Let's hear some user feedback on the MixPre 3

puredrifting

puredrifting

Major Contributor
Hey all:

Who out there is shooting with the MixPre 3? Thinking about getting one to shoot interviews with the Fujifilm X-T3.
The whole HDMI TC sync seems like the hot tip for post and obviously those Kashmir pre-amps are going to sound great.
Have already heard all of the bitching about battery life, going to get the Anker battery so don't care about battery life with AAs.
Operationally, you like it? Sound quality overall?

Also, I see a "musicians version" for $549.00 and non-musician version at B&H for $649.00, are there actually two different versions? If so, what are the differences?
 
I’ve used a MixPre-3 and I have a MixPre-6, and operationally it’s basically the same except that the -6 has a couple extra features in the firmware. I’ve not used the HDMI at all for sync; I use a Tentacle Sync system between recorder, camera, and slate. The Aux 5/6 in on 3.5mm TRS allows for sync from an external source, perfect for Tentacle.

Sound quality is fantastic. The pre-amps are clean and sound natural. The “unclippable” limiters are hard to break.

Operationally, the menu takes just a little exploration to get used to it, but it’s well organized and it doesn’t take long to figure it out. The rotary pots on the inputs also push to bring that input’s menu immediately to the screen. And the screen is bright and easy to read, even during the day. Tapping the home (meter) screen offers three different meter views, which is nice.

The MX-L battery mount allows two Sony L batteries to be used, and I can run my MixPre-6 pretty much a day, sometimes a day and a half, on two of the 500-series batteries (anything larger and the batteries extend beyond the height of the recorder). Using the USB connection to run from a battery like the Anker just makes me nervous that the USB can be too easily pulled out in the middle of a shoot day.

The M-series (MixPre-3M, -6M, -10M) are geared to musicians who want to be able to multitrack (including overdub) in the field. The only differences between the 3 and 3M and 6 and 6M are in firmware. With the 10T vs 10M, the 10M does not have the BNC time code in or out. The M series does have some neat features, and they’re a little less expensive, but I’m not sure I’d go that way. Specifically, the ability to use the Aux 5/6 input as either TC or as a camera return for monitoring is a feature that isn’t available on the M. And the meter view is limited.

There’s a great feature breakdown from Sound Devices HERE.

Personally, I love both of the recorders I have. The MixPre-6 goes with me pretty much any time I travel, along with a couple of mics, so I always have a great SFX recording kit on hand when I hear interesting things. I’ve worked a few professional projects with the MP-6 when I didn’t need a whole lot of gear, and I just came off ~7 weeks of production on a low-budget indie feature with my MP-10T. They both serve well.

You might also consider the MixPre-6 instead of the -3. The extra input can be handy (three wireless kits and a boom), and the MixPre-3 tops out at 96kHz whereas the MixPre-6 allows 192kHz (if that’s even something you need... very handy for sound design and SFX recording). Again, there’s a 3/6/10T comparison from Sound Devices HERE.

One more thing about the M versions: you can always purchase the Musician plug-in for the MixPre-3, -6, or 10T, and add all the cool features of the M versions. But you cannot purchase a plug-in for the M versions to get back features that exist only in the non-M models.
 
The MixPre-3 is basically a connect the mic(s), press record and be done device.
If you are looking for a problem-free device to make audio recordings without any headaches the MixPre-3 is for you!
 
THanks for the feedback and input. My main use would be mostly for the use as the sound recorder when using the Fujifilm X-T3 for interviews. For walk and talk type stuff, I would run my Røde video wireless directly into the X-T3 so that's covered but for sit down longer interviews, at times with two talent, the Mix Pre-3 seems to be the hot tip. I end up with time stamped matching files for my video, I have good quality mic preamps and life is good. I don't work as a sound mixer so I probably wouldn't update to the Mix Pre 6 as if I am doing stuff that needs that many inputs, I am going to hire a sound mixer and let them worry about it. I love SD gear and think the Mix Pre 3 would be a great piece of gear to own. It sounds as if its worth it to just buy the T verison and not mess with the M version.
 
I have the MixPre-6. The sound quality is superb, backed up by excellent meters, the great preamps and pretty much bulletproof limiters. I love the physical form of it - tiny, but they've made the essential controls like the fader knobs just big enough to operate comfortably with normal-sized hands, and like other SD gear, it feels as solid as a rock. The menus and itty bitty touchscreen are logically organized, and it is never too hard to figure out how to set something up even if you haven't looked at the manual for a while. I do recommend that you try to pre-set as many things as possible the night before the shoot to avoid poking around in the menus too much in the field. The unit can be pretty much plug'n'play on location if you configure it properly in advance. (One of those pens with a built-in touchscreen stylus is beyond helpful if you have big fingers or are working with gloves on. Some of the touchscreen buttons are downright microscopic.)

The TC through HDMI works great, except for the well known problems of the HDMI connector itself. Battery life is pretty poor on AAs (even the 8-cell sled), but it runs a long time with the Sony L battery adapter. Unfortunately, that kind of spoils the shape and balance of it but is necessary for shooting all day. I haven't tried an external USB battery yet.

