The Sound Devices USBPre 2 is a complete, portable, hardware interface for computer-based digital recording. It quickly and easily interfaces studio microphones, line-level sources, musical instruments, and consumer audio electronics with personal computers and professional, balanced line-level input equipment. Using the same extended-bandwidth, low-noise microphone preamplifiers and digital converters as the 7-Series digital recorders, it offers the most direct signal path into the computer. It can also be used as a standalone converter.
It is designed for use with USB-equipped Mac OS X 10.4+, WindowsXP/Vista/7, and Linux based computers. All analogue-to-digital conversion is done outside the computer, in the USBPre 2, for superior audio performance. S/PDIF coaxial and TOSlink I/O enables direct digital transfers into and out of the computer while balanced microphone or line-level XLR outputs allow interconnection with professional analogue equipment and unbalanced RCA (phono) stereo I/O allows interconnection with other commercial equipment.
The USBPre 2 has the flexibility to work with most PC and Mac recording, streaming, and measurement software. Powered solely by the USB port from either notebook or desktop computers, no additional power source is required - the computer provides all power needed for operation.
It operates as a two-channel preamplifier, stand-alone A-D or D-A converter or two-input mixer (to mono). Each channel is independently selectable microphone/line/aux (both channels selected for digital input). All controls are on the front panel, except for miniature switch settings on the rear, that ensure there are no software-only features, such as limiters and high-pass filters. 48V phantom powering to the microphone inputs is provided. A 23-segment, multi-colour, LED meter provides peak or VU indications. A 'mix' control enables zero-delay monitoring of source audio, computer audio, or a mix of both. Additional outputs are provided to drive headphones or preamplifiers.
| Mic input: |
2 x XLR 3-pin female, electronically balanced |
| Line input: |
2 x 6.35mm 3-pole jack, electronically balanced |
| Tape input: |
2 x RCA (phono), unbalanced |
| Digital in/out: |
S/PDIF on RCA (phono), TOSlink optical |
| Outputs: |
USB, 2 x XLR 3-pin male, PC audio on RCA (phono) for external loudspeakers, 6.35mm A-gauge jack and 3.5mm mini-jack stereo headphone. |
| Input sensitivity: |
Mic -9dBu min, -60 dBu max |
| |
Mic (15dB pad) +6dBu min, -59 dBu max |
| |
Line +29dBu min, +10 dBu max |
| |
Aux +12dBu min, -7 dBu max |
| Response: |
10Hz-40kHz +/-0.5dB (any input to PC recording) |
| |
10Hz-40kHz +/-1.0dB (PC source to AUX audio out) |
| Power source: |
USB bus, meets hot-plugging requirements |
| Dimensions: |
43 x 180 x 100 (h x w x d) mm |
| Weight: |
0.5kg |
Note: Class compliant drivers.
As a class-compliant audio device, the USBPre 2 is limited to a maximum data rate of 24-bit, 48 kHz in Windows, Linux, and Mac OS versions 10.4 to 10.5.7. Mac OS 10.5.8 and higher support the audio class 2.0 device and can address the USBPre 2 up to 24-bit, 192 kHz.