MixPre Tape Output to digital recorder

B

Bob Gruen

Well-known member
I am thinking about adding a digital recorder to my setup to record both backup tracks as well as recording sound without the camera, and I have a few questions.

I run a few different microphones into a MixPre which is connected to a Red One through a Red One specific break away cable. This cable provides loopback monitoring from a 5 pin port on the camera which frees up the headphone jack for the camera operator to use for monitoring. I'd like to add an M-Audio Micro Track to the tape out circuit of the MixPre for a backup track while using the camera as well as connecting the main line outputs for working without the camera.

First, the specs indicate it should work, but is anyone on the forum currently using the Tape Out circuit of the MixPre in this fashion? What is the quality like with a short unbalanced connection like this? Would there be a noticeable difference between using the tape out vs the main outputs?

Second, would it make sense to solder up an A/B switch to switch between monitoring the camera and monitoring the Microtrack? Could a simple 3 pole switch harm the equipment?

Thanks,

Bob
 
I've run recorders from the 1/8" tape out for years. Used to backup audio to camera with DAT, now I use various solid-state recorders. The quality is just fine, since you aren't running very far at all. Just make sure that your recorder can take some type of -10dB line-level input, be it 1/4" or RCA or 1/8".
 
Bob- You might want to look at some of the other portable recorders other than the Micro Track... I was looking for a backup recorder to use in a similar setup & the feedback I received from former Micro Track users convinced me that it just wasn't reliable enough. I'm using a Tascam DR-07, which is quite affordable & doubles as a note-taking recorder. Some other options are the Sony PCM10 & the Olympus LS-10, both just a bit over $200.
 
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