Can I just get the line out signal, put into my camera? The quality would be the same as if I would get the audio file from the recorder and use it in post production?
@@miguel_chain Ok, so the MixPre-6 has an unbalanced 3.5mm output and you can run that into the 3.5mm input on the C200. From what I can tell, the C200's 3.5mm input cannot be set to line level so you'll have to send tone to the camera and adjust the output fader. There most likely will be an audio quality hit with that approach. Another option is to use a DI box to convert the MixPre-6 output to balanced and then run that into one of the XLR inputs on the C200 at line level. with a good DI the audio quality should be better that way, in theory. But it is a potentially awkward setup with that extra DI box.
@@curtisjudd Man, thanks for taking time to explain that. It seems that it doesn´t worth . It might be easier get Video file from the camera, get the audio file from the recorder and sinc them on post... Thank you again! I´m watching a lot of your videos today. I own a Zoom H6 right now - for everything - podcasts etc... but when I used the phones (not the line out) the phone jack - I get an annoing noise. As far as I researched - there´s no solutiion for it, since it may happen due to unproper sealing for that module ( or something like that). I´m thinking about getting or the Zoom F4 or MixPre-3 mkII . Your videos are helping a lot! Thanks again
I find it very difficult to find a right level on the four channels. I either have them set too low or too high. Ruined a lot of sessions trying to guess the right level... never had that problem with the ZoomH5. When it is set too high, an equalizer kicks in to counteract the high levels that makes the recording unusable. Any advice on how to set the levels? I record on four channels so they add up.
Hi Balint, I usually set the levels so that the peaks hit around -18dB on the meters. Then in post, I have freedom to compress the peaks and set the loudness where I want it. If set this way, the limiter - what you refer to as an equalizer - only kicks in slightly and helps prevent very occasional clipping events.
@@curtisjudd Thank you for your response. I watched one of the MixPre reviews in which you stated that it is almost "not important" to set the levels on this because it is not going to clip if an amateur recording engineer accidentally sets the level too high... but instead of clipping there is a limiter, which is very annoying and makes organ recordings unusable. I am thinking of going back to my good old Zoom H5, because I a making too many mistakes and setting errors on this device.:-(
Delicious overview of the SD MixPre-6/3! and I appreciate the (initial) comparison with the Zoom F Series. I was completely sold on the Zoom F4 (which your reviews helped greatly as well), but now thinking that the SD MixPre-3 carries a better feature set for remote field sound recordings, i.e. backpacking/ climbing/ skiing trips in the back county. The analog pre-amps are a huge bonus, as is the small size/weight and the ability to power + interface with USB C simplify the accessory gear that may be needed on trips where every ounce counts. The Zoom F units carry some really nice added features, however, the tiny little SD MixPre-3, paired with a couple small mics. and DSLR will make for a VERY light, portable and powerful recording system.
The MixPre6 NPF mount have issues if you bump it slightly whole device turns off. USB C and powerbank seem to be the best method to power but its afraid the Type C could break over time.
Thanks for sharing. I haven't run into that problem. Some have said they needed to gently pull out on the tab which holds the sled in place, just a little, and that it fit more snugly and didn't have that issue.
The Zoom F4 seems to have better physical construction, especially in terms of jacks. Trying to use a USB port for external power is a deal-breaker. It's flimsy and prone to disconnection. On the Tascam DR-70D, this renders external power useless because any disruption of the USB connection will stop your recording (even with batteries in the unit). The F4 has a nice locking power connector and comes with an adapter for standard DC power plugs. The F4 also has balanced XLR outputs and a 1/4" headphone jack that can take more strain than a 1/8" jack. And finally the F4 has SDI connectors for timecode (which it can generate), which is important for more-professional cameras that don't even have HDMI.
Curtis Judd The Zoom F4 and MixPre-3 are a similar price here in Canada. Curious how those two compare, as well as compared to on camera solutions like the Panasonic DMW-XLR1.
Very happy with my MixPre-3. My only beef I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere is that playback is a bit of a chore. There is no option to play files consecutively, so you have to keep going into the menu and selecting the next file and not forgetting the file number and choosing the wrong one. For me this means deleting out the bad files has to wait until I'm on a pc, while on my old recorder I'd just run though all the files at the end of the session.
Excellent video. Thank you for a comprehensive look at the feature set of the Mix Pre-6. I'll be picking up a mix pre-3 to pair with my gh4. It will be a welcomed upgrade from my DR-40 which is causing me all kinds of issues right now.
One thing I can't find mentioned in this excellent review, or in the comments, is the poorly designed attachment for connecting a camera on top of this unit. It is a spring loaded screw which must be accessed from beneath the recorder. If you have this recorder mounted beneath your camera and wish to take the camera off ( say to change cameras or just use a microphone) you have to take the tripod plate off of the bottom to access that screw. Would it really have been too much for them to offer a mounting plate on the top like is available for the MixPre D ?
Looks like you have just called that out for those who attach their cameras atop the MixPre. Thank you! Every review comes from the perspective and workflow of the reviewer. So your perspective is very helpful. As you gathered, I don’t mount my camera on the recorder all that often so it wasn’t a pain point for me. Thanks again!
Based on your video Curtis, I have just made up my mind and ordered MP6. I mean... It's already paid for and I am eagerly awaiting DHL courier :) I thought about Mixpre-3 and almost bought it, but looks like having combo xlr/trs, higher frequency recording (I do a lot of nature and soundscapes) and few more tracks, will make it a great work companion. I can actually hook it up with MixPre-d to have 2 more limiters. I hope to progress to 633 type of recorder soon, but even then mp6 will be a great backup. Keep up a good work!
Really useful video Curtis, many thanks. I never quite have the time to Fire up my studio gear but still need to indulge some songwriting when the moment takes me. This should de-clutter the process and help me get the ideas down quickly but still allow post tinkering in my DAW. Sound quality of the device is really good as was your analysis!
Thanks Bernard. If your main use case is recording music, you might have a look at the MixPre M series which are very similar in terms of hardware but have a different software interface that allows overdubbing and other such features for music recording. Here was an interview from NAB earlier this year where Paul from Sound Devices talks about the 10T (they also have 3 and 6 input versions as well): th-cam.com/video/5DCoYBsdglI/w-d-xo.html
Bravo, thanks for another informative video. I love the mixpre6 and use it daily. I have the same experience with firmware 1.11, in that a sudden power loss does not corrupt the files. Good stuff.
Warranty help with Sound Devices is mixed. I bought three devices and had three problems. They took care of me good on the first two problems, but the third problem was a bad cable that came with one of the Mixpre-3ii's. It didn't work. I contacted support and they just told me to buy a new one because it was inconvenient for them to get one. So now I've got one substandard (?) cable that cost me an extra $25, and had to tell all the people I've recommended them to saying "they will take good care of you" that I was wrong but they still make the best devices.
Curtis, great video as always. I do have a question I have not been able to get the answer for. I have a MixPre6 and want to input 4 XLR inputs in ISO tracks, then an additional 3.5mm mic input also in an ISO track. I cannot figure it out. I've tried most things. None of my tracks are stereo linked currently. When I bring the file into Adobe Audition or FCPX, the tracks are merged and I cannot isolate the tracks. Help! Thank you.
Thanks again Curtis. My research continues to find the best on location recorder for acoustic instrument (classical guitar). I noticed with the Tascam d60 mk 2 you mentioned right at the beginning that it is not suitable for musicians, while in this one you say the opposite. You haven't made a similar comparison with the zoom f4 so I am not sure where that fits in. I want to know what makes a decide more suitable for music rather than 'field sound' or dialogue vocals? I am pairing my future recorder with Rode nt5 matched pairs and AKG p170 matched pairs as well. I will be doing some interviews so vocals matter as well but most of my work is on classical guitar and acoustic instruments. I am understanding the specs more now but my brain is telling me that both the sound devices and zoom f4 are capable of driving my condenser microphones, so what makes one more suitable than the other (I am not really asking which one is better as that's subjective. I am more asking for what spec, or feature I should be looking for). If you're wandering why not laptop and interface: I'll be flying around and want a portable solution to video, lighting, and audio gear. thanks again and happy new year!
Hi Mustafa, The Tascam's fader is a digital stepping fader so you'll get a "stair stepping" effect if you change its setting while recording. Not a nice sound. The Sound Devices would be my recommendation for music recording because not only can you record dialogue and effects for film, but they also offer a software add-on that allows you to do overdub recording for music as well: th-cam.com/video/xdcKjASBAZ4/w-d-xo.html Specifically, since you will be recording both for film and music, you want the non-M version of the MixPre and to purchase the Music plugin after. Good luck!
@@curtisjudd Thanks Curtis, The video link pretty much answered my question right away. I am not interested in overdubbing since I run my own audio studio and if clients want multi track overdub recording then I'll just do it at home. I want a 'live' take device that I can record audio with top quality preamps. My sound target is mostly solo classical guitar. The musicians I'll be working with usually won't need over dubbing. I am also a professional musician so working with a music score I can sketch out takes of different parts of the solo track and edit them in post. I'm more interested now in the mixpre 6 than the zoom f 4 but sadly the price is almost double in Canadian $ for the mixpre 6. Thanks for your videos, I've spent quiet a bit of time watching and then re-watching the different recorders and mics you use!
Do you have any recommendations for sound devices that allows you to skip the syncing audio process in post? Would like high quality audio recorded straight to a DSLR or cinema camera like the c200. SM7b is the mic that’s used. Thank you
Yes, you can run the audio from the output of the MixPre into one of the XLR inputs on the C200 set to line level with very good results. I do this for my livestreams and and very happy with the sound quality.
Thorough review, nicely done as always. It amazes me how when watching your videos I will think of something I wish you would touch on and BAM you cover it. Nothing much gets by you. Here's one for you, you did not mention using a USB-C battery pack. That seems like the best way to go right now. Would be nice to know how long you can run all four XLR mic inputs on one of those packs. Also, I saw yesterday that a Dutch company is making a modified SD 4 AA battery sled with a Hirose 14 volt power 4 pin connector on the sled itself, not on an outboard box attached to it. 110 Euros, hopefully that unit will make its way to the USA soon. Even better if SD made one!
+RallenMan thanks Allen. Good point on the USB-C power bank. I included a link to one in the description after forgetting to mention it. :) interesting news on that alternative sled!
For me at least, 2 additional cons are the quirky Li-Ion battery caddy, where the batteries jut out at 90 degrees on either side of the recorder, and the limited gain staging options for ISOs (discussed in depth elsewhere). Just my 5c.
