naturerecordists
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Mix Pre3 or Zoom?

Subject: Re: Mix Pre3 or Zoom?
From: "Wilbur Hershberger" wil_hershberger
Date: Thu Sep 12, 2019 7:36 am ((PDT))
Hello Stella,
Yes, the latest firmware, v 3.03, fixed the issue of recording at 192kHz sa=
mpling rate. I would chose the MixPre over the zoom for two basic reasons; =
the headphone amplifier is superior in the MixPre and the channels can be l=
inked in stereo pairs so that one gain control adjusts the gain for both ch=
annels and the other channels gain control adjusts the offset. So, you can =
record with one mic and have the left channel set to record at -10dB relati=
ve to the right channel. If the gain needs to be adjusted, only the right c=
hannel=92s gain knob needs to be moved, both channels gains are adjusted an=
d the offset is preserved. It is trivial to readjust the left channel=92s g=
ain back to 0 for stereo recording. With the Zoom, all of the knobs are ind=
ependent and you have to adjust both channels gains anytime the levels have=
 to be changed. For studio work, that might be ok, in the field it is a rea=
l inconvenience to have to look at and adjust two controls.

The new mark II MixPre units have some new circuitry and enhanced functiona=
lity, including 32-bit float recording. In that mode, you cannot clip the i=
nputs of the A/D converters. That would allow you to make stellar recording=
s of thunderstorms without having to worry about where the gains are set. J=
ust set the gain for a nice level and record. Anything that looks clipped c=
an be normalized in post to a better level and nothing will have clipped. T=
his is a game changer in natural sounds recording endeavors. Also, the MixP=
re-3 now can record at 192kHz sampling rate, the mark I could only go as hi=
gh at 96kHz.
I hope that this helps,

Wil Hershberger
Nature Images and Sounds, LLC <http://www.natureimagesandsounds.com/>
Hedgesville, WV
The Songs of Insects <http://www.songsofinsects.com/>
             

> On Sep 12, 2019, at 10:00 AM, Stella Aquilina  [nat=
urerecordists] <> wrote:
>
>
> Will - I read your article http://songsofinsects.com/microphone-choice <h=
ttp://songsofinsects.com/microphone-choice> and read that there were some i=
ssues with the MixPre-6 with a high sampling rate. Have those issues been r=
esolved with the software update? If one is interested in insect ambiance a=
nd envisions using a pair of MKH8020 would you still recommend the MixPre o=
ver a Zoom? Thanks in advance for any updated info.
>
>






<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the naturerecordists mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU