Sound for Video Session: Sound Devices MixPre-6 (and 3) Setup Walkthrough 

I would call it a “Missing manual for MixPre series”. Seriously, it made everything so clear for me on how to use my MixPre-6 device. I can’t thank you enough for this video!

Sound Devices should be paying YOU for making these kinds of videos.

After 4 years, #2021 I feel like I need to tell ya that you're the reason why I got my MixPre6 MkII !!! Thank you ^^

Fantastic tutorial Curtis. This is one of the best videos on YT I've come across. You mix a good explanation of the kit with a basic lesson on sound mixing, all perfectly paced. I just got given a MixPre 6 to learn in one day, with no sound experience, and this is a life saver. Great job!

Just ordered a mixpre-3 ii, can't thank you enough for this!

So appreciate this as a beginner to audio who acquired a MixPre-6 II. Curtis, I could actually follow this, most grateful. Totally agree with Vadim Makeev, this is the missing manual for the 6 II as well. Thank you.

Big fan of your videos, thanks for the extensive knowledge. Although I thoroughly read through manuals, it's great to have someone show you each process step-by-step visually. Thanks again!

That was outstanding. Just got a mixpre3 ii and this really helped. Still so much to learn and fiddle with, but your videos are a life saver. Funny how the community does an even better job than the manufacturers. Keep up the amazing work

Thanks for your time ! having my first recording in 3 days where i'll be using a Sound Device Mixpre 6 for the first time, this really makes me feel more confident before going in !

Thank you Curtis Judd for all the videos! I watched so many and finally upgraded to the mix-pre6. The analog limiter thing is astounding. Coming from the tascam dr60-d this is a dream to work with. I never realized before the importance of headphone amplifiers and track settings etc. before watching your videos!

Nice job as usual Curtis. You just sold me on this one because this tutorial allows me to hit the ground running. I've had the Sound Devices 702 and 633, but need something else to Podcast . No one explains things in as simple, yet detailed terms. I'm subscribing to your channel, which actually makes you my second RU-vid subscription.

Thank you for this.

I received my first professional tape sync job today for a national podcast. I was so excited earlier, and while I purchased a mixpre3 a couple months ago, the recording requirements for this job were set to 44.1/16 bit and that had me so incredibly upset when the audio was completely messed up in playback for about an hour. I thought my heart would fly out out of my chest, and I would drown in my own tears, but after following you step-by-step I learned exactly what to fix, and how to fix it. This video just saved the biggest break of my young career. Thank you!! Also, I loved the laugh - keep doing it.

**NOTE** This walkthrough was NOT recorded with the MixPre so please do not use this to assess the sound quality of the MixPre. Since I only have one MixPre, I could not show all of the settings and record with it at the same time. Also, the "hiss" that you hear is the fan in my camera - for practical purposes, the microphone was approximately 8 inches from the camera's fan. If you'd like to hear some clips recorded with the MixPre, please have a listen to these previous episodes: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7tr37w9isic.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZRc0tOTBWuw.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Mx5JeUuVX1o.html

This is a better shot, better explained video tutorial than the one’s sound devices have. Bravo Sir!

Your audio quality by far is the best on youtube, better than my self! Impressed

Thank you so much for the clear and detailed explanations. No fluff just great info.

Just got a MixPre-6 and your video was a godsend. thanks Curtis!

I find all of your videos to be very helpful, and educational. I am new to sound recording and the use of these devices. There is one thing I thought I would mention, however, just for you to think about and take into consideration when you make future videos. I've noticed in more than one video, when demonstrating assorted menu options, that (while you usually clearly explain the function of each feature and why someone might use it) you occasionally will avoid explanation in an oddly dismissive way. "If you don't know what that is, well... (laughing) you probably don't need it." I'm sure a lot of other people are like me and come to your videos to learn. I know you don't intend to mock the lack of knowledge of the viewers, but in a way it comes off as laughing at them that they wouldn't know what one of these advanced features is for, and then you don't take the time to explain what it is at all. I realize you can't cover everything in every video, but I just thought I would mention it's something I have noticed that you may want to refrain from doing in the future.

Super helpful video! Still trying to figure out my MixPre 3 II. Will look over some of your other videos too.

This is probably the best MixPre 6 setting up Video on RU-vid !

Wow, this guide is 1000% better than the manual!

Hi nice walk-through, really looking forward for your other reviews on it. i would like to know if it can be use a live mixer? like a on stage production

Great guide. Very helpful at explaining the features of the MixPre.

