Sound Devices Musician Plugin User Guide

Key Features

The Musician Plugin integrates computer-based music production software into Sound Devices' compact MixPre recorders. It offers:

• Track Laying
• Overdubbing
• Punch In/Out
• Track Bouncing
• Reverb and Vocal Air Effects
• Metronome
• Input to Track Routing
• Rendering
• Importing

The plugin enables simultaneous recording, playback, mixing, monitoring, layering, and overdubbing of up to 12 tracks. The Bounce feature frees up tracks, and completed songs can be mixed and rendered for sharing. Music projects operate similarly to a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Music projects are limited to 96kHz. The built-in metronome aids timing, while reverb and vocal air effects enhance recordings.

Installing and Activating the Plugin

The Musician plugin can be purchased from the Sound Devices online store.

To install and activate:

1. Purchase and download the LIC license to an SD card. The license is tied to a specific MixPre recorder's serial number and cannot be transferred.
2. Insert the SD card into the MixPre and power on the recorder.
3. Navigate to System > Plugins and tap Apply Plugins. The plugin will install, and the MixPre will reboot.

Music Projects

Music projects are stored in folders on the SD card, containing audio files and settings for easy organization, sharing, and copying. A session file manages playback on the timeline and tracks. Projects function like a DAW, with a horizontal timeline and audio tracks (channels) displayed as rows. Songs start at 00:00:00:0.

Multiple projects can be stored on an SD card, with only one active at a time.

Folder Structure

A Music project folder includes:

• Recorded audio WAV files (each track is a monophonic WAV file). The file name is derived from the recording's date and time (e.g., 001-032318-133300).
• A render folder with rendered audio files and a SESSION.XML file for playback management and project settings.

Project contents can be viewed on a computer.

Creating a New Music Project

To create a new Music project:

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Navigate to Project > New > Music.
3. Enter a name (default is 'Song' followed by a number, e.g., 'Song1') and tap OK.
4. Tap Create. The new project appears on the Home screen.

Switching between Music and Audio projects may cause the MixPre to reconfigure and restart.

Import Recording

New Music projects can be initiated by importing a WAV audio file (up to 12 tracks), ideal for multitrack audio from a DAW. This allows for continued song development or creating backing tracks for live performance.

To create a project from a WAV file:

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Navigate to Project > New > Music > Import Recording.
3. Select the WAV file from the SD card, either from the root directory or within an Audio project folder.

Opening an Existing Music Project

To continue working on a song:

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Navigate to Project > Open. A list of projects on the SD card is displayed, identified by a music notes icon ♫.
3. Scroll and select the desired project. The project opens, displaying the Home screen.

The MixPre auto-saves the current project's state when switching projects.

Interface and Controls

Home Screen for Music Projects

When a Music project is active, the Home screen displays:

• Music Icon ♫: Indicates a Music project. Tap to access the Music Control menu.
• Time Counter: Shows Song Position (hh:mm:ss:tenths) for Music projects.
• L/R Mix Meters: Displays stereo mix levels.
• Meter View: Shows metering for 12 tracks and stereo mix. Tap meters to switch track banks.
• SD Card Icon ?: Indicates SD card status.
• Q Icon ?: Displays cue markers. Tap to set a cue mark or access the Cue Points menu.
• Q Icon & Cue Number: Shows cue number.
• Power Status Icon
• Menu Icon ☰
• Limiter Indicator
• Track Bank Selector: Highlights the currently controlled track group.
• Track Labels: Displays track names.
• Remaining Time: Shows remaining time on the SD card or to the end of the song.
• Status Bar: Displays current song status (bar position, metronome, rendering) or USB drive status.
• Punch Indicator 'P'

The Home screen appearance varies slightly between MixPre-3 II, -6 II, and -10 II models.

Music Control Menu

Accesses the project's History list, Cue list, Render, Metronome, and Solo/Mute screens.

To access:

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Tap the Music Notes icon ♫.

Music Project History

Logs each recording as a revision, allowing easy undo/redo and comparison of takes. The list is chronological, with the most recent at the top.

To access History:

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Tap History.

From the History list, use the HP encoder to select a file. The current recording is marked with an asterisk (*). To restart a project from scratch, select Restart Song from the bottom of the History list. This clears all audio but retains files in the project folder.

Track Bank Selector

Selects which group of tracks are controlled by the front panel knobs. The selector visually highlights the active track group.

• MixPre-3 II: Tap meters to cycle through tracks 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12.
• MixPre-6 II: Tap meters to cycle through tracks 1-4, 5-8, 9-12.
• MixPre-10 II: Top row knobs control tracks 1-4. Tap meters to toggle bottom knobs between tracks 5-8 and 9-12.

