Matt Gottshalk
Resident Preditor
It is always refreshing when manufacturers listen to the end users.
Panasonic and SD being the best at it, imo.
Panasonic and SD being the best at it, imo.
MixPre II recorders- 32bit float, internal TC generator, lotso dynamic range
- Thread starter Jim Feeley
- Start date
For longer recording or dual recording ?
Because these new MixPre units "auto copy to a USB drive", which I assume is happening as you record. ( i.e. a second copy is being captured to a USB drive )
You can get very tiny USB drives. I have a 32GB drive that's just a small bump on the end of the metal USB plug.
Jaime Valles
Veteran
For dual recording. I've had several SD cards fail over the years and don't want to take any chances with the master audio.
I didn't realize the USB auto copy happens live. If that's the case, then that eliminates my worries of not having a backup. Can anyone confirm that the MixPre records to SD card and USB stick simultaneously?
I didn't realize the USB auto copy happens live. If that's the case, then that eliminates my worries of not having a backup. Can anyone confirm that the MixPre records to SD card and USB stick simultaneously?
Jim Feeley
Veteran
I've looked through the manual, and it's not totally clear. But I suspect you don't get dual-media recording as you do with a 6-series recorder (i.e. 633, etc). It looks like the idea is you can just plug in a USB drive and everything is then automatically copied over without extra "start copying" commands required. But I'm not sure. I've asked SD about that (and a couple other things).
The manual is here, btw: https://cdn.sounddevices.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/MixPreII8.29.19.pdf
And for my 633, I've switched over to Sound Devices branded media. I've never had trouble with approved CF cards, but did have one with an approved SD card. No probs since switching to their stuff (which I guess eliminates the chances that a particular model card's specs and design change...as happened with a Delkin card a few years ago). Cheap insurance, imo: https://www.sounddevices.com/accessories/?AccessoriesFilter=354&submit=
Also, I'm most intrigued by the MixPre-II 6. Still compact, but adds ambisonic support (which is increasingly a thing around here).
It’s not recording simultaneously. It’s an “instantaneous” transfer. Shortly after recording starts, a backup copy begins transferring to the USB thumb drive. This transfer may be completed shortly after recording is stopped, but for longer takes it may continue transferring for a minute or two after cut. The SD card icon in the lower left of the display screen flashes yellow when files are copying over. If a long recording has been made, you need to watch that icon and make sure the copy is complete. If the device is powered down before that happens, the USB will have a ghost file (which can be fixed by going into the “Project” menu and initiating the “copy” function).
The adjustable limiters and 32-bit float point make the MixPre-10 II a killer deal. I’ve had my MixPre-10T for a year now and it has paid for itself three times over. As soon as my latest project wraps at the end of September, I may be picking up the MixPre-10 II (at which point I’ll be looking to sell my MixPre-10T).
For all the amazing things SD have added to the second generation, I’m a bit miffed that they decided not to fix the one physical design flaw that many of the 10T users complained about: that blasted Hirose power connection. It sticks out at a downward angle when in a bag and puts pressure on the connection. Terrible design, and the fact that the 10 II also has this means that SD decided it wasn’t enough of an issue to try and rectify. Other than that, these machines are great.
Overall, I find the biggest leaps in the MixPre II series to be in the MixPre-3 II and MixPre-6 II: adding internal TC and the USB thumb drive backup. The original 3 and 6 can utilize TC sync only when fed constant, external TC from either the 3.5mm aux in or the mini HDMI in. Not necessarily an issue... I’ve done plenty of smaller projects with my MixPre-6 and had full TC with a Tentacle Sync strapped to it... but to have full internal TC is a big leap for both machines. And on the larger shoots, it’s much easier to pop the USB thumb drive to hand to the DIT than it is to get to the SD card. Looks like I may also be looking to sell my MixPre-6 to grab a 6 II...
Jim Feeley
Veteran
I'm just about for sure going to get a MixPre-II 6. But I'm also curious to see if they'll introduce a small version of their Scorpio as a 633 replacement. The 633 still works great, but has been around for about six years. Perhaps there will be some news at IBC or AES:
https://www.sounddevices.com/product/scorpio/
https://www.sounddevices.com/product/scorpio/
Seems to me that they sort of did this in reverse, but not as a 633 replacement. Just looking at physical design and layout, it looks like the Scorpio followed the MixPre-10T as the much-more-capable big sibling.
Though it would make sense to add a middle tier between the two.
Jim Feeley
Veteran
Not really disagreeing, but I would guess (and only guess) that SD had plans for some sort of Scopio-like device already in their heads as they were working on the MixPre-10. And as cool as the new MixPres are, I'm more comfortable with a 6-series recorder on most gigs...
Jaime Valles
Veteran
Hmmm... I'm not sure if that helps me feel better about an SD card failing during recording. That's one of the things I like most about my Zoom F8. It's a shame they didn't include that in the F6, or I'd have already pre-ordered it.
But maybe I'm being too paranoid. If the MixPre auto copy to USB drive starts a few seconds after recording, what happens if the SD card dies in the middle of the take? Does the USB copy still work?
Amulet Man
Well-known member
Any improvements in battery life?
Considering most recorders that can run on AA batteries pretty much suck those batteries dry fairly quickly, I’d imagine there’s been no improvement in that department.
Powering from better sources is always recommended anyway. The MX-L sled and two NP-F 570 batteries will run the MixPre-3 II and -6 II for a good, long while. For the MixPre-10 II, I’d recommend an NP-1 or Hi-Q battery cup system to the Hirose power input.
I agree about internal timecode being one of the biggest pluses. The downside of the existing Mixpre is that you have to sacrifice channels 5 and 6 to get timecode. Or sacrifice timecode to get 5 and 6. That's been an issue for me on some jobs that require more than four channels. I also think the Mixpre limiters are a bit too aggressive so being able to adjust the knee on the new mkii will be very useful. As to battery life, you really have to use a distro with NP or smart batteries to get the most out of these. The battery life with the 8 battery tray is surprisingly dismal and the Sony tray is awkward since the batteries stick out above and below the recorder.
My sound guy runs a MixPre-6 using a $60 USB power bank, and he tells me it's good for at least 3 days of shooting.
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Cary Knoop
Veteran
The notion that seems to be presented by many in this forum topic that adding float32 encoding will make a significant difference is greatly over top.
As long as you have reasonable input volume settings it will make zero difference because it seems the AD converters are the same as in the Mark I model.
Paul Isaacs
Active member
MixPre-II: ADC 32 bit precision; 142 dB dynamic range min (A-weighted, gain=10dB, fader=0dB)
MixPre-I: ADC 32 bit precision; 120dB dynamic range min (A-weighted, gain=10dB, fader=0dB)
Direct from the source- thanks Paul! If you can share if it’s a new AKM converter or using the prior one differently that’d be cool to know. Approximate ship date?
The additional DR is welcome, though for our usage, not having to worry about levels and clipping ever again is the main value proposition (those recording jet turbines or rocket engines etc. at close range will be dealing with mic clipping (isolation/attenuation)).
Paul Isaacs
Active member
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
And solid state recording media. I had a Nagra digital recorder crap out on me recording an F-14 starting up because the low end caused a harddrive crash! The fly bys would have benefited from the 32bit float since you didn't actually hear the plane till it was past, it was going kind of fast ;~) It took three passes before I got the levels low enough.