Just FYI it looks like SD did an update with "a new automatic copying facility duplicates the data recorded on the internal SD card directly to an external USB thumb-drive inserted into the machine's USB-A port." (SOS)
Maplestone followup: I think it might have something to do with the Output settings on the MixPre-3. I fiddled around with them a bit without really understanding how they work. A visit back to the owner's manual might clear things up for me.
Judd, I used my Mix Pre 6 last night and about 20 minutes into the program I was recording I got a media error. I had a card that the recorder seemed to think was too slow. It was a Lexar Professional U3 XC II card. 128 Gigs, newly reformatted... I was recording four channels. When this happened I muted two of the four... but when I got home I found I had only gotten the first 14 minutes and even though the device showed I was still recording... after I received the error, plainly I was not. Any suggestions or insight would be great and appreciated.
Hi Drew, probably best to check with Sound Devices support. I'm not sure the MixPre is set up to work with U3 XC II cards but they can confirm. Sorry to hear about the issues. :(
Took delivery of the Mix pre 6 yesterday, and hoped to be taking it on a job today but won't risk it. First, the unit is really as good as all the reviews suggest. So far I've tried an NTG-2, a pair of Berhinger C-2s, and old Fender D3 drum mike (my old raido interviewing mike) and a pair of Rode filmmakers. All posed posed absolutely no problem level wise and the quality is breathtaking. The big challenge (so far) is that the unit is really, really power hungry; and running it from duracell AAs isn't going to be an option for very long (and I mean you're seeing battery levels halve 30 minutes in with 4 AAs running everything at full pelt); it just eats power. The AAs last very little time and the USB brick (or at least the one I've got, which does output at 2.1A) will only run it in restricted mode. When it does this, the unit only then records the L-R mix and not the individual channels. So for my use - run-and-gun. light documentary, the Sony battery sled will be an absolute must, pushing up the cost and the weight. And the power button is really hard to access when the USB C slot is in use ... But, wow, that sound ...
Hi Jonathan, congrats on the MixPre. Good call to get more experience before jumping in to a job with new gear. I agree on all fronts - I really see the AAs as bridge power and generally use the NP-F sled for all but the shortest recording clips. With its small form factor, the power switch is definitely hard to change with that USB-C port occupied but I suppose that's good as well - not likely to get bumped off. I also find the headphone/menu encoder/knob difficult to adjust when headphones are plugged in, especially when the MixPre is in a bag. All that said, I've been very happy with the MixPre in terms of audio quality and features. People just need to understand the ergonomic realities and assess whether that will work for the types of projects they do.
+Curtis Judd - What would be some reasons someone chooses the MixPre 3 or MixPre 6? I am a videographer who currently owns an F4 however the interface is a bit too much for me to deal with, especially when it comes to mixing on the fly (I am still learning audio). Aside from that I hardly ever output to camera or output to any device on the F4. I have a boom and two wireless lavs with the intent of getting an indoor dialogue mic. I like the simplicity of the MixPre and want to get the best one for me.
Hi Zanin, in addition to the "Pros" listed in the summary at the start, I think the main reasons are that they are both very, very small, their preamps sound great, and they have several features which make it easier to record such as limiters and very nice gain/level knobs. Also, you can switch the MixPre in to "Basic" mode which makes them even easier to use to just record however many microphones into a stereo track. Good luck!
Curtis Judd Thank you! I got the MixPre3 and was the best decision I made in terms of audio. This thing is TINY. I was confused at first and thought someone gave me a toy. Much more easier to use. However I might return it to get the MixPre6 for the additional inputs and features.
Thanks Curtis. I'm seriously considering getting this MixPre-6 for my youtube videos. I have a Canon XA30 video camera, so I will be checking compatiblity, etc. Your evaluations on audio have been very helpful. Regards, Solomon
Mixpre 3 is on the way! I am just wondering if I should have got the 6... the main thing that bugs me is the 3 can't record the aux in +3 mic channels. It seems you have to assign it to 1 or 2 of the main channels. The XLRs aren't combo TRS either!
Congrats, I hope it works well for you! The lack of TRS inputs just means you may need different cables when taking line level audio from a mixing board. And three channels is often enough. Note that the bonus is that the 3 is tiny, tiny, tiny!
Pink noise UK have come up with a Hirose piggyback on a battery sled, with dc converter. This is something SD could do and make it seamless. Perhaps simpler is the Sony battery sled with a coupler to Hirose or DC socket.
hi curtis we have problems with mix pre 6 working how audio interface in pro tools. see the manual and the tech note from sound devices web page, but not really great info, any kind of info its welcome thanks
I have a MixPre3 that primarily gets used for field recording material for SFX and sound design material. I found the touch screen a bit small for my fingers, but solve the issue happily by using a touch screen stylus, which stays in a pocket on my recorder bag. While I have used it with a USB-C battery, I tend to power it with the L-Mount batteries.
What is a he advantage of using the advanced mode? If I’m just going to use the device as a recorder for my TH-cam videos with the mkh 416, do I need to activate advanced mode and then fix the rain separately from the fader knob?
For your use case, basic mode is probably the right choice. The advantage with advanced mode is that when you are recording more than one microphone, it records each microphone to its own isolated channel plus it records a mix of all the microphones. This is useful for film production.
@@curtisjudd great!!! This helps a lot. Oh, I wanted to buy the ntg3, following your advice because I low the punchy low frequency of that mic on my voice, but it’s back ordered, so I had to buy the mkh 416, which sounds amazing In high freqs, but it’s missing the punch of the ntg3. How can I make it sound punchy in the low frequencies like the ntg3? I use Adobe audition btw
Curtis, I've been a fan of your reviews for years--they're some of the best on TH-cam. This review of the Mix-pre is an exception---it's too involved, too complicated, and assumes too much of the viewer in regard to background. I've searched TH-cam and there's not a single basic tutorial on the Mix-pre 3 on the entire web. There are a LOT of people giving "reviews" that is a huge waste of time. Would you consider a basic tutorial on this item? It's needed and I, for one, would really appreciate it.
Hi William, I have a full course on the MixPre at school.learnlightandsound.com. Also, on the TH-cam channel associated with my online courses - Curtis Judd Audio - there are several tutorials. Just search for "Curtis Judd Audio MixPre". Best wishes.
Great review, Thanks. I'm sending audio from the line-out of the MixPre into my Sony a7Riv and because it is the line-out going into the mic-in the level is way too high even if I adjust the input level on the camera to the lowest setting. What would be the solution? Thanks
Hi alexovich777, Here's a demo where I show how to do this: th-cam.com/video/bsUeXtxsa50/w-d-xo.html I also have a full MixPre course over at school.learnlightandsound.com
Had a real problems with my MixPre 3 while on a professional shoot today. I recorded to a card and every time I turn off the mixpre, when I turned it back on again, the files couldn’t be seen to play back. Is this normal? The files exist on the computer and can be seen on the mixpre as long as I don’t turn it off, then they can’t be seen on the mixpre. Currently firmware 1.11.
Hi Jim, glad to hear that the files were not actually lost. I have not experienced this before. Is the SD card you're using on the certified list at the SD site? I'd also recommend updating the firmware, 1.11 is a few versions behind.
Thx for the Great video. But why would someone buy the mic-pre over say the newly announced Tascam Model 12, which provides actual faders, more preamps, controls DAW's etc... for less $? The only thing advantage I can think about is portability
Hi JT, there are a few things which make the MixPre a compelling option. Note that this is the older, original version. In the latest version, they have added wide dynamic range recording capabilities with multiple analogue to digital converters per input which then record to 32-bit float wav files. In addition, keep in mind that Sound Devices operates in the Sound for Film space where portability is critical. You can add a USB-MIDI controller to the MixPre series in cases where you want a more traditional surface with linear faders and such. The Tascam appears to be aimed at podcasters and musicians rather than location film and video production. It looks like a great piece of kit and I look forward to reviewing it. The MixPre and Tascam share some use cases, but the MixPre also covers situations where the Tascam would be completely impractical. Hope that makes sense! Also here is the review of the newer version of the MixPre with the wide dynamic range recording capability. That's a huge advantage in some situations over the Tascam: th-cam.com/video/8lRVnMO14k8/w-d-xo.html
@@curtisjudd thx Chris. But for a person who doesnt do alot of "out in the field" recordings and does more studio work, that includes podcasting (less than 4 people max) and light music recording (guitar/piano and vocals etc...), which would u recommend?
@@jtdiddy3160 I haven't used the Tascam so I cannot personally recommend it, but if you're looking for more of a traditional mixing console setup, I'd keep researching the Tascam.
Binging on your VIDEOS. You mention here that the things that this is best for and I didn't hear you mention short films. I am on the verge of creating a series of short films. I wanna grab a crew but I want to get as much equipment up front. Is there something better than this for the best sound on short films? I hate short films where there sound is mediocre or there are air spaces during the change in actors.
That depends on your budget. The MixPre series are great and this is an old review of the first generation. You'll probably want to have a look at the II series: th-cam.com/video/8lRVnMO14k8/w-d-xo.html If I were working on short films and had a budget of $1000 or under for the audio recorder, I'd choose the MixPre-6 II.
hey guys I'm tying to capture the stereo mix using the mixpre-3 as a usb audio interface to my mac. I had it working for a half dozen or so projects. Now I'm only capturing the left channel. Anyone know if there is a setting I need to change? I have a single mic on the left channel with pan set to center. I can see the audio on both channels on the meter. I'm not sure what I did to get this working in the past, but it not working now. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks but that is whist I am trying to avoid. I'm trying to replace a Usbpre 2 in my workflow that has a dip switch disables input 2 and routes Input 1's signal to both tracks. Which is one of the reasons I love the SD Usbpre 2. The weird thing is that it was working like this for a half dozen projects which I have saved on the Mac and I was definitely getting the audio from the mic on both tracks without having to apply that step separately to each video in Camtasia.
Thanks curtis, I ended up having to go into advanced mode and link channel 1&2 to get it to work. I do see some erratic results with the metering though. Sometimes it only shows a signal on the channel 1 and sometimes channel 1 & 2 but I get both from the audio interface. I wonder if there are some bugs in the firmware. Do you know when you power down the unit and power it back on, should it retain all the settings? The manual has very little interface on using the MixPre3 as a USB audio interface which is a shame as the preamps are so good.
I did notice on one of the earlier firmware revisions that my low-cut filter would reset itself to 80Hz after every power cycle. On the 1.11 firmware, that no longer appears to be an issue. I haven't noticed it anywhere else. Definitely contact SD if you're still having issues, they're quite responsive and helpful.
