How to Record a Beat on the Sound Devices MixPre-6 ii.
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- In this video, we show how to make a beat using the Sound Devices MixPre-6 ii audio recorder and mixer. We go step-by-step to record a song track-by-track. The audio recorder has a mode to aid musician's called the Musician's Plugin and we take a deep dive into the workflow and features of the plugin.
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We show how to generate a song idea starting from scratch and recording it part by part until we have an idea worth exporting directly from the MixPre. We show how to connect the MixPre to a computer as an interface to record digitally. We show how to connect a phantom powered microphone to record a guitar and shaker. And we show how to record auxiliary input sources such as a drum machine and turntable.
NOTE: A midi controller can be used with the MixPre while connected to a power supply and while connected to a computer. A midi controller cannot be powered while using an external battery, such as a USB power pack or power bank.
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Holy hell that was complicated and alot of work to record 10-12 tracks haha. I agree with a prior comment which is the optimum workflow I think is to use the MixPre6 as a front end recorder for a DAW
Thanks Ollie! Another great Vid!
Excellent run-through. I bought the 6 for simple recording, but it's very helpful to know how far we can take it!
Wow. That was quite a run through... thankfully, I had already played around with it so I was able to follow and learn. Thanks!
Sure. Glad it helped.
Excellent but what a mess to work on this tiny screen.
Thank you so much for being so precise and helpful !
Thanks!
Very cool! Clever trick recording the Metronome click onto track 1. And still able to use the Metronome pre-roll. Armed with a mic or two in the field, this brings us old school musicians out recording tracks from actual instruments, focussing on just the music recordings with little or no distractions from NLEs and its plug-in updates.
Thanks! It's a pretty cool feature set to an already impressive device. It opens up options for musicians, especially those familiar with recording to tape.
@@OllieLoops Without the need to wait and rewind.. :)
@@rastAsia yeah, good point!
Ideal for capturing bedside inspiration because you've been watching Sergio Leone but then youve built a whole arrangement and love the first version and don't want to loose it.. so 24.96k is fine for importing into your future song!
WoW! That is one heck of a great video. I have a MixPre-3 with Musician Plugin that I have never used because I didn’t really know how to get started. This vid gives me that start. Why did you not play the final song at the end, would liked to have heard results.
Thanks! have fun.
Thanks for this video. Ollie, How to import several WAV files in the same music project?
Thanks! I’m not sure you can import multiple wav files. The device uses a signal multitrack audio file per recording. So, it’s best to think about it like a digital tape machine.
thanks for the overview. i will probably pick one of these up, just what im looking for. i think you would get down the workflow pretty quick and not even think about it, the narration makes it seem more gnarly than it is i would think. that said the only thing missing for me is for it to sync to ext midi transport perhaps. i suppose you just press play on your drum machine, with chillhop style beats probably not such an issue. still. im so glad something like this exists on the market. a portable multitrack sketchpad
Thanks for your comment. You might think of this as being more like a multitrack audio record than a sophisticated DAW. Although midi sync would be nice, you'll have to time it manually. You can always bring the stems into a DAW and adjust timing there.
Yeah, bummer they didnt put an easy midi clock out on a miniplug
Thanks. Will save my $99.
Hi and thank you for the informative video. I'm interested in this plugin for my MixPre6 because of not needing a computer to grab high end audio no matter where I am, then dumping it into my DAW later. My question is: Would I be able to work simultaneously recording one or 2 other people while we all monitor with headphones? Is there a solution for more than one person to listen on headphones on the MixPre6?
Thanks for your question. I believe the solution would be to get a headphone splitter and split the output from the MixPre. There are many different headphone splinters, active and passive. It’s a simple solution. I hope that helps.
Very interesting plugin. The device supports Midi controllers and MMC (looks like). The metronome trick was nice, but does it also output Midi clock/timecode (and/or SMPTE/LTC timecode) for sync'ing sequenced devices?
I don’t believe there is a way to sync midi or timecode. But that’s a good suggestion.
thanks for this in-depth tutorial, pretty much covers everything for this plug-in.
