Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

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Tom Donalek

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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Oct 20, 2019 7:14 pm

Owen - thanks!
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostMon Oct 21, 2019 7:07 am

Well, instead of posting that feature request on the forum you should submit this as a feature request via support contact form:
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/contact/email

That way it will get a support ticket and the more people do that, the more they will see that there is demand for this.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostTue Oct 22, 2019 12:57 am

Robert Niessner wrote:Well, instead of posting that feature request on the forum you should submit this as a feature request via support contact form:
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/contact/email

That way it will get a support ticket and the more people do that, the more they will see that there is demand for this.


Done! Thank you, Robert.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostThu Oct 24, 2019 6:29 pm

Support request submitted. Thanks!
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostThu Oct 31, 2019 8:12 am

Played with MixPre-3 II few hours yesterday evening and here are some quick personal critical impressions:

The biggest problem for me was get AA batteries out of sled. Not too user friendly design. The solution - place thin ribbon under the batteries. This usually helps in similar situations to get out batteries from holders.
AA batteries is a total shame. Instead of 4xAA they could design sled with SINGLE 18650 li-ion battery and it will produced same Wh capacity.
Battery sled may looks thin, but subjectively seems it is not cheap ABS plastic. It feels like made of Polyamide or similar heavy duty heat resistant Nylon-like industrial material.

XLR lock handles are very tiny and with sharp edges. Not too comfortable to press. Sort of idiotic design way to fit everything inside slim size to provide 5mm less body thickness.

As expected, preamps sounds slightly different between MixPre and MixPre-3 II because transformers technology is very different between them.
As expected, when you plug MixPre out to MixPre-3 II Aux line in, and record with 32 bit mode, you can not recover similar ultra wide dynamic range clipped data as from native MixPre-3 II peamps recording. But it is still better than 24 bit recording because MixPre still allow to recover very tiny amount of clipped data. MixPre was calibrated with 20db tone signal and tested with limiters turned OFF.

Until you create Presets for different connections it is impossible to switch things and setups as fast and intuitive as with MixPre physical buttons.

For some reason "switch to USB files transfer mode" hidden too deep. You need too many clicks inside menu every time when you connect it to computer and want to transfer files.

Faders knobs rotate very smooth and well damped. Input gain faders are fully digital, so they can not change input gain in real time with same smoothness as analogue MixPre faders. When switched to final mix volume control mode, they probably provide more smoothness but i don't tested it yet.

Вespite all this MixPre-3/6 II is a great tool and no any real alternative to it.

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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostThu Oct 31, 2019 6:42 pm

When I was editing the audio from the musical theatre recording I believe I found a temporary glitch with the MixPre-6 II. The recording was of two acts each about 75 minutes long. Each recording was less than 4 GB.

For no apparent reason well
Into the recording for approximately 10-12 seconds there was a strong hum (sort of). Applying a de-hum did little. When I looked at the audio in detail, it wasn’t a hum. Instead of the sound waves being continuous and looking normal, the sound looked more like an even series of small very brief bullet holes, All four tracks had the same behaviour including my Sennheiser MKH416, so it wasn’t due to the mics or the feed from the soundboard. My MKH416 wasn’t plugged in directly but all audio appeared to have an identical corruption.

Anyone heard or seen that strangely temporary behaviour? I did my best to correct it in post, and lower the volume, but far from perfect.




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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostThu Oct 31, 2019 7:16 pm

Rick, I haven't encountered any glitches like that in the original MixPre-6, nor have I seen any similar reports online. That's very strange; you should report it to Sound Devices and send them a copy of that section of the recording.

On an unrelated note (but related to ergonomics, which Dmitry touched on above): When I'm recording music and can put the MixPre on a table, I find everything is a lot easier if I plug in one of the compatible control surfaces (I use the Korg NanoKontrol Studio, which doesn't have the greatest build quality but does have dedicated buttons for things like adding markers and navigating from one marker to another, which is useful). The control surface is a much more ergonomic and intuitive way of working in Advanced mode: it's just like a regular mixer where you have dedicated trim knobs for each channel, faders, record-arm buttons, etc. I put the MixPre on a tiny desktop tripod and put the control surface in front of it. Wingman can be used to enter notes in the metadata.