Yes. Most pro-sumer wireless systems have a 3.5mm TRS output and you can use a RODE VXLR adapter to adapt them to XLR for the MixPre. I'd recommend a look at the Sennheiser G4 wireless system.
I am curious if you have ever considered making a video that compares the top preamps to a scientific level. Are Cashmere better than Onyx or another manufacturer? Where can one find the "cleanest" preamp?
Hi Joseph, my approach is usually more practical and I don't have the type of measurement equipment necessary for such a video. But I would highly recommend Julian Kraus's channel for that type of info. Best wishes!
If you’re recording sound for film, podcasts, or anything with a camera, then the MixPre-6 is what you want. If your record ONLY music in multitrack with overdubbing then the 6M. Good luck!
Dear Curtis,hope everything good. i have a question please, how can i jam sync a SD688 to Mixpre-6, i already have the 5-pinlemo to mini jack timecode cable but its not working and all the settings are correct. and i already tested the Zoom F8n with the Mixpre 6 by the BNC cable to mini jack timecode cable and its work very well. any explain please?(do i need a 5-pinlemo to hdmi timecode cable?) thank you for your great videos
Hi, many timecode cables are uni-directional so you’ll want to check that first. Also, the MixPre does not have a timecode clock in it so you’ll need to keep a TC generator attached to it throughout the shoot, you cannot jam sync and disconnect. Best wishes!
@@curtisjudd thanks fpr you reply Curtis. But why its work with the zoom F8n(with the bnc to mini jack timecode cable)and not working with my SD688(with 5pinlemo to mini jack timecode cable)? Any advise please?
@@ziadmubaraksound9595 I'm afraid I just don't have enough information to help. I really think your best option is to contact Sound Devices Support. They do a top notch job. Best wishes.
I record music and got a few soundcards and preamps already so why should I get one of theses? Why 32 bit why is not 24 good enough. I guess his is probably one of the better portable ones but for a stationary rig I would say there are old gear just as good you can get for free pretty much if you know what to look for.
Hi Curtis! Im looking at obtaining one of these. The enviroment would be shotgun on channel 1, with channels 2-4 for direct plug in of radio scanners for Tower, Ground, and air to air aviation frequencies. Channels 2-4 being ISO tracks. After setting levels, will channels 2-4 be routed to headphone out on the Mixpre6 if monitoring channel 1? I wish not to hear them. Nor for them being recorded with the Mix. With Channel 1 set to stereo track. Keep up the great work! Brian
Hi Brian, you can set up a custom headphone preset that only monitors channel 1. If you are interested, I have a MixPre course available over at school.learnlightandsound.com where we cover some of the settings in more depth. Best wishes!
Great video review Curtis. One pro that I think you overlooked is that I don't think any other device at this price point can be a USB interface and record at the same time? (I could be wrong but I think that's the case?)
I live in Saigon. I can buy a Tascam Dr60-3 here, or fly Singapore and buy a MixPre 3. I think either would do well for me. Is there enough difference to justify a trip?
Hi Curtis, thanks for the in-depth review. I'm having a difficult time deciding between the MixPre-3 and MixPre-6. I mostly shoot wedding, corporate, and narrative. My main focus with the MixPre will be for weddings and corporate as I'll just hire a sound mixer / boom op for narrative projects. Would the combo XLR ports on the MixPre-6 make it easier to plug into a DJ Board? Do you think the MixPre-6 makes more sense for wedding videos? It's tough because I really dig the small size of the MixPre-3!
Hi Alex, the MixPre-3 would work fine for recording from sound boards as long as you have a good selection of the right cables on hand. You'll want 2 sets of cables: 1) XLR-3M for the end that plugs into the MixPre and XLR-3F for the feed from the board. 2) XLR-3M for the end that plugs into the MixPre and 1/4" TRS for the feed from the board. That should cover most sound boards. I'm also assuming that 3 inputs will do the job which in my experience is usually enough for weddings and corporates. Best wishes!
Good morning Curtis, your videos are very informative...thank you kindly. Due to your review, I have purchased the Mix pre 3 over the zoom f4. (its currently in the mail) I've never used timecode before, but I just wanted to know regarding timecode via hdmi. I use an atomos inferno, so my hdmi out from my Sony A7sii goes to my Atomos recorder. Can I use the HDMI out from the Atomos to the hdmi in on the Mix pre to get Timecode?
Hi Peter, I'm have heard that this does not work because the ATOMOS recorders don't pass through the control codes. But this may have changed with more recent ATOMOS firmware updates. You'll probably want to contact ATOMOS and Sound Devices to find out the latest on this question. Good luck!
Hi Curtis. I am going to purchase the L mount sled for my Mixpre6 but I am a tad confused about the charge base for the 2 batteries offered on Amazon. It does come with the USB cable but what do I need for the wall plug that the USB cable interfaces with? Thank you in advance.
Hi teddy G, you'd need to plug the USB-A into a USB to AC adapter like those for most mobile phones. You can also plug them into most computer USB ports or outlets with USB ports. It'll generally charge faster with larger phone AC adapters or wall outlets with USB ports.
Hi Curtis, Love your videos. It helped me make up my mind buying the MixPre6. FWIW, I managed to use a wireless keyboard to enter metadata. I have large hands and found it very difficult to use the rotary encoder, especially when the recorder is in my Orca OR28 and the headphone connected. Just my 2 cents. Cheers.
Curtis thank you for your review. I bought this unit and have tried using it. I've put in a fresh set of 4 alkaline batteries, and was amazed when the unit has drained my batteries within about 10 minutes. I plugged it to my computer and carried on with my recording to finish what I was recording. A few days later, I pulled out the "dead" batteries, grabbed a fresh pack of 4 - same story unit shut down due to low juice within 10 minutes. Would you have any idea why? First time I was using Sennheiser AVX Digital Wireless Microphone System - ME2 Lavalier Set. The second time I used Audio-Technica AT4053B Hypercardioid Condenser Microphone. I am at a loss as to why it chews through brand new batteries in less than 10 minutes flat!
Hi Serge, Sound Devices actually advises against using AA alkaline batteries and instead recommends NiMH or Lithium AA batteries. I don't fully understand the differences but I understand that the different battery chemistries behave differently. In any case, you'll probably want to go with NiMH rechargeables or Lithium AAs. Best wishes!
Thank you sir. Will switch. As long as they last for 2 hours and 20 minutes like you mentioned. I guess I assumed it would last this long on plain alkaline batteries... :)
Outstanding video. Now here is my question. In your professional opinion, which is the best choice for field recorder? 1. Zoom F4 2. Sound Devices 633 3. SD 4 It’s not the $$$, just don’t want to regret the purchase in a year or two. So of these three, which one gets the nod. Thank you James
Hi James, thanks for the question. The answer depends heavily on the intended types of jobs you'll do with the recorders. I have all three (actually, I upgraded my MixPre-6 to the newer MixPre-10T) and if I could only keep one, I'd keep the 633. But the reason I'd keep it is not that it is the most expensive or has the best sound (though both of those are true). It has to do with some of the other features such as AES digital output, size and weight, and ergonomics. How will you be using your recorder, what types of jobs? Max number and type of inputs you need? Paid or passion jobs?
Hi Curtis! Thanks for the great video! Question that I can't seem to find the answer too in the manual - if you record in basic mode with four channels for example, does it only record as a stereo file rather then a poly wave of those four channels? Or do you need to record in advanced fr that to come in to play? Thanks!
Hi Joshua, No, basic mode will only record a stereo mix. To get a poly wav file with the four isolated channels you'll want to go to advanced. mode. If you are interested, I have a MixPre course over at school.learnlightandsound.com. Best wishes!
Curtis, this is great. I appreciate all the details you put into your reviews and has greatly help me improve my audio. I had one question - does this device support adding plugins ?
Hi Sandeep, thank you! Short answer: Yes, but only plugins from Sound Devices. Also, this is an older review for the first generation MixPre recorders. Here is a review of the newer II series and a link to the MixAssist plugin review: th-cam.com/video/8lRVnMO14k8/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/oTLfgQ3qSek/w-d-xo.html
@@curtisjudd Thank you for your response. I like the short answer. Let me put my question in a different way-- I have couple of mics and my main requirement is to connect them to my computer via some interface and use it on Zoom, Teams and Skype calls. I also want to add couple of plugins via OBS so that my voice sounds a little better and clearer. Right now I use SSL2 with macbook 13 and the issue with this setup is that macbook fans run very loud just to handle the plugins. I was looking at some device which could handle couple of simple plugins or have their inbuilt EQ where i can i achieve the same same result without using my computer-- any suggestions will be of great help.
@@sukhoi01 Maybe a processor like the dbx286S will do the job for you. It has a compressor, de-esser, enhancer (both low and high frequency - sort of an EQ), and a noise gate. You would then feed that live level into your SSL2. That would at least offload the audio processing from the MacBook.
@@curtisjudd wanted to update you on what I did for my issue. I could not get dbx fast enough so I researched a way of processing obs plugins in another computer ( which I had handy). Then I am bringing in the audio via network to my macbook13 as an audio stream in Obs, which I am using un processed in my skype and teams calls. Thanks once again.
Yet another excellent and authoritative review. May have to get one of these as an amateur videographer/ semi pro musician. One question... i see you have the new Focal Shape monitors.. what do you think of them? I just bought a pair of the Focal Alpha 80s for the music studio i'm currently setting up. Haven't used them in anger, but a quick setup shows that they will do the trick for me. But the Shapes look rather interesting!
