Mixpre 6 II. It sounds crystal clear, truly. I will assume any gear made in the last few years sounds the same in quality.

#71

I hear great things about the mixpre line, I’m just curious where the price difference is coming from and it’s not clear to me what the value proposition is supposed to be for the higher end stuff. Figured someone here might have an opinion.

#72

Some of the difference is size / ease of use (remember these are production sound mixers first and foremost). The more expensive mixer/recorders (eg 633, 644) still have features Mixpre does not have that are necessary for proper film work.

The new Mixpres are also surprisingly small devices. I think the preamps, limiters and recording quality are the same though, anyone know for sure?

1 Like
#73

well the 442 and 552 are primarily mixers with outputs and knobs to easily do stuff that needs to be done working on a shooting. And a locking connector for external power.
The Mixpre3/6 are not really mixers (hence the name…) in the sense that the signal path pretty much ends in them. But i suppose they are fine recorders.

As far as comparisons, i found this video comparing MixPre6, SD 633 and Zoom F8 quite revealing.

1 Like
#74

The straight field mixers (442, 552) are older products and have a few features that are useful for production sound work. Those mixers were usually paired with SD recorders, but production mixers have mostly moved to the 600/800 mixer/recorders and in some cases, the MixPres. For most field recording and studio applications, I think the MixPre’s are superior products with improved preamps, mixing, multichannel recording, and audio interface functions. I’ve used my MixPre 6 for all my live performances to mix and send audio to the house system. My next step will be adding a MixPre 10 II, so I can have my field recording kit with the 6 always packed and ready to go, with the 10 II cabled up in the studio.

4 Likes
#75

Hi! Relatively new owner of a Mixpre-6 II and have been really enjoying working with highly dynamic content with the 32bit ADC. Still haven’t figured out the range of the preamps tho which clip very weirdly (limiter?) because I have troubles reading the LEDs (colour blind). Here are some of my findings:

  • Ableton doesnt accept multichannel (32bit?) files. I use Sox, a command line tool, to split the file using the remix effect like this: sox in.wav out.wav remix 1
  • I’m using Ikea’s LADDA 2450 mAh AA NiMH batteries, but it seems that they drain really quickly. So I added a Anker Powerbank PowerCore Slim 10000 PD in combination with the AA batteries which gives me hours more.
  • The LEDs on the front are not colour blind friendly as they indicate clipping of preamp and adc through red, green and orange. Luckily the indicator on the screen is better, but they are not described in the manual (iirc). I’ve written with SD support’s about this and they said they want to find a solution.
  • Playback controls feel very immature, no scrubbing back and forth easily in longer recording and I wish could set the individual level volumes during playback.
  • Only used it as a usb audio interface a couple of times and I couldn’t figure out how to get more channels than regular stereo into the computer yet.

I’m also still looking for a good field bag for it, any pointers?

1 Like
#76

Designed and 3d printed a holder for the Anker slim powerbank on top of the Mixpre. (Was out of black filament)

IMG_0537-1
IMG_0537-11300×867 308 KB

powerbank2
powerbank22000×1217 127 KB

IMG_0540-4
IMG_0540-41300×867 300 KB

2 Likes
#77

I just picked up a peak designs everyday sling bag, which luckily is an almost perfect fit. Able to plug in mics, power and headphones and zip It closed again. And being like 1/5th of the price of a real sound bag it definitely gets the job done.

#78

Oh! Do you have photos of it packed? I have an Orca OR 270 on preorder, but it’s taking ages and it’s ugly :dizzy_face:, so I’m interested in something else!

#79

IMG_20200817_134235510~2
IMG_20200817_134235510~22448×3264 1.74 MB

IMG_20200817_134315463~2
IMG_20200817_134315463~23264×2448 1.59 MB

Can’t fit mics on both sides inside the bag, but works great for two on the headphone side. Also big enough to keep two usipros, a backup battery, small pockets for sd cards, a notepad etc. And best buy stocks em on the shelf. Which is handy I guess.

2 Likes
#80

Is that the 3L or 6L?