Sound for Video Session: Setting up the Sound Devices MixPre-10T as an Audio Interface

If you're interested in the full Sound Devices MixPre course, you can find it at our school.

The Sound Devices MixPre-10T has the added benefit of balanced XLR outputs which make it more convenient to connect powered monitors/speakers with balanced inputs. On the flip side, the MixPre-10T cannot be powered via USB. My preferred method to power the 10T when using it as an audio interface is to use an AC to hirose adapter (linked below).

TA3-F to XLR-M Adapter Cable

Balanced XLR Cable (if your monitors have balanced XLR inputs)

Balanced XLR to 1/4" TRS Cable (if your monitors have balanced 1/4" inputs)

AC to Hirose adapter to power the MixPre-10T (does not work with MP3 or 6)

ASIO Drivers for Windows (so that you can use all of the MixPre-10T's inputs)

Drivers are NOT needed for MacOS as the MixPres are CoreAudio compatible.

Copyright 2018 by Curtis Judd

MixPre 10T: My Impressions After 2 Months (Final Review)

Sound Devices added some nice options to the prosumer audio recorder market earlier this year with the introduction of their MixPre-3 and MixPre-6. And now, they’ve added the MixPre-10T which takes the MixPre line legitimately into the professional recorder realm for $1800 USD. After working with the MixPre-10T for a couple of months, these are my impressions and thoughts.

Links to gear discussed and used to record this session:

Sound Devices MixPre-10T Audio Recorder/Mixer

Sound Devices MixPre-6

Sound Devices MixPre-3

Samsung USB Thumbdrive - This was tested by Sound Devices and I find it works great for the file copy function on the 10T

Sandisk Extreme Pro SD Card I use in my MixPre-10T and 633

Sennheiser MKH 8050 Supercardioid Boom Microphone

Adapter Cable for Mini XLR outputs (TA3F to XLRM)

AC to Hirose Adapter (useful if you plan to use this as an audio interface)

Sound Devices MixPre Battery Sled for Sony NP-F Style Batteries

NP-1 Style Battery - Higher capacity, often used for powering everything in your sound bag

NP-1 Battery to Hirose Adapter - You'll need this if you use NP-1 batteries

Anton Bauer Digital 90 Battery - I keep this on hand as a backup - its big but can save the day

V-mount IDX 95 Battery (Same as above but with a different mounting mechanism for cameras)

I also created a course on how to get the most from your MixPre recorder:

Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd

Sound Devices Announces the MixPre-10T

Wow, I wasn't expecting this, especially this soon after the release of the MixPre-3 and 6!

Sound Devices' new MixPre-10T is very interesting from a few different standpoints. First, the 10T adds several features usually required by pros to the MixPre line including an in-built timecode generator, redundant storage, and a locking hirose power input. Of course there are more inputs - 8 XLR/TRS mic/line and another 3.5mm stereo unbalanced input. Oh, and balanced XLR outputs (on mini-TA3). Those were the main concerns I had about using the MixPre-6 for professional location gigs but it looks like they just addressed them all.

The second and perhaps more interesting thing is that with these additional features, the MixPre-10T potentially cannibalizes some of their 6xx series sales. This is a $1,800 recorder/mixer. The 633 sells for $3300, almost double the price.

It takes a bold company to make a decision like this and from my perspective, they're doing something good for their potential customers. Now I'm still not suggesting that the 10T completely replaces the 633 entirely. Maybe it does for many workflows, but I definitely plan to hold on to mine. Nevertheless, I'm really impressed that they are forward looking enough to move this direction.

Now I've got to figure out how to get my hands on one for review!