Using the MixPre II as a 32-bit float USB Audio Interface

[@alexovich777]

It would be nice to see a setup video for PC users

[@MikeO-dr7hn]

Just came across this. The mixpre works great with PC DAWs with the ASIO driver SD started supplying sometime after this video was made. I've used it with Pro Tools and Cubase. Just works as expected.

[@No.0.o.0]

Super awesome! I've fantasized about this type of thing for 10+ years. What a lovely crazy time to be alive. Someday. I will haz.

[@JamesSpurin]

Great video! I found this after having difficulties where my DAW wasn't recording in 32-bit float via USB despite it recording as expected in SD record mode. For all those with the same problem, pay specific attention to where he mentions setting both Input and Output to 32-bit Float (in the Mac Audio Midi section in my case).. The issue I had was that my output was set only. After I changed this, all working as expected.

[@AjushiPhotography]

Excellent! I have been waiting for this feature! Thank You!

[@sounddev]

Enjoy!

[@MingPixels]

Hi, after i update the firmware V7, my macbook pro stops recognizing my mix-pre 3 ii as an audio interface. Is this a known problem? Thanks!

[@colingentile]

Thank you very much. Is there any possibility it would work with Ableton Live 11 on Mac ? Take good care.

[@rpPerc]

THIS IS EXTREMELY USEFUL! Thank you for this video!

[@goldivox50]

Would you believe I was just talking about this the night before you published this. Shame I have such a loathing for both Apple and ProTools (since it’s Digidesign days). I recently purchased a mixpre 10M and must say the preamps and analogue limiting are audibly superior to anything I’ve heard in 50+ years of recording!

[@sounddev]

Glad to hear how much love the Kashmir preamps!

[@MonkeyDLuffy-cq2lo]

What is the suggested mic gain ? all the way up, all the way down or in the middle? I think in an ideal product design, there should be no gain knob for 32 bit audio interface. how about in the next to firmware update, add the feature to bypass the gain knob when user choosing 32bit floating format?

[@ammarchishti94]

Hello i just love the way you guide us 1 question that i wan to ask i am thinking to buy Tascam x8 device for outdoor recordings but i want to know can it be also used as an Audio Interface with ang DAW like this you did It would be really great if you can answer this waiting for your reply sir! 🙏🏻

[@EricMichaelCap]

Why only Mac OS 10.15 Catalina? That's a deal-breaker for us. So many Audio/Video Pros I know here in L.A. are running older OS like 10.13 High Sierra for Nvidia GPU support or 10.14 Mojave for other 32-bit App compatibility (incl. QuickTime). Please support 10.13 & 10.14.

[@sounddev]

Catalina is Apple's first OS with built-in 32 bit-float audio that is fully-functional.

[@EricMichaelCap]

@@sounddev I see. Can you record Internally to the MixPre w/32 bit-float & simultaneously 24bit to a DAW via USB?

[@sounddev]

@@EricMichaelCap No the Sample rate of the DAW and the MixPre have to match or audio won't flow properly.

[@soundmixersf_5784]

@@sounddev Is it true that a MixPre II with Firmware 7.10 will not record 32 bit float internally while sending 24 bit via usb? The application is not a DAW but instead the ZOOM Video Conferencing application.

[@sounddev]

@@soundmixersf_5784 The whole system will need to have a matched bit depth and sample rate for audio to flow properly. The MixPre will lock sample rate and bit depth to a computer when used as a USB audio interface.

[@BOI_Nangal_Toh]

I have some confusion in my mind. First point is if we connect mic to preamp and preamp to 24 bit interface to 32 bit float audio interface, can it record 32 bit float audio as 24 bit interface not capable of encode information exceeds 0 db. Or I only have to use 32 bit float interface and remove my 24 bit interface from my chain. 32 bit float interface I am only use for higher dynamic range, else all processing is done by my 24 bit interface. What u say Please suggest

[@dirtyquant]

So so useful. Thanks so much!

[@michaelmazzen]

You REALLY need to do a Windows version !!!

[@sounddev]

Are you having issues using the MixPre as a 32-bit float interface after installing the ASIO driver?

