The coaxial digital I/O is on RCA jacks on the right side panel of the
USBPre 2.
The real advancement of this new model, apart from having the same
preamps featured in SD's 7-series recorders, is that unlike the
original USBPre the new USBPre 2 can function in standalone mode as a
mike preamp and analog-to-digital converter. The company has really re-
thought the device, providing two banks of DIP switches on the rear
panel for option selections so there are NO software-only-controlled
menu options for this box when it's not connected to a computer.
Among other things, this standalone mode makes the new unit a great
companion for the Tascam DR-680: it can provide preamps and (likely
better) digital clocking to feed the 680's digital inputs 7/8 so you
can record 8 mikes in the field.
Even if you're recording just two channels, the USBPre2/DR-680 combo
gives you great Sound Devices preamps and a good SDHC card recorder
for a lot less $$ than a Sound Devices 702 Compact Flash recorder. I'd
place my faith in Sound Devices' limiters more than the ones Tascam
provides on the DR-680. There's no MS decoding on the USBPre2 for
inputs or headphones, though.
(If you already happen to own an SD744, which can record four channels
but has only two mike pres, this box should benefit that recorder too!)
There's no obvious way to link/sync multiple USBPre2's, either in
computer connected mode or in standalone mode. Unless SD surprises us
and has the unit sync to a signal applied to its optical or coaxial
digital input. No mention of such capability in the preliminary manual
downloadable from the SD website.
USB power must be supplied from an external source for standalone
mode, but there are powered hubs and other means for supplying 5VDC.
We'll have to ask Sound Devices whether the device can handle a
nominal 6 volt battery supply...if so then the options for field
powering would be numerous. I haven't gone looking yet, but USB is so
prevalent that there may be commercial products already out there
delivering USB power from rechargeable or alkaline batteries.
Another novel feature: you can plug a mike into Input 1 and have its
signal split to both channels. So you can record the same mike at two
different levels for protection against overmodulation.
And as someone has already noted, the device is a USB class-compliant
audio interface, requiring no special drivers, so it may work as audio
I/O for Apple's iPad with that box's Camera Connection Kit. Not the
most convenient field recording setup, but another example of good
design for versatile applications.
--Flawn
> Re: Sound Devices updates the USBPre
> Posted by: "Mike Rooke" picnet2
> Date: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:45 am ((PDT))
>
> Hi,
> Digital output via optical / toslink can be seen on the side of
> the device. - If you have a D50 it should plug directly into the
> D50's optical input with a toslink adapter. - Nice.
>
> RCA (galvanic) Digital output is near the USB socket.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK
>
> Question remains if multiple devices can be linked and synchronous
> clock accurate
> recordings made. If not, for me its not bringing much to the table
> that can't be covered already with an FR2-LE and D50. If the driver
> allows you can gang multiple usbpre2's it would be very nice for
> surround recording / processing with a laptop. Although an expensive
> one.
>
> -M
>
> --- In "oryoki2000" <>
> wrote:
>>
>> Sound Devices introduced the USBPre 2 a few days ago. This is an
>> update of their popular USBPre preamp. The USBPre 2 uses meters
>> from the Sound Devices mixer line, and the same preamp design and
>> components as the 7 series recorders, i.e., about as good as a
>> field preamp gets.
>>
>> The documentation for the USBPre mentions coax optical input and
>> output via RCA jacks, but I don't see these ports on the photos of
>> the USBPre. Perhaps the unit in the photos is a pre-production
>> model.
>>
>> The USBPre 2 web page is http://www.sounddevices.com/products/usbpre2.htm
>>
>> Like its predecessor, the USBPre 2 has no battery compartment.
>> Power must come from an external 5V source of no more than 500 mA,
>> connected to the USB port. Needing an external power source makes
>> the USBPre 2 a little harder to use in the field. This sort of
>> power source is used to recharge electronics like iPods and cell
>> phones, and is commonly available.
>>
>> Dimensions of the USBPre 2 are 180 x 100 x 43 mm, weight about 500 g.
>> Retail price will be $650 USD. The product will be available in
>> October. The original USBPre price is now $550.
>>
>> --oryoki
>>
>
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