I’m glad it helped.
Great demo, thank you! If I record a punch-in, is there the option to crossfade between audio events, so as to avoid audio pops/clicks?
Thanks for your question. There is no cross fade option. Your best bet would be to import the stems into a DAW for more advanced editing.
@@OllieLoops Thank you, much appreciated. Great channel btw.
@@followyourpassion8378 Thanks!
May you do a video on this workflow with e.g. a Kontrol Studio? Would avoid a lot of menu-diving I imagine.
I don't have a Kontrol Studio. Maybe if I can get my hands on one I can try to make a video with it. Check out the manual however, its pretty good.
Is it possible to add reverb to the input monitoring to make vocalists comfortable? 🙏
There are no effects onboard. You would either need to add reverb before the MixPre or after.
Anybody know why I get an ERROR message when trying to create a new Music Project ? ....right after I click OK (reconfigure) @2:34 ??
" Error: Could not create new project "
I can't get into musician mode (yes, plugin is installed).
Firmware 7.1
Two questions...
1) Can the MixPre sync to a midi clock ?
2) I read somewhere that the "Musician plugin" once it is installed, cannot be removed.....What's the scoop on this ?
1. There is no way to sync Midi.
2. I’m not sure. I would ask Sound Devices about this.
Great video although I found the speed was too fast. I need a few seconds after each topic to absorb the procedure before the next. I don't understand your comment that mains power and not an external battery must be used with controllers. My MixPre-3 II uses its usb-c port for both mains power or a usb-c powerbank?
Thanks for you comment. In my tests, a power bank did not provide enough amperage to power the unit and a controller. So it needs to use a power supply. In this unit, there is a usb A for controllers. USB C is for power or power/communication with a computer. Hope that helps.
Thanks! Can it loop parts?
Thanks! Currently it does not loop parts. But that is a request we gave Sound Devices. Hopefully we see that in a future update.
Do you have any idea how long the MixPre 6ii lasts when powered by a 20K powerbank with two mics attached ?
I don’t know. I use a small power bank with the Mixpre ii. It lasts for a really long time. I would say great battery life with this device.
Hello from France.
Is it possible to connect monitoring speakers to a mixpre 6 II?
Thanks in advance.
This particular model doesn’t have a monitor output. You would have to use the headphone output to connect monitors. You’ll have to pay close attention to the volume levels if you choose to do so.
@@OllieLoops Thank you.
Hi - i just got a mixpre-3 ii - not savvy with any of this new tech. How do i erase a track, erase a recording? It seems to just sit there when i press "trash". Thanks
Hey, thanks for your comment. You can do this by Clearing a Track in the Channel Screen. Access the channel screen, tap input, tap clear. Tap yes to confirm. I hope that helps!
@@OllieLoops thanks will look into it.
Only thing is missing to be able to sync with computer or midi.
Would be nice if in future they would update this plugin so that external usb midi interface could be used to do this.
Good points. Thanks for sharing.
cant do this on the zoom f4..... its a cool novelty though
Agreed. It’s nice to know it’s there.
Can you send audio out using the Stereo Out while it is being recorded?
I believe the stereo out is always outputting the main stereo mix, like the headphone output, even during recording.
@@OllieLoops Great! Thank you!
So.. when you punch in to a track, is the old recording at that section gone forever, or do you have the ability to choose between multiple takes?
When you record, it’s like tape. You’re recording over whatever was there.
@@OllieLoops Thanks. I think I've come to realize that there is no hardware recording unit that is going to have all of the functionality of a modern DAW. Nothing wrong with that, sometimes limitations breed creativity. But I want to choose which limitations I have at any given time! So I think I need a DAW hahah
One cool alternative to "dawless" for me is to set up your computer to only run the DAW when you need to focus.. with an app like Freedom, or with Apple's Screen Time settings.
@@ClearColorCloud There are some hardware devices which get you closer to a DAW like experience, specifically allowing you to record multiple tracks and have more control over how those are used. The AKAI MPC is one example. You can create number tracks, record to each and then mute the ones you don't want to use. That is a viable solution, but having a computer with a DAW gives you the most flexibility. Hope that helps.