[@sounddev]

@@johnny_blz It's fully functional as a USB audio interface with windows. www.sounddevices.com/contact-support/ Reach out to our Support team and they can help you out!

[@sounddev]

@@johnny_blz Glad to hear it! We love our dedicated Support staff!

[@capichen]

@@johnny_blz bro, how do you solve the problem? I am mixpre 6, same problem, kills me. the device cannot be recongnized by my win 10 no matter how.

[@felipeeufrazio1044]

I'm trying to get a mix pre 10 II for a couple months but ir very difficult that found one available for nearly here

[@sounddev]

Keep trying! Some of our resellers may have some in stock if you reach out to them sounddevices.com/resellers/

[@AgapeSignal]

142dB of input dynamic range is crazy.. you guys are way ahead of other high end audio interfaces that have about 120-130dB dynamic ranges.. Why arent you guys making one just for recording studios?? or is the value of the Dynamic range measured differently?

[@sounddev]

Dynamic range is measured the same in location and studio work!

[@AgapeSignal]

@@sounddev So why not make an audio interface and market youself with the high 142dB of dynamic range?

[@Irishpixel]

Hey! I have the Mixpre 3ii running usb into a Macbook Pro. I am running Adobe Audtion, latest version. Mixpre latest firmware too. Also Mac OS 10.15.6. When running 24bit I get audio into AA. When I change to 32 float, I dont get anything in AA. Switching midi shows sound coming into the MBP but not in the software. Its the same in Audacity. Can you help? Be great to get this working.

[@KorhanErel]

Hi. I have a lot of crackling when using my MixPre II 6 as an audio interface on my MacBook Pro M1 laptop - connected over USB-C. Bit depth and sample rates are consistently set. Thanks

[@sounddev]

A few troubleshooting steps: Upgrade to the latest firmware. Swap out any cables and make sure those aren't the issue. If neither of those solves the issue, reach out to our Support team!

[@KorhanErel]

@@sounddev yeah it was the cable, thank you. I switched to the cable that came with the MixPre and all is well now.

[@sounddev]

@@KorhanErel Excellent!

[@Slipsch]

New Version of MixPre please!

[@mendezviolin]

Hi Sound Devices! Quick question: Sadly, my mac only has USB A ports; Can I use my mixpre 6 ii as a USB interface if I'm only able to connect via a usbc to USB a cable? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[@sounddev]

Hi there! Yes, you can use a USBC to USB cable. Make sure that the cable supports both data and power.

[@i24p71]

Can I use it to listen to the music through the headphone output?

[@sounddev]

Yes!

[@arielbustamante]

something crucial to me that is not included in this video is that mixpreM is only 24 bits!

[@sounddev]

Correct. This video only covers the MixPre-II Series which is capable of streaming in 32-bit float.

[@bennettwilliams_]

Is it possible to record on the MixPre 10 ii while simultaneously using as audio interface (record on both computer and MixPre)?

[@sounddev]

Yes! A lot of MixPre users appreciate the redundancy.

[@prettyfunbird]

Thanks for this tutorial! Unfortunately, when I plug my MixPre-6 ii into my MacBook, I only see 'MixPre6 II - 2 ins / 0 outs' in audio/midi setup. In my DAW as well, I see it as an input option but not an output option. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? (In case it's important, I'm in advanced mode, as I want to try using 32-bit float.) Edit: Digging through the manual, found this: "USB AUDIO Switch between Normal or Stereo Out," which seems to make outputs visible on my computer when toggled. Could you clarify when I would use these two options in the system menu?

[@sounddev]

Hey there, the Stereo Out option allows you to set the MixPre to output only 2 channels in order to increase compatibility with applications that do not support multichannel USB audio.

[@prettyfunbird]

@@sounddev Thanks for explaining! So is it strange that it shows up as 0 outs on my computer when I select stereo out? I'd expect it to show up as 2 outs. The normal option seems to work either way, just curious.

[@sounddev]

​@@prettyfunbird It is supposed to show as 2 outs, so something else is likely going on. Please contact our support team at service.sounddevices.com/contact-support for further troubleshooting!