You can program the * button to be used to add markers, but I prefer using the control surface; everything's more ergonomic and intuitive.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostThu Oct 31, 2019 7:37 pm

Thanks, Brad.


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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostThu Oct 31, 2019 8:12 pm

rick, it may be due microphone itself. In some situations they catch low frequency and start to resonate and produce endless loop ph-ph-ph-ph-ph like sound. Usually low cut filter 40 or 80 helps. On old MixPre they also resonate with headphones output if headphone volume was set too high (even if headphones where not plugged).
Also it is recommended plug-in and warm-up microphones few minutes (or hours?) before recording start. Especially if they where not used long time before.

Here are some modifications:
1. Permanent battery handle made of sticky tape.
2. Sharp corners on sled where removed.

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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 5:22 am

Interesting Dmitry. I warm up my camera and mics etc for a half hour or more once I plug in the mains power. At least I know it’s temporary and may not reoccur. May have been related to the cool ambient air outdoors as I transport equipment and get to the site of the shoot. I’ll keep them turned on longer if possible during cold weather.


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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 5:36 am

Thanks for the comparisons Dmitry.

The wow'ing, does that occur when you run the MixPre stand alone as well?
What you describe sound like two close but different LF frequencies mixed causing pulsing.

If you change power source, from or to battery or USB-C powered, does it change in any form?
Or if you change location from indoors to out in the field away from any power source other then the AA-cells in the MIxPre?
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 6:15 am

rick, one more thing. It also could be due dirty electric connectors, especially 3.5m minijacks known for lost connection and produce buzz noise when became dirty.
So wipe XLR pins (as well as any other electronic connectors) with isopropyl alcohol wipe with paper somehow. Wipe with isopropyl alcohol again and quick insert them in and out to socket to clean inner parts. wipe with paper again. You may repeat this few times until paper became white and clean after wiping.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 9:52 am

And here is the bad thing:

When i plugged devise as USB sound card to macOS 10.14.6. During playback of ambient-like music with reach bass i noticed small amount of strange distortion-like random background noise in loud parts. It became more noticeable when i increase headphones volume to 70-75.
I try different cables and different headphones, change sample rate and bit depth, turn off all inputs, turn off limiters, change display and LCD brightness, reset to factory defaults. No changes.
My old FireWire sound card playbacks same music file smoothly without any background noise distortion even if i crank headphones volume to max.

Next i done another test - upload file to SD card and play it back.
Both headphones-out and line-out produce similar random background distortion-like noise in random parts of the music track. Line-out produce less noticeable distortion noise. "St. Out Gain" in "Outputs" settings was set to 0. "L&R Gain" in "Record" settings also was set to 0.
Device was powered with fully charged AA battery sled.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 10:34 am

Ouch.
That sounds nothing like the experience I have from my first gen MixPre-6.
Did you experience that distortion-like while monitoring during playback as well or only on playback?

If you upload the same USB-IO recording for me to playback in my MixPre I can have a go at with different headphones and IEM I have.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 10:48 am

...
Last edited by Dmytro Shijan on Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 2:13 pm

Seems i find a firmware bug, or my device is broken. Can someone check if same problem exists on other MixPres?
It seems something wrong with headphones output or some kind of internal routing headphone levels problem. Here is example:

If i connect MixPre-3II as USB audio device to listen music from computer and monitor with MixPre-3II Headphones-out, (headphones volume set to 75) it produce a lot of background distortions. No red clipping indicator in the corner.

If i connect MixPre-3II as USB audio device to listen music from computer and output MixPre-3II Headphones-out (headphones volume set to 75) to classic MixPre Tape-RTN (input volume set to Min) and then monitor with classic MixPre Headphones-out, it sounds clean until you boost MixPre-3II Headphones volume over 80 when clipping indicator appears in the corner.

