Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer
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Remember the Essentials
Batteries are not included. Make sure you get the batteries you need.
The Sound Devices MixPre is a 2 channel, studio grade, microphone mixer designed for remote or field mixing in video, film, broadcast or professional recording applications. The compact and lightweight mixer boasts an impressive feature set starting with 2 transformer balanced XLR microphone inputs and stereo (L/R) XLR outputs. Separate stereo tape output and tape return input are provided, both feature 1/8" (3.5mm) mini stereo jacks.
The mixer supplies +15V and +48V phantom power and a 1/4" TRS Phone, headphone monitor output allows monitoring of main and tape return inputs. Both channels feature user switchable, two stage limiting for control over signal overload and distortion. Low-cut filter removes low frequency noise caused by wind and proximity effect. Also provided is an internal test tone oscillator and slate microphone for signal calibration. The MixPre is powered via 2-AA alkaline batteries or external DC power source.
- Professional & Portable
- The unit boasts a dynamic range of 110dB and 10Hz to 50kHz audio bandwidth, while remaining small, lightweight and portable.
- Audio Limiters
- User switchable, two stage limiters are available on each input, eliminating noise and distortion caused by signal overload.
- Flexible Monitoring
- The 1/4" TRS headphone output, monitors main input signal as well as tape return signal.
- Transformer Balanced Inputs
- Transformer-balanced XLR inputs provide high gain while maintaining a low noise floor.
- Low-Cut Filter
- Low-cut filter switches eliminate noise caused by rumble, wind and proximity effect at 80Hz or 160Hz (user switchable).
- Test Tone and Slate Mic
- An internal test tone oscillator and slate microphone are provided for calibrating level of external audio devices.
| Inputs | 2 - XLR 3-pin female |
| Output | 2 - XLR 3-pin male |
| Monitor/Headphone Out | Phones: 1/4" TRS Phone output jack |
| ALT I/O |
Tape Out: 1/8" (3.5mm) unbalanced output jack Tape RTN: 1/8" (3.5mm) unbalanced input jack |
| Link Input/Output | No |
| Impedance |
Inputs Transformer-balanced, 2k ohm input impedance Outputs XLR: 120 ohm output impedance Tape (3.5mm): 2.4k ohm output impedance |
| Gain |
Mic In to Line Out: 66dB Mic In to Line Out: 56dB phantom power on Mic In to Tape Out: 56dB Mic In to Tape Out: 46dB |
| Hum & Noise | EIN: -126dBu (-128 dBV) minimum (150 ohm source, flat weighting, 22 - 22kHz bandwidth, gain control set at 50% or higher, phantom off) |
| Frequency Response |
20Hz - 30kHz, +0.2, -0.5dB, -1dB at 5Hz, 50kHz (relative to 1kHz level with 150 ohm source, gain control set at 50%) |
| Distortion |
0.05% max. (from 50Hz to 22kHz @ +4dBu output level, 22Hz - 22kHz filter bandwidth, gain control at 50%, phantom off) |
| Metering | Peak responding 7 segment GaN (Gallium Nitride) meter with brightness levels |
| Control Voltage Out | No |
| Phantom Power | +15V & +48V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 70 degrees Celsius (32 to 160 degrees F) |
| Power |
2 - AA alkaline batteries - 6 hours life typical with +4dBu into 600ohms, phantom off External DC input - 5-18V on locking 4-pin Hirose connector, pin-4(+), pin-1(-) |
| Dimensions | 1.7 x 3.7 x 5.5" (43 x 94 x 140mm) (HxWxD) |
| Weight | 2.0 lbs (0.8 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 19 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Compact (17)
- Easy to use (17)
- Good audio (13)
- Versatile (10)
- Lightweight (9)
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional recording (15)
- Amateur recording (4)
- Outdoor events / games (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (15), Novice (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
I love it so much I own two!
I own two SoundDevices MixPres. One I use to amplify outdoor sounds inside so I can hear birds in the yard during the day, and frogs, toads, insects, otters, and Barred Owls ...Read complete review
I own two SoundDevices MixPres. One I use to amplify outdoor sounds inside so I can hear birds in the yard during the day, and frogs, toads, insects, otters, and Barred Owls at night. To accomplish this, I have two Shure microphones out under the roof of my open deck connected to two 30-foot XLR cables that lead through the wall into the Mixpre. Two more 30-foot XLR cables lead out of the MixPre to two Advent Powered Partner speakers. We listen to the sounds of nature indoors, amplified greatly 24/7. We've left the Mixpre going 24/7 now for 6 months and no problems. We use the optional electric adapter.