[@MikeG-js1jt]

I'm not sure I would need 32bit, I mean I've been recording using 24 for quite some time into the DAW without ever an issue, My question however relates to the statement regarding the exclusion of windows 10?............ are you saying this device cant be used with windows 10 or just that the 32bit feature cannot be used with windows 10..... just to be clear.

[@sounddev]

The MixPre II Series was always capable of being used in 16 or 24 bit mode. Recently we have updated firmware and 32-bit float mode can also be used with Windows 10. Find the ASIO driver here www.sounddevices.com/asio-driver-for-mixpre-ii-series/

[@ifaanuur9649]

I think this feature isn't available in Logic Pro.

[@sounddev]

As of right now Logic does not allow for 32-bit float streaming

[@jordanfast673]

only catch is you're running on battery power because the same port needed to connect ac adapter is the same output to your computer....

[@sounddev]

Hi Jordan! Once a USB-C cable is connected to the MixPre, it makes that source the default powering option. So you are able to power your MixPre from your computer.

[@jordanfast673]

@@sounddev ah, thanks. I stand corrected!

[@rolandberendonck3900]

Is it possible to use my Mixpre in any Linux DAW?

[@sounddev]

Hi there! Please contact our support team with technical questions. service.sounddevices.com/contact-support/

[@ITGChanel]

Can i use output sound listen music on KZbin in osx?

[@sounddev]

Yes. Set up the MixPre as you USB interface for your system and set an input to USB 1.

[@KarlMeyer]

There really should be support for 32 bit float on windows 10. Kinda ridiculous since it's down to software not hardware.

[@sounddev]

Unfortunately at this time it's a Microsoft limitation.

[@Thoroughmas]

@@sounddev Yikes. Maybe you'll at least be able to make it work on Linux? Fingers crossed :)

[@sounddev]

As of today Windows 10 or higher can stream at 32-bit float!

[@Thoroughmas]

@@sounddev This is fantastic, thank you!

[@i.shadrin]

Only mac??? I thought website says it also support pc?

[@sounddev]

At the time of release it was Mac only. Windows is now supported!

[@RafickBottse]

This is a pitty no windows users?

[@sounddev]

MixPre II users running Windows 10 or higher may now stream at 32-bit float using the appropriate ASIO driver found here: www.sounddevices.com/asio-driver-for-mixpre-ii-series/

[@BrianSantero]

@@sounddev If possible, a Windows version of this video would be appreciated. Though it is fairly similar apart from the Audio MIDI Setup part.

[@sounddev]

@@BrianSantero Windows system audio isn't capable of streaming at 32-bit float. Using the MixPre as a 32-bit float audio interface is application specific and has to be set in the preferences of that application. We have a list of applications here: www.sounddevices.com/32-bit-float-applications/

[@MikeG-js1jt]

@@sounddev I know I can record in 32bit float in win10, I've tried it through an interface in adobe audition....... when you say streaming, do you mean "play it back?"

[@Hexspa]

nice

[@AppAxis]

Great, now add the link to compatible DAW's to the description and your good to go #ClickTheLinkBelow

[@sounddev]

Good catch! We moved the page to a standalone Support article you can find here: www.sounddevices.com/32-bit-float-applications/

[@jtdiddy3160]

Confused, so this only works on a MAC and not PC?

[@sounddev]

Correct. AS of right now this only works with MacOS Catalina.

[@macguinnessmedia]

@@sounddev any plans to have Windows 10 support? even at the lower bit depths?

[@sounddev]

@@macguinnessmedia All MixPre series will work as a stellar USB audio interface! Our window users need to download the ASIO driver to get more than 2x2 USB streaming. www.sounddevices.com/asio-driver-for-mixpre-ii-series/

[@teddyb4168]

@@sounddev Fantastic so it works now using Windows! This would influence me to purchase it

[@dragonstone6594]

Please make this for Windows also. I hate Macs!

[@whokilledthmessenger]

does this work for pc as well?

[@sounddev]

Yes it does! Download the ASIO driver here - www.sounddevices.com/asio-driver-for-mixpre-ii-series/