Mindprint TRIO USB

The MindPrint Trio is a processor and monitor controller that is affordable and flexible when it comes to monitoring. It does have a talk back function but the quality of it is not as good as I expected it to be, it seem to be a little “noisy”. The front of this unit is where all of the knobs are, they are smooth and move easily and built to last a long time. If this is your first time working with a unit like this it may take some time to understand how everything works. It did come with a well written manual that is available in multiple languages.

UTILIZATION

Setting this unit up doesn’t really take much effort or work. It will only take a few minutes but learning to utilize its features may take some time if you are a new user. The MindPrint Trio has a really good compressor on it as well and this was a huge shock to me.

GETTING STARTED

There is an LED light that will be green if there is no compression, if you have a small amount of compression it will turn orange and it will turn red if there is a lot of compression just like in my DAW compressors.

OVERALL OPINION

Being that this processor is very affordable I do recommend purchasing it but there are some things I didn’t like about it. One being the talk back feature, because it was not as clean as it should have been They mine as well of just left that feature off unless they were going to make sure it had a good sound. Also the DAW connections are only on unbalanced channels. I did love how easy it was to work with the compression though, it was as easy as turning a knob and adding as much as you wanted to add. I still think it is easier to work with compression in your DAW though.

See previous notices ...
However, I want to clarify that the TRIO is a first strip before audio.C interface is a hybrid concept to say the least original, but keep in mind the vision of the craft.

This box full of connectors of all kinds ... it is possible to manage and centralize many things and peripherals over the same time.
It may lack a pad off for the MIC, although so far I have not really useful.

UTILIZATION

Personally, the installation was done without worry.
Well, I had to go download the drivers on the site of Mindprint (which was not the case for everyone), I launched the setup, followed the instructions and it worked.
I know it was less clear for other people I have helped, but for everyone, ca did I think.
And I have no problems of incompatibility with my other two sound card (a realtek 97, I n'utlise more, and a Line 6 Toneport UX2 j'utlise that in addition to the TRIO).

GETTING STARTED

Having handled the mix of tables and some slices of preamps and consoles, the usage of storage device not too disturbed.
However, in talking with other undefined users, I realized that if the price broke in Germany (it was over 400 euros at its output, and is worth more than 300 euros in France at present) the intended rather to an audience novice, low budget.Dans practice, without some notion of what a channel strip (preamp + EQ + Compressor ...) can quickly be rerouted.
While the device seems rather intuitive, it is not the same for people who have never really mixed in "hardware".
This assumes a little learning at first, which can carry yourself I think with the help of the manual and experimenting.
For, as I said above, the TRIO is a first strip before a sound card, so it's a very logical functioning "hardware" in fact, the game software is reduced to (almost ) its simplest form.
All settings (gain, EQ, compression, or sending overall volume to software) are made directly from the device, which does not displease me personal.

The drivers then ... (ASIO only) my feeling is pretty mixed ...
The graphical interface of TRIO, which is accessed only from software sequencers such as Cubase, Sonar, Krystal audio ... simpliste.On is quite unable to resolve the resolution of the sound card (bits + sampling frequency) and size of buffers in gros.Il There's also 2 or 3 menus annexes no real influence or interest (special cases) such as dithering.
On the stability ... and although the sound card is the most stable I have ever try. It's simple, since I work with, I had no software crash while I was working! and I mean NO! Even when I stalls, the CPU does little more, well that's it's all, and after I contiinuer to work ...
Yet when I got it, I have no more suited to my PC computer music or anything ... simply amazing! more stable than my old M Audio Firewire (a model of its kind for me already) or Firepod small studio of our association ... and much better at this level than my other USB card, the Line6 (more capricious already). For that alone, it deserves 11/10!

For cons, the management of drivers is very space ... when I'm working on just such sonar, or other sequencer, ca marche.Mais if I want to open at the same time Windows Media Player, well I could listen to it coming from Sonar.
TRIO also seems to always give priority to this type of application ...
ACID + + SoundForge Windows media, it works. + + Reason sounforge windows media too.
But any other combination with Windows media ... not.
This is the first time I have a thing like that ... is not dramatic, but if I want to listen to the Windows drive, I have to close Sonar and Cubase and go under the Line 6 ...
Otherwise, I would also appreciate an adjustment of the buffer size more "precise", it was indeed a choice between a few presets to "fixed". But even in normal mode, I reach a latency rather down to the USB, 5.6 ms in Sonar, and I could go lower (with better PC config).

