MixPre 6 SD cards

Peter C.

Peter C.

Veteran
I purchased a mixpre 6 (version 1) the other day and I need to order some media. If memory serves me right mixpre is very picky. I looked up on their web site to my surprise San Disk Extreme Pro isn't supported. Is this a speed thing? Any recommendations for a value option? Btw I don't plan on recording more than 4 iso tracks. Is there a chart for how many hours you can get out of 64gb?
 
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I’ve actually been using the Extreme Pro 64GB 170MB/s cards without any issues... but I somehow missed that they were on the unapproved list. Whoops...
 
I found this from 2019 on their Facebook
Alex H. said:
I’ve actually been using the Extreme Pro 64GB 170MB/s cards without any issues... but I somehow missed that they were on the unapproved list. Whoops...
Click to expand...

https://www.facebook.com/sounddevic...ing-the-unapproved-sandisk/10157711515141764/
"We are starting to hear of reports of problems when using the unapproved SanDisk ExtremePro 170MB/s 64GB and 128GB SD cards in our recorders. With this in mind, we have brought some cards in for analysis. Initial findings today show that these cards have a quite different handshake process than most other SD cards we have tested. We know this card is popular at the moment so we are investigating adapting our write process to achieve compatibility with this card. In the meantime, we highly recommend not using it. Where possible, please use cards on our Approved Media Lists."

https://www.sounddevices.com/mixpre-series-approved-media-list/
If you look at the bottom of the page.

Oddly they approve of slower version
64 GB SanDisk Extreme; SDXC/UHS-1,V30, U3, 150MB/s (Model # SDSDXV6-064G-GNCIN)
 
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Sometimes media manufacturers change designs/the way they make the media and then they don't always continue to play nicely with equipment and certain cards that were approved and worked, then are removed. Of course the cards that were made before the manufacturing changes still work, but the cards made after the changes, but still labeled exactly the same, don't.

I actually used to scoff at the "recommended media" lists and figured as long as I was buying a quality, name brand card that met the specs or better and I was good. What finally convinced me was actually when I bought the SD 664 when it came out and the name brand, high quality, high speed cards that I bought, but weren't on the approved list, did not work properly. After that, I started going by the approved list, if there was one.
 
R&G's right: Manufacturers sometimes change the design of cards without changing the model number. I recall a case a few years ago, in the Sound Devices 6-series era, with Delkin. Here's a brief overview from SD's site:

https://www.sounddevices.com/6-series-approved-media-list/
"Sound Devices has worked directly with Delkin to identify an intermittent Media I/O issue with newer Delkin CF 500x and CF 700x cards. Delkin has confirmed that a recent change to these two cards is most likely responsible for the errors. Cards containing KZ in the serial number are susceptible to this issue and should not be used. Cards containing VB in the serial number will function correctly and are approved. Deklin CF 1000x and 1050x cards do not experience this issue and may continue to be used."

Around that time, IIRC, SD started selling cards with their own branding. They weren't cheap, but they were reliable (at least, they were for me). When I talked to a couple of people at SD about it, they said the cards weren't a profit center, but they wanted to be sure that there was at least some cards they had control over. https://www.sounddevices.com/accessories/?AccessoriesFilter=354&submit=

And in semi-defense of the card makers, it's such a commodity business. Gotta be tough to figure out market openings (ie- emphasize burst transfers for stills, or sustained transfers for video/audio....looks like it's hard/expensive to do both), and then if you come across (or make) some parts and/or a design that are bit cheaper and only "a little bit" slower, how can you resist when such (presumably) thin margins?

Anyway, the Delkin episode made me such up the extra cost of using approved media...Or at least media that lots of other people are having success with. And I just keep reminding myself that it's all so much less expensive than buying tapes and VCRs...

Just so it's handy (again), here's Sound Devices' current list of approved media for the MixPre series. Last updated Jan 15:
https://www.sounddevices.com/mixpre-series-approved-media-list/
 
Yes it seems not to be a speed issue but the smaller technical differences between cards. Regardless it's annoying since I can't think of ever having this type of issue with any other device and I've used a lot of cameras and digital audio recorders.

