I've always used the Anker battery via USB-C option and it's never failed, and gives 10+hours of power. I normally have some AA rechargeables sitting in the back just in case.
@@randyrektor I'm a little confused by the Anker Battery Pack shown in your video (Also Recommended by SD) It HAS to be a USB C Output not a USB A (USB 2) Output to power the MixPre 6. The output of the USB 2 on that Power Bank doesnt have enough juice to give it the full amps that it needs. Arent people having issues with this??
It should also be worth noting that the wall plug does *SLIGHTLY* impact sound quality, though it is extremely subtle. When I used it in a test for recording stereo audio from a vinyl record, I did notice a more forward and slightly harsher presentation compared to using an Anker power bank. This could also be a difference in the voltage, since the Anker only provides 5V (thus preventing the USB stick auto-sync from working). I've yet to try a 7.5V or 15V power bank. The difference is definitely subtle, but it's something to be aware of.
Hello, I use at MixPre6 I, an MX-HIROSE adapter with a cable, charger and a battery from Audioroot (eHRS4-OUT, eLC-SMB, eSMART Li-96neo) all in an excellent dedicated bag: KSTGMIX - Stingray MixPro 😉 It's the maximum you can do on the power side..at 4 microphones 48v holds me, indicates 17 hours of REC 🔴.
Another option is to power the Mix Pre 6 ii with a usb c wall charger & an extension cord. Obviously your are limited by the length of your cord, but I always prefer wall power vs. batteries any day. An example of this setup is on our R5 roll cage video where the 100w PD usb c wall charger is able to power both the camera & Mix Pre 6 ii for hours on end. Thanks for the tips on the usb c batteries as well as that is the route I will go when needing portability.
Just checked out your roll cage video! What a sweet setup. I'd be interested to see how long you can get on a battery if you're powering both the camera and the MixPre!
I see this is more focused on the MixPre II series for those that do not know the original MixPre does not come with a power adapter. Yes I agree that the sled is WAYYY order priced. Great video thanks
Thanks for covering these power options. I've experienced the horribly short battery life using Alkaline batteries, and quickly invested in the Anker USB-C power bank. Per your comments, the USB-C port is wobbly and I've had cables disconnect from both the MixPre and the Anker power bank. USB-C power is fairly reliable for desktop use, but I don't trust it in my audio bag. The plastic NPF battery sleds are the most cost effective solution, but you are correct that they are waaaay overpriced. I think Sound Devices cut the wrong corners when it came to powering these recorders.
Hey Dave, I'm totally with you. I'm too worried to rely on the USB C port in a sound bag. It just feels too unreliable. I've seen people comment saying that they do it all the time with no issue, so maybe I need to accept it and roll with it lol! I've also heard that the reason the sleds cost so much is that they have active circuitry in them that assist with the power distribution. I guess that makes sense, but $80 for a battery sled still seems a little off. I really prefer using the sleds over the USB cable though, and the main reason is a proper power-down cycle with a "low battery" warning. Im terrified about corrupt files when Im using the USB C which cuts off cold-turkey.
Yes me too. I'm trying to decide which overpriced sled is best factoring in compactness, cost and run time. I'm not happy risking just a power bank alone, but encouraged to hear that disaster can be avoided if using in conjunction with the supplied 4xAA sled. Just bought 8 AA lithium cells and charger (multi use potentially) to see how 4xAA sled fares with lithium batteries. It was effectively useless using NiMh cells. Can anyone with experience talk to the relative merits of Sound Devices fairly expensive 8xAA sled vs L-mount sleds (2 options from S'Devs - twin vertical or one horizontal)? Also how do they compare in terms of size, ruggedness, reliability, cost and usability vs alternatives from Hawk Woods?
Thanks - very useful information. I just got a used PreMix 6 that came with the L sled. This video gave me additional options. I went and got the knockoff MX Powersled since I have a number of V mount batteries and I got an Alvin Dtap to Hirose connector with right angles which seems like a good option for working out of my bag. Just made me aware of all the options available.
