Considering a self-powered audio interface?
Considering a self-powered audio interface?
With no need for a powered usb hub and very high quality pre-amps and construction that works with ipad & auria I can heartily recommend sound devices Mixpre-D. I would say it's the ultimate addition to the ipad/ auria setup for the very highest quality recordings in a truly mobile setup. Had mine for a few months now and its a real pleasure to use.
No instrument DI though.
http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mixpred/
No instrument DI though.
http://www.sounddevices.com/products/mixpred/
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
excellent - thanks for posting. this looks amazing. maybe i can upgrade to this once i win the lottery($749 is a pretty penny)
can you tell me how long the battery life lasts on this(i assume you use nimh batteries)? i assume the 48v phantom power is a no-go when this is running off the 2 AA's?
i've also read the zoom h4($269) works 100% mobile but haven't tested this device myself...
can you tell me how long the battery life lasts on this(i assume you use nimh batteries)? i assume the 48v phantom power is a no-go when this is running off the 2 AA's?
i've also read the zoom h4($269) works 100% mobile but haven't tested this device myself...
noise.offthesky.com
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
I've not done any precise testing regarding battery life but 2 new alkaline batteries would suffice a recording session running 2 mics using phantom power. Also, if the mics can make do with 12 volts and not 48volts the MixPre-D can change to 12v phantom power if necessary.
It's possible to power the unit from between 10v-17v so you can organise a battery pack to last as long as you want. I configured 8 x 1.5v batteries, this would last a fair time.
It's possible to power the unit from between 10v-17v so you can organise a battery pack to last as long as you want. I configured 8 x 1.5v batteries, this would last a fair time.
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
I've tested the H4 (old grey model) and it works OK as long as you use a USB hub (non powered it's enough).offthesky wrote:
i've also read the zoom h4($269) works 100% mobile but haven't tested this device myself...
but let's face it: it is like a toy compared to Sound Devices stuff
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
There is still a BIG problem with this interface for europeans.
This company is crazy enough to let the sellers in europe put hell of a price.
Actual prices :
US : 749$ ... and Europe : 900 € .... so around 1173$ ... so 50% more O_O
I really thought about buying this at first, but seeing those prices it's a total rip of.
I still don't understand how they can be that stupid, they're loosing a lot of customers over there, cause products look good.
I decided on RME fireface UCX (but not self-powered...).
Will not buy sound devices products till they put normal prices.
This company is crazy enough to let the sellers in europe put hell of a price.
Actual prices :
US : 749$ ... and Europe : 900 € .... so around 1173$ ... so 50% more O_O
I really thought about buying this at first, but seeing those prices it's a total rip of.
I still don't understand how they can be that stupid, they're loosing a lot of customers over there, cause products look good.
I decided on RME fireface UCX (but not self-powered...).
Will not buy sound devices products till they put normal prices.
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
most definitely it's in a whole different ballpark from the mixpre-d. i'm curious if anybody's used the newer zoom h4n and if it's self powered with an ipad as well?PostGuy wrote:I've tested the H4 (old grey model) and it works OK as long as you use a USB hub (non powered it's enough).offthesky wrote:
i've also read the zoom h4($269) works 100% mobile but haven't tested this device myself...
but let's face it: it is like a toy compared to Sound Devices stuff
noise.offthesky.com
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
I recently bought an ART USB Dual Pre, intending to use it with an iPad 4 and a Rode NT4 stereo mic. Unfortunately I've been disappointed by this unit - it produces a noticeable background hiss, which remains at the same level whether the input gain is turned up or down. I suppose it is very cheap.mtingle wrote:With no need for a powered usb hub and very high quality pre-amps and construction that works with ipad & auria I can heartily recommend sound devices Mixpre-D. I would say it's the ultimate addition to the ipad/ auria setup for the very highest quality recordings in a truly mobile setup. Had mine for a few months now and its a real pleasure to use.
I'm now seriously considering getting a MixPre-D. I'm just wondering how silent this unit is? It's important to me because I want to be able to record quiet sounds and background ambiences. I also like to treat my recordings with heavy compression / limiting, which obviously makes any background noise much more noticeable.
And just to double check, the unit can supply 48V phantom power while running off 2 x AA batteries?
Many many thanks for any help with this.
Regards
Gareth
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Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
I just bought the Roland Duo Capture Ex and am loving using it.
It is self powered via 3 AA batteries, has XLR and instrument in as well s MIDI in/out. It's been the best investment i've made in a while (even in comparison to high end mics, preamps...etc)
And to add, it does supply phantom power.
lD
It is self powered via 3 AA batteries, has XLR and instrument in as well s MIDI in/out. It's been the best investment i've made in a while (even in comparison to high end mics, preamps...etc)
And to add, it does supply phantom power.
lD
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
the Roland duo capture ex looks very interesting indeed. Thanks for posting. Battery powered units that can also do phantom power AND di basses are just so ideal for a mobile set up.
Cheers
(link should anybody want it http://www.roland.co.uk/products/produc ... spx?p=1248 )
Cheers
(link should anybody want it http://www.roland.co.uk/products/produc ... spx?p=1248 )
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
I'm now seriously considering getting a MixPre-D. I'm just wondering how silent this unit is? It's important to me because I want to be able to record quiet sounds and background ambiences. I also like to treat my recordings with heavy compression / limiting, which obviously makes any background noise much more noticeable.
And just to double check, the unit can supply 48V phantom power while running off 2 x AA batteries????
And just to double check, the unit can supply 48V phantom power while running off 2 x AA batteries????
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
yes it completely silent and yes it supplies 48v phantom power on either or both channels.
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
+1 for the Roland duo Capture EX
(Not the horrible Mk 2 which feels like a cheap plastic pencil case)
I have been using mine for months now and it is a pleasure to use both with microphones and DI instruments
I travel with a Duracell rechargeable battery charger and spare batteries and swap them out after 3 hours of recording when using capacitor mics with no headroom issues
It's also the only piece of kit i own which doesn't have an audible hum when switched on. (My MOTU interfaces sound like an electricity substation when fired up)
(Not the horrible Mk 2 which feels like a cheap plastic pencil case)
I have been using mine for months now and it is a pleasure to use both with microphones and DI instruments
I travel with a Duracell rechargeable battery charger and spare batteries and swap them out after 3 hours of recording when using capacitor mics with no headroom issues
It's also the only piece of kit i own which doesn't have an audible hum when switched on. (My MOTU interfaces sound like an electricity substation when fired up)
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
I just ordered a Roland Duo Ex. I've been looking at all the different options and this seemed like the best fit. I wanted something that would run on without AC power, could do phantom power for my Shure SM87, could record guitar and vocals at once, and was relatively solid and inexpensive.
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
I got the Roland Duo EX a few days ago and it really works well. Latency is low enough that I don't need to use direct monitoring and I love that it runs on batteries. One thing that I found that pleasantly surprised me is that I can power it from a 1 spot power supply. These are cheap, really rugged and have very long cables. Better than Roland power supply IMHO.
Re: Considering a self-powered audio interface?
In the specs of these two interfaces, they state:
-Sound Devices Mixpre-D
Mic to Line, max: 66 dB
-Roland Duo Capture Ex:
Nominal Input Level XLR: -60 to -12 dBu
Does this mean that the Duo can add a maximum of 48dB gain to any mic? I don't really understand what these specs mean on Roland products.
-Sound Devices Mixpre-D
Mic to Line, max: 66 dB
-Roland Duo Capture Ex:
Nominal Input Level XLR: -60 to -12 dBu
Does this mean that the Duo can add a maximum of 48dB gain to any mic? I don't really understand what these specs mean on Roland products.
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