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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Sound-Devices MixPre-D

Zoom H4n is only $300 and has two XLR ins. I use it for quick interview setups when I don't need the sophistication of my SD 744T. Sound quality is acceptable when using good mics.
 
I think the XLRs of the H4n aren't going to work with the MixPre-D without throwing on line-pads. From my understanding, it's a bit of a pain in the butt and only adds to the size of your portable kit.
 
Mike P. said:
I think the XLRs of the H4n aren't going to work with the MixPre-D without throwing on line-pads. From my understanding, it's a bit of a pain in the butt and only adds to the size of your portable kit.
Click to expand...

No I believe you are wrong. The H4n will record mic and line level. I'd test mine out but a friend is borrowing it. But here is from their website:
"The H4n is the only handheld recorder that features built-in combination XLR/Phone connectors with phantom voltage source capability. With its Hi-Z inputs, you can record guitars or other line output sources such as mixing consoles. A separate external mic input supports plug-in power microphones."

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h4n/
 
My H4N can handle a broadcast +8 nominal line level no problem.
 
Actually I bought the H4n and I was disappointed with it and it's sound quality, hiss and volume buttons (!).
Isn't there any device that just records to a flashcard or SD card that's only an input device from a field mixer like the MixPre-D? I don't want something like the H4n because I don't need microphones that I never gonna use.
 
Christoffer Glans said:
Actually I bought the H4n and I was disappointed with it and it's sound quality, hiss and volume buttons (!).
Isn't there any device that just records to a flashcard or SD card that's only an input device from a field mixer like the MixPre-D? I don't want something like the H4n because I don't need microphones that I never gonna use.
Click to expand...

I use the discontinued Korg MR-1 for this purpose (Senor Uno). It uses balanced audio on a pair of 1/8" jacks, so have a pair of mini to XLR pigtails, but other than that oddity, it serves me well.
 
Is there any degrading of audio quality if I use 1/8 jacks instead of the XLR output on the PreMix to a XLR input?
 
Christoffer Glans said:
Is there any degrading of audio quality if I use 1/8 jacks instead of the XLR output on the PreMix to a XLR input?
Click to expand...

Well to clarify your question, you are still using the XLR outputs on the MixPre, in my particular case, using the MR-1, I have to use an XLR to mini jack adapter pigtail since the MR-1 only has balanced inputs on 1/8". This happens to be the same exact physical implementation of balanced audio as the RED Epic / Scarlet, BTW. There should be no quality loss. In all actuality, the loss of quality by using the unbalanced stereo tape output to a recorder with the same stereo input, such as a Zoom H2, which I have also done in the past, is very minimal. Balanced connections do have a slightly higher fidelity than unbalanced in theory, but in actual use, the difference is negligible. The primary advantage of balanced connections is not so much fidelity, but the ability to run long cable lines with minimal or no induced hum from external interference.

Another way to go about it, perhaps (although a bit less reliable) is to hook up USB to something like an iPad, iPad2 (with camera connection kits) or iPhone 4 which can utilize the USB connection for audio recording. I've used an app called "AudioTools" from StudioSixDigital with varied success. Like I said, a little bit buggy compared to a purpose built field recorder, but pretty impressive fidelity, especially given the MixPre's good to great conversion (AKM chipset).

On a side note, one of the advantages of using the Korg recorders in particular, is that you have the option of using DSD if you wish, instead of PCM.
 
Yes, I was looking into this about the USB port on the MixPre. I figure it to be best to just stay digital if the recording is digital. So if there's a way to record through the USB port that would be nice. I still want to be able to record 24-bit 96Khz, I believe the Iphone 4 doesn't have that capability?

As for the Korg, isn't it unnecessary to record with 24bit 96Khz if the recording is higher in quality? Isn't it enough with PCM 24bit 96Khz as it's what's coming out of the PreMix?
 