The other MixPre I have is used between my Telinga Parabolic dish (with a Sennheiser MKH-20 omnidirectional mic) and a Tascam HD-P2 field recorder. This MixPre uses batteries to power it in the field. I use this setup to record nature sounds (mainly birds) professionally outdoors. Both of these set-ups were recommended to me as top-of-the-line choices for bird recording and amplification by the folks at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macualay Sound Library. I"m very, very happy with this equipment.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Pre not for me
I used this to amplify Rhode NTG-2 coming into a Zoom H4n. It cranked it through the roof. I still experienced a lot of room noise which was contrary to what I read ...Read complete review
I used this to amplify Rhode NTG-2 coming into a Zoom H4n. It cranked it through the roof. I still experienced a lot of room noise which was contrary to what I read in other reviews. However, I normally record at almost full volume on the Zoom which raises the noise floor significantly. The only real difference I noticed was much improved monitoring. Construction was rock solid. Good product, just not for me...especially for the price.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 19 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-19
Pros
- Accurate Controls
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
You can't beat the quality of this pre for the money. Good high clean gain, easy to use, good battery life even when using phantom power, and great build. I'll bet you could drop this 20ft and it would still work.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
Excellent contruction- built to stand the rigors of remote production. Quality controls, and quality signal.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
I am using my mixpre with a blue bluebird microphone and a tascam dr1 to record nature and voice recordings. The sound is awsome. Great preamps on the mixpre! Highly recommend this unit for field recording.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
I used this to amplify Rhode NTG-2 coming into a Zoom H4n. It cranked it through the roof. I still experienced a lot of room noise which was contrary to what I read in other reviews. However, I normally record at almost full volume on the Zoom which raises the noise floor significantly. The only real difference I noticed was much improved monitoring. Construction was rock solid. Good product, just not for me...especially for the price.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
I use this mixer for field recording when shooting video.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Field Production
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
Using this with a Dslr system and it is dead quiet and works great!
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Waterproof
Cons
Best Uses
- ENG style recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
I was operating camera from inside of a canoe on a small pond. I had the audio guys and a boat paddler (grip) with me. The boat got unbalanced and we flipped over. SInce the shot was suppose to be quick we didn't protect any of the equipment (I know, we weren't thinking). All the equipment was submerged underwater for a about 5-7mins. I did my best to keep the camera above water as did the audio guy with the audio equipment. Once I got back to the office I disassembled the mixer and let it air dry for a week, then put it back together and.....it WORKED! We might have just got lucky, but I think that Sound Devices builds their stuff to last.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Filmmaking
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
This is the gold standard for DSLR filmmaking. If you want your audio to be as good as your video, hook this up in front of your Zoom H4N or Tascam DR-100, and prepare to be amazed. You can set it and (almost) forget it when recording with the virtually unclippable limiters.
Cons: it burns through batteries very quickly when using 48v phantom power, so I wish it took more than 2 AA batteries. But a plus is the way it dies gracefully when batteries run low (battery light goes out and level LEDs start dancing erratically, but it goes on passing signal as long as possible (unlike the Zoom H4N, which dies suddenly and with drastic consequences to current recording when batteries expire).
Pros
- Bombproof construction
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- DSLR filmmaking
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
I've been using the Zoom H4N for a couple of years by itself. But I've bumped up against the limitations: batteries die fast when used with phantom power; can't switch monitoring between channels quickly; it's hard to read meters when Zoom is in sound bag (because it wants to lie sideways); and the preamps on the Zoom are somewhat noisy.
So I bought the MixPre. And wow, what a difference. It's like I've been filming through a glass window, and suddenly someone opened it. And I'm still using the Zoom to record - but with the line-in, which defeats the preamps on the Zoom, and allows the much quieter preamps on the MixPre to do the job.
A major benefit of the MixPre is the limiter. The Zoom's limiter really won't cut it when you get into noisy environments. But the MixPre limiter is virtually impossible to clip. You can set your levels hot, and (almost) forget about them.