@@OllieLoops 100% it does, you're expanding my knowledge, thank you :)
please, what do you mean? ...Can't be powered by an External battery, only by an External power supply ?
The MixPre 2 comes with a USB-C power supply which will power the unit and a control surface. This will also work it you power the device via USB-C from a laptop. But, it will not power both the device and control surface if you power it via an USB power bank [external battery]. I hope that helps.
@@OllieLoops
how do you do that...sorry I don't get it..?
@@JuusoHoo No worries. You can use a USB battery pack, like this one:
www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Ultra-Compact-High-Speed-Technology/dp/B0194WDVHI/ref=sxin_2_osp100-fbdb93d0_cov?ascsubtag=fbdb93d0-f828-4486-85c1-18a318d5eedd&creativeASIN=B0194WDVHI&crid=2S8O889CI6GSU&cv_ct_cx=usb+battery+pack&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.fbdb93d0-f828-4486-85c1-18a318d5eedd&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&keywords=usb+battery+pack&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B0194WDVHI&pd_rd_r=f4096142-5b88-4d11-ae06-e3cac81eec55&pd_rd_w=jZh8h&pd_rd_wg=1o35C&pf_rd_p=eb3e5cda-5ec9-4d94-919d-310a5d641b8b&pf_rd_r=0VYJX3NCYDVFAXX3F6QX&qid=1579816279&sprefix=usb+bat%2Caps%2C188&sr=1-2-32a32192-7547-4d9b-b4f8-fe31bfe05040&tag=aimassociatesbp-20
You can then connect a USB A to USB C cable from the battery pack to the MixPre. Let me know if that makes sense or not.
this workflow doesn't look fun or fast even @settings/1.5x speed
This video has a very good structure, it is concise and this really needs to be appreciated. Especially after coming back to it.
My question now is: has the musicians plugin been further developed since then?
Thanks!
Honestly, I'm not sure that it has changed much.
@@OllieLoopsThank you for your honest answer.
there is a way to cut, trim, copy, devide as a normal recorder?
I don't believe so.
@@OllieLoops 12 tracks, how can it works without any choice of editing? I don't see the work flow, anytime you wrong a note you delete all the track?
@@juanbellavista564 The principle of the workflow is most like traditional analog audio recording. You keep recording the track until you get it right. Since digital has come along and you can completely manipulate a recording, this workflow has become dominant. But with the Sound Devices plugin, all we're saying is that there are different workflows and devices that exist, should anyone want to explore these. I don't foresee this replacing existing DAWs, but serving as an alternative for those who like experimenting.
@@OllieLoops I read the manual od musician plugin in sound devices web page, but I did, t see any editing audio options.
That's sound very strange, how can be a real DAWLESS in these conditions!!
Do you feel people would be surprised at the quality of the preamps of this interface as compared to Universal Audio Apollo Twin?
They are different in the sense that the mix pre is a portable field recording and the apollo is a desktop interface. You can use the MixPre as a desktop interface, but most people likely won’t. Having both devices, both preamps are great.
So for voice over work they are about equal? @@OllieLoops
Sound Devices, if you see this comment please update the OS for musicians to make it capable of utilizing the 32bit float and 192khz modes!!!!!!!! I am an audiophile guy and while most people would be using this for other purposes outside of recording acoustic fingerstyle guitar like myself as a musician I only want the best! And I can always bounce it down to lower quality standards later in logic or other DAWs if I so choose for different platforms. But I prefer analog over anything but when in a digital world I still want the closest to perfection I can get so please read this and take it to heart as there are people like me out there that have the same motives.
Thanks! ;P
thanks! do you think I'll be able to update this OS and use 32bit float in a mixpre3 mk1 ?
So you can record MORE THAN 4 OR 6 TRACKS TO MIXPRE6 ??!?!?
The Musician's Plugin allows you to record 12 tracks of audio on the Mixpre devices.
whats the record player?