+Tim Beaton the Shapes are probably the best I've used thus far. The bass response is impressive yet controlled and the inverted dome tweeters articulate the higher frequencies very well. I need to do some room response testing but I'll likely buy them (on loan at the moment)
Great video! How on earth did you manage to fit 4 eneloop pros in the battery sled? I have a mixpre-6 ii and any battery with a high enough capacity will not fit flush in the battery sled and will stick out of the recorder in a funny way.
when you say you cant "link" the channels anymore when referring to custom mode and gain set to basic. Do you mean you cant create a stereo mix track anymore?
no that is still available or you can choose not to have it, the issue is you can't link 2 mics as a stereo pair when gain is set to basic, have to adjust the gain on each one separately via the fader knobs. Seems an odd omission and i'm praying it will be available as an option in all modes from the next firmware update. Ideally that any and all channels can be linked when in ISO on the faders mode. We can handle a couple more options in the menus
I found some information on manufacturer's website. They do not say how long 4 AA batteries are expected to power this device. What they do say is; on a pack of 8 AA batteries, you can expect to get 80 minutes of run time. There is a very important note there, although misleading, it states: "Using 4 alkaline batteries in the MX-4AA to power the MixPre will give much less than half the runtime listed above for 8 alkaline batteries in the MX-8AA...." It would be up to any one individual to interpret the meaning behind "much less than half the runtime" phrase. Turns out the actual meaning of this phrase is - 4 batteries will power MixPre-6 less than 10 min!!! I wish they would just come out and say it, instead of playing the numbers game. Here I am all stressing out about the supposed 2 hours and 20 minutes of run time that I should be getting, but it turns out non-rechargeable lithium batteries is what you need to get longest run times when powering it via AA batteries. I know it's not the least expensive option, and that's fine by me, I just hope the company would be more forthcoming. To add to the injury, they want $70 for the 8 battery caddy. Urghhhh!!!! Great device, lots to love about it, but that left a sour taste in my mouth... lol :)
Thanks Serge. I’m not suggesting I know what Sound Devices was thinking but I suspect there can still be differences from alkaline battery to alkaline battery. Nevertheless, a statement along the lines of, “We do not recommend alkaline AA batteries as they supply very short powering times...”
Excellent review. Thanks and keep up the good work. One question. If you name the tracks within the MixPre-6 (eg Boom, Lav1, Lav2, etc) and it is saved as a Poly WAV file, is there a simple way to import the Poly WAV file into Adobe Audition (or even Premiere Pro) and have the tracks listed with the same names? I know that it is possible to see the track names in "Wave Agent" by Sound Devices, yet it would be wonderful for the names to "automagically" appear in Audition.
Viva Moment! I have seen this question asked several times over the years on fb groups and the answer seems to always be "that depends on the settings of the editing software". It is not dependent on the Sound Devices recorders. It seems that many editing systems do not natively display meta data from sound tracks, and even if they can be made to do so it is not easy to change the settings to make it work.
Hi RallenMan, thank you for taking the time to respond. I know that ProTools can do it natively, and that Adobe products can display metadata from across a multitude of different media files. I am asking Curtis since he has lessons on Adobe Audition and seems to have a deep understanding of the product. Using the Zoom F4/8 or the MixPre-3/6 allows for the channel names to be embedded into the Poly WAV file. Having a mechanism to directly import them onto the Audition (and even Premiere Pro) timeline will help him and his followers... and importantly he may know how to do this or be able to find out how. It may be very straight forward, yet it eludes me after weeks of trying. Curtis any comments?
The only app that I normally use that seems to recognize the track names from the BWF files from the MixPre (or Zoom F Series) is Final Cut Pro X. FCPX not only recognizes the track names but assigns roles based on the names.
Hello, you have been super helpful and just want to thank you!! Watching your videos has helped me a ton and I am starting to build my channel and it’s finally starting to grow and just want to thank you for the inspiration! I also have another question, I am trying to record the audio and the guitar into the camera. I have a mix pre 6 and I run both mics into that and stereo out into the Canon 80 D now my question is I usually take it into LumaFusion or final cut and edit it. When I do this it is far superior but is there a piece of gear or software that will allow me to some how filter the lapel mic out when I play my guitar. Or vise versus. That way there is the guitar and or the vocal isolated. Usually I just cut those parts out in post but I am trying to do multiple videos a day and it is super time consuming to edit all of it out. There has to be a way to do this. It’s killing me. Lol Thank you so much for your time!
The Series II is definitely worth the price in 2021 in my opinion. Even the original is pretty good if you don't need timecode built-in to the recorder.
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis, I've been watching a lot of your videos in the last few days. Right now I use a BMPCC 6K. I simply feed a RODE Wireless Go II (both transmitters also using the RODE Wireless GO Lav mics) into the 3.5mm and/or a Sennheiser MKE600 boom mic into the mini-XLR... In your opinion, how much of a bump in quality do you think I'll see by sending those mics into the MixPre-6 II instead of the BMPCC? :) Thanks again :)
@@driftwoodpictures That depends. If you just add it to your camera rig, the audio quality difference may not be that great, depending on how well you have things working now. But likely there will be an improvement.
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis, with the mixpre-6, I’d record audio separately to the recorder and only record scratch audio to the camera with its onboard mics, and sync with the good audio in post. Fingers crossed there will be a noticeable improvement! I really appreciate all your responses, thanks again 🙂
Main differences: MixPre has 3 XLR inputs (no 1/4" TRS inputs), can record up to 5 tracks (3 XLR inputs plus stereo mix or 5 isolated tracks) and the sample rate on the MixPre-3 tops out at 96kHz.
Hi Curtis, Fantastic video on the mix pre 6. Is there any way you can review the mix pre 10? I would like to know if it specifically overcomes the mix pre 6 limitations for pro Sound recordists.
Hi Curtis, really great that you reply to a lot of your viewers. Just wanted to ask, between the Mixpre 6 and Mixpre 6M, with the Mixpre 6M being $100 cheaper, would you recommend the Mixpre 6 over the 6M for youtube video production (as recommended by Sound Devices marketing)? I know the 6M is marketed towards musicians but I see no reason it can't be used as a recorder for youtubers, podcasters, streamers. Hope you can give your valuable insight on this. Thank you
Hi Fil Trans, I would definitely recommend the MixPre 6, and not the 6M for TH-cam video production. The 6M’s UI is made ONLY for music tracking and overdubbing. You would have to create an entirely new project for each take. You can always add the music plugin to the 6 if you also record multitrack music. Good luck. Here’s a video where we cover the difference between the MixPre and MixPre M series: th-cam.com/video/xdcKjASBAZ4/w-d-xo.html
AutoMix automatically mixes a multi-microphone interview, podcast, or panel discussion recording. This is a feature available on the Sound Devices 6xx series mixer/recorders and on the Zoom F8 and F8n.
Just got my Mix-Pre-6 and it's a spectacular piece of kit. Bought it based on your review Curtis.
+Gary Stockton glad you're happy with it. It's a lot of value in a very small package.
Gary Stockton I can use this for sling studio right sir?
I finally decided on mixpre3 II, can't wait to use it 🎉 after days of pondering and research. Many thanks to you and your videos! U rock
I hope it works well for you. Happy recording!
Thanks for this excellent review - i'd say your reviews are the best in their class on TH-cam.
Thanks Chris!
Can I just get the line out signal, put into my camera? The quality would be the same as if I would get the audio file from the recorder and use it in post production?
Yes. But the quality will probably not be the same depending on the camera.
@@curtisjudd thanks, Curtis!! The camera would be a Canon C200.
@@miguel_chain Ok, so the MixPre-6 has an unbalanced 3.5mm output and you can run that into the 3.5mm input on the C200. From what I can tell, the C200's 3.5mm input cannot be set to line level so you'll have to send tone to the camera and adjust the output fader. There most likely will be an audio quality hit with that approach. Another option is to use a DI box to convert the MixPre-6 output to balanced and then run that into one of the XLR inputs on the C200 at line level. with a good DI the audio quality should be better that way, in theory. But it is a potentially awkward setup with that extra DI box.
@@curtisjudd Man, thanks for taking time to explain that. It seems that it doesn´t worth . It might be easier get Video file from the camera, get the audio file from the recorder and sinc them on post...
Thank you again! I´m watching a lot of your videos today. I own a Zoom H6 right now - for everything - podcasts etc... but when I used the phones (not the line out) the phone jack - I get an annoing noise. As far as I researched - there´s no solutiion for it, since it may happen due to unproper sealing for that module ( or something like that). I´m thinking about getting or the Zoom F4 or MixPre-3 mkII . Your videos are helping a lot! Thanks again
The ZOOM F4 has balanced outputs so that would be ideal for sending audio to the C200.
I find it very difficult to find a right level on the four channels. I either have them set too low or too high. Ruined a lot of sessions trying to guess the right level... never had that problem with the ZoomH5. When it is set too high, an equalizer kicks in to counteract the high levels that makes the recording unusable. Any advice on how to set the levels? I record on four channels so they add up.
Hi Balint, I usually set the levels so that the peaks hit around -18dB on the meters. Then in post, I have freedom to compress the peaks and set the loudness where I want it. If set this way, the limiter - what you refer to as an equalizer - only kicks in slightly and helps prevent very occasional clipping events.
@@curtisjudd Thank you for your response. I watched one of the MixPre reviews in which you stated that it is almost "not important" to set the levels on this because it is not going to clip if an amateur recording engineer accidentally sets the level too high... but instead of clipping there is a limiter, which is very annoying and makes organ recordings unusable. I am thinking of going back to my good old Zoom H5, because I a making too many mistakes and setting errors on this device.:-(
Ok. I think a little bit of study should solve the problem for you.
Curtis, your presentations are A class.
Thanks Pete!
Thank you for this review and all your other great videos! This helps a lot!
👍
Delicious overview of the SD MixPre-6/3! and I appreciate the (initial) comparison with the Zoom F Series. I was completely sold on the Zoom F4 (which your reviews helped greatly as well), but now thinking that the SD MixPre-3 carries a better feature set for remote field sound recordings, i.e. backpacking/ climbing/ skiing trips in the back county. The analog pre-amps are a huge bonus, as is the small size/weight and the ability to power + interface with USB C simplify the accessory gear that may be needed on trips where every ounce counts. The Zoom F units carry some really nice added features, however, the tiny little SD MixPre-3, paired with a couple small mics. and DSLR will make for a VERY light, portable and powerful recording system.
Thanks Troy! On backpacking trips, I would definitely prefer to carry a MixPre-3 over the Zoom F4.
My gosh, Troy, your comment makes me want to go over to Denny’s!
Thanks so much. You do amazing reviews and I learn a ton every time I watch!
Thanks Joe!
The MixPre6 NPF mount have issues if you bump it slightly whole device turns off. USB C and powerbank seem to be the best method to power but its afraid the Type C could break over time.
Thanks for sharing. I haven't run into that problem. Some have said they needed to gently pull out on the tab which holds the sled in place, just a little, and that it fit more snugly and didn't have that issue.
By the way, I can't wait for the showdown with the Zoom F series.
Same here!
The Zoom F4 seems to have better physical construction, especially in terms of jacks. Trying to use a USB port for external power is a deal-breaker. It's flimsy and prone to disconnection. On the Tascam DR-70D, this renders external power useless because any disruption of the USB connection will stop your recording (even with batteries in the unit). The F4 has a nice locking power connector and comes with an adapter for standard DC power plugs.
The F4 also has balanced XLR outputs and a 1/4" headphone jack that can take more strain than a 1/8" jack.