In short, just for that I take away two points (11-2 = 9)

OVERALL OPINION

For the rest of the features of the machine I refer to my opinion on the SPDIF version of TRIO, which differs only by its connectivity (optical instead of USB) and is not an audio interface in its own right.
Initially I bought the version SPDIF out of curiosity and because I wanted to move on a Presonus TubePre (and I have no sub), well I loved the sound that came out (as a preamp , EQ, compressor, which colors the sound, the routing ...).
So I sold my M Audio Firewire Audiophile, which did not fit any more for me to purchase the leaves USB.Je version SPDIF to the association and j'utlise sometimes both for the preamplifier or stereo taken bass drum and snare drums, all of which are connected to a Presonus Firepod.
Well I do not regret, it perfectly matches my needs ... and for the price, 159 euros Thomann, a bargain!
Moreover, as it is first channel strip, it is possible to 'users in "stand alone", so no computer, to connect to another system of registration, or mix in a table below Live or mid-range to improve the quality preamp or even mix ...

In short, this is a very versatile tool that, even if I'm using it more as a sound card, I can always serve as a channel strip or preamp àdéfaut better (that is to say, the high-end several hundred dollars).
To make small models or demos, it's perfect for me anyway, a ridiculous price with the views of his performance!
A choice I would do it again!

The All-in-One Setup for a mobile home and punchy in minimal space
My config

C2D E6600 4GB RAM 1TB SATAII * 2 on a P5B

Connected to PC via USB and an NT1 and a DW6000 + Miscellaneous via VLZ Pro.

UTILIZATION

Drivers stable
Not limited to reading and recording in stereo (instrument / mic or line)
4ms latency in 48Khz.
Runs on wavelab and Cubase

GETTING STARTED

Easy installation, no conflict and no need manual.

OVERALL OPINION

5 years
I I like his sins and his Swiss Army knife and compact side.
We can all do with.

For those spineless embark is "the bomb Baby".
Personally I have both USB AND SPDIF version.

The trio is a channel strip that can record one to two tracks while monitoring a return of the pc or any other machine.
will mainly use the sound recording and mixing on PC or Mac
I'm running a particular type Cubase DAW.
I use the trio as well as a dedicated multi-interface, so I used mainly for voice and the return of monitoring sessions mix.
wholesale specifications are:
1 XLR
Jack line 2entrées 6.35
A high impedance input jack 6.35 (for the live connection of guitar and bass)
An input / output jack insert 6.35 (two separate send Jack return but it's still an insert and not to)
An auxiliary RCA input
An input / output interface format Daw RCA (for those who want to enter the sound of their pc
or out the sound of the trio to the pc with another sound card)
A USB connection for communicating with the PC in digital.
2 independent headphone outputs with Stereo Jack 6.35
3 out left / right for independent monitors (1 in 6.35 Jack and 2 RCA)
A direct exit out in CAR

it is important to note that the preamp is a Class A

on the face we get:
Track 1: 48v on / off, low cut at 80hz on / off, gain, hi eq, eq low, fat (soft knee compressor), record volume, mute on / off.

Track 2: hi eq, eq low, record volume, mute on / off

direct return three volume settings: mic / instr, line, to

over all volume settings for each output

1 Talkback

the case is sturdy and machine inspires confidence in the quality of finishes.

UTILIZATION

Installation is no problem except that he had to go searching for drivers on the Internet, the disc was not provided promised (Small flat for that)
the config is no problem we must think of managing the compensation setting the latency in the audio sequencer for the catch of his are in place in relation to direct monitoring.
not need the manual if you know run a basic console and pc

GETTING STARTED

Usage is just perfect for managing inputs and outputs is simple everything is provided is accessible by pressing a button.
This machine offers an ideal ergonomics for the road mix and the sound (especially the voice for a battery that's true it's a little light)

OVERALL OPINION

Mindprint offers is its know-how in analog sound with the added luxury of having an analog / digital (until 24/96) input-output stable and quality excelente
for example my first use I did not recognize the condenser microphone that I use for several years, the preamp is simply Excellent.
for that price do not hesitate even though it is true that the number of entries will determine the most home studio ...