Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

Great in all respects except for lack of mounting options.

I use this mixer (pre-amp) in conjunction with my digital audio recorder and shotgun mic. This pre-amp has LOTS of gain and it's virtually noise-free. My digital audio recorder is pretty cheap so it's pre-amps have noise. So I keep the gain levels low on my audio recorder and use the MM-1 to increase the gain to proper recording levels. Works great!

My shotgun mic has a low dB output so the MM-1 is essential for increasing the gain without increasing the noise. I haven't used the limiter or low-end roll-off options yet but they look good. I also appreciate the sturdy construction of the unit. It feels very solid and dependable.

My only complaint is that there's no 1/4-20 screw hole for mounting options. There's a belt clip and some small handles for attaching a neck strap. But I want to attach it to my video camera, not to my person. So I might gaff tape it to a cheese plate just for the 1/4-20 mounts. Not ideal.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

Adds excellent gain to my Shotgun Mic and allows me to get recordings at the correct levels on my Edirol R-44.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

This thing sounds good. Replaced the built in pre's in my Korg MR-1000 and sounds significantly better. More open, transparent sound with less noise at higher gain levels. Definitely a worthwhile investment.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

I use this mixer to monitor round table discussions through a boundary microphone.

It is very well made, quite small.

My only quibble is the small switches are too flush and are partially blocked by the handles making them difficult to operate.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

I have been using the MM-1 for about 4 years now and it has never let me down, period. It is built like a tank, the controls are easy to use and it is crystal clear. Some lights for level indication would be nice but you really don't need them. I have never timed how long the unit will run on a set of batteries but they appear to last for a long time. Like I said, this little thing is built like a tank and when it gets dropped, I just pick it up and start using it again. A little pricy but you get what you pay for. I would buy another in a second.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

I engineer radio broadcasts for NBA teams that play in Orlando. We moved to a new arena this season and are not sitting court side anymore. So we have to set up a headset to do player and coach interviews before and after the game. Because of the distance between court side and our broadcast location, we need to have something in line to send line level to us from the court plus drive the headphones loud enough to hear because it is a very noisy environment. Space is also an issue because of all the TV equipment located court side. Before the MM-1 we were using a small mixer but it took up a lot of room on the small court side tables provided. But now with the MM-1 I can hide the unit under the table or on the floor by the table. It has a mic input, line output for feeding us up to my mixer, and a monitor input for the IFB input from my mixer. Two volume adjustments give you plenty of volume and you can easily mix the sources to the appropriate levels. There is a selectable mic gain control for giving you the proper level of the mic you are using. Also has phantom power if needed. This was a perfect solution for the particular problem we were having with space. The only con about the unit is it is a little pricey but considering what you get and that it solved my problem in this particular application it was worth the money in the long run.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

Even though we have not had it in service very long, it seems very rugged and sounds very clean. Our users are very satisfied with it so far. Thanks for making a great product.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

Have a Schoeps T-power mic, so the 12-T option is great.

Didn't understand about the low-battery indicator, which led to some low volume before I switched batteries.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

This unit is very portable and it can be operated with a couple of AA batteries that lasts up to 8 hours. For the low price, you can not go wrong.

DB
Director of Developmental Engineering

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

I have my boom operator use this while I mix. Its a great mic pre for the boom mic and allows the operator to monitor the signal. Gets great run time on just 2 AA batteries. I would highly recommend this to any boom operator looking to get a great little mic pre and monitor. Nothing bad to say about it.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

it´s a little heavy but just feels like an indestructible, solid piece of equipment...gives me excellent sound...what else do I want?

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

It's about half the size of the 302, but only does a single channel with no metering. It is incredibly bulky; not compared to what else is out there but to what should be expected from SD.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

I wasn't sure what to expect from this but I'm glad I bought it. Sound quality is excellent. Could use more metering for levels. Well built little single channel pre.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

The MM-1 is a fantastic thing to have if you want good clear sound. The pre-amp is great sounding and it lets the boom operator control the input level of the mic as well as the volume control of the headphones. In a smaller production where sound is recorded directly into the camera, set the XLR input to line level and the camera op no longer has to fiddle with the levels, and your sound will be much improved. I highly recommend this item: useful, rugged, simple, and it does what it's supposed to very well.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

Outstanding piece of equipment. Built well. A little heavy-- will pull your pants a little if you use the provided belt clip.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

I primarily use this preamp for nature field recording. One area where it is very useful, is when I use it with my parabolic mic. It allows me to fine tune the output like nothing else I have ever used. I can monitor the sound at the MM-1 preamp from either the recorder or the direct mic input. Clips right on my belt and has Great battery life.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

Great preamp! Wanted a good preamp for mic for video production, also a headphone amp with it so the boom operator could move without having the headphones attached to the camera. With audio quality being the most important part of some of my productions, I am glad to say with the MM1 I'm not missing out on any of it, and neither will you. It is a little heavy, so tie your pants if your clipping it to them. lol.

Comments about Sound Devices MM-1 Single Channel Portable Microphone Preamp:

The best dedicated phantom power supply with extra’s.
On the road in third world country’s having a reliable mic pre with very good battery life is a must.
No audio tool box should be without one.