When switching banks, knob adjustments only take effect once the knob reaches its previously stored fader value. LEDs pulse orange if the knob's position is not aligned with its stored value.

Channel Screens

Channel screens provide detailed control over individual tracks.

Accessing Channel Screens

Push in a Channel knob.

Channel Screen Settings

Each screen has two pages, switchable via the Dots icon.

Setting Input Source

The MixPre-3 II accepts XLR mic/line, 3.5mm (Aux In), and USB sources. The MixPre-6 II and -10 II also accept XLR/¼-inch combo mic/line inputs. Any physical input can be routed to any track.

Inputs can be routed to mixer outputs (Bouncing), a metronome click, or used to turn on Phantom power.

Routing Input Sources for Tracks

1. Enter the Channel screen and tap Input.
2. Select an input for the track (one live input source per track).
3. Select Phantom to enable 48V Phantom power for condenser microphones (only available for Mic sources).
4. Select Click to record the metronome click, useful for DAW tempo alignment.

TIP (10 II only): A built-in slate mic can be used for rough scratch tracks by setting Inputs > Aux In Mode to Slate Mic and then selecting it in the routing screen.

Enabling Monitoring

Hear live input signals during playback, useful for practicing or performing to a backing track.

To enable:

• Enter the Channel screen and tap Monitor. The button turns orange when active.

USB Headphone Monitoring

In Music Mode, headphone input can be routed directly from a computer USB source via USB-C. This allows monitoring MixPre audio while streaming from a DAW.

To create a custom headphone preset:

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Select Edit HP Preset.
3. Scroll to the desired input and press the headphone encoder.

Incorrect USB routing may cause feedback.

Using Solo/Mute

Mute or solo tracks from the Channel screen or the dedicated Solo/Mute screen.

• Mute: Tap Mute on the Channel screen. The track's LED ring glows red. Multiple tracks can be muted.
• Solo: Tap Solo on the Channel screen. The track's LED ring flashes orange. Only the soloed track(s) are heard.

To solo or mute from the Solo/Mute screen:

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Tap Solo/Mute.
3. Tap Solo or Mute, then tap track(s) to select them. Soloed channels appear orange; muted tracks appear red. Alternatively, use the HP encoder to highlight a track and then tap Solo/Mute.
4. Tap the back icon to exit.

Effects and Processing

Using Reverb

Reverb adds depth to the LR mix. It does not affect individual recorded tracks unless bounced.

To adjust reverb:

• From the Channel screen, tap Reverb and turn the encoder. Range: Off, -50dB to 0 dB.

MixPre offers selectable reverb characteristics (type, decay, pre-delay, HF damp). Max sampling rate is 48 kHz.

Configuring Reverb

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Navigate to Reverb.
3. Adjust settings like Reverb Type (Off, Plate, Hall, Room), Reverb Decay (0.1-5.0s), Reverb Pre-Delay (0-40ms), and Reverb HF Damp (Off, 0-20).

Rendering a Vocal Air Effect

The 'Vocal Air' effect adds an airy sheen and intimacy to vocals, applied to the LR mix (1%-100%). It does not affect individual tracks unless bounced.

Note: Air can only be applied to one track at a time. To apply to multiple vocals, use the Bounce feature.

Toggling Phase Inversion

Phase inversion (polarity reversal) prevents signal cancellation from dual-mic setups or incorrect cable wiring.

To toggle:

• From the Channel screen, tap Phase.

Punching In/Out

Punching allows recording on armed tracks while playing back unarmed tracks. Automatic punching drops in and out of record at predetermined points.

Manually Punching In/Out

1. Arm tracks for punching.
2. While playing back, press REC to punch in. The REC control turns solid red.
3. Press REC again to punch out. Recording stops, playback continues.

Automatically Punching In/Out

1. Set Record In and Record Out points. A 'P' in the status bar indicates automatic punching is enabled.
2. Use Play In and Stop Q-Points for pre-roll/post-roll.
3. Press REC. The MixPre starts playback from the Play In point or current cursor position. Recording begins automatically at the Record In point and stops at the Record Out point.

See Working with Cue Points for more details.

Working with Cue Points

Cue points help locate points of interest and set up automatic punch-ins/outs.

To add Play In, Record In/Out, and Stop cue points:

1. While stopped, tap the Q icon ? on the Home screen to open the Cue Points menu.
2. Tap the desired button (based on icons) to add the cue point at the current song position. This can be done while stopped, paused, or during playback.