And finally the F4 has SDI connectors for timecode (which it can generate), which is important for more-professional cameras that don't even have HDMI.
Curtis Judd The Zoom F4 and MixPre-3 are a similar price here in Canada. Curious how those two compare, as well as compared to on camera solutions like the Panasonic DMW-XLR1.
Do you keep your old reviews up if they fix stuff in the firmware?
Yes, but I add annotations or comments pinned at the top with the corrections.
RIP: Annotations.
Very happy with my MixPre-3. My only beef I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere is that playback is a bit of a chore. There is no option to play files consecutively, so you have to keep going into the menu and selecting the next file and not forgetting the file number and choosing the wrong one. For me this means deleting out the bad files has to wait until I'm on a pc, while on my old recorder I'd just run though all the files at the end of the session.
Excellent video. Thank you for a comprehensive look at the feature set of the Mix Pre-6. I'll be picking up a mix pre-3 to pair with my gh4. It will be a welcomed upgrade from my DR-40 which is causing me all kinds of issues right now.
That should be a nice step up from the DR-40!
Thanks for this, very helpful. I ended up ordering one after watching all your recorder reviews.
Good luck, I hope it works well for you!
One thing I can't find mentioned in this excellent review, or in the comments, is the poorly designed attachment for connecting a camera on top of this unit. It is a spring loaded screw which must be accessed from beneath the recorder. If you have this recorder mounted beneath your camera and wish to take the camera off ( say to change cameras or just use a microphone) you have to take the tripod plate off of the bottom to access that screw. Would it really have been too much for them to offer a mounting plate on the top like is available for the MixPre D ?
Looks like you have just called that out for those who attach their cameras atop the MixPre. Thank you!
Every review comes from the perspective and workflow of the reviewer. So your perspective is very helpful. As you gathered, I don’t mount my camera on the recorder all that often so it wasn’t a pain point for me. Thanks again!
Superb appraisal Judd- really help me make my mind up!
Thanks Bernard.
Based on your video Curtis, I have just made up my mind and ordered MP6. I mean... It's already paid for and I am eagerly awaiting DHL courier :) I thought about Mixpre-3 and almost bought it, but looks like having combo xlr/trs, higher frequency recording (I do a lot of nature and soundscapes) and few more tracks, will make it a great work companion. I can actually hook it up with MixPre-d to have 2 more limiters. I hope to progress to 633 type of recorder soon, but even then mp6 will be a great backup. Keep up a good work!
Congratulations Karol! I hope it works well for you!
I just bought the pre-3. It looks like it will be a bigger learning curve than the Tascam DR60.
I have a MixPre course over at school.learnlightandsound.com if you're interested.
Your video on the Saramonic Smartrig+ saved my neck on recording audio on the go! Absolutely love this channel.
Thanks!
Really useful video Curtis, many thanks. I never quite have the time to Fire up my studio gear but still need to indulge some songwriting when the moment takes me. This should de-clutter the process and help me get the ideas down quickly but still allow post tinkering in my DAW. Sound quality of the device is really good as was your analysis!
Thanks Bernard. If your main use case is recording music, you might have a look at the MixPre M series which are very similar in terms of hardware but have a different software interface that allows overdubbing and other such features for music recording. Here was an interview from NAB earlier this year where Paul from Sound Devices talks about the 10T (they also have 3 and 6 input versions as well): th-cam.com/video/5DCoYBsdglI/w-d-xo.html
Bravo, thanks for another informative video. I love the mixpre6 and use it daily. I have the same experience with firmware 1.11, in that a sudden power loss does not corrupt the files. Good stuff.
You're welcome and thanks for confirming!
Another great (and very in depth) review - thanks!
Thanks Edward!
This is a really interesting product, I've been eyeing the 3 pretty closely. Great review!
Thanks Tomas! It'd be a nice addition to your VideoDevices Pix-E recorder. :)
Another great information filled review. Thank you!
+Carlos Quintero thanks Carlos!
Warranty help with Sound Devices is mixed. I bought three devices and had three problems. They took care of me good on the first two problems, but the third problem was a bad cable that came with one of the Mixpre-3ii's. It didn't work. I contacted support and they just told me to buy a new one because it was inconvenient for them to get one. So now I've got one substandard (?) cable that cost me an extra $25, and had to tell all the people I've recommended them to saying "they will take good care of you" that I was wrong but they still make the best devices.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Another great video Curtis, thank you!
Thanks Christopher!
Great review Curtis!
+Narek Avetisyan thanks Narek!
Curtis, great video as always. I do have a question I have not been able to get the answer for. I have a MixPre6 and want to input 4 XLR inputs in ISO tracks, then an additional 3.5mm mic input also in an ISO track. I cannot figure it out. I've tried most things. None of my tracks are stereo linked currently. When I bring the file into Adobe Audition or FCPX, the tracks are merged and I cannot isolate the tracks. Help! Thank you.
You need to change to advanced mode in the system menu. 😀
Thanks again Curtis. My research continues to find the best on location recorder for acoustic instrument (classical guitar). I noticed with the Tascam d60 mk 2 you mentioned right at the beginning that it is not suitable for musicians, while in this one you say the opposite. You haven't made a similar comparison with the zoom f4 so I am not sure where that fits in. I want to know what makes a decide more suitable for music rather than 'field sound' or dialogue vocals? I am pairing my future recorder with Rode nt5 matched pairs and AKG p170 matched pairs as well. I will be doing some interviews so vocals matter as well but most of my work is on classical guitar and acoustic instruments.
I am understanding the specs more now but my brain is telling me that both the sound devices and zoom f4 are capable of driving my condenser microphones, so what makes one more suitable than the other (I am not really asking which one is better as that's subjective. I am more asking for what spec, or feature I should be looking for). If you're wandering why not laptop and interface: I'll be flying around and want a portable solution to video, lighting, and audio gear.
thanks again and happy new year!
Hi Mustafa, The Tascam's fader is a digital stepping fader so you'll get a "stair stepping" effect if you change its setting while recording. Not a nice sound.
The Sound Devices would be my recommendation for music recording because not only can you record dialogue and effects for film, but they also offer a software add-on that allows you to do overdub recording for music as well: th-cam.com/video/xdcKjASBAZ4/w-d-xo.html
Specifically, since you will be recording both for film and music, you want the non-M version of the MixPre and to purchase the Music plugin after. Good luck!
@@curtisjudd Thanks Curtis, The video link pretty much answered my question right away. I am not interested in overdubbing since I run my own audio studio and if clients want multi track overdub recording then I'll just do it at home. I want a 'live' take device that I can record audio with top quality preamps. My sound target is mostly solo classical guitar. The musicians I'll be working with usually won't need over dubbing. I am also a professional musician so working with a music score I can sketch out takes of different parts of the solo track and edit them in post. I'm more interested now in the mixpre 6 than the zoom f 4 but sadly the price is almost double in Canadian $ for the mixpre 6.
Thanks for your videos, I've spent quiet a bit of time watching and then re-watching the different recorders and mics you use!
Thanks Mustafa and best wishes!
Do you have any recommendations for sound devices that allows you to skip the syncing audio process in post? Would like high quality audio recorded straight to a DSLR or cinema camera like the c200. SM7b is the mic that’s used. Thank you
Yes, you can run the audio from the output of the MixPre into one of the XLR inputs on the C200 set to line level with very good results. I do this for my livestreams and and very happy with the sound quality.
Curtis Judd you’re the best. Thanks again
Fantastic review Cutis Sir.
Thanks rk
Thorough review, nicely done as always. It amazes me how when watching your videos I will think of something I wish you would touch on and BAM you cover it. Nothing much gets by you.
Here's one for you, you did not mention using a USB-C battery pack. That seems like the best way to go right now. Would be nice to know how long you can run all four XLR mic inputs on one of those packs.
Also, I saw yesterday that a Dutch company is making a modified SD 4 AA battery sled with a Hirose 14 volt power 4 pin connector on the sled itself, not on an outboard box attached to it. 110 Euros, hopefully that unit will make its way to the USA soon. Even better if SD made one!
+RallenMan thanks Allen. Good point on the USB-C power bank. I included a link to one in the description after forgetting to mention it. :) interesting news on that alternative sled!
I have chosen not to use the zoom due to the digital limiter vs the sound device analogue which make a world of difference
Fair enough! Happy recording!
For me at least, 2 additional cons are the quirky Li-Ion battery caddy, where the batteries jut out at 90 degrees on either side of the recorder, and the limited gain staging options for ISOs (discussed in depth elsewhere). Just my 5c.
+kipling1957 thanks for the input!
This was really informative! Thanks a lot for making this video.
+Nathan Bailey you're welcome and thanks for the feedback!
Excellent job, thanks! Planning to get the mix 3 as a backup for the 633!
+Firewerkz Films good choice, I hope you like it!
Just FYI it looks like SD did an update with "a new automatic copying facility duplicates the data recorded on the internal SD card directly to an external USB thumb-drive inserted into the machine's USB-A port." (SOS)
Yes, thanks! We did several updated videos on the MixPre II series and the firmware updates.
Maplestone followup: I think it might have something to do with the Output settings on the MixPre-3. I fiddled around with them a bit without really understanding how they work. A visit back to the owner's manual might clear things up for me.
+Maplestone yes, or my MixPre course at school.learnlightandsound.com :)
Definitely the course - long over due. Just signed up and enrolled in the MixPre course. Thanks and please keep up the great videos, tutorials, etc.
+Maplestone thanks and I hope it gets you up and running quickly 👍
How was he changing the gain without turning the channel knob on the front?
In advanced mode, gain is set in the channel menu using the headphone knob on the side.
Judd, I used my Mix Pre 6 last night and about 20 minutes into the program I was recording I got a media error. I had a card that the recorder seemed to think was too slow. It was a Lexar Professional U3 XC II card. 128 Gigs, newly reformatted... I was recording four channels. When this happened I muted two of the four... but when I got home I found I had only gotten the first 14 minutes and even though the device showed I was still recording... after I received the error, plainly I was not. Any suggestions or insight would be great and appreciated.
Hi Drew, probably best to check with Sound Devices support. I'm not sure the MixPre is set up to work with U3 XC II cards but they can confirm. Sorry to hear about the issues. :(
Took delivery of the Mix pre 6 yesterday, and hoped to be taking it on a job today but won't risk it. First, the unit is really as good as all the reviews suggest. So far I've tried an NTG-2, a pair of Berhinger C-2s, and old Fender D3 drum mike (my old raido interviewing mike) and a pair of Rode filmmakers. All posed posed absolutely no problem level wise and the quality is breathtaking. The big challenge (so far) is that the unit is really, really power hungry; and running it from duracell AAs isn't going to be an option for very long (and I mean you're seeing battery levels halve 30 minutes in with 4 AAs running everything at full pelt); it just eats power. The AAs last very little time and the USB brick (or at least the one I've got, which does output at 2.1A) will only run it in restricted mode. When it does this, the unit only then records the L-R mix and not the individual channels. So for my use - run-and-gun. light documentary, the Sony battery sled will be an absolute must, pushing up the cost and the weight.