1:51 I know this video is a bit older but just for clarification - you can use the MixPre II series as an audio interface via USB-A to USB-C on certain devices (Not just C to C). I have tested this with an IPhone 15. There is a selection on the Audio Out for the USB-A in the menu.
My 4x AA supplied sled gives very little durability. I have the Hawkwoods SD-2 that you mention. It works fine, but it is expensive. It has to convert the voltage so there is circuitry involved. Thanks for this clip. It's also worth considering 90 deg. connector USB-C cables that don't protrude too much.... might make the power button awkward ( which it already is )
@@randyrektor Yes, sled gives low durability and low power autonomy. I also found Duracell batteries make it bulge but if you use Energizer they don't make it bulge. Anyway this was an excellent clip you made ; powering the PreMix 6II is not just an after-thought
Спасибо, друг, помог разобраться и Вспомнить про Вольтаж! На Рекордере Zoom F8n, всегда отображается Вольтаж на батарее. От 12 до 9В и это круто! Напомнил)
As far as the hirose power sled, no one in the business would power that via a V-mount or Anton Bauer (maybe on a cart, but odds are you're using a 688 or something from Zaxcom or Aaton). You would use some type of BDS (battery distribution system...I use the PSC power max) and either an NP-1 or eSmart (newer and holds a longer charge) battery. These would be the professional "in the bag" power solutions. For cart work, it's another conversation.
Very detailed and easy to understand explanation. Why is there 3 Tracks(L,R and Ch1) when I record a 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?
Thanks for the kind words! You’re good to get rid of L&R. Think of it like a full stereo mix, similar to what you might send to a camera. If you’re working on set with multiple mics, some will use the mail L&R to send a quick mix over to camera so they have something to monitor. It’s also useful for podcast recordings where you want a summed track instead of iso tracks of each person. I turn mine off as well. Theres no added benefit
I think you missed the best option: powerbank plus 4 AA lithium. This way, in case the pb is depleted operation continues and you can plug a new charged poerbank
Very true, I didn't cover any combination charging methods, but this is definitely one of the best! I think the only thing better would be using massive L-Mount batteries on a sled with a power bank. Then you could record around the clock 🤣
The flakey powering options were for me the biggest downside of the MixPre for a mobile device. I jumped for a 633 several years back (I know…ouch!) and have never regretted it.
Oh man, you’re living the dream! I feel like a couple good professional gigs could justify the 633 pretty quickly. I feel like the mixpres are really a good stepping stone or basically the best piece of equipment for a home UA-cam studio. Very jealous of your 633!!
Perfect video thanks … and to add I think there are some accessories that can mount certain portable chargers to the device… diving into UA-cam to look at that …I’ll *try to report back. Ps I had to call all over Canada and U.S. to purchase my MP3 ii…and think I located the last one in N.America … got to love chip shortages
Thanks for the kind words, Roz. Oh, that’s interesting! I’d love to see what people have come up with for mounts. Might be worth checking Etsy too? Congrats on finding one!!
Nope! It’s all beautifully automatic. I believe it will use the power bank before AA batteries. I’m not sure what happens when you attach a power bank AND a sled, but I think it would do the same (power bank first, then seamless switch to the batteries). It’s such a great system
Can you use the AA Battery sled in conjunction with a usb c power bank? So that if the powerbank runs out of juice it auto swaps to the sled without losing a recording…
Last night, I ordered anker 20000 a1287, arriving in several days, but I'm not sure about this. Some suggested me "Sound Devices MX-HIROSE Hirose DC Input Sled" but it's not available in Iran, due to US sanctions we can't order products from Amazon,.. Anker doesn't harm 6II in long time?
When I use the AA battery sled the MixPre-3 II will not draw power from the power bank connected with a USB-C charging cable. With any sled in place one cannot remove the SD card. For these two reasons I use the MixPre-3 II without a sled attached and powered with the USB-C port connected to an Anker power bank with an Anker USB-C to USB-C cable (the most reliable charger cables I have found).
thanks for the video. regarding the external powering option on a video portable rig, is it not possible to connect the mixpre to a camera battery (v mount or BP65 style) with a d tap to usb c cable? There is the hirose option of course but pricey, and both knockoff options are hard to get in Europe.
