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Portable audio recorder with USB audio interface

  • 8 Tracks: Stereo mix + 6 single inputs
  • Recordings with maximum 32-bit float / 192 kHz
  • Dynamic range: 142 dB (A weighted, gain = 10 dB, fader = 0 dB)
  • Built-in timecode generator
  • Kashmir microphone preamplifier with 76 dB gain
  • Noise of unit: -128 dBu maximum (A-weighting, gain=76 dB, 150 Ohm source impedance)
  • Limiter per channel
  • Low Cut Filter 40 Hz to 160 Hz adjustable with 18 dB/octave
  • 8-in/4-out Audio Interface (USB-C)
  • SD, SDXC or SDHC card recording up to 512 GB
  • Timecode input
  • 4 Mic/line combo Inputs
  • Stereo aux/mic input with 3.5 mm jack
  • 48 V Phantom power
  • 3.5 mm Stereo output
  • Headphone output
  • Powered by 4 x AA batteries, bus-powered via USB-C or power supply adapter
  • Free Wingman app for remote control of the MixPre II series
  • Scope of delivery: MX-4AA battery case and MX-PSU power supply unit
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 36 x 166 x 118 mm
  • Weight: 0,56 kg (without batteries)
  • Suitable optional bags: Art.484629, Art.484632, Art.485319 (not included)
  • Available since September 2019
  • Item number 473241
  • Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
  • Integrated Stereo Microhone No
  • Recording Tracks 6
  • Microphone Inputs 4
  • 48 V Phantom power Yes
  • Line Inputs 4
  • Storage Medium SD/SDHC/SDXC
  • Headphone connection Yes
  • Integrated Speaker No
  • Resolution max. 32 bit
  • Max. Sample Rate 192 kHz
  • Limiter Yes
  • Recording / Playback Channels 8x4
  • Number of Mic Inputs 4
  • Number of Line Inputs 6
  • Instrument Inputs 0
  • Number of Line Outs 4
  • Headphone Outs 1
  • Max. Memory 512
  • Phantom Power Yes
  • Number of S/PDIF Connectors 0
  • Number of ADAT Connectors 0
  • Numer of AES/EBU Connectors 0
  • Number of MADI Connectors 0
  • Word Clock No
  • Ethernet 0
  • Other Connectors None
  • Recording Format WAV
  • Power Feed Power Supply, Batterie, Bus-powered
  • Dimensions 36 x 166 x 118 mm
  • Max. Sampling Rate in kHz 192 kHz
  • Weight 560 g
  • Included In Delivery MX-4AA Battery Box; Power Supply
  • Max. Resolution Rate in Bits 32 bit
  • USB Bus-Powered Yes
  • USB Version 2.0
  • Width 166 mm
  • Depth 118 mm
  • Height 36 mm
  • Included in delivery Power Supply, USB-C Cable, MX-4AA Batterie Housing
  • Zero latency monitoring Yes
  • Connection Format USB port Type C, Type A
1.399 €
All prices incl. VAT
In stock
1

A 32-bit floating-point recorder!

The Sound Devices MixPre-6 II combines a multitrack field recorder, audio mixer, and USB-C audio interface in a compact, portable design, making it suitable for a wide range of mobile recording applications. It can capture true 32-bit floating-point recordings and stream them directly to a computer via USB-C, while processing up to eight channels simultaneously through its six analogue inputs, four Kashmir microphone preamps, stereo Aux/Line input, and stereo mix bus, with recordings saved to SD, SDHC or SDXC cards. What makes the MixPre-6 II particularly versatile is its support for optional plugins, which allow its functionality to be adapted to different applications without changing the basic hardware. These include a Musician plugin that turns the unit into a compact mobile DAW, an Ambisonics plugin, a background-noise suppression option for location recording, and MixAssist, which can automatically balance microphone levels in multi-person podcast recordings. Overall, the MixPre-6 II thus packs a flexible combination of recording, mixing, and interface capabilities into a remarkably compact format.

Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Portable Audio Recorder with USB audio interface

In the mountains or the woods

The Sound Devices MixPre-6 II supports recording at sampling rates of up to 192kHz with 32-bit floating-point resolution and can be powered by four standard AA batteries, making it well suited to mobile recording situations. Its different operating modes allow the recorder to adapt to different levels of experience, with the simplified Basic mode taking care of many settings automatically and producing stereo recordings at 48kHz/24-bit, while Advanced mode provides experienced users with access to the full range of parameters, including 32-bit floating-point recording. Despite its extensive feature set, operation remains straightforward thanks to the touchscreen and side-mounted rotary dial, which provide quick access to the various functions. Bluetooth control is also possible via the Wingman app for Android and iOS, while the USB-A connection allows devices such as keyboards, MIDI controllers, or hard drives to be connected, giving the compact recorder an impressive degree of flexibility.

Inputs on the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Portable Audio Recorder with USB audio interface

A professional tool, even for beginners

The MixPre-6 II includes a range of features aimed specifically at professional film and television production, including the ability to generate a timecode or receive it from a camera via the HDMI-TC input. Dedicated mounting threads allow the recorder to be positioned between a camera and tripod head, while the required Allen key is conveniently stored behind the battery compartment, keeping everything needed for setup close at hand. These thoughtful details, together with its broader feature set, make the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II a capable professional tool without making it unnecessarily complicated to use. At the same time, its Basic Mode and optional plugins make it accessible to newcomers and allow the recorder to adapt as their experience and requirements develop.

