Sound Devices Kashmir MIXPRE-3 II User manual

®
MixPre-3
Compact Audio Recorder
with Mixing & Bluetooth
User Guide
DRAFT
Not For Publication

Sound Devices, LLC
E7556 Road 23 and 33
Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959 USA
Direct:[phone]
Toll Free: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.sounddevices.com
[email protected]
Legal Notices
Product specications and features are subject to
change without prior notication.
Copyright © 2016 Sound Devices, LLC.
All rights reserved.
This product is subject to the terms and conditions of
a end-user license agreement provided in this guide,
and may be used in accordance with the license
agreement.
This document is protected under copyright law. An
authorized licensee of this product may reproduce
this publication for the licensee’s own personal use.
This document may not be reproduced or distrib-
uted, in whole or in part, for commercial purposes,
such as selling copies or providing educational ser-
vices or support.
This document is supplied as a technical guide. Spe-
cial care has been taken in preparing the information
for publication; however, since product specications
are subject to change, this document might contain
omissions and technical or typographical inaccura-
cies. Sound Devices, LLC does not accept responsi-
bility for any losses due to the user of this guide.
Trademarks
The “wave” logo and USBPre are registered
trademarks; FileSafe, PowerSafe, SuperSlot,
MixAssist, and QuickBoot are trademarks of Sound
Devices, LLC. Mac and OS X are trademarks of Apple
Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Win-
dows and Microsoft Excel are registered trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other coun-
tries. All other trademarks herein are the property of
their respective owners.
WEEE Statement
If you wish to discard a Sound Devices
product in Europe, contact Sound Devices
(Germany) for further information.
Symbol Description
> This symbol is used to show the order
in which you select menu commands
and sub-options, such as: Main Menu
> Audio indicates you press the Menu
button for the Main Menu, then scroll to
and select Audio by pushing the Control
Knob.
+ A plus sign is used to show button or
keystroke combinations.
For instance, Ctrl+V means to hold the
Control key down and press the V key
simultaneously. This also applies to
other controls, such as switches and
encoders. For instance, MIC+HP turn
means to slide and hold the MIC/TONE
switch left while turning the Headphone
(HP) encoder. METERS+SELECT means
to hold the METERS button down as you
press the SELECT encoder.
iA note provides recommendations and
important related information. The text
for notes also appears italicized in a dif-
ferent color.
⚠A cautionary warning about a specic
action that could cause harm to you,
the device, or cause you to lose data.
Follow the guidelines in this document
or on the unit itself when handling elec-
trical equipment. The text for caution-
ary notes also appears italicized and
bold in a different color.
Manual Conventions
This document is distributed by Sound Devices, LLC
in online electronic (PDF) format only. E-published
in the USA.
MixPre-3 User Guide • February 3, 2017
DRAFT
Not For Publication

3
Revision History
This table provides the revision history and cross-reference links to “what’s new” in this guide.
Rev# Date Firmware
Version Description
1-A Initial release.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
4
DRAFT
Not For Publication

5
Topics in this section include:
Overview of Panels
Front Panel
The MixPre-3 is made of light-weight and
durable metal.
The front panel features several easy-
to-reach controls and a sunlight-visible,
touch screen LCD.
Its side panels provide a variety of
I/O connections, and the back panel
accommodates battery sleds and SD
card.
Front panel
The front panel provides the touch screen, back-lit transport buttons, and faders
with LED meter rings as dened in the following tables.
Front Panel
Left Side Panel
Right Side Panel
Back Panel
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
6
Transport Controls
Faders
Input Activity Ring LED
Power Light
LCD
Feature Description
LCD A back-lit touch screen that displays metered views and menus.
Faders (1-3) Adjusts fader level for channels 1-3. Push in each one to access the
Channel Settings screen.
Input Activity Ring
LEDs
Wrapped around each of the faders are LED rings that illuminate to
indicate input signal activity and status.
•Green: Signal activity
•Amber: Limiter activity
•Red: Signal overload (clipping)
Power Light Light, showing Sound Devices logo, illuminates when power is on.
Transport Controls Illuminated Play, Stop, and REC buttons for controlling playback and
recording.
Left Side Panel
Power Switch
USB Connections
XLR Inputs Stereo Output
Feature Description
XLR Inputs (1-2) Active-balanced analog microphone- or line-level inputs.
Pin-1 = ground, pin-2 = hot (+), and pin-3 = cold (-).
Power Switch Powers MixPre-3 on and off.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