No I didn’t :( I ended up using the sound devices one. Apparently there are chips in it that regulate battery usage and that’s why they are so much money.
Thanks for the video. Do you know if you can prevent the automatic shutdown/card corruption risk when a power bank gets disconnected BUT you have lithium or Alkaline batteries in the battery sled? For example: when I'm running off the AC power (also via USB-C), and I unplug the AC from the wall, my MixPre6ii automatically falls back onto the battery sled for power. If the same fall-back feature works when using a power bank, then I think this would be an acceptable tactic for mitigating the risk of corrupted cards or abrupt recording disruption.
Yes, I believe if you have batteries in the sled, it does seamlessly change over to that power source -at least from what I’ve seen other people comment. I haven’t tested it yet myself though
Hi Randy! The reason for the high price of the MX-L mount is: There’s power electronics inside. That serves for the batteries not discharging each other, and keeping the power on a constant level even if you’re using two completely different batteries. Also you still get a rather helpful battery indicator on the device.
Oh good to know! Thanks for sharing. I thought there must be something else going on being as pricey as they are. I love having the battery indicator! Some great peace of mind.
@@randyrektor how big was the power bank you used for the 9 hr test? also if your recorder shuts off bc power bank dies or becomes unplugged does it not save the current file being recordeed or all of the files on that card? debating between using power bank and sled since i travel a lot
It does not save because it has to finish writing the file, however if you add 4 AA batteries, then it will automatically switch over and you’ll have a chance to power down appropriately. I’m not sure about the battery I was using. It’s a pretty small one I believe. SD recommends one by Anker on their site
I don’t believe so! I’ve only seen power issues when using USB A and/or a cable that can’t transmit enough juice. Using USB C, it should be fully featured
I'm trying to use my command but it doesnt work if the battery is orange, so i'm trying to find a way to get the green symbol, i have an anker battery that looks like ok according to the manual. I think thats the issue is the cable, mine has 5 mgbps, do you kno< the minimum to have to get the green symbol ? i'm trying to not buy for nothing. Thanks
I’m not sure what the number is, sorry! Maybe that info is in the manual? I think you’re definitely right about the cable. Freetousesounds made a video about this issue. I think he explains the fix.
Oooo that’s a great question. I don’t love the MixPre as an interface because I think there are more ergonomic options out there. I think it really shines in a sound bag. For the same price, I would opt for something like an Apollo. It likely has more tools that are relevant for you (including free top notch plugins). Less features that you’d never use with a mixpre (internal recording, monitor mixes, etc). I’d personally go for something like the Apollo or Apogee
For some additional context, my day job is working at one of the largest VO sites, and the majority of talent use a focusrite Scarlett Solo or similar. More experienced talent are usually using the Apollos. :p hope this helps!!
I really like the NP battery sleds because they give a reliable power indicator, and they save before powering down. The connection is also very reliable. That said, for cost for hour of use, the power banks are WAY better. You can easily get 24 hours of charge on some power banks, so they are by far the best value! Also, you may be able to power multiple devices with a power bank so there are a lot of perks.
So for the 2h recordings, that's 13.2 Wh - so that gives 6.5 Wh roughly or more if there's more phantom power mics. Say 10Wh to round it. So a 98Wh battery would be good for 10-12h.
I've always used the Anker battery via USB-C option and it's never failed, and gives 10+hours of power. I normally have some AA rechargeables sitting in the back just in case.
Love that! That's such a great option.
Do you have to use a usb A output on the Anker like is alluded to in this video?
Nope, you can use C to C with a power supply that can accommodate
@@randyrektor I'm a little confused by the Anker Battery Pack shown in your video (Also Recommended by SD) It HAS to be a USB C Output not a USB A (USB 2) Output to power the MixPre 6. The output of the USB 2 on that Power Bank doesnt have enough juice to give it the full amps that it needs. Arent people having issues with this??
Oh its got its IQ Technology that increases and also regulates the power... I finally saw it..
