Sound Devices Rumors???

Why is it that both Zoom and SD only have iOS apps to control the F8/Mix6? Are there any hardware limitations for them to make apps that support Android? I mean Android covers 80% of the market, and iOS is around 10-15%. I personally just don't want to buy Apple products because I'm tired of the way they operate...
 
The problem with Android products is that there are so many generations and variations in them. Writing and maintaining apps for Android can be a major pain. Working in the closed ecosystem of iPhone is far simpler.
 
cpreston said:
In fact, I wouldn't even consider these in the same league or as a replacement for my mixpre-d. .
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Based on price (point) alone or???
Or..because you still have your mixpre-d ? ;)
Ok..there is the xlr out issue...again.
 
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High1ander said:
Why is it that both Zoom and SD only have iOS apps to control the F8/Mix6? Are there any hardware limitations for them to make apps that support Android? I mean Android covers 80% of the market, and iOS is around 10-15%. I personally just don't want to buy Apple products because I'm tired of the way they operate...
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I would guess that in creative fields it's probably 50/50 or even majority Apple users... Last I heard 50% of Adobe's revenue came from Mac users even though PCs have a much higher market share...
 
dmitrizigany said:
I would guess that in creative fields it's probably 50/50 or even majority Apple users... Last I heard 50% of Adobe's revenue came from Mac users even though PCs have a much higher market share...
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Yeah, all that is fine and dandy, but that is still 50% you are not catering too. I'm no programmer so I don't really know the ins and outs of how hard it would be to port iOS to Android, but given that many other companies can do it, even smaller ones I take it more as they don't want to, which is somewhat stupid. Unless there are specific hardware limitations/protocols that iOS/Apple support that Android don't.

I know there are more flavors of Android and all, but aren't they basically like "if you have hardware good enough to run lollipop, then you can install and run this app, if not, we won't let you install".

To me having remote control would be a huge boon, but because I dislike Apple just as strongly as Apple fanatics like Apple, I just won't get into the "closed eco-system" of Apple again. I've been there before and never again. I want freedom, and by freedom I mean sitting on my Android and seeing that it isn't supported.
 
Gweilo66 said:
Based on price (point) alone or???
Or..because you still have your mixpre-d ? ;)
Ok..there is the xlr out issue...again.
Click to expand...

I mentioned the mixpre-d since it shares the same name. The mixpre-d and the new mixpre's seem like entirely different product lines. I also wouldn't consider it a replacement for my USBPre 2 even thought it shares some functionality.

The main reason is the lack of XLR outs. The mixpre-d is a mixer with two preamps. The new mixpre's are recorders.
 
Gweilo66 said:
This 1/8 line out crap happens enough that it would be nice if someone created a compact level upconverter with XLRs..even TA3 mini xlrs.
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I got a ProCo AV-1A to take the 1/8" line out of my Tascam DR-70D and convert it to a balanced XLR Mic level. Thing is built like a tank & there are a half dozen similar boxes that will do the same thing. Though a compact box that would go from 1/8" to dual TA3 would be great & I'm guessing there probably already is a maret for it.
 
Mitch Gross said:
The problem with Android products is that there are so many generations and variations in them. Writing and maintaining apps for Android can be a major pain. Working in the closed ecosystem of iPhone is far simpler.
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Mitch is right. I've been involved in some smartphone app development (hazard of living in the SF Bay Area), and supporting the wide range of Android sw and phones in use is a much bigger job than supporting iOS...especially for apps that communicate with the outside world (i mean other than through an internet connection).

But Sound Devices isn't an "Apple or nothing" company. Their WaveAgent and FileSafe desktop apps are available for both Windows and Mac.

Their Wingman remote-control app does currently only run on iOS, but as SD expands their market I'd guess they're at least considering bringing Wingman etc to Android.

If you're at NAB, maybe --politely-- mention that you'd love to use Wingman with SD recorders, but you own Android phones.
Or maybe send them a polite feature request through their website. They pay attention to that stuff (I'm acquainted with a bunch of SD people).
https://www.sounddevices.com/support/inquiry


Jim

PS- Mitch, aren't you supposed to be putting the final touches on the AF-200/miniVaricam right now? :-) Kidding.
Congrats on your new gig at Panasonic. And bigger congrats to Panasonic on having the wisdom to hire you.
 
You could always go find a late model iPod touch on eBay and use that. Or even a late model iPhone, no one says you have to use it as a phone.
 
Jim Feeley said:
Mitch is right.
PS- Mitch, aren't you supposed to be putting the final touches on the AF-200/miniVaricam right now? :-) Kidding.
Congrats on your new gig at Panasonic. And bigger congrats to Panasonic on having the wisdom to hire you.
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Hey, even a broken clock is right twice a day!

Lucky for me, I'm not the guy who has to chisel away the marble until the statue of David emerges.

Drifting over to DVXuser every now and then is a great way to distract myself from the current NAB prep work with which I'm encumbered.
 
stoneinapond said:
Wow, that's good to hear. :thumbup:
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Don't believe Jim's post for a second. I'm secretly working on bringing back 2" helical scan video and wire audio recording. Using a cactus needle from the Nevada desert for the pickup because the radioactive decay gives extra resonance.
 
Mitch Gross said:
Don't believe Jim's post for a second. I'm secretly working on bringing back 2" helical scan video and wire audio recording. Using a cactus needle from the Nevada desert for the pickup because the radioactive decay gives extra resonance.
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So long as it looks and sounds good, I could care less about the details. A Chinese proverb states "know your roots to understand your destiny."

The Japanese might have a similar pearl of wisdom.

Either way, best of luck......
 
I do location sound recording for indie films in the desert wasteland of Sacramento. It's generally dialogue. People keep asking for a wireless lav on two actors plus an overhead boom.

So...MixPre 6 or Zoom F4?
 
scottfs said:
I do location sound recording for indie films in the desert wasteland of Sacramento. It's generally dialogue. People keep asking for a wireless lav on two actors plus an overhead boom.

So...MixPre 6 or Zoom F4?
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Have the exact same mic setup, would love to know everyone's thoughts
 
If you want to go by the specs, it depends on your priorities. The MixPres are optimized for DSLRs. The package is small. Until you get your hands on one, it will be difficult to say what it is like to get your fingers on the controls. Are they too small for convenience? The small size and optimization for DSLRs may not be attractive to you. The larger F4 format may suit your needs better.

- Then there is the 3.5mm stereo output (MixPre) vs XLR outputs (F4).
- Sound Devices claims a -3db better noise floor.
- F4 has Time code input - is this important to you?

There are several other features that each have or are missing that may or may not suit the type of work you are doing. There is no clear answer without knowing more about the hands-on opinions of users for the MixPre and your specific needs/preferences.
 
Until you see them in someone's hands, like in the above video, you don't realize just how small they are.
 
zijital said:
I got a ProCo AV-1A to take the 1/8" line out of my Tascam DR-70D and convert it to a balanced XLR Mic level. Thing is built like a tank & there are a half dozen similar boxes that will do the same thing. Though a compact box that would go from 1/8" to dual TA3 would be great & I'm guessing there probably already is a maret for it.
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interesting box..though at 6x4x2" for one channel, going add a fair amount of real estate to the bag scenario. And..it's a step-down box to mic level at the XLR. So you end up needing receiving device's pre-amps.
I'm sure something more suitable is possible, if someone would make it.
 
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