7
OVERVIEW OF PANELS
Feature Description
USB Connections There are two USB connections: USB-A and USB-C.
USB-A:
•Audio streaming to an iOS device, such as iPhone or iPad
•Connect USB keyboard for remote control and metadata entry
•Power-charging of an iOS device
USB-C:
•Audio streaming or le transfer to a computer (Mac, PC, Linux)
• Powering the Mix-Pre-3
iThe MixPre-3 must be powered by L-mount batteries to charge iOS
devices via the USB-A connection.
Stereo Out 3.5 mm output for outputting unbalanced two-channel signals to
external devices.
Right Side Panel
HDMI TC Input
HP Encoder
XLR Input
HP Output Aux/Mic Input
Feature Description
Headphone Encoder Adjusts headphone level and monitor source. Also used for navigating
various menus.
Headphone Output A 3.5 mm TRS headphone output. Can drive headphones from 8 to
1000 ohm impedances to very high levels.
Tip = left, ring = right, and sleeve = ground.
Aux/Mic Input Unbalanced stereo 3.5 mm female connector for Return audio input or
plug-in power mic.
Tip = left, ring - right, and sleeve = ground.
XLR Input (3) Active-balanced analog microphone- or line-level input.
Pin-1 = ground, pin-2 = hot (+), and pin-3 = cold (-).
HDMI TC Input Micro-HDMI input for receiving timecode.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
8
Back Panel
The back panel provides access to the slot for SD memory cards. A hex key
(L-wrench) and an anti-rotation pin are held in place by a notch and magnet.
Plus the back panel offers mounts for battery sleds for either AA batteries or
L-type Lithium Ion batteries (not included).
SD Card Slot
Battery Mounts
Hex Key Notch & Magnet
Feature Description
Battery Mount Battery mounts on the MixPre-3’s back panel are compatible with
sleds that hold four or eight AA (LR6) batteries. NiMH rechargeable
cells advised. A sled for dual L-mount of Sony® L-Series batteries is
also available. Any capacity supported.
SD Card Slot Accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards oriented with the label up and
pins forward to enter slot rst. High speed class 10 cards are
recommended. Insert until it clicks securely in the slot. The card
should glide smoothly into the slot. Press to eject.
Hex Key Notch & Magnet A back panel magnet and slots hold in place a hex key and anti-
rotation pin, used for mounting the MixPre-3 to cameras, tripods,
and any other ¼-inch, 20-thread devices.
⚠Caution: Incorrect use of batteries poses a danger of explosion. Replace
only with the same or equivalent type. Properly recycle batteries. Do not
crush, disassemble, incinerate, dispose in a re or expose batteries to
high temperatures.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

9
Topics in this section include:
Touch-Screen User Interface
Icons
The touch screen is the primary source
of information when operating the
MixPre-3. All settings are congured and
menus easily navigated via the touch
screen. All signal level meters may be
viewed on screen.
This chapter describes meter views,
including the HOME screen which is
displayed when no other screens are
active, the main MENU screens, and
navigation icons.
Other icons and screens, such as the
Channel Settings screen, are described
where applicable throughout the guide.
The MixPre-3 uses a variety of icons to ease navigation. This quick reference
table shows the icons and what they mean.
icon Description
Menu icon. Tap this icon to access the main MENU screen.
Home icon. Tap this icon to navigate to the HOME screen (meter view).
Back icon. Tap this icon to return to previous screen.
Pages icon. Tap this icon to toggle through pages. For instance, menus
with multiple settings may require a multi-page display. The solid black dot
represents the page shown. One or two other hollow dots may appear to
represent the additional pages that are available.
Headphone icon. Tap this icon to settings associated with headphones.
Folder icon. Tap this icon to view the Take List of recorded tracks.
Icons
Meter Views
Using Meter Views
Returning HOME to main Meter View
Metering Ballistics and Peak Hold
Accessing the MENU Screen
Customizing the LCD and LEDs
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
10
Meter Views
The MixPre-3 displays important metering information at a glance.
There are two meter views available by default, and an optional third is avail-
able if activated via the System > USB/Aux Mtr menu.
Active take
Power level
Armed track
Menu icon
Sample rate Status bar
SMPTE timecode
Take List Folder icon
Input limiting activity
Meter View
The three meter views are:
•LR — This stereo meter view (shown above) shows the left and right mix
channels.
•LR, 1-3 — This multi-track meter view shows left and right mix channels as
well as signal from isolated channels 1-3.
•LR, A1-A2, U1-U2 — This optional meter view shows left and right mix
channels, Aux inputs (A1-A2), and USB returns (U1-U2).
The following images show all three predened meter views, while in various
states of record and playback.
Using Meter Views
The displayed meter view is considered the HOME screen, from which you
can easily switch to any of the other meter views or access menus and other
screens.
To toggle between the three pre-dened meter views:
XTap the meter view area of the screen. Each tap switches the display to the
next view.
The third meter view, showing AUX inputs and USB returns, may be turned off
DRAFT
Not For Publication