Great video, Randy, from production value to content. Very helpful. Thanks!
Thanks Todd, I really appreciate that.
It should also be worth noting that the wall plug does *SLIGHTLY* impact sound quality, though it is extremely subtle. When I used it in a test for recording stereo audio from a vinyl record, I did notice a more forward and slightly harsher presentation compared to using an Anker power bank. This could also be a difference in the voltage, since the Anker only provides 5V (thus preventing the USB stick auto-sync from working). I've yet to try a 7.5V or 15V power bank. The difference is definitely subtle, but it's something to be aware of.
Hello,
I use at MixPre6 I, an MX-HIROSE adapter with a cable, charger and a battery from Audioroot (eHRS4-OUT,
eLC-SMB, eSMART Li-96neo) all in an excellent dedicated bag: KSTGMIX - Stingray MixPro 😉
It's the maximum you can do on the power side..at 4 microphones 48v holds me, indicates 17 hours of REC 🔴.
Holy smokes 17 hours? I'm googling all of these parts right now lol! Thanks for sharing
Wow, those batteries are super slim for their capacity! Unreal 🤯🤯🤯
@@randyrektor maybe I exaggerated but I'll come back..I think 12-15 hours🤔
@@-Ninel- Still a solid DAY of recording! Very cool
Hi, the MX-HIROSE Accessory, is it made of plastic or metal ??? Thanks.
Another option is to power the Mix Pre 6 ii with a usb c wall charger & an extension cord. Obviously your are limited by the length of your cord, but I always prefer wall power vs. batteries any day. An example of this setup is on our R5 roll cage video where the 100w PD usb c wall charger is able to power both the camera & Mix Pre 6 ii for hours on end. Thanks for the tips on the usb c batteries as well as that is the route I will go when needing portability.
Just checked out your roll cage video! What a sweet setup. I'd be interested to see how long you can get on a battery if you're powering both the camera and the MixPre!
Super helpful thank you for the in-depth comparison tests
You’re so welcome!
I see this is more focused on the MixPre II series for those that do not know the original MixPre does not come with a power adapter. Yes I agree that the sled is WAYYY order priced. Great video thanks
Ahhhh I didn’t know it didn’t come with it! So you had to use batteries or usb C? I’m glad they added it, it feels like it should be included
Thanks for covering these power options. I've experienced the horribly short battery life using Alkaline batteries, and quickly invested in the Anker USB-C power bank. Per your comments, the USB-C port is wobbly and I've had cables disconnect from both the MixPre and the Anker power bank. USB-C power is fairly reliable for desktop use, but I don't trust it in my audio bag. The plastic NPF battery sleds are the most cost effective solution, but you are correct that they are waaaay overpriced. I think Sound Devices cut the wrong corners when it came to powering these recorders.
Hey Dave, I'm totally with you. I'm too worried to rely on the USB C port in a sound bag. It just feels too unreliable. I've seen people comment saying that they do it all the time with no issue, so maybe I need to accept it and roll with it lol! I've also heard that the reason the sleds cost so much is that they have active circuitry in them that assist with the power distribution. I guess that makes sense, but $80 for a battery sled still seems a little off. I really prefer using the sleds over the USB cable though, and the main reason is a proper power-down cycle with a "low battery" warning. Im terrified about corrupt files when Im using the USB C which cuts off cold-turkey.
Yes me too. I'm trying to decide which overpriced sled is best factoring in compactness, cost and run time. I'm not happy risking just a power bank alone, but encouraged to hear that disaster can be avoided if using in conjunction with the supplied 4xAA sled. Just bought 8 AA lithium cells and charger (multi use potentially) to see how 4xAA sled fares with lithium batteries. It was effectively useless using NiMh cells.
Can anyone with experience talk to the relative merits of Sound Devices fairly expensive 8xAA sled vs L-mount sleds (2 options from S'Devs - twin vertical or one horizontal)? Also how do they compare in terms of size, ruggedness, reliability, cost and usability vs alternatives from Hawk Woods?