If i connect MixPre-3II as USB audio device to listen music from computer and output MixPre-3II LINE-out (St.Out L/R mapped to USB 1/2, St. Out Gain set to 0) to "classic" MixPre Tape-RTN (input volume set to Min) and then monitor with "classic" MixPre Headphones-out, it produce background noise distortion. No red clipping indicator in the corner.

Here is a sample test file with deep bass to playback: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1e0mk5fkqumhh ... f.wav?dl=0

I record a video to better illustrate this problem. Headphones placed very close to smartphone microphone, so in the end you can hear those actual noisy distortion clicks. Take a look https://www.dropbox.com/s/ywb2xfquhs6wv ... 5.mp4?dl=0

P.S.
I got same results if i upload file to SD card and playback directly fromMixPre-3II file system.
I can hear distortion with large headphones if i increase headphones volume to 56 and higher.
I can hear distortion with small plugs headphones if i increase headphones volume to 36 and higher.
Last edited by Dmytro Shijan on Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 2:39 pm

Thanks Dmitry for the files and detailed procedures.
I'll test them tonight and get back to you.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 5:36 pm

For last Sunday’s recording in the MixPre-6 II, I powered directly from a wall socket although I had a pair of XL-B3 batteries connected via the sled just in case I needed to move.

I have only used 4 XLR mics or 1 XLR mic and 1 XLR line feed. Have only used the 3.5mm audio input to feed Tentacle Timecode.

I wasn’t monitoring the audio as my camera was in a different location to the MixPre. Maybe 10m away; I don’t think I have long enough cables to patch into the headphones and wire would need to be put on the floor if I did which wouldn’t be good as people are seated there. This was shooting in very cramped quarters with a full house to enjoy the final performance.


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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 5:46 pm

...
Last edited by Dmytro Shijan on Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 01, 2019 6:04 pm

I've listened to your 01-Blue-Calx track Dmitry.
Played with Quicktime player on my Mac with the MixPre-6 first gen as USB I/O.
I used my Beyerdynamic 770 250Ω on the HP output.
Listened several times while increasing the volume from half all the way to max and I did not hear any kind of amplification or digital distorsion.
When the deepest bass hits there is a tiny distorsion but that is audible at all levels and when played back on the Mac as well as on the iPhone. So that is not related.

Unfortunately, your MixPre II might be a bit under the weather.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostMon Nov 04, 2019 5:12 pm

After some attempts with firmware reinstall, factory reset and other settings tweaks final respond from tech support - it is most likely hardware problem with my unit. So i need to send it back for exchange. Not lucky me.

During this days i also done some other tests and it appears that my old MixPre+R09HR kit is actually holds very well. In high frequencies range R09HR line-in appears slightly less noisier than MixPre-3II line-in. But that difference is only visible if in post boost ultra quiet levels to extreme +24db.
Probably more noise in high frequency is the payment for wide dynamic range multiple combined A/D converters design.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostMon Nov 04, 2019 5:34 pm

Now that's a bummer.
Sorry to hear that. At least they care and will make it right.
Did they say anything regarding what might have happened to it?

Do you have to send it to them or can you return it for a replacement form the distributer/reseller?

Dmitry Shijan wrote:After some attempts with firmware reinstall, factory reset and other settings tweaks final respond from tech support - it is most likely hardware problem with my unit. So i need to send it back for exchange. Not lucky me.

During this days i also done some other tests and it appears that my old MixPre+R09HR kit is actually holds very well. In high frequencies range R09HR line-in appears slightly less noisier than MixPre-3II line-in. But that difference is only visible if in post boost ultra quiet levels to extreme +24db.
Probably more noise in high frequency is the payment for wide dynamic range multiple combined A/D converters design.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostMon Nov 04, 2019 5:46 pm

SD tech support is very fast and responsive. They only tell me that they never seen similar problem before with any of both generations MixPre-3/6/10. They even offer to extend 30 day return period to reseller. I'm located in different country very far from reseller, so it may take a while to replace item.

