Sound Devices MixPre-3 User Manual

®

MixPre-3

Audio Recorder | Mixer | USB Audio Interface

User Guide

Legal Notices

Product specifications and features are subject to change without prior notification.

Copyright © 2017 Sound Devices, LLC. All rights reserved.

This product is subject to the terms and conditions of a end-user license agreement provided in this guide, and may be used in accordance with the license agreement.

This document is protected under copyright law. An authorized licensee of this product may reproduce this publication for the licensee’s own personal use. This document may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, for commercial purposes, such as selling copies or providing educational services or support.

This document is supplied as a technical guide. Special care has been taken in preparing the information for publication; however, since product specifications are subject to change, this document might contain omissions and technical or typographical inaccuracies. Sound Devices, LLC does not accept responsibility for any losses due to the user of this guide.

Trademarks

The “wave” logo is a registered trademark and Kashmir is a trademark of Sound Devices, LLC. iPad, iPhone, Mac and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Bluetooth Smart is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. All other trademarks herein are the property of their respective owners.

WEEE Statement

If you wish to discard a Sound Devices product in Europe, contact Sound Devices (Germany) for further information.

MixPre-3 User Guide • May 30, 2017

This document is distributed by Sound Devices, LLC in online electronic (PDF) format only. E-published in the USA.

Revision History

This table provides the revision history for this guide.

Rev#	Date	Firmware	Description
		Version
1-A	April 2017	v1.00	Initial release
1-B	April 2017	v1.00	Fixed some doc
			errors & added File
			Transfer information
1-C	April 2017	v1.00	Specs updated
1-D	May 2017	v1.00	Fixed some doc errors
1-E	May 2017	v1.00	Made edits to Inputs
			& USB chapters,
			Specs and Appendix

	Sound Devices, LLC
www.sounddevices.com	E7556 Road 23 and 33
	Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959 USA
[e-mail]	Direct: +1	[phone]
	Toll Free:	[phone]
	Fax: +1	[phone]

Table of Contents

Intro

Powering

Flexible Powering Options. . . . . . . . 7

Panels

Front Panel . . .	. .	.	. .	.	. .	.	.	9	Right Side Panel..	.	. . . . .	.	.	.	9
Left Side Panel..	. .	.	. .	.	. .	.	.	9	Back Panel.. . .	.	. . . . .	.	.	.	10

Touch Screen

Home Screen.. . .	. . . . .	.	.	.	11	Channel Screen. . . . . . . . . . . 13
Main Menu Screen . .	. . . . .	.	.	.	12

Modes and Presets

Setting the Mode. . . . . . . . . .	15	Custom Mode.. . . . . . . . . . . 16
Basic Mode . . . . . . . . . . . .	15	User Presets. . . . . . . . . . . 17
Advanced Mode. . . . . . . . . .	. 16

Inputs

Channel Inputs. . . . . . . . . . 19 Inputs Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Outputs

Stereo Outs.. . . . . . . . . . . 23 Headphone Out. . . . . . . . . . . 23

Metering

LEDs and Meter Views. . . . . . . . 25

Recording and Playback

Formatting SD Cards. . . . . .	.	.	.	27	Record Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Transport Controls. . . . . . .	.	.	.	28

USB

USB Audio Interface.. . . . . . . .	31	USB Keyboard. . . . . . . . . . .	33
Low-latency Monitoring.. . . . . . .	32	USB-C Mode . . . . . . . . . . .	. 33
USB File Transfer. . . . . . . . . .	32

Timecode

Timecode Modes . . . . . . . . . .	35	Time of Day (TOD). . . . . . . .	.	36
HDMI TC In.. . . . . . . . . .	. 36	Timecode Frame Rate Auto-Detection . .	.	36
Aux In 1, Aux In 2.. . . . . . . .	36	Timecode Stamp. . . . . . . . . .		37

User Guide

Files, Projects

File Name Format.. . . . . . . . .	39	Undo, Trash File. .	.	. . . . .	.	.	.	40
Naming a Recording.. . . . . . . .	39	Projects.. . . .	.	. . . . .	.	.	.	40
Track Names and Notes . . . . . . .	. 40

