Summary: <br> <br> <br> The <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/mixpre3-bh" title="Request Rejected" class="pretty-link-keyword" target="_blank">Sound Devices MixPre-3</a> <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/mixpre6-bh" title="Request Rejected" class="pretty-link-keyword" target="_blank">MixPre-6</a> could be the ultimate device for podcasting to replace your mixer, recorder, and audio interface. Here’s my review.<br> In 2017, Sound Devices launched two amazing products: the <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/mixpre3-bh" title="Request Rejected" class="pretty-link-keyword" target="_blank">MixPre-3</a> and its bigger brother the <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/mixpre6-bh" title="Request Rejected" class="pretty-link-keyword" target="_blank">MixPre-6</a>. I think they are almost perfect, but I do have a few disappointments, which I’ll share below!<br> Before I get too deep into my review, thanks to Sound Devices for loaning me this <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/mixpre6-bh" title="Request Rejected" class="pretty-link-keyword" target="_blank">MixPre-6</a>! I didn’t pay for this, but I also don’t get to keep it. However, I like the MixPre-6 so much that if my disappointments were resolved—which is a real possibility—I would immediately buy my own MixPre-6.<br> The <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/mixpre3-bh" title="Request Rejected" class="pretty-link-keyword" target="_blank">MixPre-3</a> and MixPre-6 are very similar with their core features. They both contain high-quality preamps, both record to multiple isolated tracks, both interface with computers and mobile devices as a multitrack input and output, and both the <a href="https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/mixpre3-bh" title="Request Rejected" class="pretty-link-keyword" target="_blank">MixPre-3</a> and MixPre-6 have great mixing capabilities.<br> For the rest of my review, I’ll focus on the MixPre-6, but most of the information applies to the MixPre-3 as well, with the main difference being fewer inputs and outputs on the MixPre-3.<br> The MixPre-6 offers 4 combo locking XLR/TRS inputs, two on each side. The Kashmir preamps offer up to 96 dB of clean gain. That’s enough to support a directly connected dynamic studio microphones and record with little to no hiss.<br> On the right side, there’s also a 3.5 mm stereo (TRS) auxiliary input that makes it easy to bring in sound effects or a podcast guest or cohost from a consumer-level device, such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet.<br> For outputs, the MixPre-6 offers a stereo headphone out with its own volume control, and on the left side, a 3.5 mm stereo (TRS) line out with a really cool feature I’ll tell you about in a bit.<br> MixPre-3/6 is more versatile than Zoom H6 and others<br> Thus far, the MixPre-6 may not seem all that different from devices like the Zoom H6. But here are the amazing features that raise the MixPre-6 above other recorders, and mean it could replace several pieces of audio gear in your podcast studio.<br> Noticeably first is the higher build quality of the MixPre-6. It has a durable metal shell and corner grips that would protect the MixPre-6 from an impact.<br> The MixPre-6 can connect with computers and mobile devices as a multitrack audio interface via USB. While other devices may offer similar functionality, the MixPre-6 can interface while also functioning as a standalone recorder. Compare that to the Zoom H6, which can be only a recorder or an interface, but not be both simultaneously.<br> Multitrack USB interface<br> The USB interface itself is also quite amazing. When connected to your PC, the MixPre-6 can offer up to 4 audio outputs from your PC to the MixPre-6 and up to 8 audio inputs from the MixPre-6 to your PC. In full 8-track mode, input tracks 1 and 2 contain a stereo mix of everything going into the MixPre-6, and then tracks 3–8 are isolated tracks from the MixPre-6’s own input channels 1–6.<br>