P.S. MixPre-3 ON/OFF switch is another thing that feels like total disaster after you spend some time to operate the unit. Too tiny, too close to USB-C port, extends not enough to grab it well. And it was not enough pain for users, so designers choose button with pure black color to make it hard to see on black panel.
Why don't use simple "press and hold 2 seconds" on/off button similar to all other modern devices?
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 08, 2019 11:54 pm

By the way, some audio apps can render output to similar "clipless" 32 bit or even double precision 64 bit float. In my example Cockos Reaper https://www.reaper.fm/ render settings:

Another app Rogue Amoeba Fission https://www.rogueamoeba.com/fission/ also can read, trim and write 32 bit float WAV files natively. But it is limited only by lossless trimming option. It can't normalize 32 bit files or do any other proper effects itself.

So formally it is possible to keep full workflow in 32 bit.

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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSat Nov 09, 2019 12:20 am

Dmitry Shijan wrote:By the way, some audio apps can render output to similar "clipless" 32 bit or even double precision 64 bit float. In my example Cockos Reaper https://www.reaper.fm/ render settings:


Ardour (the open-source DAW for Linux, Mac, and Windows) and Harrison Mixbus, which is built on Ardour, also can render 32 bit floating point files, either the stems or the stereo mix. It seems to be a pretty common option.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostWed Nov 13, 2019 2:50 pm

My first-gen mix pre 6 drifts pretty badly, it's about 20ms ahead after 15min. I'm comparing with the camera audio (C100/300) and with a Marantz PMD661 which never get's complains from videoland.

Anyone hear of a fix for this or if the 2nd gen mixpres are better?
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostWed Nov 13, 2019 3:54 pm

imgood808 wrote:My first-gen mix pre 6 drifts pretty badly, it's about 20ms ahead after 15min. I'm comparing with the camera audio (C100/300) and with a Marantz PMD661 which never get's complains from videoland.

Anyone hear of a fix for this or if the 2nd gen mixpres are better?


Update the firmware to 4.0.1 and you will probably solve the drift problem.

MixPre Series v4.01
https://www.sounddevices.com/firmware-f ... ixpre_4-01
Changed
    - Limiter settings are now available in Custom Mode setups with Gain set to Advanced (MixPre-3 II, MixPre-6 II, and MixPre-10 II).

Fixed
    - Improvements to SD card writing performance (all models).
    - AAC rendering of Music Projects no longer results in error (applies to all models with Music features).
    - Files with only Track R recorded now playback correctly (does not apply to M models).
    -Record Buffer Errors no longer occur after cycling power while using Record Run timecode (MixPre-10T only).
    - Various stability issues no longer occur when switching in and out of 32-bit float operation (MixPre-3 II, MixPre-6 II, MixPre-10 II).
    - Brief gap in LTC timecode output signal no longer occurs during a record split (MixPre-3 II and MixPre-6 II).
    - Timecode no longer drifts or stamps to the file with an offset. (MixPre-3 II and MixPre-6 II)
    - Various performance improvements.
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Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostWed Nov 13, 2019 7:14 pm

The last detail re Timecode drift is only accurate with 23.976 fps recording which I now use religiously. The other frame rates are unpredictable with most suddenly drifting anywhere between 10-40 minutes of recording. Sound Devices has verified my findings and have not yet used a correction. I don’t recall if I tested 25 fps but 24 fps definitely not reliable yet.

When I’m recording with one camera and the MixPre, I leave the Tentacles attached to provide external Timecode continuously as I did successfully with the musical theatre recorded at the end of October. It went perfectly but I did resync the Tentacles anyway between acts.

When I record again in December with two cameras (BMPCC4K and URSA Mini 4.6K), I need to decide which devices will keep the external Tentacle attached and which will use the Tentacle to handle Timecode but then run from INT Timecode.

I’m thinking that Camera A and the MixPre will have the Tentacles continuously providing Timecode and Camera B will han to a Tentacle and then run on INT Timecode. If you have any advice on that, please let me know what you would do.

I wish I could let the MixPre take the Timecode jam and run, as I’m shooting 23.976, as I may be able to trust it more. I guess I should run a two hour test...
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostTue Nov 26, 2019 6:26 pm

Sound Devices has released firmware 5.00 for current and previous generations of the MixPre. Lots of good things in the update and I’m hoping it corrects the apparent problems with occasional dropping of Timecode for frame rates other than 23.976.