I've watched a few Mixpre-3 videos in this is the best!!

An essential video if you have one of these MixPre units. Very impressed indeed.

Thanks again, bought mine (ii) a month ago and doing first serious recordings now, recording a poet. Still abit confused about the menu's, but surviving, thanks fot this info! The device is more able to more purposes than I ever imagined...

You are great. Just got 3. Thank you for posting

Thanks for the walkthrough. What I really hope for is Sound Devices using this as a test bed for a more pro level recorder, as the pro community is much less patient with experiments. With that in mind, I think the MixPre looks really interesting.

Outstanding explanatory video!

Thank you for this easy to follow walk through!

Curtis, your videos always mean quality and in depth review, thks! About the delay, don't you think it is more to avoid phase issue due to the distance between a lav and a boom ? I was using the delay compensation that way on my Zoom f4

Thank you very much Curtis! Brilliant infos. I just ordered me one ;-)

Did you equalize the sound, or is it just the microphone? It sounds very muddied/bass heavy compared to a Schoeps CMC6 into a 702T.

Thanks, this was informative enough for my first intro to this item. Does it still record isolated tracks when using Basic mode then? Or must I be in advanced mode to get that?

Great walkthrough. I'm using it to setup a MixPre 3 that I don't have lol. I have a host at work that I ordered one for because it will work best for her in a podcast setup and now I'm going to train her on a device I've never used and we're doing it over Skype. Oh, not to mention she has never recorded audio;) Yeah, I guess I like challenges lol.

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I've just picked up a MixPre6 ii, and it seems like a lot of this applies to the new model as well. Really like the MixPre and will be recommending this video along with the device. I'm wondering, when using the MixPre as an audio interface, what's the simplest way to monitor playback from a DAW along with direct monitoring of any inputs (rather than monitoring inputs through the DAW, which has too much latency for me)? It seems I need to mix the USB outputs with the direct input signal, but I'm not sure the smoothest way to do that. Any suggestions?

Thanks Curtis - immensely helpful!

Total sidebar question: what camera are you using that has a fan in it?

Thanks for your detailed explanation about the sound mixer. I have a Mixer 3 which I have used for years. I used with Q8 camcorder to make performance recordings. Recently , I found some electrical noise in my recording which I did not have before. I had added an audio isolator between the output of the Mixer and the input of my camcorder. However, the noise even louder. Do you know what may be the problem?

Thanks for this very good walkthrough!

Great video as well, it would be great to hear your thoughts on the best mobile power and how you are setting it up on location.

Thanks for the highly in depth review of the machine. I am about to make a purchase for my kit as a production sound mixer and the analog limiters in the Mixpre are making me lean heavily toward it over the F4. Glad to see you really knock into the specifics here. Love your videos.

Love your vids Curtis follow them religiously, I record piano recitals with my C-200 ...with a sd302 feed to the camera, but I like the 32bit float that helps avoid clipping with the SD premix 6. I wonder if purchasing this device would be an upgrade.

Awesome info mate. Thanks so much. I just got a Mix Pre 6 ii.....Sooooo good!

Hey Curtis. I have the Sound Devices Pre Mix 3 and love it. The pre-amps are among the cleanest I've found at this price range. I just wish the designers would put the on-off switch in a more accesible place.

Great overview..does this create a audio file that combines all input channels? As a single track..as well as recording each individual track file

Great video! Is there a way to Name tracks before I record? Or can I just to this after I stopped recording and add notes to the file

Thx for the presentation!

This was so helpful!!!!!! Liked, saved, subbed, Happy dance 🤟💕🤟💜🙌🤩. Thank you Curtis Judd Audio!!!👍

Great vids Curtis! Question, is there a quality difference between what’s recording to the Mix Pre 3’s internal SD Card and the stereo out recording to my GH5s SD Card?

Thank you for this Curtis!

Very professional presentation

Hi Curtis, wonderful job as always - great quality content. I‘m not sure if you already made a video about the production steps that are made after the editor syncs the video footage with the stereo mix via timecode. How will an audio program like Cubase sync the isolated tracks to the now edited movie when the editor will pass it to the sound editor? Is the timecode still the same and can be synced with the iso files? Is there a resource to find out about this step of the production? Best regards - Christoph

Hi Curtis, did you ever use controller (eg.nano from korg). Plan to buy controller for my MP6 (v3.00). Thank you. I always love your video about sound gears.

This is an awesome hands-on guide @ Curtis Judd. Thank you. One question, is there a frame setting for audio on MixPre mkII to conform w/ 23.976 fps? I've spent a little time on my MP3 II and I'm not seeing any frame options.