Thanks - very useful information. I just got a used PreMix 6 that came with the L sled. This video gave me additional options. I went and got the knockoff MX Powersled since I have a number of V mount batteries and I got an Alvin Dtap to Hirose connector with right angles which seems like a good option for working out of my bag. Just made me aware of all the options available.
Thanks for watching! I wish I had some vmount batteries to use. I bet you’ll be able to run for days with a setup like that! 👌🏻👌🏻
use a powert bank and the battery sled. When the bank runs out the AAs keep it on so you can swap it out.
Yes, thats such a great way to do it! I love having the redundant power
How are you powering? My new favourite is the L-Mount sled. 7h45m is longer than I'll ever need. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
have you had any problems damaging your NP batteries? Some reviews on B&H have stated that the pins are large and have damaged batteries.
Really helpful thanks!
Glad it helped!
very helpful! Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome video! Thanks a ton for explaining this!
Thanks man :) glad it was helpful!!
1:51 I know this video is a bit older but just for clarification - you can use the MixPre II series as an audio interface via USB-A to USB-C on certain devices (Not just C to C). I have tested this with an IPhone 15. There is a selection on the Audio Out for the USB-A in the menu.
Oh that's super interesting! Thanks for the update, that's nice to know :)
@@randyrektor Yes, and I have tested it as an Audio Interface with an iPhone 15 as well with just a USB-C cable and it works too.
@@xdanielpatrickwhat do u mean as audio interface?
This is really helpful. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Suuuuuper helpful, thank you!
Glad it was helpful! 🙌🏻
Yo! Nice info. Really useful!
Thank you kindly!
Watt is love, baby don't hertz me!
Thanks for nerding out with me.
My 4x AA supplied sled gives very little durability. I have the Hawkwoods SD-2 that you mention. It works fine, but it is expensive. It has to convert the voltage so there is circuitry involved. Thanks for this clip. It's also worth considering 90 deg. connector USB-C cables that don't protrude too much.... might make the power button awkward ( which it already is )
Thanks for sharing! That's interesting to know. I totally agree about the 4xAA sled. One drop and that thing is smashed.
@@randyrektor Yes, sled gives low durability and low power autonomy. I also found Duracell batteries make it bulge but if you use Energizer they don't make it bulge. Anyway this was an excellent clip you made ; powering the PreMix 6II is not just an after-thought
@@pandoraefretum Thanks for the info and the kind words!
Спасибо, друг, помог разобраться и Вспомнить про Вольтаж!
На Рекордере Zoom F8n, всегда отображается Вольтаж на батарее. От 12 до 9В и это круто!
Напомнил)
From Google Translate: Спасибо за комментарий. Я считаю, что вы можете найти требования к напряжению в руководстве пользователя. Надеюсь это поможет.
As far as the hirose power sled, no one in the business would power that via a V-mount or Anton Bauer (maybe on a cart, but odds are you're using a 688 or something from Zaxcom or Aaton). You would use some type of BDS (battery distribution system...I use the PSC power max) and either an NP-1 or eSmart (newer and holds a longer charge) battery. These would be the professional "in the bag" power solutions. For cart work, it's another conversation.
Great info and insights! Thanks for sharing Casey 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Hi Randy. The MX-HIROSE Accessory, is it made of plastic or metal ??? Thanks.
I'm not entirely sure! I don't have one of those on hand to check out. It looks like the one from Cable Techniques linked in the description is metal.
@@randyrektor it is made of hard plastic
I use the tiny FXLion Nano One 50Wh, usbc to usbc, does the whole day.
Thanks for sharing! I'll have to check that one out
Anyone have luck with the MX-8AA sled? With 8 NMh or alkaline batteries runtime would be better at least.
Very detailed and easy to understand explanation. Why is there 3 Tracks(L,R and Ch1) when I record a 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?
Thanks for the kind words! You’re good to get rid of L&R. Think of it like a full stereo mix, similar to what you might send to a camera. If you’re working on set with multiple mics, some will use the mail L&R to send a quick mix over to camera so they have something to monitor. It’s also useful for podcast recordings where you want a summed track instead of iso tracks of each person. I turn mine off as well. Theres no added benefit
Thanks man!