There’s also a new plugin that looks to be very useful: MixAssist.

I’ll update this thread later unless someone beat’s me to it.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostTue Nov 26, 2019 6:31 pm

HDMI trigger is also now works with BM cameras. Nice update.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostTue Nov 26, 2019 7:30 pm

Dmitry Shijan wrote:HDMI trigger is also now works with BM cameras. Nice update.



Have you tested it yet?
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostTue Nov 26, 2019 7:36 pm

No, i don't tested it. Just found info:
"Expanded list of cameras supported for HDMI timecode and triggers including cameras from Blackmagic, Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm in addition to the already supported Sony and Panasonic cameras."
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostTue Nov 26, 2019 8:52 pm

Ok - I took one for the team.

Updated my MixPre-6 series I with firmware 5.0.
Hooked up my BMMCC HDMI output to a small Lenkeng 1x2 HDMI splitter with one output going to the MixPre HDMI TC-input and the other splitter output going to my Swit CM-55c monitor.

Set the MixPre-6 TC Mode to HDMI TC.
Set Rec Trigger to "HDMI flag" and it worked.
I tried setting Rec Trigger to "Timecode" and that worked too.

Sound Devices Waveagent identifies TC, framerate and ND correct.
But there's a few frames difference between TC in Prores 422HQ file from the BMMCC and MixPre. :/

I guess it might be the HDMI splitter which cause this.

So for non build it monitor cameras like the Micro Cinema, this might not be the sole TC sync solution, although Rec Trigger work which is better than nothing.
So I guess I'll use the HDMI for rec trig only and TC from my Ultrasync One on the 3.5mm aux input.

[edit]
Actually, a better way would be to se Sync output of the Ultrasync One to Sync O/P mode to output Genlock to feed the Reference Input on the Micro Cinema.
The use the second output of the USO doing LTC output and split that DIN 1.0/2.3 into two 3.5mm feeding the TC into both the MixPre6 and Micro Cinema.

That way it should not be possible to get anything out of sync in post.
Last edited by Username on Mon Dec 02, 2019 4:47 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostTue Nov 26, 2019 8:59 pm

Sounds like a plan!
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Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostWed Nov 27, 2019 12:04 am

MixPre firmware 5.00

MixPre Series v5.00 (MixPre-3, -6, -10T, -3M, -6M, -10M, -3 II, -6 II, and -10 II)

Release: November 26, 2019

New

Support for optional MixAssist automixer plugin.
MixAssist reduces ambient noise and reverberation when mixing and recording with multiple microphones. The advanced automixer incorporates multiple proprietary algorithms for reducing noise and phase artifacts, including Noise Adaptive Threshold, MaxBus, Last Mic Lock-on, Off-Attenuation, and NOMA (Number of Open Mic Attenuator).
The MixAssist Plugin is available for purchase at the Sound Devices Plugin Store. (available for MixPre-3, -6, 10T, -3 II, -6, II, and 10 II).
Flexible USB Output routing. The new USB Output routing matrix allows control of what signals are sent to the computer and in which order they get sent. The matrix allows for mix-minus and selection between pre-fade vs. post-fade isolated channels (M models and music projects allow post-fade only).
Sound Reports added to MixPre-3, MixPre-6, MixPre-3 II, and MixPre-6 II.
Expanded list of cameras supported for HDMI timecode and triggers including cameras from Blackmagic, Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm in addition to the already supported Sony and Panasonic cameras.
USB Hub support: connect and simultaneously use a USB keyboard, USB Controller, and a USB Thumb-drive via a USB Hub.
Note: USB Drives are supported by the MixPre-3 II, MixPre-6 II, MixPre-10 II, MixPre-10M, and MixPre-10T.
USB Auto-Copy copying status now more prominent: status is displayed on all meter view status bars and by a flashing record LED in stop mode.
USB Auto-Copy can now be suspended when powering down the MixPre and auto-resume when powered back on.
Quicker front panel knob response for low latency fader adjustments
Improvements to reduce power consumption. Unused channels can be set to Off when not in use to maximize battery life.
USB Audio Class 1 (Windows without ASIO driver) now supports up to 96 kHz sample rates.
Music Mode (MixPre M models) now allow USB returns from a computer to be routed directly to headphones, bypassing the need to route it to a channel.
Channel screen usability improvements for more immediate access to channel gain and solo.
Trim gain is automatically selected when entering a channel screen
New menu option to automatically solo the channel when entering a channel screen
Removed time out when setting parameters
Fixed