And the power button is really hard to access when the USB C slot is in use ...
But, wow, that sound ...
Hi Jonathan, congrats on the MixPre. Good call to get more experience before jumping in to a job with new gear. I agree on all fronts - I really see the AAs as bridge power and generally use the NP-F sled for all but the shortest recording clips. With its small form factor, the power switch is definitely hard to change with that USB-C port occupied but I suppose that's good as well - not likely to get bumped off. I also find the headphone/menu encoder/knob difficult to adjust when headphones are plugged in, especially when the MixPre is in a bag. All that said, I've been very happy with the MixPre in terms of audio quality and features. People just need to understand the ergonomic realities and assess whether that will work for the types of projects they do.
+Curtis Judd - What would be some reasons someone chooses the MixPre 3 or MixPre 6? I am a videographer who currently owns an F4 however the interface is a bit too much for me to deal with, especially when it comes to mixing on the fly (I am still learning audio). Aside from that I hardly ever output to camera or output to any device on the F4. I have a boom and two wireless lavs with the intent of getting an indoor dialogue mic. I like the simplicity of the MixPre and want to get the best one for me.
Hi Zanin, in addition to the "Pros" listed in the summary at the start, I think the main reasons are that they are both very, very small, their preamps sound great, and they have several features which make it easier to record such as limiters and very nice gain/level knobs. Also, you can switch the MixPre in to "Basic" mode which makes them even easier to use to just record however many microphones into a stereo track. Good luck!
Curtis Judd Thank you! I got the MixPre3 and was the best decision I made in terms of audio. This thing is TINY. I was confused at first and thought someone gave me a toy. Much more easier to use. However I might return it to get the MixPre6 for the additional inputs and features.
Congrats and I hope it works out well for you!
Thanks Curtis. I'm seriously considering getting this MixPre-6 for my youtube videos. I have a Canon XA30 video camera, so I will be checking compatiblity, etc. Your evaluations on audio have been very helpful. Regards, Solomon
BTW, in this video, what do you have the MixPre-6 and camera mounted on?
+Life After Work thanks and good luck. The MixPre is just mounted on an old Manfrotto video head on my tripod.
Mixpre 3 is on the way! I am just wondering if I should have got the 6... the main thing that bugs me is the 3 can't record the aux in +3 mic channels. It seems you have to assign it to 1 or 2 of the main channels. The XLRs aren't combo TRS either!
Congrats, I hope it works well for you! The lack of TRS inputs just means you may need different cables when taking line level audio from a mixing board. And three channels is often enough. Note that the bonus is that the 3 is tiny, tiny, tiny!
Got it yesterday it rocks! Thanks your channel has been really helpful!
Is it possible to tap the analog signal from the preamps to a analog out without going thru the DACs?
Not as far as I am aware.
@@curtisjudd thanks
As always ...the audio guru of youtube 👍🏻
Thanks 🙌
Pink noise UK have come up with a Hirose piggyback on a battery sled, with dc converter. This is something SD could do and make it seamless. Perhaps simpler is the Sony battery sled with a coupler to Hirose or DC socket.
Good info, thanks for that!
Great video as always.
Thanks Shaheed.
Great Quality review!!!!
Thanks Jorge!
Thank you, just fyi, two times that you pointed up to the left corner, there weren't anything there displayed :) right no 23:00 time. for example.
+Johnny WU thanks, yes, you'll need to hover your mouse over the video (if you're on a computer) or tap the screen on mobile to see the I menu.
hi curtis
we have problems with mix pre 6 working how audio interface in pro tools. see the manual and the tech note from sound devices web page, but not really great info, any kind of info its welcome
thanks
Hi Catalina, what type of problem are you experiencing with ProTools and the MixPre? Perhaps we have some ideas here.
ow all is ok. Thanks a lot
i will love to ask you ... the exit of the sound thrue the Mix Pre 6, is in 48.000 ?
Hi Catalina, it depends on the setting. You can change it up to 192kHz: www.sounddevices.com/products/recorders/mixpre-6/specs
Thanks.
Thanks for the review! I will order one.
You're welcome and happy recording!
I have a MixPre3 that primarily gets used for field recording material for SFX and sound design material. I found the touch screen a bit small for my fingers, but solve the issue happily by using a touch screen stylus, which stays in a pocket on my recorder bag. While I have used it with a USB-C battery, I tend to power it with the L-Mount batteries.
Thanks for that, Mike. Good idea on the stylus.
What is a he advantage of using the advanced mode? If I’m just going to use the device as a recorder for my TH-cam videos with the mkh 416, do I need to activate advanced mode and then fix the rain separately from the fader knob?
For your use case, basic mode is probably the right choice. The advantage with advanced mode is that when you are recording more than one microphone, it records each microphone to its own isolated channel plus it records a mix of all the microphones. This is useful for film production.
@@curtisjudd great!!! This helps a lot. Oh, I wanted to buy the ntg3, following your advice because I low the punchy low frequency of that mic on my voice, but it’s back ordered, so I had to buy the mkh 416, which sounds amazing In high freqs, but it’s missing the punch of the ntg3. How can I make it sound punchy in the low frequencies like the ntg3? I use Adobe audition btw
@@ebenezer357 Use EQ. Here's how: th-cam.com/video/Jn6iB1SNvRQ/w-d-xo.html
@@curtisjudd you are the best brother. Thanks a lot. God bless!
Curtis, I've been a fan of your reviews for years--they're some of the best on TH-cam. This review of the Mix-pre is an exception---it's too involved, too complicated, and assumes too much of the viewer in regard to background.
I've searched TH-cam and there's not a single basic tutorial on the Mix-pre 3 on the entire web. There are a LOT of people giving "reviews" that is a huge waste of time.
Would you consider a basic tutorial on this item? It's needed and I, for one, would really appreciate it.
Hi William, I have a full course on the MixPre at school.learnlightandsound.com. Also, on the TH-cam channel associated with my online courses - Curtis Judd Audio - there are several tutorials. Just search for "Curtis Judd Audio MixPre". Best wishes.
Great review, Thanks.
I'm sending audio from the line-out of the MixPre into my Sony a7Riv and because it is the line-out going into the mic-in the level is way too high even if I adjust the input level on the camera to the lowest setting. What would be the solution? Thanks
Hi alexovich777, Here's a demo where I show how to do this: th-cam.com/video/bsUeXtxsa50/w-d-xo.html I also have a full MixPre course over at school.learnlightandsound.com
Thanks so much for the advice!
Had a real problems with my MixPre 3 while on a professional shoot today. I recorded to a card and every time I turn off the mixpre, when I turned it back on again, the files couldn’t be seen to play back. Is this normal? The files exist on the computer and can be seen on the mixpre as long as I don’t turn it off, then they can’t be seen on the mixpre. Currently firmware 1.11.
Hi Jim, glad to hear that the files were not actually lost. I have not experienced this before. Is the SD card you're using on the certified list at the SD site? I'd also recommend updating the firmware, 1.11 is a few versions behind.
Hey sry what cable i need to connect pre 3 to fujifilm xt4 ? 2x jack ?? ThankS :)
Probably a stereo mini jack cable (3.5mm TRS on both sides). I don't have an XT4, but I assume that's what type of input jack it has.
@@curtisjudd Ohh gosh ;) your respond time and availability is unnatural on YT ;) you got my sub and bell ! Yes 3.5 jack ...
@@beepasmr2461 Cool - a 3.5mm TRS to 3.5mm TRS cable should do the job. Happy recording!
Thx for the Great video. But why would someone buy the mic-pre over say the newly announced Tascam Model 12, which provides actual faders, more preamps, controls DAW's etc... for less $? The only thing advantage I can think about is portability
Hi JT, there are a few things which make the MixPre a compelling option. Note that this is the older, original version. In the latest version, they have added wide dynamic range recording capabilities with multiple analogue to digital converters per input which then record to 32-bit float wav files. In addition, keep in mind that Sound Devices operates in the Sound for Film space where portability is critical. You can add a USB-MIDI controller to the MixPre series in cases where you want a more traditional surface with linear faders and such.
The Tascam appears to be aimed at podcasters and musicians rather than location film and video production. It looks like a great piece of kit and I look forward to reviewing it. The MixPre and Tascam share some use cases, but the MixPre also covers situations where the Tascam would be completely impractical.
Hope that makes sense!
Also here is the review of the newer version of the MixPre with the wide dynamic range recording capability. That's a huge advantage in some situations over the Tascam: th-cam.com/video/8lRVnMO14k8/w-d-xo.html
@@curtisjudd thx Chris. But for a person who doesnt do alot of "out in the field" recordings and does more studio work, that includes podcasting (less than 4 people max) and light music recording (guitar/piano and vocals etc...), which would u recommend?
@@jtdiddy3160 I haven't used the Tascam so I cannot personally recommend it, but if you're looking for more of a traditional mixing console setup, I'd keep researching the Tascam.
Binging on your VIDEOS. You mention here that the things that this is best for and I didn't hear you mention short films. I am on the verge of creating a series of short films. I wanna grab a crew but I want to get as much equipment up front. Is there something better than this for the best sound on short films? I hate short films where there sound is mediocre or there are air spaces during the change in actors.
That depends on your budget. The MixPre series are great and this is an old review of the first generation. You'll probably want to have a look at the II series: th-cam.com/video/8lRVnMO14k8/w-d-xo.html
If I were working on short films and had a budget of $1000 or under for the audio recorder, I'd choose the MixPre-6 II.
hey guys I'm tying to capture the stereo mix using the mixpre-3 as a usb audio interface to my mac. I had it working for a half dozen or so projects. Now I'm only capturing the left channel. Anyone know if there is a setting I need to change? I have a single mic on the left channel with pan set to center. I can see the audio on both channels on the meter. I'm not sure what I did to get this working in the past, but it not working now. Anyone have any ideas?
I'd check your audio app's channel setup. Good chance you need to remap the inputs there.