You bet!
I think you missed the best option: powerbank plus 4 AA lithium. This way, in case the pb is depleted operation continues and you can plug a new charged poerbank
Very true, I didn't cover any combination charging methods, but this is definitely one of the best! I think the only thing better would be using massive L-Mount batteries on a sled with a power bank. Then you could record around the clock 🤣
@@randyrektor Sure! : ) Just meant a cont. powering and min. weight. Thanks for the video!
@@fer_fdi Oh absolutely! It's a solid option!
The flakey powering options were for me the biggest downside of the MixPre for a mobile device. I jumped for a 633 several years back (I know…ouch!) and have never regretted it.
Oh man, you’re living the dream! I feel like a couple good professional gigs could justify the 633 pretty quickly. I feel like the mixpres are really a good stepping stone or basically the best piece of equipment for a home UA-cam studio. Very jealous of your 633!!
@@randyrektor Totally agreed-for a home installation like a UA-cam studio a mixpre is pretty much the dope.
Perfect video thanks … and to add I think there are some accessories that can mount certain portable chargers to the device… diving into UA-cam to look at that …I’ll *try to report back. Ps I had to call all over Canada and U.S. to purchase my MP3 ii…and think I located the last one in N.America … got to love chip shortages
Thanks for the kind words, Roz. Oh, that’s interesting! I’d love to see what people have come up with for mounts. Might be worth checking Etsy too? Congrats on finding one!!
@@randyrektor Marcos Rocha has a video …the one item is not available. :( ua-cam.com/video/KXQmfqHVQnM/v-deo.html
Great video. When using power banks and sleds, do we need to set up anything in Power menu such as External power?
Nope! It’s all beautifully automatic. I believe it will use the power bank before AA batteries. I’m not sure what happens when you attach a power bank AND a sled, but I think it would do the same (power bank first, then seamless switch to the batteries). It’s such a great system
Can you use the AA Battery sled in conjunction with a usb c power bank? So that if the powerbank runs out of juice it auto swaps to the sled without losing a recording…
You sure can, and from what I understand, it uses the USB first, then the sled.
Please post link of the anker power bank to buy today for mixpre 6 ii
I've seen this one from Anker recommended time and time again amzn.to/3R9ekY9 (affiliate link). The one I am using is an off-brand product.
Last night, I ordered anker 20000 a1287, arriving in several days, but I'm not sure about this. Some suggested me "Sound Devices MX-HIROSE Hirose DC Input Sled" but it's not available in Iran, due to US sanctions we can't order products from Amazon,..
Anker doesn't harm 6II in long time?
Not at all, it will only draw the power it needs.
@@randyrektor thank you, appreciate for your time and kindness
When I use the AA battery sled the MixPre-3 II will not draw power from the power bank connected with a USB-C charging cable. With any sled in place one cannot remove the SD card. For these two reasons I use the MixPre-3 II without a sled attached and powered with the USB-C port connected to an Anker power bank with an Anker USB-C to USB-C cable (the most reliable charger cables I have found).
Yes it’s a solid way to go! I’m seeing a lot of people prefer that method
That is very clearly the way to go
thanks for the video. regarding the external powering option on a video portable rig, is it not possible to connect the mixpre to a camera battery (v mount or BP65 style) with a d tap to usb c cable? There is the hirose option of course but pricey, and both knockoff options are hard to get in Europe.
Oh that’s a really cool idea! I’m sure that would also work no problem
@Randy did you find a good NP-F battery plate copy?
No I didn’t :( I ended up using the sound devices one. Apparently there are chips in it that regulate battery usage and that’s why they are so much money.
@@randyrektor Yeah! I thought so. Because it has to go from 7-20V to 5V. Thanks.
Thanks for the video. Do you know if you can prevent the automatic shutdown/card corruption risk when a power bank gets disconnected BUT you have lithium or Alkaline batteries in the battery sled? For example: when I'm running off the AC power (also via USB-C), and I unplug the AC from the wall, my MixPre6ii automatically falls back onto the battery sled for power. If the same fall-back feature works when using a power bank, then I think this would be an acceptable tactic for mitigating the risk of corrupted cards or abrupt recording disruption.