There is no legitimate line level balanced output, and there is a small signal delay from input to output. Together, these limitations have kind of put me off from using the MixPre-6 as a plain old mixer when recording audio in camera. I still depend on my SD302 for that. But neither is a problem when using it as an external recorder.

All in all it was a great buy to replace my creaky old Tascam HD-P2 recorder, and has been a lot of fun to use. I'm looking forward to next summer when I like to wander backstage at folk music festivals and record the performers jamming. It'll be great for that.

- Greg
 
Greg- you tried setting the Stereo Out to -40dB into the camera mic input (~ 1 click above off) and it didn't work/sound OK? And/or plugged into line level camera input (as with a 1DX II or pro-level camera)?

For audio delay, is it over a camera frame off? Might still be useful as a mixer vs. separate audio (shifting tracks vs. managing and syncing dual audio).

Sound Devices analog limiters and full+accurate preamps are super useful.
 
puredrifting said:
It sounds as if its worth it to just buy the T verison and not mess with the M version.
Click to expand...

The Mixpre-3 is definitely better for location recording than the Mixpre-3M, not least - and often overlooked - as the metering is much better and clearer.

Cheers,

Roland
 
Yeah, the T version is more for sound for picture. The MixPre 3/6 T can read & write TC but not generated it. I don't think the M version has any TC options.
 
Depending on your needs, the just-slightly-bigger MixPre 6 might be worth the extra cost. Unless you know for sure you won't need more inputs than the really-small 3.

As for comparing the features of the sound-for-picture focused MixPre line vs the music-focused MixPre M line, check out this detailed PDF chart Sound Devices put together:
http://cdn.sounddevices.com/download/lit/MixPreMegaComparisonChart.pdf

Also, if you buy one of the slightly-more-expensive "non-M" MixPres, you can later buy the Musician Plugin to add most (and perhaps all?) of the music-focused features. I think that runs about $100:
https://www.sounddevices.com/products/recorders/mixpre-3/musician-plugin

I might be buying a MixPre for pretty much what you're doing. And I already own a few Sound Devices mixers and recorders... but the MixPre is pretty intriguing. I'll probably get a 6.

Dan, let us know what you end up trying and getting and how it works out for you!
 
jcs said:
Greg- you tried setting the Stereo Out to -40dB into the camera mic input (~ 1 click above off) and it didn't work/sound OK? And/or plugged into line level camera input (as with a 1DX II or pro-level camera)?

For audio delay, is it over a camera frame off? Might still be useful as a mixer vs. separate audio (shifting tracks vs. managing and syncing dual audio).

Sound Devices analog limiters and full+accurate preamps are super useful.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've set the levels as you describe, and the results are OK, but I just don't like the idea of adding noisier gain from the camera preamps, after trying to avoid that by using the great SD preamps in the first stage. The delay is minor - maybe half a frame at 30 fps or so. The worst part of that is probably the slight echo effect when monitoring through headphones. If the MixPre were all I owned, I'd certainly be able to use it and be happy with the results. But I already had a 302 (and a 442 for when I need the extra channel), so there was no good reason for me to spend much effort to overcome those minor annoyances.

- Greg
 
Greg Smith said:
Yes, I've set the levels as you describe, and the results are OK, but I just don't like the idea of adding noisier gain from the camera preamps, after trying to avoid that by using the great SD preamps in the first stage. The delay is minor - maybe half a frame at 30 fps or so. The worst part of that is probably the slight echo effect when monitoring through headphones. If the MixPre were all I owned, I'd certainly be able to use it and be happy with the results. But I already had a 302 (and a 442 for when I need the extra channel), so there was no good reason for me to spend much effort to overcome those minor annoyances.

- Greg
Click to expand...

Thanks Greg. I’ve run the USB Pre 2 (and Zoom F4, G3 etc.) into camera and found the quality to be effectively noiseless (camera gain set 1 above off). Was it the ‘idea’ of avoiding the camera audio system or could you hear a difference?
 
Rick R said:
Yeah, the T version is more for sound for picture. The MixPre 3/6 T can read & write TC but not generated it. I don't think the M version has any TC options.
Click to expand...

There is no “T” version for the -3 or -6. It’s either MixPre-3 or MixPre-3M (same with the -6).

The -3 and -6 have no internal TC generators, and if TC is turned on with no external source they are only able to stamp 30fps TC. They will chase any incoming TC frame rate, though, that is fed through HDMI or the Aux 5/6.

So if you’re recording sound for picture and you don’t have an external TC system in use (Tentacle, Wave, etc.), your best bet is to keep the TC feature turned off on the -3 and -6 and simply use a dumb slate.

To get an internal TC generator requires moving up to the MixPre-10T.
 
Thanks Alex, I was thinking of the MixPre 10 which has the T or M designation. And yes, the 10 T can generate TC.
 
Alex H. said:
There is no “T” version for the -3 or -6. It’s either MixPre-3 or MixPre-3M (same with the -6).

The -3 and -6 have no internal TC generators, and if TC is turned on with no external source they are only able to stamp 30fps TC. They will chase any incoming TC frame rate, though, that is fed through HDMI or the Aux 5/6.

