Sound Devices MixPre-3M

At just under 500 grams Sound Devices’ palm-sized interface is a feature rich, 2-in-1 device that provides compact multitrack field recording and simultaneous 5-in 2-out USB DAW interfacing at 24-bit and up to 96kHz. Much like its more powerful sibling (the MixPre-10M), the ‘M’ indicates that this is for musicians rather than film and location recordists. However, the MixPre-3M still benefits from location style battery powering (4xAA), as well as USB and external PSU, and comes in a rugged, stand-mountable case. Internal storage comes via data card (SD/SDHC/SDXC) and you can transfer recorded files to computer via USB-C.

You get three XLR mic/line inputs which incorporate Sound Devices’ super-clean Kashmir discreet mic pres (all have individually selectable phantom power) and a stereo auxiliary input on mini jack. Outputs are main stereo and headphone (both on minijack). Alas there are no 1/4” jack inputs, however, the auxiliary minijack can handle high impedance (100kOhm) sources. Routing is via a flexible digital patchbay accessed using the sunlight viewable IPS LCD touchscreen, and the patchbay also doubles as an input mixer. It’s one input per track and inputs include mic, line, DAW USB output and L/R mix bus. You get 12 record/overdub tracks in total and you can record three tracks at a time. The 1.6” touchscreen couples with a push button data knob on the side, and much of the functionality is software driven. This is where you set up the headphone mixes as well as route signals, select phantom, arm tracks and add monitoring effects (these are reverb and Air). Nevertheless, the main transport controls (play, stop and record) are specific backlit front panel buttons. In practice, the MixPre-3M is simple to set up and we think delivers impeccable audio fidelity. It also captures performances with an immediacy often lacking in a DAW whilst retaining full USB interfacing capabilities.

VERDICT 9.2