comparisons between MP1 (or Shure FP23) and Mixpre 3

[deleuze3]

Hi, everyone
I have a Shure fp23 (similar to a mp1 sound devices)

I have some questions about the differences between sound devices mp1 and mixpre 3.

1) With 1 channel phantom power on, how many hours do you have on mp1 and on mixpre 3 ?

2) is there a difference of audio quality if i record with an audiorecorder (H4n, or sony pcm-m10) plugged into a mp1 compare to record directly on a mixpre
3?

3) is the mixpre 3 is an upgrade over the mp1 in terms of pre-amp quality?

Thanks in advance,
Have a good day,
Julien

 

[Alex H.]

I have a Shure fp23 (similar to a mp1 sound devices)

The Shure FP23 is the MP1. Sound Devices originally manufactured the FP23 (MP1) and the FP24 (MixPre) for Shure, but then started selling them under their own brand.

1) With 1 channel phantom power on, how many hours do you have on mp1 and on mixpre 3 ?

Depends entirely on the battery/power source used. The MP1/MM1 can run 6-8 hours on lithium AAs with phantom power on. The MixPre-3 II eats AA batteries for lunch... 2-3 hours, maybe? But with the MX-L battery sled and a couple of Sony NP-f570 batteries... well over a full shoot day.

2) is there a difference of audio quality if i record with an audiorecorder (H4n, or sony pcm-m10) plugged into a mp1 compare to record directly on a mixpre 3?

Yes? No? Maybe? The pre-amps in the older SD gear are great. How you interface the FP23 with the recorder can affect the signal, slightly but not necessarily. As long as you’re minimizing any effect the recorder’s own pre-amps have on the incoming signal, you’ll probably be fine. That said...

3) is the mixpre 3 is an upgrade over the mp1 in terms of pre-amp quality?

The Kashmir pre-amps in the MixPre-3 II are very nice. One thing I have noticed with the pre-amps in the Sound Devices MP-1, MM-1, and MixPre (same pre-amps in all) is that they can distort when recording certain loud sources, such as a cheering crowd. Even with the limiter engaged, I’ve had issues with that exact sound, but no such issues on the MixPre-6 II or MixPre-10T.

The biggest upgrades that you’ll get with a MixPre-3 II:

- All-in-one solution, so no extra cables to interconnect pre-amp to recorder.
- Built-in DAC for seamless conversion to digital recording.
- Two more pre-amped XLR inputs.
- Time code (not available on first-generation MixPre-3 without something like a Tentacle Sync constantly feeding the recorder)
- Wingman app support for file and track naming, creating sound reports, and other useful tools.

 

[deleuze3]

Thanks Alex for your answer. I highly appreciate.
Have a good day