11
TOUCH-SCREEN USER INTERFACE
so that tapping the meter view area toggles between only the stereo and multi-
track meter views.
To turn on or off the display of USB/AUX meter view:
1. Tap the Menu icon.
2. Select SYSTEM > USB/Aux Mtr. Options include: On and Off.
Returning HOME to main Meter View
There are other screens, which may appear, such as the main MENU screen or
the Channel Settings screen. Regardless of what screen is visible, returning to
the HOME screen and its meter view is easy.
To return to the HOME screen at any time:
XTap the Home icon. See Icons, for more information.
Accessing the MENU Screen
The majority of the MixPre-3’s settings are congured via the main MENU
screen, which provides three pages of settings as indicated by dots. The solid
black dot denotes which page is displayed. {REPLACE IMAGE}
To access and navigate the main MENU screen:
1. Tap the Menu icon. The rst page of settings appears.
2. Tap MENU again to toggle to each of the menu’s other pages.
The main menu is made up of sub-menus, each with its own set of options.
3. Tap any sub-menu or option to select it.
4. Tap Back to return to previous page within the main menu’s hierarchy.
While sub-menu options are covered in more detail throughout this guide in
sections related to those options, the main sub-menus are provided with brief
descriptions in the following table.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
12
page sub-menu Description
QUICK Allows user to save and recall user settings to and from SD cards
and internal memory. Also allows resetting all settings to factory de-
fault. See Quick Setup for details.
PROJECT Settings related to projects.
INPUTS Settings related to channel linking. See Accessing Input Settings for
details.
OUTPUTS Settings related to output levels, output sources, and headphone
presets. See Accessing Output Settings for details.
TIMECODE Settings related to timecode. See Timecode for details.
TONE Settings related to tone.
RECORD Settings related to recording, such as le format, WAV sample rate /
bit depth, MP3 quality, record triggering, and recording pre-roll time.
See Accessing Recorder Settings for details.
CARD Settings related to le storage on an SD card, such as formatting the
card, renaming it, and so forth. See File Storage Settings for details.
DATE/TIME Settings related to setting the date, time, formats for both, and the
time zone. See System for details.
SYSTEM Various system settings, including those for turning on Bluetooth®,
adjusting LCD/LED brightness, updating rmware, and so forth. See
System for details.
POWER Settings related to powering the device.
Customizing the LCD and LEDs
The MixPre-3 may be used in a variety of environments, including some where
lighting is an issue that requires adjustments. With some System settings, you
can modify the brightness levels of the LCD and the LEDs.
To set the LCD brightness level:
1. Tap MENU.
2. Tap SYSTEM > Brightness.
3. Tap LCD.
4. Turn the Headphone encoder to change the value from 1 (dimmest) to 10
(brightest). By default, the LCD brightness level is set to 10.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

13
TOUCH-SCREEN USER INTERFACE
To set the LED brightness level:
1. Tap MENU.
2. Tap SYSTEM > Brightness.
3. Tap LED.
4. Turn the Headphone encoder to change the value from 1 to 10.
By default, the LED brightness level is set to 10.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
14
DRAFT
Not For Publication