Various improvements to USB Drive Auto-Copy feature.
Various improvements to SD Card performance.
Rare instances where MixPre boots up with a black screen have been eliminated.
MixPre-10T and MixPre-10 II no longer ignore record triggers from Aux In timecode.
MixPre recorded files no longer show 00:00:00:00 timecode and duration values in the Wingman Take List.
Rare instances of Left track meter activity freezes no longer occur.
System lock up no longer occurs when attempting to load a music project from a formatted SD card.
Audible click no longer occurs when turning the slate mic on or off.
Sound Report Bit Depth field for 32-Bit files are no longer left blank.
Record Run values are now properly held over power cycles.
System lock up when quickly entering record after opening a pre-existing project no longer occurs.
Power switch is no longer unresponsive after rapidly switching between music and audio projects.
System lock up no longer occurs when turning on pre-roll with no armed tracks.
Front panel knob levels between 91 and 96 dB in 32-Bit mode no longer attenuate the signal.
Improved switching between 32-Bit Float, Ambisonics, and Music modes to improve overall system stability.
Various noises have been eradicated when tone generator is active and changes are made to sample rates or transport states.
Noise on channels when restoring defaults from Ambisonics mode has been eliminated.
Timecode jam screen on MixPre-10T and MixPre-10 II no longer freezes when there is no incoming timecode signal present.
USB Controllers can no longer mute a channel in basic audio mode.
Extra channels (5 and 6 on MixPre-6/II and 9 and 10 on MixPre-10T/II) no longer send live signal instead of the recorded track to the headphone monitor during playback.
Extra channels 9 and 10 on a MixPre-10T/II no longer switch to off after activating the slate mic.
Improved the accuracy of the Timecode Jam menu difference display.
Various system enhancements and improvements.
Wingman v5.00

Sound Reports are now available for MixPre-3/II and MixPre-6/II.
MixPre recorded files no longer show 00:00:00:00 timecode and duration values in the Wingman Take List.
Track arm indicators no longer flicker green during playback in music projects.
Rare application crash when splitting recording no longer occurs.
Android Take List is now called File List to be consistent with iOS version.
False Take button is now grayed out in Basic mode on Android.
Various display fixes for iOS Dark Mode.
Known Issues

Sound Reports are not available on original MixPre-3 and MixPre-6.
USB Output routing matrix is linking Track L with channels 1-10 on MixPre-10T and MixPre-10 II.


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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostWed Nov 27, 2019 12:13 am

MixAssist Plugin and other features of firmware 5.00

Sound Devices announces firmware version 5.00 for all MixPre mixer-recorders, including the new MixPre II Series. All current and legacy MixPre and MixPre-M models have received useful improvements and features, including flexible USB output routing and USB hub support. Additionally, version 5.00 introduces the new MixAssist Plugin, bringing Sound Devices’ field-proven automixer to the MixPre Original Series and MixPre II Series.

MixAssist is highly-regarded for its ability to reduce ambient noise and reverberation when mixing and recording with multiple microphones. The advanced automixer incorporates multiple proprietary algorithms for reducing noise and phase artifacts, including Noise Adaptive Threshold, MaxBus, Last Mic Lock-on, Off-Attenuation, and NOMA (Number of Open Mic Attenuator). MixAssist was previously only available on Sound Devices higher-end 6-Series, 7-Series, and 8-Series mixer-recorders. The MixAssist Plugin is compatible with the MixPre Original Series and MixPre II Series, and may be purchased for $99 from the Sound Devices Plugin Store.

