MixPre-D vs USBPre2

omnikron

omnikron

Well-known member
So I currently have the 1st generation MixPre and I love it. I made my own battery pack for it so I can get some decent operation time without always changing batteries. Unfortunately with 8 x 1.2v NiMH batteries, I'm just under the 10v minimum power requirements for the new MixPre-D with the same battery pack. I'm currently recording onto a Fostex FR-2LE I recently purchase

I'm currently using an Apogee Duet for my soundcard but I'd love to have one that would work both for Windows as well as Mac. Which made me wonder if I could use the MixPre-D as an input AND output interface for my computer... but it looks like the USBPre2 is better suited for that.

So my question is really about trying to find a device that would bridge both worlds and I'm wondering if the USBPre2 might be the one. Does anyone know if the quality of mic preamps and limiters is the same on the USBPre2 as the MixPre2? Does anybody think the DA converter on the USBPre2 would be similar in quality to the Apogee Duet?

If so... then I think I may get a USBPre2, but I'd love to hear any opinions from more experienced users than myself. I realize I'd also have to find a way to power the USBPre2 in the field but that shouldn't be an expensive problem or one much different than my current setup.
 
Not sure why your not getting decent bat life. I get 5 hours or so with phantom power on running a stereo pair.

To your question. A USB connector is really not designed for field work. I also don't believe the USB Pre has the other field goodies, like tone and slate mic.

The pres should be pretty much the same, can't speak t the A/D converters.
 
Ya, I was doing more reading and it looks like the MixPre-D lets you output sound from the computer to the headphone port. Not an ideal permanent solution but I guess it would work and I imagine would be better quality than my built in soundcard... but that's an assumption and I could be wrong
 
So the mixpre-D cannot feed a signal from the computer through it's main outputs? That would make it less useful as a substitute for a sound card, which I was considering.
 
Jema said:
So the mixpre-D cannot feed a signal from the computer through it's main outputs?
Click to expand...
How could a device feed an output with an output? That's confusiung but I think you're wondering if you can just use your mixer as an interface to the computer. Get a interface on the cheap that you can bypass the pres and has decent converters. Then run your external pre through the line.
 
Last edited:
Mitch.Kear said:
How could a device feed an output with an output? That's confusiung but I think you're wondering if you can just use your mixer as an interface to the computer. Get a interface on the cheap that you can bypass the pres and has decent converters. Then run your external pre through the line.
Click to expand...

I think the question was more about the MixPre-D not being able to receive signal through USB, and send it out through the mixer's mains for connection to studio monitors. That's one key feature that separates the MixPre-D from the USBPre. The USBPre is designed as an I/O interface for computer audio. The MixPre-D is designed for field production, though it can send audio to a computer from its USB port.

Two different tools for two different purposes.
 
Alex H. said:
I think the question was more about the MixPre-D not being able to receive signal through USB, and send it out through the mixer's mains for connection to studio monitors. That's one key feature that separates the MixPre-D from the USBPre. The USBPre is designed as an I/O interface for computer audio. The MixPre-D is designed for field production, though it can send audio to a computer from its USB port.Two different tools for two different purposes.
Click to expand...
Ah, yeah mixpre is not an interface and Output to output does not do anything. If you have studio monitors then how are you feeding them now?
 
Sorry for the confusion - I meant just as Alex said, to use its main outputs to feed monitors or external devices. If it had been able do that, then it could entirely replace an interface. Not a very big deal to add a cheap interface and go line in to it, but it would have meant less gear and a bit less money.

I guess it's still far too new to tell, but can anyone guess if the new digital components might make the unit a bit less of a tank? The more complicated something is, the more can go wrong...
 
Well like I said, I think you CAN use the MixPre-D as an interface if you want to output to your studio monitors through your headphone jack on the MixPre-D. The USBPre2 looks awesome but for field production, like Noiz2 said, it's not going to have near as professional a power plug and if it comes unplugged somehow during production, you're screwed. I kinda wish I could use just one device for both jobs :)
 
I'm really liking the mix pre-d so far, works great as an interface with my computer and just brilliant with my 5dmkii and xf300, I didn't realise the xlr outputs couldn't output the computer output to my monitors, that's a bummer, I've just moved overseas and it'll be 3 months before my monitors arrive I guess I should have looked into this a little better but I'm not disappointed this is proving to be a great investment and I guess I'll just have to order a usbpre2 and try and sneak it in the house without the wife seeing.
I sold a duet2 to pave the way for the mixpre-d. The camera bracket attachment is great but maybe a tad overpriced it's ring is plastic the rest is metal so I think it's still pretty durable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top