Remote Control

Wingman Application. . . . . . . .	.	43	Linear Timecode (LTC) Record Trigger. .	.	45
Connecting to a MixPre Recorder. . .	.	44	Keyboard.. . . . . . . . . . . .		46
HDMI Record Trigger. . . . . . . .		45	USB Keyboard Shortcuts. . . . . .	.	46

Appendix A

Basic/Advanced Mode Differences. . . . 47 System Settings.. . . . . . . . . . 48

Specifications

Audio Inputs. . . . . . . . . . .	. 49			Timecode. . . . . . . . . . . .		51
Audio Outputs . . . . . . . . . . .			50	Remote Control. . . . . . . . . . .		51
Recorder. . . . . . . . . . . . .			50	Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . .		51
USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			50	Environmental .. . . . . . . . . .		51
Touch Screen.. . . . . . . . . .		.	50	Dimensions and Weight . . . . . . .	.	52

Glossary of Terms

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Software License

FCC Compliance Statement

4

Intro

Hello and thank you for buying the MixPre-3! At Sound Devices, we are freaks about audio. We’ve unleashed our design and engineering team (most of whom are musicians) and let them create a device that we want to own ourselves. We think that you’ll find the unique mix of performance, ease-of-use, design and build quality to be an invaluable part of your life and creative passion for many years to come.

The MixPre-3 has been meticulously-engineered to offer extreme flexibility and sound quality, operating in three basic ways:

•3 mic/line input, 2 channel output mixer with our exclusive Kashmir™ discrete mic preamplifiers with user-selectable analog limiters and low-cut filters.

•SD card recording and playback of individual channels and the main mix simultaneously at 44.1, 48, 96 kHz, 16, 24-bit files.

•5-in, 2-out USB computer audio interface

The possible uses for the MixPre-3 are virtually unlimited, but a few common ones might be:

•Paired with a DSLR camera recording high-quality audio for video, complete with timecode and HDMI record triggering.

•Podcast or music recording using up to three high-quality voice-over microphones (or other sources) interfacing via USB to a computer.

•Stand-alone audio recorder for House-of-Worship, mixing a direct feed from the PA system with a stereo feed of ambient congregational response, singing and music from a stereo microphone.

The MixPre-3’s application flexibility is augmented by the various powering options. Whether you wish to power the MixPre-3 from a USB connection, AA batteries, L-mount batteries or an optional AC wall plug adapter, it’s ready, willing and able to go anywhere, anytime - always handling your audio needs with grace.

We’ve designed the MixPre-3 to be easy to use for the novice without taking away truly professional-level features for the seasoned pro user. With that in mind, the MixPre-3 ships from the factory in Basic mode - this is ideal for less experienced users and will satisfy the majority of audio applications. If you want to dive straight into the full array of professional features, we recommend setting to Advanced mode. See Modes and Presets for more information.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy working with the MixPre-3 as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it! Please drop us an email at [e-mail] and share your experiences as we’d love to see how the MixPre-3 is furthering your passion!

User Guide

6

Powering

Flexible Powering Options

In designing the MixPre-3, we felt that it was important for it to be able to operate in a wide array of applications and environments. To support that goal, power can be supplied from several possible sources. Some possible powering scenarios are:

•Four AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries installed in the provided 4-AA battery sled.

•Eight AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries installed in the optional

8-AA battery sled accessory.

•One or two Sony-type L-mount batteries installed in the optional L-mount battery sled accessory.

•USB-C to USB-C cable connected to a USB-C host computer or AC wall adapter.

•USB-A to USB-C cable connected to a USB-A host computer or AC wall adapter.

•Dual USB-A to USB-C cable (included) connected to a USB-A host computer. Use this cable option if your computer is unable to provide adequate power for the MixPre-3 with only one USB-A port.

•Optional MX-CHARGE AC wall adapter to USB-C power supply.

The master power switch for the MixPre-3 is located in the upper right corner of the left side panel.