15
Topics in this section include:
Headphone Monitoring
Connecting Headphones
The MixPre-3 provides a headphone
output on its right panel, several options
for headphone sources including up to
four custom presets, plus a variety of
other customizable features related to
audio monitoring.
iA 3.5 mm TRS connection on the
MixPre-3’s left panel, which is primarily
a stereo output, may also be used
for headphones or speakers for
monitoring.
Connect headphones to the 3.5 mm headphone output, located
on the right panel of the MixPre-3.
⚠The MixPre-3 can drive headphones to dangerously high
volumes. Turn down the headphone gain before attaching
headphones or selecting a headphone source to prevent
accidental high levels. The range for headphone levels
may be set from OFF, -42 dB to +20 dB.
To adjust Headphone gain:
XTurn the Headphone encoder. While being adjusted, the
gain value will be displayed superimposed over the Main
screen.
Selecting a Headphone Source
The default list of headphone presets consists of six predened headphone
sources and four customizable presets. The predened headphone sources are:
Hp source Description
LR Stereo Master bus in stereo.
Connecting Headphones
Selecting a Headphone Source
Defining Custom Headphone Presets
Soloing or Muting Input Signals to Head-
phones
Headphone Warning Bells
3.5 mm
Headphone
Encoder
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
16
Hp source Description
LR Mono Master bus summed mono to both ears.
AUX in Stereo Aux bus in stereo.
AUX in Mono Aux bus summed mono to both ears.
USB 1,2 USB signal 1 & 2 to both ears.
USB 3,4 USB signal 3 & 4 to both ears.
To select a headphone source:
1. Tap the Menu icon.
iThe current headphone source is displayed on the main MENU screen above the
Headphone icon.
2. Tap the Headphone icon to display the list of available sources, which spans
multiple pages as indicated by the dots.
3. Tap HP PRESET to change pages. The solid black dot denotes which page is
displayed. The current source selection appears highlighted in green.
4. Tap any headphone source to select it. Options include: LR Stereo, LR Mono,
AUX in Stereo, AUX in Mono, USB 1,2 and USB 3,4, plus Presets 1 - 4.
The headphone source changes immediately as it is highlighted.
5. Tap the Home icon to close the list.
Defining Custom Headphone Presets
In addition to the six predened headphone sources, four options are available
as custom headphone presets.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

17
HEADPHONE MONITORING
To customize a headphone preset:
1. Tap the Menu icon.
2. Tap OUTPUTS > EDIT HP PRESET.
3. Tap one of the four customizable preset options, such as Preset 1.
The Headphone Preset Editing screen appears.
Assigned source
MS
Decode
Unassigned source
Right HP
Left HP
4. Turn the Headphone encoder to move the orange highlight to routing
options.
5. Press the Headphone encoder to change the selected source between Off
(black) and Assigned (blue).
iISO sources (1,2,3) may be assigned as either Prefade (green) or Postfade
(blue).
6. (Optional) Select MS to toggle MS decoding for this headphone preset.
7. Tap NAME to change the name of the Preset. Press MENU or METERS to
save the preset and exit the Headphone Preset Editing screen.
Soloing or Muting Input Signals to Headphones
When no isolated tracks are soloed or muted, then the LR stereo mix is heard.
Multiple inputs may be muted simultaneously. Headphone solos may be set to
operate as either individual or multiple. Individual is exclusive, whereas multiple
is non-exclusive, allowing for multiple signal selection.
To adjust the HP Solo setting:
1. Tap the Menu icon.
2. Tap OUTPUTS > HP Solo. Options include: Individual or Multiple
There are two ways to solo an input: one via the Input Settings screen, and the
other via the HP PRESET screen.
To solo an input via the Input Settings screen:
1. Press in the fader for the chosen input.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
18
2. Tap SOLO. This toggles the setting between Off and On.
The LED around the input’s fader blinks amber when the input is soloed.
To solo an input signal via the HP PRESET screen:
1. Tap the Menu icon.
2. Tap the Headphone icon.
3. On the HP PRESET screen, tap SOLO/MUTE.
4. Tap an input number or turn the Headphone encoder to highlight the input.
5. Tap SOLO to solo the input highlighted in green.
The LED around the input’s fader blinks amber and the background color of
the on-screen input box turns orange when the input is soloed.
iWhen OUTPUT > HP Solo is set to Individual, only one input may be selected for
soloing. Selecting a second input will remove the original selection from soloing.
When OUTPUT > HP Solo is set to Multiple, then after soloing one input, a second
and third may be selected for soloing, one after another, as well.
6. (For Multiple HP Solo) Repeat steps 3 and 4 as needed.
To mute input signal in headphones:
1. Tap the Menu icon.
2. Tap the Headphone icon.
3. On the HP PRESET screen, tap SOLO/MUTE.
4. Tap an input number or turn the Headphone encoder to highlight the input.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

19
HEADPHONE MONITORING
5. Tap MUTE.
6. (Optional) Repeat for each input you want to mute.
The LED around the input’s fader illuminates red and the background color
of the on-screen input box turns red when the input is muted.
iWhen a muted input is also soloed, the LED around the input’s fader continues to
blink, but the background color of the on-screen input box changes to yellow. Solo
overrides mute.
In the following illustration, input 1 is soloed, input 2 is muted, and input 3 is
both soloed and muted.
Headphone Warning Bells
The MixPre-3 sounds a warning bell in the headphones when starting and stop-
ping record and also when there is an error condition, low battery, or low space
remaining on the SD card. The level of the warning bell is xed at -12 dBFS.
DRAFT
Not For Publication

User Guide
20
DRAFT
Not For Publication