Really great tutorial. I’m using our mix pre 3 for location foley tomorrow. Which mode is best when capturing two discreet mic channels? i.e I’m not hugely interested in the L/R mix but instead two separate mono channels, one from each mix we use. Will the poly wav nature of this recorder always output the L/R mix then each channels discrete output? (1-3) Thanks again

hi with the MixPre-3 II is that possible to record a stereo input with 3.5mm stereo input (L and R channels) in the same time that using the three XLR inputs ?

Excellent guide, greatly appreciated.

Very useful video Curtis. I have a question - I am planning to purchase either a mixpre 3 or 6 II, for use in the field and as an audio interface. Is it good practice to use a DI box to balance the outputs for use with studio monitors? Or would you recommend going for a product with built in balanced outputs, say the mixpre 10?

Hey Curtis, Thanks for the video, very helpful! Q; will the HDMI Flag work on the basic mode? and on the mixpre3? Thanks!

Great video! Thank you!

Hey! Great video! Let me ask you, can I send the sound coming out of the computer connected to the USB c on the mix pre6 and then record it in QuickTime for Mac but also have the sound of the Mics recorded at the same time (all within QuickTime) I’m not talking about recording on the device itself. Thank you!

Very helpful, Curtis. Thanks

Hello Curtis! Well what a tease this is! I really fancy purchasing the MixPre-3. I am doing pro voice over recording from my home studio and this seem just like what I would need. Any idea when they are supposed to become available to general public? Seems like all we can do for now is to (mix)pre-order…. Thanks!

If I understood correctly. In minute 9 you said that you can connect this device to your camera and record the audio to your camera without having to sync in post? Correct? Can you also do this with the zoom F4? Record audio directly to your camera without having to sync?

Thank you Curtis, probably a silly question but what about using a DAW system with this? Basically can the mix pre6 interface with protools?

helpful video! Is it possible to program the 'assign button' to power the unit on/ off? The power switch is a pain to access when in a mixer bag

THE perfect explanation.

Great video. I have one question.... i guess the mixpre recorders are mainly for use in live recording situations, but if I used the mixpre 3 (or Zoom F4 for that matter) for multi track music recording with one or two musicians playing multiple instruments, could I have a backing track playing on one channel (but not being recorded) and record a solo track over it? ....and have the solo track available for mixing in post)?

The gain/fade in advanced mode will be excellent for me when shooting live presentations. I record room audio in case the sound booth cable has issues during recording. Now I can record the room audio but fade it to near zero, so it doesn't go to camera and live stream.

Thank you! Great tutorial.

14:32 very helpful to me. Thank you very much Curtis.

Excellent video! Thank you

i start to understand the MODEs: There are two Mode-Setups: Basic-Mode and Advanced-Mode in Custom-"Mode" you can mix these setups in these Points: • Channel • Gain • Headphone • Record • Metadata • Output most of these points in the Basic-Mode is a simple or limited function, but the "Gain" is change from "Gain/Trim" of the PreAmp in basic-Mode to "Fader" of the Stereomix in "Advanced-Mode" . In very intuitive on this point.

Hi Curtis, great video! Unfortunately I didn't get the difference between L&R linked and only L&R in the record menu. What can be controlled together? How does this affect the output file? Thank you very much and best wishes, Gert!

Thanks for making this video! How about if while using it as an audio interface with Logic Pro X, the playback will not come back through the mix pre- even if all the settings appear to be exactly as they should be. Never had an issue before with any interface giving me at least a playback. Metronome also won't play back through the interface either during recording or playback.

Thankyou so much - I've had a couple of listens now and it's helped me so much in the field. I do have one question though - I wonder if you could possibly have the time to answer for me - as I can not find it anywhere! Everything has been great - however I can not find where to listen back to a track when in the field - to test that everything is coming through ok? Like a quick record test you can listen back to - does anyone know? thanks heaps!

Thanks for the information.

Hi. Im new to the audio feild. I'm working as a boom op for a mixer using the pre6. What is the best way to get audio for both of our headphones?

Hi, first all your videos are amazing thx man! now, quick question, how can I arm channel 5 on my mixpre 6? can you help me? thx

Great info! Thank you! I didn't know about the faders vs gain in Advanced mode since I've used a 702 for years and the setup is simpler. I'm getting quite confused as to the number of files that the Mix Pre generates. I typically record in linked stereo and get 4 files and are all mono? Just found a solution to this : when I drag and drop into Logic - it turns all into mono files. But when I use the import function I get a surround file which easily is put into stereo. The other confusion I have is with the headphone output. I also often record in linked stereo with an MS mic setup and monitor the decoded version in my headphones. I'm not quite sure if my preset is right : ch1 prefade to L postfade and ch2 prefade to R postfade with MS on. On my 702 it's very easy to switch headphone monitor settings and listen to separate left and right and MS decode.

