Sound Devices MixPre-10M – pro recording without a computer
Digital recording without a computer is not a new concept, however the Sound Devices MixPre-10M ticks all the professional boxes.
What sets the Sound Devices MixPre-10M apart from the rest of the pack, is the combination of portability with incredible build and audio quality. Sound Devices may not sound like a very familiar brand to us muzos, and that’s because they made their name in the high-end professional industry, being the weapon of choice to field-recording engineers all around the world. The new Sound Devices MixPre-10M is a bit different in that it appeals to engineers and producers both on location and in studio.
The MixPre-10M is a standalone recorder, able to record and overdub up to 12 simultaneous audio sources. It’s equipped with eight super-clean class-A Kashmir preamps with an extra stereo 3.5mm aux input which supports lapel microphones. There’s a plethora of outputs for monitoring and playback, and furthermore the Sound Devices MixPre-10M boasts a USB for recording to a flash drive or connection of a QWERTY keyboard for advanced control and configuration! There’s also a particularly handy “virtual patchbay” allowing you to quickly change routing, without touching a cable.
Data doesn’t exist until it exists in two places…
Here’s why I think the Sound Devices MixPre-10M is essential for professional studios, it has the ability to record directly to multiple destinations. Record onto an SD card, a USB Drive and directly to your PC all simultaneously. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an easier to use recording backup system, this could be particularly useful if you’re halfway through a recording session when load shedding hits.
Not to mention the fact that the Sound Devices MixPre-10M supports a battery pack, so you can use it on-the-go or in “unplugged” situations.
Sound Devices units are not cheap, but they are at the top of their tier. The Sound Devices MixPre-10M is set to retail at USD $1499 (Over R20000), however when you consider that it could replace a computer and audio interface, not bad at all!
To find out more about the Sound Devices MixPre-10M, check out their website.
Sound Devices gear is distributed by Prosound in South Africa, check out their website to find your nearest stockist.