Sound Devices logo on the MixPre-6 II portable audio recorder with USB audio interface

About Sound Devices

"Sound Devices" was founded in 1998 in Reedsburg and Madison (Wisconsin), by three former Shure employees: Matt Anderson, Jon Tatooles and Jim Koomar. While the focus was initially on high-quality audio and video equipment for film and TV production, now Sound Devices is increasingly catering for musicians as well. The company prides itself in meeting the highest demands for both sound quality and reliability. They claim their products can be used “on the highest mountains, in the deepest desert and in the wettest rain forest” – with no adverse impact on quality. Most people have probably heard audio content recorded with Sound Devices equipment - the Oscar-winning film "LaLaLand" or the TV series "Game Of Thrones" to name a couple!

Indoors and out, loud and quiet

Anyone looking to make high-quality recordings away from a mains power source will find the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II remarkably well suited to the task, particularly in situations where reliable level control is essential. Its 32-bit floating-point recording helps accommodate sudden changes in signal level, allowing users to concentrate more on the performance and surroundings rather than constantly monitoring the meters. The 142dB system dynamic range and up to +76dB of preamp gain also make it a useful choice for demanding applications such as sound-effects recording or capturing quiet natural ambience, where low noise and clean amplification are especially important. With the optional Musician plugin, the recorder can also take on the role of a compact DAW for music production, while the MixAssist plugin provides a practical way for YouTubers and other creators working with several microphones to manage levels automatically and concentrate on their content.

Front view of the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II audio recorder with USB audio interface

In the spotlight: 32-Bit Float

During analogue-to-digital conversion, the bit depth determines how many discrete dynamic levels are available to represent an audio signal, with 24-bit offering 16,777,216 possible levels. Once those levels are exceeded, the signal can no longer be represented accurately above the 0dBFS limit and is therefore clipped, resulting in digital distortion. With 32-bit floating-point recording, the converter still works with 24 bits of actual audio resolution, but the floating-point format allows the available levels to be distributed across a significantly wider range, theoretically providing a dynamic range of around 1680dB, far beyond the capabilities of human hearing or conventional audio equipment. In practical terms, this means that the AD converter is no longer the limiting factor when recording signals with sudden level peaks, leaving the microphone and its preamp as the main constraints on the system's usable dynamic range.

55 Customer ratings

4.7 / 5

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38 Reviews

t
Pristine audio
tacocat 07.09.2022
It's small, and designed for field use, which means there's some compromises that have to be made just in order to fit so much on such a small device.

Especially in terms of powering solutions, I am not a fan of AA batteries, and I'm not going to pay the asking price for a plastic sled to mount Sony batteries either.
You get very good operation times with just about any USB charge pack however, in my experience.
A 5V 1Amp pack is only able to power 2 preamps at the time, that's still plenty for my needs in most situations as I can still use the other inputs for line-in for instruments, etc.
My 10400mAh USB charge pack which delivers 2.1A for tablets etc. fully powers this for hours, should I need more microphones, and you get much larger capacity packs.

My only concern then is the USB-C prone to wear and tear, but it's somewhat protected by the XLR plugs going into channel 1-2, so I'm not too concerned powering it like this for now, but I'll want to invest in a bag with internal frame to protect it better and I'll fix a cable to the frame so it doesn't accidentally pull on the socket of the unit.

Overall I think they have done a great job in terms of fitting so much versatility and features into such a small device, and the quality is overall superb.
It's really well built, sounds crystal clear, very nice preamps.
Operation is intuitive and well thought through, the touch screen is very snappy. Very flexible in terms of various use scenarios. It's clear that Sound Devices have put a lot of thought into this.

Very happy with it, I'll be carrying it everywhere.
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9
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e
Professional, handy and easy to use.
ericberenguer 08.10.2019
This is professional, high quality and very compact device. I've been working with different hardware for a long time but I feel that I made my next with this one. I'm sound designer and I use to work doing field recording and processing and mixing sound in the studio. The Sound Device Mixpre 6 II allows with no complications move from home to outside with no problem, in a handy way and not bringing so much weight. One of the things that I really like of the second generation of Sound Device is that allows to record up to 32/192 giving me the option to transform more the sound without losing quality.
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9
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r
Amazing Sound Device
raffrack 20.05.2020
Superb pre-amps , the best sound card and portable recorder I ever worked with.
Just a con... battery last not too much.
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8
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F
Great Quality - Great User Interface
FabianHk 15.04.2023
It's small, the material quality feels sturdy and made for if it gets busy and hectic on set. With a proper V-Mount battery and a boom mic that always requires phantom power you get super long battery life.
With the recorder being small the touch screen and knobs are as well, you have to get used to that a little bit.
I think a good interface for a fast workflow is super important when it gets busy and this device excels at that. Having those 4 mic pre combo inputs at real 32bit conversion at that price is amazing.

That being said if you want to use a v-mount battery you need to buy the v-mount holder extra. It's quality is bad and it is extremely overpriced in my opinion, but since this is the review of the recorder itself it still gets 5 stars from me. Just be warned.
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