Thanks but that is whist I am trying to avoid. I'm trying to replace a Usbpre 2 in my workflow that has a dip switch disables input 2 and routes Input 1's signal to both tracks. Which is one of the reasons I love the SD Usbpre 2. The weird thing is that it was working like this for a half dozen projects which I have saved on the Mac and I was definitely getting the audio from the mic on both tracks without having to apply that step separately to each video in Camtasia.
Ok, it sounds like you'll want to change the output routing on the MixPre. In the output menu, change St. Out Left to Left and St Out Right to Left.
Thanks curtis, I ended up having to go into advanced mode and link channel 1&2 to get it to work. I do see some erratic results with the metering though. Sometimes it only shows a signal on the channel 1 and sometimes channel 1 & 2 but I get both from the audio interface. I wonder if there are some bugs in the firmware. Do you know when you power down the unit and power it back on, should it retain all the settings? The manual has very little interface on using the MixPre3 as a USB audio interface which is a shame as the preamps are so good.
I did notice on one of the earlier firmware revisions that my low-cut filter would reset itself to 80Hz after every power cycle. On the 1.11 firmware, that no longer appears to be an issue. I haven't noticed it anywhere else. Definitely contact SD if you're still having issues, they're quite responsive and helpful.
Let me see if I get it right, if you don`t need timecode, you can record an extra stereo ch via aux in, right ?
Correct.
is it possible to somehow connect a wireless microphone system to this device? if yes, then which prosumer one would you recommend?
Yes. Most pro-sumer wireless systems have a 3.5mm TRS output and you can use a RODE VXLR adapter to adapt them to XLR for the MixPre. I'd recommend a look at the Sennheiser G4 wireless system.
@@curtisjudd thank you!
I am curious if you have ever considered making a video that compares the top preamps to a scientific level. Are Cashmere better than Onyx or another manufacturer? Where can one find the "cleanest" preamp?
Hi Joseph, my approach is usually more practical and I don't have the type of measurement equipment necessary for such a video. But I would highly recommend Julian Kraus's channel for that type of info. Best wishes!
How does the sound devices mixpre-6 differ to sound devices mixpre-6M. Which one is the one to buy?
If you’re recording sound for film, podcasts, or anything with a camera, then the MixPre-6 is what you want.
If your record ONLY music in multitrack with overdubbing then the 6M.
Good luck!
WOW! This thing is amazing. I know what I'm getting when I upgrade from my Tascam DR-40 or add to my audio kit!
I think you'll find this a nice step up!
Great review, very informative! :)
Thanks!
Dear Curtis,hope everything good.
i have a question please,
how can i jam sync a SD688 to Mixpre-6, i already have the 5-pinlemo to mini jack timecode cable but its not working and all the settings are correct.
and i already tested the Zoom F8n with the Mixpre 6 by the BNC cable to mini jack timecode cable and its work very well.
any explain please?(do i need a 5-pinlemo to hdmi timecode cable?)
thank you for your great videos
Hi, many timecode cables are uni-directional so you’ll want to check that first. Also, the MixPre does not have a timecode clock in it so you’ll need to keep a TC generator attached to it throughout the shoot, you cannot jam sync and disconnect. Best wishes!
@@curtisjudd thanks fpr you reply Curtis.
But why its work with the zoom F8n(with the bnc to mini jack timecode cable)and not working with my SD688(with 5pinlemo to mini jack timecode cable)? Any advise please?
@@ziadmubaraksound9595 I'm afraid I just don't have enough information to help. I really think your best option is to contact Sound Devices Support. They do a top notch job. Best wishes.
I record music and got a few soundcards and preamps already so why should I get one of theses? Why 32 bit why is not 24 good enough. I guess his is probably one of the better portable ones but for a stationary rig I would say there are old gear just as good you can get for free pretty much if you know what to look for.
This is a field recorder which happens to also work as a USB audio interface.
Hi Curtis!
Im looking at obtaining one of these.
The enviroment would be shotgun on channel 1, with channels 2-4 for direct plug in of radio scanners for Tower, Ground, and air to air aviation frequencies.
Channels 2-4 being ISO tracks.
After setting levels, will channels 2-4 be routed to headphone out on the Mixpre6 if monitoring channel 1?
I wish not to hear them. Nor for them being recorded with the Mix. With Channel 1 set to stereo track.
Keep up the great work!
Brian
Hi Brian, you can set up a custom headphone preset that only monitors channel 1.
If you are interested, I have a MixPre course available over at school.learnlightandsound.com where we cover some of the settings in more depth.
Best wishes!
Great video review Curtis. One pro that I think you overlooked is that I don't think any other device at this price point can be a USB interface and record at the same time? (I could be wrong but I think that's the case?)
+Gen Kanai yes, true! Thanks!
I live in Saigon. I can buy a Tascam Dr60-3 here, or fly Singapore and buy a MixPre 3. I think either would do well for me. Is there enough difference to justify a trip?
I can’t say whether it is worth your time but I’d very much prefer the MixPre.
I agree. The user interface is great and I just don't think I can find better for the money
Hi Curtis, thanks for the in-depth review. I'm having a difficult time deciding between the MixPre-3 and MixPre-6. I mostly shoot wedding, corporate, and narrative. My main focus with the MixPre will be for weddings and corporate as I'll just hire a sound mixer / boom op for narrative projects. Would the combo XLR ports on the MixPre-6 make it easier to plug into a DJ Board? Do you think the MixPre-6 makes more sense for wedding videos? It's tough because I really dig the small size of the MixPre-3!
Hi Alex, the MixPre-3 would work fine for recording from sound boards as long as you have a good selection of the right cables on hand. You'll want 2 sets of cables: 1) XLR-3M for the end that plugs into the MixPre and XLR-3F for the feed from the board. 2) XLR-3M for the end that plugs into the MixPre and 1/4" TRS for the feed from the board. That should cover most sound boards. I'm also assuming that 3 inputs will do the job which in my experience is usually enough for weddings and corporates. Best wishes!
Good morning Curtis, your videos are very informative...thank you kindly. Due to your review, I have purchased the Mix pre 3 over the zoom f4. (its currently in the mail) I've never used timecode before, but I just wanted to know regarding timecode via hdmi. I use an atomos inferno, so my hdmi out from my Sony A7sii goes to my Atomos recorder. Can I use the HDMI out from the Atomos to the hdmi in on the Mix pre to get Timecode?
Hi Peter, I'm have heard that this does not work because the ATOMOS recorders don't pass through the control codes. But this may have changed with more recent ATOMOS firmware updates. You'll probably want to contact ATOMOS and Sound Devices to find out the latest on this question. Good luck!
@@curtisjudd Thanks kindly for the reply
Hi Curtis. I am going to purchase the L mount sled for my Mixpre6 but I am a tad confused about the charge base for the 2 batteries offered on Amazon. It does come with the USB cable but what do I need for the wall plug that the USB cable interfaces with? Thank you in advance.
Hi teddy G, you'd need to plug the USB-A into a USB to AC adapter like those for most mobile phones. You can also plug them into most computer USB ports or outlets with USB ports. It'll generally charge faster with larger phone AC adapters or wall outlets with USB ports.
Hi Curtis,
Love your videos. It helped me make up my mind buying the MixPre6.
FWIW, I managed to use a wireless keyboard to enter metadata.
I have large hands and found it very difficult to use the rotary encoder,
especially when the recorder is in my Orca OR28 and the headphone connected.
Just my 2 cents.
Cheers.
Thanks madsmix, good work on the keyboard setup and best wishes on your recordings!
Thanks. Although the MixPre has stellar recording quality, I totally get why the 633 is your favourite.
Damn these big hands!😄
Haha! These hands have cost me a pretty penny more than once. 😉
Hey ! Tell me can i use usb C microphones im mix pre ? or usb A ? like fifine Blu Yeti exet ?
Hi Pawlin, no, not unless the microphone also has an XLR output like the Yeti Pro.
Mr. Judd, I completely forgot - which brand of NP-F batteries are you using? I gotta power this thing
I have one Sony official and the rest are no-name batteries which came with a very old LED panel. 😀
@@curtisjudd Hah. Alright. Caleb of DSLRShooter fame has a video recommending DSTE so I'll go with those. Have a great week.
Curtis thank you for your review. I bought this unit and have tried using it. I've put in a fresh set of 4 alkaline batteries, and was amazed when the unit has drained my batteries within about 10 minutes. I plugged it to my computer and carried on with my recording to finish what I was recording. A few days later, I pulled out the "dead" batteries, grabbed a fresh pack of 4 - same story unit shut down due to low juice within 10 minutes. Would you have any idea why? First time I was using Sennheiser AVX Digital Wireless Microphone System - ME2 Lavalier Set. The second time I used Audio-Technica AT4053B Hypercardioid Condenser Microphone. I am at a loss as to why it chews through brand new batteries in less than 10 minutes flat!
Hi Serge, Sound Devices actually advises against using AA alkaline batteries and instead recommends NiMH or Lithium AA batteries. I don't fully understand the differences but I understand that the different battery chemistries behave differently. In any case, you'll probably want to go with NiMH rechargeables or Lithium AAs. Best wishes!
Thank you sir. Will switch. As long as they last for 2 hours and 20 minutes like you mentioned. I guess I assumed it would last this long on plain alkaline batteries... :)
I did too, Paul Isaacs from Sound Devices explained this to me just a few weeks ago. I missed it in the manual.
I love your reviews man! You are amazing! Thank you. I've watched so many of you vids... :)
thanks @chrismas
Excellent review. The gain variation procedure is still a little complicated and not immediate (even in custom mode).
Yes, that there is no meter in the menu where you set the gain is a little troublesome but ok otherwise.
Outstanding video. Now here is my question. In your professional opinion, which is the best choice for field recorder?
1. Zoom F4
2. Sound Devices 633
3. SD 4
It’s not the $$$, just don’t want to regret the purchase in a year or two.
So of these three, which one gets the nod.
Thank you
James
Hi James, thanks for the question. The answer depends heavily on the intended types of jobs you'll do with the recorders. I have all three (actually, I upgraded my MixPre-6 to the newer MixPre-10T) and if I could only keep one, I'd keep the 633. But the reason I'd keep it is not that it is the most expensive or has the best sound (though both of those are true). It has to do with some of the other features such as AES digital output, size and weight, and ergonomics.
How will you be using your recorder, what types of jobs? Max number and type of inputs you need? Paid or passion jobs?
Hi Curtis! Thanks for the great video! Question that I can't seem to find the answer too in the manual - if you record in basic mode with four channels for example, does it only record as a stereo file rather then a poly wave of those four channels? Or do you need to record in advanced fr that to come in to play? Thanks!
Hi Joshua, No, basic mode will only record a stereo mix. To get a poly wav file with the four isolated channels you'll want to go to advanced. mode.