Power Switch

To preserve battery power, USB-C power sources take priority over batteries if both are connected with one exception - if the USB-C power source does not meet the full power requirements of the MixPre-3, you can choose to power from battery or continue to power from USB-C. We have designed the MixPre-3 so that even with an under powered USB-C source, you will still be able to use

User Guide

two of the three channels with 48V phantom mics. The third channel can still be used with dynamic mics and line, aux, or USB sources. To achieve this we automatically do the following:

•Dim LCD and LED Brightness

•Disable USB-A port

•Disable HDMI TC port

For protection against accidental loss of power (not something you particularly want to happen during recording), the MixPre-3 incorporates circuitry to automatically switch over from USB-C to batteries if the USB-C power source accidentally gets pulled.

8

Panels

Front Panel

Power light, Recorder transport controls, Channel knobs, Channel knob ring LEDs, Touch screen

Recorder Transport Controls

Power Light

			LCD
	Channel
		Knobs
Channel Knob Ring LEDs

Left Side Panel

USB connections, XLR inputs 1-2, 3.5mm stereo output, Power switch

USB-A Port		USB-C Port			Power Switch

XLR Inputs

3.5 mm Stereo Output

Right Side Panel

3.5mm headphone output, 3.5mm Mic/Aux input, XLR input 3, Headphone volume encoder, micro HDMI TC input

User Guide

3.5 mm Headphone Output					3.5 mm Aux/Mic Input				XLR Input

HP Encoder

micro HDMI TC Input

Back Panel

Battery mounts, SD memory card slot, Allen wrench (for ¼-inch-20-thread captive screw), anti-rotational pin

Battery Mounts

			SD Memory Card Slot
Allen wrench

10

Touch Screen

The MixPre-3 has a sunlight-viewable, high-resolution, touch-screen-based user interface, which consists of the Home screen, Main Menu screen, and Channel screen views. As you will notice, there are several touch zones on the touch screen for controls. As you become familiar with the user interface, changing settings for inputs, outputs, recording and metering will become fast and intuitive.

Current

File Name

File List Icon

Power Status Icon

Time Counter

Menu Icon

Meter View

SD Card Remaining			Record Time	Current			Headphone Preset

Home Screen

The Home screen view is the default view that appears on the touch screen when the device is powered up. On it, you will find items such as:

•File list icon and current file name

•File elapsed time counter (timecode if LTC or HDMI timecode is enabled)

•Power status icon

Power Status Icon Description

USB power source is ideal. (Green USB)

USB power source low. Brightness dimmed, HDMI & USB-A

ports disabled, 48v phantom on 2 channels only.

(Orange USB)

Healthy battery. Plan to change batteries when green level

drops to about ¼ full.

(Green Battery)

Battery power is critically low. Change batteries. (Flashing Red Battery)

•Menu icon

•Meter view (cycle views by touching) ◦◦ Two channel mix track meters

◦◦ Two channel mix track meters, three individual track view

◦◦ Two channel mix track meters, two USB input meters, two aux input meters

User Guide

•Status bar

◦◦ SD card available recording time ◦◦ Headphone preset

◦◦ Sample rate and bit depth ◦◦ Date and time

Main Menu Screen

The Menu screen is where most of the features and functions are selected and set up.

To enter the Menu screen:

XX Tap on the Home screen.

There are three Menu screen views. These views are indicated by the Dots icon

. Tapping it will toggle between the three Menu views.

The Menu has its own submenus that may be displayed by tapping them.

To return to the main Menu from a submenu at any time:

XX Tap .

To return directly to the Home screen from the main Menu:

XX Tap .

12

			TOUCH SCREEN
	Page	Sub-menu	Description
	1	Presets	Lets you save and recall preset user settings to and from SD cards
			and internal memory. Also allows resetting all settings to factory
			default.
	1	Project	Provides the ability to create new, open and trash existing projects.
	1	Inputs	Provides settings for the Aux/Plug-in-power Mic/Timecode input/
			Camera.
	1	Outputs*	Provides routing and gain settings for the stereo output.
	2	Timecode*	Lets you select timecode mode.
	2	Tone	Provides test tone settings.
	2	Record**	Provides record settings for LR mix gain, sample rate, bit depth, LR
			linking, and HDMI record trigger.
	2	SD Card	Displays current SD card information and allows for format and
			empty trash card functions.
	3	Date/Time	Sets current date/time and format.
	3	System	Provides settings for Basic/Advanced/Custom mode, Custom mode
			setup, limiters, USB-C, File Transfer, Bluetooth®, Wingman App
			password, adjusting LCD/LED brightness, updating firmware, and
			viewing version and regulatory information.
	3	Power	Select the type of batteries being used (Alkaline, NiMH, L-Mount) to
			ensure that the Power Status icon on the Home screen accurately
			displays remaining battery level.
			*Sub-menu/setting appears in Advanced mode only
			** Some Record sub-menu options are only available in Advanced mode

Channel Screen

The Channel screen is where you will find channel-specific settings, such as Channel name, Input selection, Pan, 48v phantom power and Low Cut filtering.