Another feature introduced in v5.00, flexible USB output routing, allows sound mixers to specify which channels are sent via USB to a computer. This is useful for podcasting, journalism, or whenever an interviewer needs mix-minus or otherwise wants to remove their own voice from a recording. Isolated channels may be sent pre- or post-fade, making it possible to bypass the fader settings on the MixPre if desired.

Additionally, with newly-added USB hub support, sound mixers can simultaneously use multiple USB devices, such as a USB controller, USB Keyboards, and a USB drive.

Firmware version 5.00 also expands the list of supported camera manufacturers for HDMI timecode and record triggers. Joining the already supported Panasonic and Sony cameras are select cameras from Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Blackmagic.

MixPre II Series, MixPre Original Series, and MixPre-M Series users can download v5.00 by visiting: www.sounddevices.com/download/


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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostWed Nov 27, 2019 4:51 am

A warning about Version 5.0 HDMI triggered recording, at least on the MixPre3 (original).
If there is any connection problem during recording, the MixPre may thereafter go into a continuous loop creating new recording files. Can only be stopped by powering off.
This can also be triggered if recording is initiated (from the camera or the MixPre record button) before the MixPre has properly synced with the timecode feed and displaying the camera timecode (obviously one should not start record at this time anyway).
I first noticed this after checking where a microphone was connected during testing and must have inadvertently jiggled the microHDMI connection, a bit of a problem with those connectors.

I've reported the issue to SoundDevices.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostWed Nov 27, 2019 3:03 pm

Any opinions about the MixAssist? Considering it but not sure if it makes sense in a narrative film project where I would be using four mics at most: a shotgun doubling as a boom and ambient mic, a lavalier mic and a couple of voice mics (Line Audio Design CM-4).
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostWed Nov 27, 2019 5:10 pm

I moved from a Tascam 680mk ii to the Sound Device MixPre 6 ll. Amazing upgrade. Just recently my computers needed a reload when I tried a hardware upgrade for Thunderboltex 3. The good news is the latest Audacity now reads the Polywave files generated by the MixPre 6 ll. I can now do noise reduction on individual tracks as needed. The overall recording quality improved.

Timing was everything. The Pre ll released as I was about to buy the first version...

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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostThu Nov 28, 2019 2:56 pm

Sound Devices MixPre firmware 5.0.1 available. Affects MixPre3/6/10T. Doesn’t impact MixPre series II.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostFri Nov 29, 2019 11:34 pm

Earlier i described strange problem with headphones output. So today finally i got replacement package. I really i appreciate for SoundDevices support.
I updated new device to firmware v5.01 and tested things again. Unfortunately i got the same results as before :(
This time i done more scientific test with fixed frequency audio files. When i playback those test files from computer and increase MixPre-3II headphones volume, starting from some fixed value i can hear additional parasitic frequency noise layer. This happens in volume range of 45-65 and depends of headphones Impedance. (Tested with headphones: AKG K272HD, MEE M6 PRO, old basic Apple Earphones)

Here is a link to 40 Hz and 100 Hz test audio files https://www.dropbox.com/s/e7idet23874sb ... o.zip?dl=0

I really hope it is not a build-in headphones preamp limitation and hope SoundDevices could find a way how to fix this problem.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 3:02 am

I'll download them and listen on my MixPre6 and DT-770/250
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 3:11 am

Username wrote:I'll download them and listen on my MixPre6 and DT-770/250

I appreciate for test. Also if possible try to listen it with some simpler headphones. with consumer 30 Ohm.
I also found that parasitic noise layer sounds louder in left channel.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 5:35 pm

Dmitry Shijan wrote:I can hear distortion with large headphones if i increase headphones volume to 56 and higher.
I can hear distortion with small plugs headphones if i increase headphones volume to 36 and higher.


The file peaks at 0dBFS True Peak, has an average of -10LKFS and consists mainly of a very low note. That's really a recipe for distortion on many playback systems - unless you turn things down. I would look into the actual schematic of this device to see how the signal flows to make sure you're not missing something.

