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Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Audio Recorder & Interface

6-input, 8-track Portable Audio Recorder with Built-in 8-in/4-out USB-C Audio Interface - macOS/Windows
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Item ID: MixPre-6II
Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Audio Recorder & Interface
Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Audio Recorder & Interface

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Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Audio Recorder & Interface
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Record Anytime, Anywhere

If you’re a sound designer, podcaster, videographer, or YouTuber, you’re about to get a serious sonic upgrade. The Sound Devices MixPre-6 II eclipses its predecessor with faster, more advanced hardware and 32-bit/192kHz converters. A quartet of custom-engineered Kashmir mic preamps delivers pro-grade audio. A full-featured mixer and built-in USB-C audio interface are also on tap. A quick glance at the MixPre-6 II's comprehensive metering and sunlight-readable, color LCD touchscreen tell you everything you need to know. You also get internal LTC generation, adjustable analog limiters, an auto-copy function, and a 10-second pre-roll buffer. With the MixPre-6 II, you can record anytime, anywhere — with world-class quality.

Related Videos: MixPre-6 II Audio Recorder & Interface

Pro-grade sound from top-shelf mic pres and 32-bit converters

You'll be shocked at how great this unassuming little device sounds. Sound Devices outfitted the MixPre-6 II with four of their great-sounding Kashmir mic preamps. These pres offer a super-low noise floor and adjustable analog limiters to keep your signal clean. 32-bit/192kHz converters ensure that everything is captured with sublime quality. XLR/TRS combo inputs accommodate a wide range of mics and instruments. The MixPre-6 II is a definite upgrade from cheap recorders with off-the-shelf IC-based preamps.

Record to SD card. Stream to USB. Or do both!

You can capture anything with the MixPre-6 II. When you're in the field, it functions standalone, recording audio directly to an SD card. You can also stream multiple channels of audio to your computer via a built-in 8-in/4-out USB-C audio interface. Best of all, you can do both simultaneously! On top of that, an auto-copy to USB drive function ensures that you’ll never lose a recording again. At Sweetwater, we've found that the MixPre-6 II is great for Skype or FaceTime interviews, and recording audio for podcasts or vlogs is a piece of cake.

It's only as difficult as you make it

Even though the MixPre-6 II is packed to the gills with useful features, Sound Devices realizes that not every YouTuber or vlogger is a recording engineer. That's why this portable recorder offers two modes of operation. Basic mode lets you start recording right out of the box. It takes the guesswork out of recording, and is great for recording interviews, vlogs, and podcasts. Advanced mode lets you really dig into the MixPre-6 II's features. It gives you access to metering, routing, timecode, mic pre gain, stereo and mid-side channel linking, headphone presets, and more. You also get a Custom mode, if you’re so inclined.

Tailor-made for videographers

Pairing the MixPre-6 II with your camera is easy, thanks to its retractable 1/4-20 mounting capacity. It can generate internal LTC for perfect audio/video synchronization, and you can also feed time code into the MixPre-6 II from an external time-code generator. This flexible recorder can receive record triggers via HDMI from your camera to start and stop recording via the camera's Record button. And because it can be powered via batteries, USB bus, or AC, taking it out into the field is an easy endeavor.

Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Features:

  • Custom-engineered Kashmir microphone preamps deliver pro-grade audio
  • 4 XLR/TRS combo inputs accommodate a wide range of mics and instruments
  • Full-featured mixer with ergonomic gain controls, pan and soloing, and easy-to-see ring LED metering
  • 32-bit/192kHz converters ensure that everything is captured with sublime quality
  • Adjustable analog limiters minimize clipping from excessive recording levels
  • Record directly to an SD card or use the built-in 8-in/4-out USB-C audio interface to stream multiple channels of audio to your computer
  • Auto-copy to USB drive function ensures that you’ll never lose a recording again
  • 10-second pre-roll buffer makes punch recording a breeze
  • Basic, Advanced, and Custom modes for intuitive operation
  • Retractable 1/4-20 mounting capacity for pairing with your camera
  • Internal LTC generation and output for perfect audio/video synchronization
  • Trigger recording from your camera via HDMI
  • Powered via batteries, USB bus, or AC
  • Wireless control via your iOS device and Wingman app

Resources

Digital Workstation Buying Guide
Portable Recorder Buying Guide

Warranty Info

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Tech Specs

  • Audio Interface: 8 x 4 USB Interface/SD Recorder
  • A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz (internal 32-bit float)
  • Simultaneous Rec Tracks: 8 (6 + L/R)
  • Analog Inputs: 4 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/line), 1 x 1/8" (aux/mic)
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x 1/8" (stereo out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/8"
  • Memory (removable): SD/SDHC/SDXC (512GB max SDXC)
  • File Format: WAV
  • USB: 1 x Type A, 1 x Type C
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth LE (control only)
  • Clock I/O: Internal LTC, External LTC (1/8"), Camera TC (micro HDMI)
  • Other I/O: 1 x Micro HDMI (cam TC in)
  • Software: Wingman App
  • Additional Features: 48V Phantom Power
  • Power Supply: 4 x AA (sled included) / AC adapter power supply / Optional 8 x AA (sled sold separately) / USB bus powered
  • Stand Mountable: 1/4"-20 Mounting Thread
  • Height: 1.40"
  • Width: 6.53"
  • Depth: 4.65"
  • Weight: 1.24 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 9832