Someone one did tests of different cards but looking through the results only make me less confident. I'll probably just stick to the least expensive card on SD approved list.
https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=191314.0

Edit: I found an interesting video about the SanDisk Extreme Pro. I own the 95mbs and they have replaced them with the 170mbs, guess what they're the same card! The 170 is not faster than the 95.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Y2ueVfHUQ
 
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What I found sort of amusing, when I had my issues with my 664 and the first batch of cards that weren’t on the approved list, it was the MP3 recordings that were messed up. The much larger and higher bit-rate WAV’s were fine. And it didn’t matter if I recorded the MP3 on the SD or CF card. And vice-versa: the WAV was fine on either CF or SD.

And like you said, Peter, it wasn’t a speed issue, it was a technical issue/incompatibility in the architecture of the card.
 
I take back some of what I said. I was unaware these card manufactures can add proprietary things that can cause problems. Atomos has had problems with certain Samsung SSD models for the same reason. Thsese companies try to differentiate themselves and justify a premium for their product. If you watched the video above you can see that SanDisk Extreme Pro can only achieve it's advertised speeds if you use their card reader. This must mean their employing some sort of method behind the scenes to make it work this way.
 
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I just bought a couple of cards that are on the SD list for my Mix Pre III. They've been great, even though I had never even heard of the brands. I have not tried my SanDisk Extreme Pros,
why fight the tide, just use what SD recommends and life will be good.
 
puredrifting said:
I just bought a couple of cards that are on the SD list for my Mix Pre III. They've been great, even though I had never even heard of the brands. I have not tried my SanDisk Extreme Pros,
why fight the tide, just use what SD recommends and life will be good.
Click to expand...

This has always been my thing... What good does saving a few bucks on cards do you if you come back with nothing on them or the data is corrupted? "Uh, sorry client. The recommended cards were too expensive, so I bought cheaper ones and they didn't work." "What? No I didn't give you a discount on my rate, because I bought cheaper media." "What do you mean you're not paying me or ever calling me again?"

I can't remember right now which media company had the the slogan that was something like, "Your memories, our media".
 
I got my MixPre6 today. I discovered I have a SanDisk Extreme 128gb. They have the 64gb on their compatible list, so I'm going to do some long recording testing to make sure the size of the card doesn't cause a problem. I actually wasn't trying to be cheap to the contrary I've always have trusted SanDisk so I was surprised when a card I use in all my cameras was on the unsupported list. I've always been of the opinion to buy a high quality brand and fastest model you can afford. This isn't the case here the MixPre doesn't take advantage of the speed and doesn't even use UHS II so it's a waste of money to buy a super fast card that it can't use. Would have been nice if the mixer could run a stress test.

Ironically I discovered I was more annoyed with powering the mixer.
I first inserted 4 fresh AA rechargeable batteries and with in a minute the mixer gave me a low power warning and shut down! I don't remember anyone mentioning this. I was expecting 10-20 minutes, so that makes AA batteries useless. Seems like a odd choice to include a battery sled that has no practical use. Even with a power bank this thing draws a lot of power.

I next plugged it into my Anker usb-c wall charger both worked but only in low power mode. After doing some testing I discovered the cable was to blame. When I used 6" cable that came with the power bank both the wall charger and power bank ran it in full power mode. I might still be able to use a longer cable but one that is usb-c to usb-c, I only have usb-a to usb-c cables. Regardless I wasn't thrilled at the feel of the usb-c port. I could see it wearing out over repeated use and cable strain. I'm thinking of buying the Hirose power adapter and only use the usb-c with the power bank for mobile situation.
 
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Peter C. said:
I got my MixPre6 today. I discovered I have a SanDisk Extreme 128gb. They have the 64gb on their compatible list, so I'm going to do some long recording testing to make sure the size of the card doesn't cause a problem. I actually wasn't trying to be cheap to the contrary I've always have trusted SanDisk so I was surprised when a card I use in all my cameras was on the unsupported list. I've always been of the opinion to buy a high quality brand and fastest model you can afford. This isn't the case here the MixPre doesn't take advantage of the speed and doesn't even use UHS II so it's a waste of money to buy a super fast card that it can't use. Would have been nice if the mixer could run a stress test.