Hi Curtis! Great video. I was wondering, how do you think the sound compares to the 633 and F4/F8?

Hi Curtis! Thanks so much for this in-depth setup. Sooo helpful. I have the MixPre-3 and I'm trying to use it in basic mode, and whenever I use headphones to monitor, there is tons of static in the recording. Unplug the headphones and things are crystal clear. Any idea as to what could be going on? I didn't think think adjusting the HP knob would introduce noise.

Very detailed and easy to understand explanation. Why is there 3 Tracks(L,R and Ch1) when I record one boom on Ch1? What is the meaning of L, R additionally with Ch1? My setup is just one MKH416 connected to CH1 on MixPre3 and I am trying to record talking head.. Is there any additional benefit in quality of audio output or editing workflow if I use all 3 (L,R and Ch1) in final Video? Is it OK to record on Ch1 without the L and R? Should I just get rid of L and R? Is L and R really required for single Mic setup? What is the purpose of L and R?

I am so glad I found the channel. I'm on my way to better recording and post-processing the sound. have you updated to DaVinci 16 in the Fairlight class??

hi, I want to use the Mixpre without recording a stereo mix and just record ISO tracks with the knobs controlling gain (no faders). I've put it into Custom mode for the direct gain knob control but when I want to listen back to the 'ISO track ' etc to check my recording via headphone I can't hear it. Is there a Headphone setting that I need to change?

I'm thinking of mounting a Manfrotto 323 quick release plate on top of the MixPre-6, to get small cameras off and on the MixPre quickly. If I understand correctly the 323 is intended for similar applications.

Hi Curtis, first of all ...congratulations for your channel. Every video you make has an excellent quality both content and production. I bought my MixPre - 6 recently and I have only one question: How do I record 6 simultaneous channels if there's only 5 inputs (4 XLR / TRS and 1 Aux / Mic in)? Supposing I'm recording 6 lava mics at the same time for an example. Thank you so much, keep with the great work!

Another question. Between this Mix pre 3 and the Beachtek Dxa pro , in your opinion, would I get a difference in sound between Beactek vs Mix pre 3? I have beachtek DXA and I was wondering if mix pre 3 would give me any additional boost in sound performance over the Beacteck.

Curtis, I am a GH5 user looking to setup my rig for a run and gun project. One option is to buy the XLR extension that you reviewed as well. To me that is a decent and reliable option. The other option is to mount a mixpre3 under my camera cage. This would give me a 3 channel setup (2 AVX lavs and a shotgun) which is very appealing to me. What worries me about this route is the timecode setup via the HDMI cable. The HDMI connection on the recorder side looks really flimsy, especially in a run and gun context. Do you concur? Or would you feel comfortable in recommending the GH5-mixpre3 setup for rund and gun work? Thx so much and keep them coming. Your reviews/tutoriials have proven instrumental to me in many occasions.

Is the headphone amp good enough to make it usable as extra route-able outputs? It could be useful for sending two extra ISO's to other devices.

Hi and thanks for the great tutorial. I just borrowed a MixPre6 - and recorded some stuff. And now I would like to listen to the files while they are still on the MixPre6 - but when I play them I can hear nothing in my headphones. What am I doing wrong?

Where do you want your peaks and meters to be generally when recording dialogue? I'm having trouble gain staging, when I'm recording my ISO tracks keep peaking and the limiter kicks in often. Would it be more helpful to balance the ISO tracks by setting the gain option to "basic" in my case?

is there a rewind fast forward function on this? I have never seen one on the mic pre 3

Hi Curtis. Seat video. Which model do recommend for youtube videos?

Does the HDMI from the GH5 to the Mix Pre-6 need to remained plugged in together for timecode to continue to work? If so, how do I hook up the Ninja Inferno? I read both the quick start guide and the manual for the Mix Pre's and they don't tell you if you can set up the time code, and then unplug it or not. Thanks!

Really helpful, thanks man

Thanks Curtis!!

Thank you for this thorough guide Curtis! I'm still a bit confused with the Gain/Fader idea for the knobs. @1:22 why do i need a fader to make the person quieter? Can't i do the same with gain?