So if you’re recording sound for picture and you don’t have an external TC system in use (Tentacle, Wave, etc.), your best bet is to keep the TC feature turned off on the -3 and -6 and simply use a dumb slate.

To get an internal TC generator requires moving up to the MixPre-10T.
Click to expand...

Back to my original inquiry Alex? So if the Fujifilm X-T3 is generating and sending out TC via HDMI, the Mix Pre 3 will lock onto and replicate the same timecode to it's audio files, regardless of the TC frame rate selected in the camera (23.98, 29.97 and 59.94)? So the Mix Pre 3 could lock to and record 23.98 TC from the Fuji? And the HDMI start/stop in the Fuji signal would trigger the Mix Pre 3 to start and stop with the camera, correct? Just want to make sure I understand the function. This is the main reason I would be buying it so I want to make sure it does what I think it does. If not, I already have a Tascam DR60 MKII that, while the preamps wouldn't be in the same league as the Mix Pre 3, it could functionally do the same thing (turn two incoming XLRs into a 3.5mm output for the Fuji and make a redundant, better quality recording).
 
puredrifting said:
Back to my original inquiry Alex? So if the Fujifilm X-T3 is generating and sending out TC via HDMI, the Mix Pre 3 will lock onto and replicate the same timecode to it's audio files, regardless of the TC frame rate selected in the camera (23.98, 29.97 and 59.94)? So the Mix Pre 3 could lock to and record 23.98 TC from the Fuji? And the HDMI start/stop in the Fuji signal would trigger the Mix Pre 3 to start and stop with the camera, correct? Just want to make sure I understand the function. This is the main reason I would be buying it so I want to make sure it does what I think it does. If not, I already have a Tascam DR60 MKII that, while the preamps wouldn't be in the same league as the Mix Pre 3, it could functionally do the same thing (turn two incoming XLRs into a 3.5mm output for the Fuji and make a redundant, better quality recording).
Click to expand...

It will do those things! I also have a DR-60DmkII, which I keep as a backup to the backup (great for placing in dangerous spots for specialty/SFX where things can go awry). The SD is much higher quality all the way around.

I use a Tentacle Sync with my MixPre-6, and usually work in either 23.98 or 24. It locks to incoming TC without an issue.

MixPre-3 time code functions

HDMI recording trigger
 
jcs said:
Thanks Greg. I’ve run the USB Pre 2 (and Zoom F4, G3 etc.) into camera and found the quality to be effectively noiseless (camera gain set 1 above off). Was it the ‘idea’ of avoiding the camera audio system or could you hear a difference?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I've never used it in the field as a mixer into the camera, but just tested the setup briefly at home to make sure I had the cables and levels all sorted out in case I ever wanted to. No problems with the sound that I noticed, but it wasn't a very comprehensive test. I suppose that means it was more the "idea" that put me off! (Plus, I still love the controls and meters on my 302.)

- Greg
 
Greg Smith said:
Honestly, I've never used it in the field as a mixer into the camera, but just tested the setup briefly at home to make sure I had the cables and levels all sorted out in case I ever wanted to. No problems with the sound that I noticed, but it wasn't a very comprehensive test. I suppose that means it was more the "idea" that put me off! (Plus, I still love the controls and meters on my 302.)

- Greg
Click to expand...

Ok cool- have been planning to downsize/lighten my camera rig + go exclusively full frame using the 1DX II (selling the C300 II*) with a nice XLR preamp into the camera (when not using wireless). Tested ok with the Zoom F4 and planning to switch to MixPre6 for the smaller size + better pre’s and analog limiter. Need 4 XLR inputs for ambisonic 3D recordings (Sennheiser Ambeo); separate audio for that case.

* will miss the RGB 444 12-bit though we’re shooting less green screen now.
 
Just want to echo Alex’s and others love for the MixPre - for me it’s the Sony L series attachment, plus the built in limiters, that makes it a no brainer addition to an interview setup even for cameras that already have XLR. We use the MixPre-3 with the C300II. Only wish the HDMI triggered record but maybe we’re behind on a firmware update. We keep a QR plate on top and bottom so it goes between the tripod and camera effortlessly. It would be a great addition to the XT-3 for sure.
 
slavikb said:
Just want to echo Alex’s and others love for the MixPre - for me it’s the Sony L series attachment, plus the built in limiters, that makes it a no brainer addition to an interview setup even for cameras that already have XLR. We use the MixPre-3 with the C300II. Only wish the HDMI triggered record but maybe we’re behind on a firmware update. We keep a QR plate on top and bottom so it goes between the tripod and camera effortlessly. It would be a great addition to the XT-3 for sure.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks man! You always give great advice.
 
Ordered the Mix Pre 3, Sony battery sled, it arrives tomorrow! Looking forward to it. I am curious if the HDMI out on the C200 will trigger it? The 300 MKII won't but the C100 MKII is on the SD website, but not sure if it will actually trigger recording on it? The Fuji isn't listed so we'll see if the XT-3 triggers recording, fingers crossed!
 
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