I don't have this device nor your headphones but judging from what I can see and read here I think your expectations might be off or your testing method.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 6:18 pm

Mattias Murhagen wrote:
Dmitry Shijan wrote:I can hear distortion with large headphones if i increase headphones volume to 56 and higher.
I can hear distortion with small plugs headphones if i increase headphones volume to 36 and higher.


The file peaks at 0dBFS True Peak, has an average of -10LKFS and consists mainly of a very low note. That's really a recipe for distortion on many playback systems - unless you turn things down. I would look into the actual schematic of this device to see how the signal flows to make sure you're not missing something.

I don't have this device nor your headphones but judging from what I can see and read here I think your expectations might be off or your testing method.


1. The actual headphones volume is very low when this parasitic noise appears.
2. If i use old MixPre as external headphones preamp and connect it to MixPre-3II line-out i can boost headphones volume really loud without any parasitic noise.
3. If i use old MixPre as external headphones preamp i can hear distortion noise only when headphones volume is boosted VERY high and orange clipping indicator shows headphones clipping.
4. My firewire sound card Echo Audiofire4 with internal headphones peramp produce clean sound without any parasitic noise layers.
5. Maybe it is due analog vs digital headphones amplification?
6. Maybe this is just how ugly digital headphones amplification works in MixPre3II?
7. Maybe it is some internal routing bug that needs to be fixed?
8. Maybe it is defected batch of all early MixPre3IIs? I don't know...
Hope SD tech support answer these questions when they back from holidays.
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 6:20 pm

Well how are the two versions of this device different? Do you have links to manuals?
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 6:32 pm

Under "old MixPre" i mean this legacy mixer. All i know is that it have analog pot. It sounds great as headphone preamp. It sounds slightly better than Echo Audiofire4 internal headphones peamp (which is also very very nice).

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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 9:05 pm

Here is video example of that parasitic noise layer that appears starting from headphones volume 58 when use AKG k272HD headphones.
MixPre3II connected as sound card to computer. 40_Hz_-6dB.wav played back from computer.
Headphones connected to MixPre3II headphones out. I put headphones very close to smartphone microphone during recording to record that sound.

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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 10:48 pm

Thank you for the video.
I never heard anything like that when playing your 40 and 100Hz clips.
I even produced my own clips with an audio generator and nothing.

I first thought when I heard your clip is that it is related to the power supply.
How do you power it?
Batteries directly connected?
Powerbank USB-C PD?
External USB-C PD power supply?
DC-DC converter?

How is the MP6-II connected to the computer?
USB-C/USB-C or USB?
Have tried switching the cable and/or the USB port on the computer?

On the input stage the mixpre 1st gen did a transformation from analog to digital amplification in the preamp stage. Perhaps their powerful headphone amp stage is suddenly pulling to much power which causes interference from an external switching power source?

Usually switched DC-DC is running at 300k-600kHz and many USB-C is doing 2-4 MHz switch rate so that should not interfere but…
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Re: Sound Devices MixPre-6 II (second generation)

PostSun Dec 01, 2019 11:29 pm

I played back file from computer and also uploaded file to MixPre3II file system and play it back from there. USB powered or battery powered all exact the same. No any changes in noise sound.

I also found that in addition to headphones impedance, parasitic noise appears at different volume depending of different sound frequency:

40_Hz_-6dB.wav start to produce noise starting from headphones volume 58
100_Hz_-6dB.wav start to produce noise starting from headphones volume 62

Also today i had quick attempt to timecode jam MixPre3II with BMMCC. I still not sure if i do things right, but it seems it don't do nothing. I can not see same time indicated on the BMMCC screen. Should it show same time numbers as MixPre3II freerun when jammed?
I switched on timecode input in BMMCC settings, switched to BMMCC audio input to line in, volume set to 100%, switched both devices to same framerate. Have no idea what else i can do. Maybe timecode also somehow related to problem with headphones out? I don't know...

It is odd that Sound Devices have no their forum and we should discuss it in various different places.
By the way, on the MixPre3II box i found sticker "Made in Taiwan" so seems they move manufacture to Asia. On the old "classic" MixPre it was label "Made in USA"
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