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Reviews

4.0

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Customer Photos & Videos

Fantastic Recorder for YouTubers
I use this recorder almost exclusively for my YouTube videos! Although I don't usually use 32-bit recording, it's really nice to have for some of those shoots with a lot going on. The analog limiters are *chefs kiss*. Very happy with this!
by Randy Rektor from Canada on
How to power this. SOLUTION.
Well I am going to write a review since I see people confusingly talk about AA power lasting less than an hour. 1). this is an incredible piece of equipment. 2). to power it get an Anton Bauer Titon Base, or ANY 98wh+ gold mount, v-mount battery, and use its USB port out to usb-c in on the Sound devices. Now you can power it for 14 hours straight or something along those lines. The power will last longer than you will be able to use it. Mix Pre also has a screw on both sides so you can rig a cheeseplate to it if you need to hold the battery.
by Anonymous from USA on
Unique among audio interfaces...
I have a mix pre 3 I bought for field recording, but started doing some music stuff and needed another channel for running Logic and Zoom... So after searching high and low for something with similar preamps and routing options, (but less the recorder) I landed on the 6. I could not find another audio interface that had the same amount of mic preamp gain and powerful routing options, much less for under a grand. No need for a cloudlifter with these. Picks up my SM7B with room to spare. Also super easy to set up a mix-minus for zoom - the SoundDevices ui lets you control routing to headphones, L&R mix, L&R out, and USB outs all individually.

RE ergonomics - yes, it's tiny. It's a field recorder first and foremost, so the tiny ui makes sense in that context. When using the 3 in the field, i liked that it fit tidily under my DSLR. For studio use, though, the form factor of the Universal Audio units would be a lot nicer. (those units are also >2x the cost!) They do have an app that alleviates some of those issues, however. But yes, the encoder knob is tiny and in a difficult spot for ease of use. The power switch is impossible to unintentionally turn off, making it near impossible to intentionally turn off. I don't. I just unplug it. ;)

RE power - my understanding is the AA sled is for desperate times only or for keeping power on while briefly disconnecting usb. It's not for primary power. You need the L-style sled for that, which is a pretty standard battery in video world. But as an interface, I just plug it in and have no trouble powering it from my 2018 macbook pro over USBC. You need real USBC, not an adapter. USB2 only goes up to 7.5 W, i believe. In my pre-USBC days, with my MixPre 3, i used the optional "Y" cable with one USB2 in a hub for power and the other in the computer for data. Worked great.
by Sweetwater Customer on
MixPre 6 II Review
I am a professional nature recordist and I highly recommend this recorder. The sound quality is excellent, as is the price for a recorder with superb preamps, high gain, and a 32-bit float option to prevent accidental overloads when recording subjects like thunderstorms. Altogether, this is an excellent recorder, but I do have two criticisms. One is the placement of the on/off switch, which is tiny and difficult to access. The other, which bothers me the most, is that there is no way to gang knobs for two-channel stereo recording. While two channels can be linked, so that one knob controls the volume of both channels, the second knob still has to be carefully centered (by hand) and it's all-too-easy to inadvertently knock that knob off-center without ever realizing it. I assume this could be easily fixed via a firmware update, by providing the option to lock the second knob to center when two channels are linked (in fact, that should probably be the default setting, because why on earth would someone choose to link two channels for stereo and not want the volumes of each to be identical?).
by Lang Elliott on
Great audio quality and build
We purchased this audio recorder for field recording with our short form video productions. Both the build quality and the audio has surpassed that of our Tascam audio recorders. I believe we've finally found a recorder that we want to move forward with.
by Brock from San Diego on
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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?
Travis Devin
As a Location Sound Mixer and Sound Effects Recordist with over a decade of experience, I have use lots of Sound Devices recorders. The MixPre-6II meets and exceeds my expectations. Its preamps are more than capable of handling everything from quiet dialogue scenes to racous destruction for sound effects libraries. For remote location ambience recording, the addition of 32-bit recording allows me to capture a large dynamic range as the environment changes without having to adjust the gain. In frantic reality documentary shoots, the adjustable limiter and 10 second pre-roll makes sure I never miss a word. Whether recording dialogue for a small film production or trekking through the forests of North America searching for sounds, I can always rely on the MixPre-6II to deliver great results.
See also: Flash Recorders, Sound Devices, Sound Devices Portable Recorders, Sound Devices Digital Multitrack Recorders