If you are interested, I have a MixPre course over at school.learnlightandsound.com. Best wishes!
Curtis, this is great. I appreciate all the details you put into your reviews and has greatly help me improve my audio. I had one question - does this device support adding plugins ?
Hi Sandeep, thank you! Short answer: Yes, but only plugins from Sound Devices. Also, this is an older review for the first generation MixPre recorders. Here is a review of the newer II series and a link to the MixAssist plugin review: th-cam.com/video/8lRVnMO14k8/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/oTLfgQ3qSek/w-d-xo.html
@@curtisjudd Thank you for your response. I like the short answer. Let me put my question in a different way-- I have couple of mics and my main requirement is to connect them to my computer via some interface and use it on Zoom, Teams and Skype calls. I also want to add couple of plugins via OBS so that my voice sounds a little better and clearer. Right now I use SSL2 with macbook 13 and the issue with this setup is that macbook fans run very loud just to handle the plugins. I was looking at some device which could handle couple of simple plugins or have their inbuilt EQ where i can i achieve the same same result without using my computer-- any suggestions will be of great help.
@@sukhoi01 Maybe a processor like the dbx286S will do the job for you. It has a compressor, de-esser, enhancer (both low and high frequency - sort of an EQ), and a noise gate. You would then feed that live level into your SSL2. That would at least offload the audio processing from the MacBook.
@@curtisjudd Thankyou
@@curtisjudd wanted to update you on what I did for my issue. I could not get dbx fast enough so I researched a way of processing obs plugins in another computer ( which I had handy). Then I am bringing in the audio via network to my macbook13 as an audio stream in Obs, which I am using un processed in my skype and teams calls.
Thanks once again.
Yet another excellent and authoritative review. May have to get one of these as an amateur videographer/ semi pro musician.
One question... i see you have the new Focal Shape monitors.. what do you think of them? I just bought a pair of the Focal Alpha 80s for the music studio i'm currently setting up. Haven't used them in anger, but a quick setup shows that they will do the trick for me. But the Shapes look rather interesting!
+Tim Beaton the Shapes are probably the best I've used thus far. The bass response is impressive yet controlled and the inverted dome tweeters articulate the higher frequencies very well. I need to do some room response testing but I'll likely buy them (on loan at the moment)
Hi Curtis, can or should I use a 3.5mm to dual xlr male adapter cable to use the mixpre 6 and 3 as a mixer for a ursa mini or c200’s xlr line input?
I haven’t tried, but it should work. It may be best to use a DI box to convert the unbalanced output to balanced for the camera.
Great video! How on earth did you manage to fit 4 eneloop pros in the battery sled? I have a mixpre-6 ii and any battery with a high enough capacity will not fit flush in the battery sled and will stick out of the recorder in a funny way.
They seemed to fit fine. Have they perhaps changed the battery sled since I reviewed this several years ago?
Excellent review, such concise info. I’m buying one on a clear out price. It will do the trick perfectly for me 08/21
Thanks Steve and happy recording!
@@curtisjudd As it turns out it was the M they had on sell out. Had to buy version bought version ii, ouch!
@@SuperNova-Steve It hurts now, but I have not regretted the purchase. Hopefully it will work well for you!
when you say you cant "link" the channels anymore when referring to custom mode and gain set to basic. Do you mean you cant create a stereo mix track anymore?
no that is still available or you can choose not to have it, the issue is you can't link 2 mics as a stereo pair when gain is set to basic, have to adjust the gain on each one separately via the fader knobs. Seems an odd omission and i'm praying it will be available as an option in all modes from the next firmware update. Ideally that any and all channels can be linked when in ISO on the faders mode. We can handle a couple more options in the menus
+Soundscapes UK well stated.
Soundscapes UK Ahh i see, thanks!
Informative Review !
Thanks AR
I found some information on manufacturer's website. They do not say how long 4 AA batteries are expected to power this device. What they do say is; on a pack of 8 AA batteries, you can expect to get 80 minutes of run time. There is a very important note there, although misleading, it states: "Using 4 alkaline batteries in the MX-4AA to power the MixPre will give much less than half the runtime listed above for 8 alkaline batteries in the MX-8AA...." It would be up to any one individual to interpret the meaning behind "much less than half the runtime" phrase. Turns out the actual meaning of this phrase is - 4 batteries will power MixPre-6 less than 10 min!!! I wish they would just come out and say it, instead of playing the numbers game. Here I am all stressing out about the supposed 2 hours and 20 minutes of run time that I should be getting, but it turns out non-rechargeable lithium batteries is what you need to get longest run times when powering it via AA batteries. I know it's not the least expensive option, and that's fine by me, I just hope the company would be more forthcoming. To add to the injury, they want $70 for the 8 battery caddy. Urghhhh!!!! Great device, lots to love about it, but that left a sour taste in my mouth... lol :)
Thanks Serge. I’m not suggesting I know what Sound Devices was thinking but I suspect there can still be differences from alkaline battery to alkaline battery. Nevertheless, a statement along the lines of, “We do not recommend alkaline AA batteries as they supply very short powering times...”
Excellent review. Thanks and keep up the good work.
One question. If you name the tracks within the MixPre-6 (eg Boom, Lav1, Lav2, etc) and it is saved as a Poly WAV file, is there a simple way to import the Poly WAV file into Adobe Audition (or even Premiere Pro) and have the tracks listed with the same names?
I know that it is possible to see the track names in "Wave Agent" by Sound Devices, yet it would be wonderful for the names to "automagically" appear in Audition.
Viva Moment! I have seen this question asked several times over the years on fb groups and the answer seems to always be "that depends on the settings of the editing software". It is not dependent on the Sound Devices recorders. It seems that many editing systems do not natively display meta data from sound tracks, and even if they can be made to do so it is not easy to change the settings to make it work.
Hi RallenMan, thank you for taking the time to respond. I know that ProTools can do it natively, and that Adobe products can display metadata from across a multitude of different media files.
I am asking Curtis since he has lessons on Adobe Audition and seems to have a deep understanding of the product. Using the Zoom F4/8 or the MixPre-3/6 allows for the channel names to be embedded into the Poly WAV file. Having a mechanism to directly import them onto the Audition (and even Premiere Pro) timeline will help him and his followers... and importantly he may know how to do this or be able to find out how. It may be very straight forward, yet it eludes me after weeks of trying.
Curtis any comments?
The only app that I normally use that seems to recognize the track names from the BWF files from the MixPre (or Zoom F Series) is Final Cut Pro X. FCPX not only recognizes the track names but assigns roles based on the names.
Curtis Judd then that is what I will buy to replace my pre CC Premiere.
Curtis Judd Which made me think, I would love to see a review of your editing suite choices with pros and cons.
Hello, you have been super helpful and just want to thank you!! Watching your videos has helped me a ton and I am starting to build my channel and it’s finally starting to grow and just want to thank you for the inspiration! I also have another question, I am trying to record the audio and the guitar into the camera. I have a mix pre 6 and I run both mics into that and stereo out into the Canon 80 D now my question is I usually take it into LumaFusion or final cut and edit it. When I do this it is far superior but is there a piece of gear or software that will allow me to some how filter the lapel mic out when I play my guitar. Or vise versus. That way there is the guitar and or the vocal isolated. Usually I just cut those parts out in post but I am trying to do multiple videos a day and it is super time consuming to edit all of it out. There has to be a way to do this. It’s killing me. Lol Thank you so much for your time!
You might check to see if the MixAssist plugin will work for you: th-cam.com/video/oTLfgQ3qSek/w-d-xo.html
Great video, thanks for the info - would you say this is still worth it in 2021? Any chance of a MkIII coming soon? :)
The Series II is definitely worth the price in 2021 in my opinion. Even the original is pretty good if you don't need timecode built-in to the recorder.
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis, I've been watching a lot of your videos in the last few days. Right now I use a BMPCC 6K. I simply feed a RODE Wireless Go II (both transmitters also using the RODE Wireless GO Lav mics) into the 3.5mm and/or a Sennheiser MKE600 boom mic into the mini-XLR... In your opinion, how much of a bump in quality do you think I'll see by sending those mics into the MixPre-6 II instead of the BMPCC? :) Thanks again :)
@@driftwoodpictures That depends. If you just add it to your camera rig, the audio quality difference may not be that great, depending on how well you have things working now. But likely there will be an improvement.
@@curtisjudd thanks Curtis, with the mixpre-6, I’d record audio separately to the recorder and only record scratch audio to the camera with its onboard mics, and sync with the good audio in post. Fingers crossed there will be a noticeable improvement! I really appreciate all your responses, thanks again 🙂
Thanks Curtis! Great video. Could you also tell us about any differences between the Sound Device MixPre-3 and Sound Device MixPre-6?
Main differences: MixPre has 3 XLR inputs (no 1/4" TRS inputs), can record up to 5 tracks (3 XLR inputs plus stereo mix or 5 isolated tracks) and the sample rate on the MixPre-3 tops out at 96kHz.
So this comes with own DAW to do live music multi recording?
No, you provide your own. But you don't necessarily need a DAW to record live music with this.
Hi Curtis,
Fantastic video on the mix pre 6. Is there any way you can review the mix pre 10? I would like to know if it specifically overcomes the mix pre 6 limitations for pro Sound recordists.
Just got it earlier this week and did an overview of the 10T here: th-cam.com/video/r0fPGr_SDxs/w-d-xo.html
Love the new rings red/green
👍
Hi Curtis, really great that you reply to a lot of your viewers. Just wanted to ask, between the Mixpre 6 and Mixpre 6M, with the Mixpre 6M being $100 cheaper, would you recommend the Mixpre 6 over the 6M for youtube video production (as recommended by Sound Devices marketing)? I know the 6M is marketed towards musicians but I see no reason it can't be used as a recorder for youtubers, podcasters, streamers. Hope you can give your valuable insight on this. Thank you
Hi Fil Trans, I would definitely recommend the MixPre 6, and not the 6M for TH-cam video production. The 6M’s UI is made ONLY for music tracking and overdubbing. You would have to create an entirely new project for each take. You can always add the music plugin to the 6 if you also record multitrack music. Good luck.
Here’s a video where we cover the difference between the MixPre and MixPre M series: th-cam.com/video/xdcKjASBAZ4/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the update info. What is this automix you mentioned. Sorry I have never heard of it
AutoMix automatically mixes a multi-microphone interview, podcast, or panel discussion recording. This is a feature available on the Sound Devices 6xx series mixer/recorders and on the Zoom F8 and F8n.