Ironically I discovered I was more annoyed with powering the mixer.
I first inserted 4 fresh AA rechargeable batteries and with in a minute the mixer gave me a low power warning and shut down! I don't remember anyone mentioning this. I was expecting 10-20 minutes, so that makes AA batteries useless. Seems like a odd choice to include a battery sled that has no practical use. Even with a power bank this thing draws a lot of power.

I next plugged it into my Anker usb-c wall charger both worked but only in low power mode. After doing some testing I discovered the cable was to blame. When I used 6" cable that came with the power bank both the wall charger and power bank ran it in full power mode. I might still be able to use a longer cable but one that is usb-c to usb-c, I only have usb-a to usb-c cables. Regardless I wasn't thrilled at the feel of the usb-c port. I could see it wearing out over repeated use and cable strain. I'm thinking of buying the Hirose power adapter and only use the usb-c with the power bank for mobile situation.
Click to expand...

Ok, I will regurgitate my mini lecture on the Sound Device Mix Pres and powering them.

1. AA - Newbie mistake. Just don't. The SDs just don't go any length of time with AAs of any kind so just skip AAs.
2. Anker PowerBanks. They work fine, they offer a lot of power cheap. Problem is, you just introduced two new failure points, the USB-C connection FROM the battery and the USB-C connection INTO the SD Mix Pre. Once again. Don't. Just don't.
USB-C doesn't lock, it's no better or more reliable than HDMI, which as video people, we all know it's a terrible sub-par connection that we are stuck with because so few cameras and monitors have 12G SDI for 4K.
3. Ok, so what do you power your Mix Pre with? Simple, the Sony L Battery Adapter from SD. It's a PITA to get on and off to remove the cards from the MP3 and MP6 but it just plain works. It's rugged, bulletproof, NPF batteries are cheap, they hold a ton of power.
You have three sizes and widths to choose from so you can customize your weight and run time. The clip takes TWO L batteries, one on top and one below so you have built in redundancy. Trust me, just get the L Plate.

If you are anally retentive and want triple redundancy, keep an Anker 20100+ in the mixer pocket and if you ever ran out of NPFs, you would have your Anker. But the extra failure points are for amatuers, pros care about their battery connection
failing them. Also worth it to buy the SD AC adapter which I occasionally use for 12+ hours days on stages where we aren't moving. If you ever upgrade to the Mix Pre 10 II, all bets are off and you need a different power strategy and I would then
invest in a real BDS system and an angled Hirose. But most video oriented sound dabblers are going to have the MP3 and or 6, not the 10.
 
I use lithium AA bats, but as a back-up in case external power is lost though the Hirose ext. pwr connection.
 
Rick R said:
I use lithium AA bats, but as a back-up in case external power is lost though the Hirose ext. pwr connection.
Click to expand...

Good Plan B if for some reason one doesn't inexplicably have any Sony NPFs laying around (doesn't everyone in America in our business?).

After buying the Anker 20100+ and actually using it, if you are sitting at a table/cart ok. But if you are actually moving around as a sound mixer, I hated the Anker solution.
Too easy to accidentally unplug in two places and the Anker big batteries are adding all of that extra weight and bulk to my little Ktek Mix Pre 3 bag.
I use the Sony L750s, sometimes one, sometimes two or a 550 as back up on the opposite side of the SD L Plate. Works like a dream. Rick you mention
Hirose, did you buy the external Hirose adapter for a MP 3 or 6 or do you have a Mix Pre 10 or 10 II?
 
I'm going to buy the Hirose adapter because I'm primarily using it on a tripod. NPF isn't a bad solution for more mobile setups. I thought of getting the 10T just for the built in Hirose. When you factor the extra $100 for the adapter the price difference isn't that much, but I didn't want the extra size and cost.

So I did an 2.5.hr continuous record with no errors. Not an exhaustive test but seems the San Disk Extreme 128gb is compatible. One of the things the test revealed that I wasn't aware of is WAV files are limited to 4gb. For my situation with 4 iso I only get 1:20 before it splits the file. Not the end of the world but annoying.

I'm not trying lean how to use it as daw interface.
 
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