Sound Device for my setup

N

Nate Kantor

New member
Currently I am running a Sennheiser MKH 416 directly into my H4n. I would also like, to add a sound device into the mix, but I'm not sure which would be right for me. The Mixpre-d has a good price, but what advantage does it truly give to my sound? Is it nothing until you get to the 302? Quantity of Inputs are not really an issue, but I hear the Mixpre fails with low ouput signal. Is this something I should consider using the 416?

Any advice would be great.
 
Aren't the pre-amps in the MixPre-D and the 302 the same? They have the unclippable limiters, which is great.

Other than that, adding a mixer gives you better metering, better monitoring, better signal routing, better level controls...

The only downside, and this is with the H4n and not the MixPre-D, is that your recorder doesn't actually have true line-level inputs. You'll either have to pad the line-level output from the mixer by about -20dB, or you'll have to use mic-level and XLR (which uses more of the H4n's pre-amps and kind of defeats the purpose).
 
Yes the 302 and MixPre-D preamps are of equal quality. There are different features on the 302 and MixPre-D. Both are top shelf.. sound wise.
Indeed, Alex is correct. The H4n has a compromised line-in to accept instrument level and would likely clip it's input stage if fed peaks exceeding +2dBu. (Far below the usual +20dBu max. for pro line-level... -10dBv nominal would be ok for the H4n's line in.
 
I don't know the H4n but the Tascam DR 100mkII has s/pdif which is compatible AES on the premix d. That will make it possible to bypass the preams does the H4n have a digital i/o/

The Tascam DR 100 mkII has line level imputs - does that bypass the preamps in a way that doesn't "defeat the purpose"?
 
The H4n does not support S/PDIF. AFAIK, the Zoom only has USB for 'file' management.
I don't know for sure, (and I can't find a schematic or block diagram) but like most budget recorders, the DR-100mkII "line in" likely goes though the preamp. That said, a high quality external pre-amp would make an improved difference regardless.
 
so what options provides line input or digital input? at a reasonable price.

other than:

sound devices 702
sound devices pix 220 <digital video recorder includes a nice ips monitor>
(in the $1500 to $2000 range)

others that claim digital or line input excluding 3.5mm:

tascam dr100mkii
(in the $350 to $400 range)

marantz pmd661
tascam hd-p2
tascam dr-680
(in the $700 range)


some portable mixers can send a digital signal to a laptop:

sound devices usbpre 2 + noisy laptop
... etc.

so how would you go by testing or comparing them.
 
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