I love my 788 but agree there's a place for an excellent tiny 2-channel recorder. I also use a Zoom H4n, but only have good line-in results using attenuators to phono-in, which makes it very impractical to use/mount/handle.

I'm wondering if anyone has used one of these yet:

http://www.zaxcom.com/zfr200.htm
It's a tiny digital recorder by Zaxcom. It's only single-channel and about $900, but for the form factor (2.4" x 2.4" x .65") it has a lot of potential.

Then there's the Sonosax MiniR82 if you have $5000 to drop. Seems like there is an important niche in between that SD could fill nicely.
 
Christoffer Glans said:
Yes, I was looking into this about the USB port on the MixPre. I figure it to be best to just stay digital if the recording is digital. So if there's a way to record through the USB port that would be nice. I still want to be able to record 24-bit 96Khz, I believe the Iphone 4 doesn't have that capability?

As for the Korg, isn't it unnecessary to record with 24bit 96Khz if the recording is higher in quality? Isn't it enough with PCM 24bit 96Khz as it's what's coming out of the PreMix?
Click to expand...

Quality gains above 44.1 and 48K in my book are pretty negligible. Maybe... if you doing a classical, jazz, or other instrumentation with a very high end setup, in a great room, there may be some minor imaging advantages to higher sampling rates, but not necessarily an increase in "resolution" with respect to absolute detail and certainly not audible frequency response. I'm not saying there aren't valid reasons to roll 96 or 192K. First, if your client wants it, give it to them. Second, if you are doing sound design and you know that you need to vary speed in post, higher sampling rates will allow you to do half speed or quarter speed with zero resampling artifacts. The iPad / iPhone via USB will only do up to 16/48. Now with you question regarding DSD to the Korg and is it relevant since the MixPre is only 24/96K capable... yes it is relevant (if you think DSD is relevant at all, I sort of don't) in that the path out of the MixPre is 100% analog and will be hitting the Korg converters without any previous conversion. In fact, you could record PCM 24/96 to the computer directly and simultaneously record the analog outputs at any sampling rate or format that you wish, including tape if you heart desired, and they would be completely independent recording paths.

The Zaxcom ZFR recorder is interesting, but it's mono operation and price sort of make it an unusual choice for a general purpose recorder. It also has a rather limited transport control. It is mostly designed to be used in the context of a Zaxnet system where transport can roll with timecode so one could "autoload" the recorder in conjunction with camera takes. The specific problem that many people find this unit solves is reality shows where you have people running all over the place, sometimes out of range of the mixers' wireless, and just need autonomous lav mic recording.

The Nagra SD is mostly for field reporters, was not really intended to be a critical field recorder. It only has unbalanced stereo line inputs, much like your typical Olympus or Zoom H2 type recorder (which I love for the price). I love Nagra recorders, even use a Nagra VI myself, but the Nagra SD really is not the most suitable recorder for the job here. I did a lot of searching for recorders that didn't have built in mics, had high quality analog stages, and at the end of the day my search always led me back to the Korg MR-1000S or MR-1. Even the replacement for the MR-1, the MR-2, dropped the balanced inputs for the more popular stereo unbalanced jack. My recommendations still are...

$ unbalanced tape output to something like the Zoom H2
$$ Korg MR-1 (the 1/8" balanced jacks really are quite alright, don't worry, they are not compromised sonically in any way - compromised in durability? maybe, but not sonically)
$$$ Sound Devices 702 or 702t at which point the money just doesn't make sense and you might as well ditch the MixPre and just have gone for the SD 552 in the first place, even if you don't need 5 channels.
 
Nice summary Tom. Very helpful. Contrary to some of the reports above about noise floor, I've not have any problems or complaints using my H4n for interviews, small-crew run'n'gun work, and other lower budget web-based projects. I would NOT use it to field record music or programs which will likely undergo critical listening or significant audio post work. For that I use my 744T. And when that's not good enough, they come into my studio and we use our pristine recording environment and uber-awe$ome mics and pres and converters.
 
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