It's not an inexpensive option, but the thing is built like a tank and I'm guessing will hold its resale value for ages.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
Using primarily with Sony EX1 camera, works beautifully in powering phantom mics with exceptionally clean sound. Handles sudden changes in volume level (such as when the interview subject suddenly makes a forceful point) which would have overloaded either the direct camera inputs or my shure FP33.
MixPre is wonderfully small - bought it because it fits so well into my airline travel kit, and I can even wear it if needed. Also use line out mini-plug to do simultaneous transcription recording straight into my little Sony PCM-M10 recorder. This would also work beautifully for easy double-system sound with a DSLR!
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
Easy to setup and use.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
Can't go wrong with a Sound Devices mixer! Light weight, but built like a tank. It has all the features I need for making independent low budget films. It's light weight enough I can wear it around my own shoulder if I don't have an audio guy. I'm really glad I bought it.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
The best solution for recording sound with your 5d mk2.
Easy to use, but you need a not incluse xlr cable.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
I own two SoundDevices MixPres. One I use to amplify outdoor sounds inside so I can hear birds in the yard during the day, and frogs, toads, insects, otters, and Barred Owls at night. To accomplish this, I have two Shure microphones out under the roof of my open deck connected to two 30-foot XLR cables that lead through the wall into the Mixpre. Two more 30-foot XLR cables lead out of the MixPre to two Advent Powered Partner speakers. We listen to the sounds of nature indoors, amplified greatly 24/7. We've left the Mixpre going 24/7 now for 6 months and no problems. We use the optional electric adapter.
The other MixPre I have is used between my Telinga Parabolic dish (with a Sennheiser MKH-20 omnidirectional mic) and a Tascam HD-P2 field recorder. This MixPre uses batteries to power it in the field. I use this setup to record nature sounds (mainly birds) professionally outdoors. Both of these set-ups were recommended to me as top-of-the-line choices for bird recording and amplification by the folks at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macualay Sound Library. I"m very, very happy with this equipment.
Pros
- Accurate Controls
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Film and video
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
It does as advertised. The preamps are very quiet. All metal, feels nice and solid. I am very happy with my purchase.
Pros
- Compact
- Excellent Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
Great size!!, all the basic things you need in a small mixer!!!
The preamplifiers sound very good!
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
Cons
- Eats AA's
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
This is a rugged piece of professional equipment. Excellent audio quality.
You probably want a bag for the unit to protect it from the elements and also to hold wireless receivers, spare batteries, etc.
I would also recommend the 4-pin Hirose connector to adapt it to an external battery. It eats AA's. If you use it all day, you'll probably need to change them out at lunch time to prevent distortion. Unfortunately, that's generally how you detect that the batteries are low.
Pros
- Accurate Controls
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Recording
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
I purchased this field mixer because nothing else comes close. I hate noise in recordings, and I try and buy gear that gives me the cleanest recording possible.
Comments about Sound Devices Mixpre - Portable 2 Channel Microphone Field Mixer:
I shot eleven testimonials last week with the Mixpre. I used a wired lavalier and a shotgun for backup.
Pros: 1. I was shooting by myself, so it was very convienent riding the levels because the Mixpre is small compared to the recorder I usually use. 2. Great sound going into the camcorder. Just make sure you set the level correctly in you camcorder because if you don't, expect distortion. 3. Built very well (like a brick).
Cons: A little expensive, but I'm tired of purchasing substandard equipment and ending up spending more than what I would have spent in the first place.
Recommendations: I recommend that you purchase a mixer bag that can either hang from the tripod or your neck. Almost stepped on it two or three times. Glad I purchased the Mixpre, highly recommend.
- Recommended:
- MX-24 Audio Mixer Case
Displaying reviews 1-19
Batteries & Power
Required item:
- Price: $1.23
- GBP 0.79
-
- Original: $13.99
- Save: $1.40
- Price: $12.59
- GBP 8.04
Cables
-
- Original: $14.99
- Save: $1.50
- Price: $13.49
- GBP 8.61
Cases & Protection
- Price: $160.00
- GBP 102.15
Adapters
- Price: $40.00
- GBP 25.54
Great for input to a DSLR or consumer video camera.
Headphones
- Price: $59.99
- GBP 38.30
What's in the Box
- 1 Year Warranty
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