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Sound Devices MixPre-3 II Audio Recorder and Interface

3-input, 5-track Portable Audio Recorder - macOS/Windows
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Item ID: MixPre-3II
Sound Devices MixPre-3 II Audio Recorder and Interface
Price:$950 and 00 cents
$159.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month special financing‡

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Sound Devices MixPre-3 II Audio Recorder and Interface
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Price:$950 and 00 cents
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This article was Written By

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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-3 II eclipses its predecessor with faster, more advanced hardware and 32-bit/192kHz converters. A trio of custom-engineered Kashmir mic preamps delivers pro-grade audio. A quick glance at the MixPre-3 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-3 II, you can record anytime, anywhere — with world-class quality.

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-3 II with three of their great-sounding Kashmir mic preamps. These pres offer a super-low noise floor and adjustable analog limiters to keep your signal clean. The 32-bit/192kHz converters ensure that everything is captured with sublime quality. You'll see the MixPre-3 II is a definite upgrade from cheap recorders with off-the-shelf IC-based preamps.

Record directly to SD card — back up to USB

You can capture anything with the MixPre-3 II. When you're in the field, it functions standalone, recording audio directly to an SD card. 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-3 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-3 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-3 II features. It gives you access to metering, routing, time code, 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-3 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-3 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-3 II Features:

  • 3 custom-engineered Kashmir microphone preamps deliver pro-grade audio
  • 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 — no computer required
  • 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

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Tech Specs

  • Audio Interface: 5 x 2 USB 2.0 Interface/SD Recorder
  • A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz (internal 32-bit float)
  • Simultaneous Rec Tracks: 5 (3 + L/R)
  • Analog Inputs: 3 x XLR (mic), 1 x 1/8" (mic/line)
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x 1/8" (stereo out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/8"
  • Memory (removable): SD/SDXC/SDHC Card Slot (512GB max SDXC)
  • File Format: WAV
  • USB: 1 x Type A, 1 x Type C
  • Bluetooth: Yes (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: 5.68"
  • Depth: 4.35"
  • Weight: 1.05 lbs. (without batteries)
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 9831

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Reviews

Highly Recommended.
If you're thinking of buying a MixPre-3 II (or any Sound Devices recorder), you already know (or at least suspect) you would get the best recorder there is. I was suspecting it, and now I can confidently say: it's an OUTSTANDING recorder. The build quality is as solid as it gets, the features are abundant, but most importantly the so-called Kashmir preamps are the cleanest and best you'll ever hear.

I also picked up the MX‑LMount Battery Sled to use L-series batteries. It's not a cheap add-on, but if you're recording in the field, it's a must-have. AA batteries just don't cut it in terms of runtime and reliability.

Also, big shoutout to Sweetwater and Brady Langefels for their time and generosity. Just like the recorder itself: outstanding customer service.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Music background: Professional Musician
Great little pre
I work with audio professionally like some other reviews here. This little guy is wonderful. Clean, versatile, compact. Works great as an interface (as long as you know the basics of what you're doing), and always finds it's way into my field bag. Highly recommend considering the 6 vs 3 for the small price jump
Music background: Sound Designer, Post Production Sound Editor
Subtle benefits of the MixPre series
Wanting a more versatile USB audio interface, I remembered Sound Devices' USB-Pre and went to look at it in more detail. I'd used their 442 mixer and 722 audio recorder for years, and both suited my needs well. Reliable, easy to use, and they sound good. As I looked at the USB-Pre on the Web site, a chat window opened, and the sales rep asked if I had questions. I told him what I was interested in, and he suggested I look at the MixPre because it's less expensive.

I soon bought the MixPre 3. I do Internet streaming live, and I replaced a headset with a boom microphone (SM7B) and the MixPre. This sounds much better. After nearly two years using the MixPre, I've come to appreciate it even more.

Along with its built-in versatility, and fundamental reliability, here are some other benefits that might not be obvious from the specs.

The MixPre microphone pre-amps have enough gain that it can be used with low-output dynamic mics, such as my SM7B.

It is quiet. I hear room noise, not the interface.

It has an outstanding limiter. Even if I shout, there is no clipping. The only audible artifact is compression and pumping, but this happens only in extreme cases such as setting maximum gain and then yelling. At any reasonable level the limiter simply prevents clipping and I don't notice it working.

When I needed an audio interface for my other computer, I bought a MixPre-6. They do their job gracefully.
--Larry Nelson
Music background: recording, live sound, spoken word performance, on-line DJ/musical curator
Awesome
One of the best audio units I have ever used.
Amazing Field Recorder
First off: it's sturdy, the hardware and controls are quiet, the UI is easy, smaller than I imagined (maybe 6 inches wide), and the preamps are very low-noise.

Secondly: most gripes I found in other reviews are simple to work around. everyone complains about how it eats through double-A batteries. I have a bunch of standard power banks that connect right into the USB-C and power it directly. the other gripes were about how the SD slot is behind the battery pack cover. it can write straight to USB on the side port if needed.

My only concern is that the battery pack, which covers the SD slot, is secured by a plastic tension V that you have to compress to remove, like on a standard tele-remote. And yeah, that plastic will morph and then break over time with frequent use. I'm considering writing straight to USB and powering through USB-C to avoid this heartache.

when i brought my recordings into an editing session, i cranked the clip gain and there was still no discernable signal noise. I could hear the sound outside of my 416's polar pattern before i heard signal noise. I love that.
Music background: Sound Designer, Engineer 10+years