Yes, I believe if you have batteries in the sled, it does seamlessly change over to that power source -at least from what I’ve seen other people comment. I haven’t tested it yet myself though
According to Sound Devices it will switch over seamlessly to AA sled. Probably a good failsafe option.
Hi Randy! The reason for the high price of the MX-L mount is: There’s power electronics inside. That serves for the batteries not discharging each other, and keeping the power on a constant level even if you’re using two completely different batteries. Also you still get a rather helpful battery indicator on the device.
Oh good to know! Thanks for sharing. I thought there must be something else going on being as pricey as they are. I love having the battery indicator! Some great peace of mind.
@@randyrektor how big was the power bank you used for the 9 hr test?
also if your recorder shuts off bc power bank dies or becomes unplugged does it not save the current file being recordeed or all of the files on that card?
debating between using power bank and sled since i travel a lot
It does not save because it has to finish writing the file, however if you add 4 AA batteries, then it will automatically switch over and you’ll have a chance to power down appropriately. I’m not sure about the battery I was using. It’s a pretty small one I believe. SD recommends one by Anker on their site
@@randyrektor did not know it switches to AA batteries! So if I have those as back ups i should be good in case the power ban dies/gets unplugged?
100%! It makes it totally disaster-proof!
Are there any power limitations, similar to the battery bank, from powering from a computer’s usb-c bus?
I don’t believe so! I’ve only seen power issues when using USB A and/or a cable that can’t transmit enough juice. Using USB C, it should be fully featured
@@randyrektor Thanks!!
I'm trying to use my command but it doesnt work if the battery is orange, so i'm trying to find a way to get the green symbol, i have an anker battery that looks like ok according to the manual.
I think thats the issue is the cable, mine has 5 mgbps, do you kno< the minimum to have to get the green symbol ? i'm trying to not buy for nothing.
Thanks
I’m not sure what the number is, sorry! Maybe that info is in the manual? I think you’re definitely right about the cable. Freetousesounds made a video about this issue. I think he explains the fix.
ua-cam.com/video/KrnsFjiPc1U/v-deo.html
@@randyrektor thx mate
Hi Randy, Do you happen to like the MixPre 3 II as an audio interface for voice overs compared to the vast array of competition?
Oooo that’s a great question. I don’t love the MixPre as an interface because I think there are more ergonomic options out there. I think it really shines in a sound bag. For the same price, I would opt for something like an Apollo. It likely has more tools that are relevant for you (including free top notch plugins). Less features that you’d never use with a mixpre (internal recording, monitor mixes, etc). I’d personally go for something like the Apollo or Apogee
For some additional context, my day job is working at one of the largest VO sites, and the majority of talent use a focusrite Scarlett Solo or similar. More experienced talent are usually using the Apollos. :p hope this helps!!
@@randyrektor Thank you Randy for your quick response!
Hi - which battery is your favourite choice for MixPre 6 ii?
I really like the NP battery sleds because they give a reliable power indicator, and they save before powering down. The connection is also very reliable. That said, for cost for hour of use, the power banks are WAY better. You can easily get 24 hours of charge on some power banks, so they are by far the best value! Also, you may be able to power multiple devices with a power bank so there are a lot of perks.
@@randyrektor OK can you give me the kinks to the NP battery sleds and battery and I will place an order. I just got the MixPre 6 ii.
Links are all down below in the video description :)
When you say " *NP Style Battery* ", you're referring to SONY NP-FZ100 batteries?
Yep, those are the ones. Linked below as well
@@randyrektor Great, thanks, I have two and a fabulous charger to go with them...
So for the 2h recordings, that's 13.2 Wh - so that gives 6.5 Wh roughly or more if there's more phantom power mics. Say 10Wh to round it. So a 98Wh battery would be good for 10-12h.
NP-F550 or?
Yup! I believe NW-F970s work as well, but I’m sure about that
for price 1000eur + must be in package ...F$#%"$" ing
Super helpful, thanks!