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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 :)

Wich preamp/recorder are you're favorite and why?

Mark George said:
Hi, I recently switched from powering my MixPre-3 via independent AA batteries to powering the device via the Hawk Woods hirose-to-P-tap input sled. As Michael L notes above, I am indeed getting a nasty noise in the in-camera audio now that I am powering both the camera and the MixPre from the same power source. I have done a few tests and can confirm the Hawk Woods is NOT the issue - this in-camera noise is only present when both devices are sharing a common power source. (Also, the MixPre-3 files are pristine regardless of power source, so the nasty noise is only present in the in-camera audio channels).

Sound Devices recommends using an in-line ground loop isolator in these situations. Does anyone know of an off-the-shelf product that would be small and effective that I could insert between the MixPre and the DSMC2 Base Expander? If not, I will look into custom but thought I'd try the easy way first.

Thanks,

Mark
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Good news! A friend found THIS PRODUCT on Amazon. Tested today and sure enough, the ground loop feedback hum is gone! I'm posting here so that others who are trying to power their MixPre-3/6 off of camera battery have something to refer to.

I'm still recording in the MixPre as well, and almost always using those tracks as they sound so clear. But, it's nice to be able to power the MixPre off the camera battery and still feed clean (or, fairly clean) sound to the camera tracks.
 
thanks so much for this info. my current project doesnt always allow me to have a dedicated sound person on set... and i seem to be getting the best material (documentary) when i am alone with my subjects... using the on camera mic. i've been thinking about the pre 3 for a while now and may end up getting one tomorrow. i was concerned about power and mounting... everything im doing is handheld so weight and balance is of course a concern but have found this thread incredibly helpful.
 
Mark, I use a Sony Batteri NPF batteries on a mixpre 6. I dont have the original Sony npf adapter from sound devices with dual batteries but instead a single (I did not want the extra bulkiness of two batteries). I think I have Sony Batteri NP-F970 but Its possible its the next step down in size I got. But one of those batteries last me one day of shooting (with ease, I usually run a batterie two days before switching it) feeding two microphones with phantom power.
 
mark andrew said:
thanks so much for this info. my current project doesnt always allow me to have a dedicated sound person on set... and i seem to be getting the best material (documentary) when i am alone with my subjects... using the on camera mic. i've been thinking about the pre 3 for a while now and may end up getting one tomorrow. i was concerned about power and mounting... everything im doing is handheld so weight and balance is of course a concern but have found this thread incredibly helpful.
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If you're going completely solo and alone, the probably the Sound Devices MixPre3 is your best choice.

But you really should get a dedicated person for sound instead!!
 
David Peterson said:
If you're going completely solo and alone, the probably the Sound Devices MixPre3 is your best choice.

But you really should get a dedicated person for sound instead!!
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I agree on both counts. I *can* run audio + video together, but I prefer to have a dedicated sound person even if that person is using my gear.
 
One thing I wish the mixpre serie got is the "auto mix" features as its bigger brother. I have put in a feature request for it.
 
I have the sound devices mixpre-3 and a zoomh6n(with the extra 2 XLR add-on). The sound devices definitely sounds better and it's easier to rig but its a pain in the ass for batteries. I got the 8 batteries sled and on a full day, i sometimes have to replace the batteries twice (that's a total of 24AA batteries, plus all the AA batts needed for the wireless mics, my audio kit has close to 60 AA batteries!).

The zoom h6n is the budget option and while it sounds good, you can definitely tell that the mix-pre 3 has a better sound to it. The h6n is also more of a pain in the ass to rig due to its awkward form factor. In terms of batteries, with an h6n you only have to switch the 4 AA once and your set. If your recording a concert or something for a long time without a dedicated audio guy, the zoom h6n lasts longer then the mix-pre if your running on AA batteries.
 
Joel Arvidsson said:
One thing I wish the mixpre serie got is the "auto mix" features as its bigger brother. I have put in a feature request for it.
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The Zoom F8n has it! ;-)

Even the ultra affordable (US$350 on sale!) Zoom F4 has automix.
 
David Peterson said:
The Zoom F8n has it! ;-)

Even the ultra affordable (US$350 on sale!) Zoom F4 has automix.
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Haha, yeah I did not realize the with of that feature. I asked SD to add this. Hope more people ask for this feature and that its possible. It take time to go throw and fix this manualy. Time that could be spent else where. Im very happy with the sound quality from the SD and battery time using only one Sony Npf-battery.
 
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