Note: An In point cannot be placed after an Out point. Only one In or Out point of each type is allowed.

Cue marks can be converted to Play In, Record In/Out, or Stop points via the Cue-List.

Previewing Cue Marks

Plays a few seconds of a project from a cue mark. Use the move function to fine-tune position.

• Select a cue in the Cue List and press Play.

Jumping Between Cue Marks

• While playing or paused, press and hold Play, then turn the HP encoder to jump to the next or previous cue mark.

Bouncing

Bouncing combines multiple tracks into one or two, freeing up tracks for overdubbing or simplifying mixdowns. Reverb and air effects can be burned into the bounced track.

The bounce mix is derived from the LR mix.

To Bounce

1. Determine destination tracks.
2. In destination tracks' channel screens, set Input to MixL, MixR, or both (for mono, stereo, or dual mono bounces).
3. Determine source tracks.
4. Mute all tracks except source and destination tracks.
5. Disarm all tracks except destination tracks.
6. Set source track levels, pans, reverb, and air effects as needed.
7. Start recording manually or use auto-punch. Adjust source track levels, pans, and effects in real-time.
8. Press Stop to finish.
9. Disarm and unroute MixL and MixR from destination tracks.
10. Play back to hear the bounce and adjust mix level, pan, reverb, and air.

To Clear a Track

1. Access the track's Channel screen.
2. Tap Input, then tap Clear.
3. Tap Yes to confirm. Clearing removes audio from the project but retains files on the computer.

Metronome

The metronome provides an audible click for timing during recording and a count-in before rolling. The first beat of the bar has a higher pitch. The click is summed with the LR mix and can be heard in headphones or outputs set to LR. It can also be recorded to a track by selecting Click in the track's Input screen.

Setting Up the Metronome

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Tap Metronome and adjust settings:
   • Tempo: Set BPM (40-240 bpm).
   • Signature: Set time signature (e.g., 4/4, 1/4).
   • Volume: Adjust click volume.
   • Count-in: Set number of count-in bars (0-8).
   • On During...: Select when the metronome is active (Record, Play, Count-in).

A preview of the metronome is heard while adjusting settings.

Enabling the Metronome

• From the Music Control menu, tap the Metronome button ?. The icon illuminates orange when active.

Note: The Metronome button is disabled if 'Click' is assigned as a track's input source.

Record Settings

The Record submenu offers settings for the Musician Plugin.

Tip: L&R Gain can be quickly accessed by tapping the L meter on the Home screen.

To access the Record submenu:

• Tap the menu icon ☰, then Record.

Sharing Projects

Projects can be shared by uploading the session or transferring the SD card or USB drive.

• Copy Project Folder: Ideal for collaboration with other MixPre users.
• Render a Wav or AAC Stereo File: For sharing mixes with friends and band members. AAC files offer better quality than MP3s at similar bit rates.
• Render all individual tracks (ISOs): Ideal for importing into a DAW for further production.

To Render a Project

1. Tap the menu icon ☰.
2. Tap Render.
3. Select a format:
   • Wav Stereo: Uncompressed 2ch stereo WAV file of the LR mix.
   • AAC Stereo: Compressed 2ch stereo AAC file, smaller and faster to share.
   • Wav All Isos: Renders each isolated track to its own monophonic WAV file, ideal for DAW import.

AAC bit rates are set via Main Menu > Record > AAC Quality.

Music Projects via Wingman

The Wingman app supports Bluetooth connection to MixPre II models with the Musician Plugin. The interface adapts based on the connected model and project type. In Music projects, the Transport view shows meters for all 12 tracks. Record and Stop buttons are present, along with a Play button. Disarmed tracks appear green when playing or overdubbing.

Custom naming and arming of tracks can be done in the Transport view (large screens) or Track view (smaller screens).

External Controller Integration

Akai MidiMix Interface Functions

Korg NanoKontrol 2 Interface Functions

Korg NanoKontrol Studio Interface Functions

Novation LaunchControl XL Interface Functions

Software License

This section details the End-User License Agreement (EULA) for the Sound Devices MixPre Series Software / Embedded Firmware. It outlines the terms and conditions for using the software, including grant of license, software ownership, and restrictions on use. It also includes disclaimers of warranties and limitations of liability.

FCC & ISED Compliance Statements

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and relevant Industry Canada (ISED) standards. It is subject to conditions that prevent harmful interference and requires acceptance of any received interference. Modifications not expressly approved may void the user's authority to operate the equipment. The device also complies with RF Exposure SAR limits for general population/uncontrolled exposure.