In Advanced mode, additional settings are available via a second channel page accessed by tapping the Dots icon.

LL The top left corner of the Channel screen displays an editable Channel name. Touch this region to give the channel an easy to identify name, like Vocals or Bob. Below the Channel name is a Channel meter to aid in setting audio levels.

User Guide

Page	Sub-menu	Description
1	Solo*	Lets you solo the selected channel in the headphone output. Soloing
		by default is Individual (exclusive) in that only one input at a time
		will be soloed. When a channel is soloed, its light ring will flash
		orange. Soloing can be set to Multiple (non-exclusive) in the HP
		Preset submenu.
1	Arm*	Allows pre-fade recording of the channel to its own isolated (ISO)
		track on the SD card.
1	Gain*	Sets the sensitivity of the input. Generally, the gain should be set
		so that the loudest parts of the audio signal just touch the red
		segments of the meters.
1	Pan	Lets you position the channel’s audio in the stereo image of the LR
		mix and stereo out.
2	Input	Lets you select one of the available Mic, Line, or USB inputs to route
		to the chosen channel.
2	Phantom	Lets you apply full 48v phantom power to the channel’s mic or line
		input.
2	Low Cut	Sometimes referred to as a high pass filter (HPF), the Low Cut filter
		can be set up to roll off bass frequencies or reduce mic handling
		noise, wind noise, and other undesirable low frequencies. The filter
		has a carefully crafted 18 dB/octave slope.
2	Linking*	Lets you link channels 1 and 2, either as a stereo pair or mid-side
		pair.
		* Sub-menu/setting appears in Advanced mode only

To enter the Channel screen:

XX Press the associated Channel knob.

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Modes and Presets

Setting the Mode

We’ve designed the MixPre-3 to be easy to use for the novice without taking away truly professional-level features for the seasoned pro user. We want both the newcomer and the career professional to enjoy a quick, easy setup and foolproof results. To accommodate this, we’ve incorporated three modes of operation into the MixPre-3: Basic, Advanced and Custom.

To set the mode:

1.Turn all channel knobs to Off (at full counter-clockwise position).

2.Tap .

3.Tap System > Mode. Options include: Basic, Advanced, and Custom.

Basic Mode

Basic mode is intended for hassle-free, plug-and-play use. This mode is ideal for the new user and amateur needing only the basic functionality of the MixPre-3.

	Screen	Sub-menu	Description
	Menu	Presets	Save and load user presets to and from SD card and internal
			memory. Also allows resetting all settings to factory default.
	Menu	Project	Create new projects, or open and trash existing projects.
	Menu	Inputs	Provides settings for the 3.5 mm Aux/Mic In.
	Menu	Timecode	Select Time of Day or HDMI TC from a DSLR as timecode
			source. Off is also an option.
	Menu	Tone	Turn the test tone on or off. By default, the test tone is a 1kHz
			sine wave at -20dBFS.
	Menu	Record	Choose to auto start/stop recording via HDMI from a DSLR.
	Menu	SD Card	Displays SD card info and allows for formatting SD cards and
			and emptying their trash folder.
	Menu	Date/Time	Sets current date/time and format.
	Menu	System	Provides settings for Basic/Advanced/Custom mode, Custom
			mode setup, limiters, USB-C, File Transfer, Bluetooth®,
			Wingman App password, adjusting LCD/LED brightness,
			updating firmware, and viewing version and regulatory
			information.
	Menu	Power	Select the type of batteries being used (Alkaline, NiMH,
			L-Mount) to ensure that the Power Status icon on the Home
			screen accurately displays remaining battery level.
	Menu	HP Preset	Select LR Stereo or USB 1,2 as headphone sources.