The NuMark PT-01.
He should have gone to a mountain top with some bongos, a kazoo and a ukelele. THEN, come back and mixed it into a masterpiece.
Something about this videos voice over. Its crackly.
Thanks for your feedback.
interesting though I have a feeling I bought the Musician App for zero use... workflow seems quite "worky", but there might be something if you guys in the development section hear these needs. The possibility to use Korg controllers was a PLUS! Does that work on the "normal" use too (no M plugin)??? isnit possible to use Korg via bluetooth to mxpee via Korg's its own batteries, when batterypack powered??? With a controller could maybe have use of the M-tool...
Thanks for your comment. There are (4) supported midi controllers which work with the MixPre, like the Korg in this video. You can use them in both the Music Plugin mode and in the regular recorder mode. It is a useful addition to the MixPre. I hope that helps.
@@OllieLoops thanks, learn new things ln the way here! I will try my korg nanostudio!
@@JuusoHoo Glad I could help! The NanoStudio is one of the supported controllers. It gives you access to many of the controls on the device that you would typically need to access via the menu. I like using a controller with the MixPre. Have fun!
@@OllieLoops thanks, one more replay: does the korg work also via bluetooth there without the cable or is it needed (usb2)?
Juuso Hoo it does not have Bluetooth. You would need to connect the controller via USB A. Have fun.
Why you need to do all of this stuff in the era of DAWs?
No sense :))
Good question. Although DAWs are increasing in popularity, there is also an increasing number of people who don't want to use computers to make music. This results in an increasing demand for DAWless solutions, like this one.
@@djgocatgo good feedback. thanks.
What are biggest advantages of using the Musicians plugin as opposed to normal mode to track/ record music?
Can you still record track by track in normal?
Just trying to understand the logic behind the musicians plugin.
Thanks for your question. The musicians plug-in allows you to record independently to each track as many times as you want. It also uses a single multichannel WAV file for the project. The advantage of the plug-in is that you can use the mixpre as a multitrack recorder, like a portastudio. In normal mode, a new recording is created each time you record. So you can not add to or layer recordings as you would with the plug-in. I hope that helps.
@@OllieLoops Okay Thanks.
No problem
Lego wheel
Seems right.
and that's why musician's aren't going to use this as your engineer brains thought. You may want to hire a composer next time you set out to design a product for musical application.
By the time I got done fumbling with the knobs, I'd be on the sofa with my guitar, just improvising and never recording anything at all...
My verdict: This is a fine field recorder, but a waste of time for multi-track song assembly.
Great observation! To clarify, I'm not saying this is a replacement for a DAW or standalone groovebox. It's just an alternative workflow and some creative thinking on part of the manufacturer. But few people may find this workflow intuitive.
@@OllieLoops Yeah, I really like this box - it can record anywhere and any thing and certainly, you can record ideas endlessly and eventually bring them to your studio, not to mention getting high quality samples! And if I get really desperate, away from my regular tools I'll really appreciate your video - doing this, even if a little cumbersome - still allows you do create such high quality audio, that would have taken a room full of very expensive gear not that many years ago...
@@Pharesm Good thoughts. I agree with your points. If you're traveling or avoiding your computer, etc, its nice to know this tiny device offers these features. I think it adds some value to it. And its a good starting point or sketch pad for a song idea. You can then elaborate on it in a DAW. Does it replace a DAW? nope. Does it replace a room full of gear? Mostly, yup. Is it a perfect solution? Nope. Is this what the device was made for? Nope. Is it better than nothing? Yup.
@@OllieLoops Yes, way better than nothing! 32Bit float! I have one in my shopping cart as we speak! 2 short high quality mic cables and two of those indestructible Aston Origin Microphones.
Still trying to figure out a good wireless headset mic to complete the order.
I've so far failed to locate any wireless system that does both mic and instrument in one device...
@@OllieLoops And I did download your video instructions, just in case I end up stranded with the MixPre and without my laptop...
Who's actually using it for this purpose...? 🤔
Assuming very few people.