User Guide

Screen	Sub-menu	Description
Channel	Pan	Pan the channel’s signal Left, Center or Right in the stereo LR
		mix and Stereo Out.
Channel	Input	Select one of the available Mic, Line, Aux (only available if Aux
		In Mode is Mic or Line) or USB inputs to route to the selected
		channel.
Channel	Phantom	Turn on 48V phantom power when using a condenser
		microphone in the selected channel.
Channel	Low Cut	Select the frequency at which a low cut filter will be placed.
		The filter has a carefully-crafted 18db/octave slope. Low
		options are only On/Off in Basic mode.

Advanced Mode

Advanced mode is intended for use by professionals and users who wish to have every available setting and option at their disposal. All settings available to Basic Mode apply to Advanced Mode in addition to:

Screen	Sub-menu	Description
Menu	Outputs	Provides routing and gain settings for the Stereo Out.
Menu	Tone	Provides additional Tone mode (Continuous and Left Identify)
		and Tone Level settings.
Menu	Record	Provides additional record settings for gain, sample rate, bit
		depth and LR linking.
Menu	HP Preset	Provides additional HP presets for LR Mono, User Presets 1-4,
		Edit HP Preset utility and HP Solo mode selection. Camera
		Stereo and Camera Mono are also available when Aux In Mode
		is set to Camera.
Menu	System >	Lets you turn limiters on or off.
	Limiters
Channel	Solo	Lets you “solo” the selected channel in the headphone output.
		Solo mode can be set to “Individual” or “Multiple” in the HP
		Preset menu. When a channel is soloed, its light ring will flash
		orange.
Channel	Arm	Allows pre-fade recording of the channel to an individual track
		on the SD card.
Channel	Gain	Sets the sensitivity of the input. Generally, the Gain should be
		set so that the loudest parts of the audio signal just touch the
		red segments of the meters.
Channel	Pan	Lets you position the audio of the channel anywhere between
		Left and Right in the stereo image of the LR mix and Stereo
		Out.
Channel	Linking	Lets you link channels 1 and 2 either as a stereo pair, mid side
		pair, or turn linking off.

Custom Mode

Custom mode is intended for users who want to customize the features and functionality available to them. This mode grants access to different sections of Advanced Mode features, turning them on or off in the user interface as desired.

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MODES AND PRESETS

To configure Custom Setup:

1. Tap .

2.Tap System > Custom Setup. Custom Setup options are:

Page	Sub-menu	Description
1	Channel	Lets you access Solo, Track Arm, extended Pan, Input Select,
		Phantom and Low Cut, which is selectable by frequency.
1	Gain	Lets you access to Channel Gain controls.
1	Headphone	Lets you access extended headphone source select options
		including factory and user headphone presets, preset editing
		and Solo setup for Individual/Multiple channels.
1	Record	Provides additional record settings for gain, sample rate, bit
		depth and LR linking.
2	Metadata	Adds ability to change track name, rename files, add notes and
		undo recordings.
2	Outputs	Provides routing and gain settings for the Stereo Out.

User Presets

Flexibility is the MixPre-3’s M.O. To make it easy for you to use the MixPre-3 in a wide variety of situations, we created a slick feature where you can store and recall snapshots of all of the MixPre-3’s settings. There are four internal Preset slots available. Also, the SD card can store virtually unlimited Presets.

Here are three common examples:

•You might want to use the MixPre-3 as recorder, mixer, and USB audio interface in a podcasting rig with specific microphones.

•The next day, you need to have the MixPre-3 handle audio duties for you while you’re shooting video on your DSLR camera.

•On Sunday, you might need to use your trusty MixPre-3 to record worship services, mixing a direct line from the PA with a stereo microphone feed.

Using Presets, you can optimize settings for each of these scenarios and then simply save each setup to one of four internal preset locations or to the SD card. Once saved, simply load the appropriate preset and BOOM! You’re ready to go in a jiffy! We think that you’ll really appreciate this functionality.

To save a Preset:

1.Tap .

2.Tap Presets > Save to Internal 1-4 or SD Card

3.Enter a Preset Name and tap OK.

User Guide

To recall a Preset

1.Tap .

2.Tap Presets > Load Preset.

3.Select preset with encoder.

4.Tap OK.

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