Suggestions for 8 channel Mic Pres for me LE system

[RobtheRipper]

I am in the process of building a home studio and I want to expand my I/O for my PTLE system through ADAT and my 4 line ins. For the ADAT I was leaning towards the focusrite octopre L.E. which I have read is quite good sounding. For the 4 line ins I was thinking about 2 Rane MS1s and the Art MPA Gold 2 channel tube Pre. Does anyone have any other suggestions that I should look into?

Thanks
-The Ripper

[pounce]

fwiw, i really don't like the focusrite octopre. i find it to have less headroom than i'd prefer. it's typical of the stuff they do with their platinum series, which i'm pretty soft on. otoh, the isa428 is totally cool, but two of them are a lot more money than the octopre. here, it's you get what you pay for. if you could swing the money for the isa series it would be well worth it.

[RobtheRipper]

fwiw, i really don't like the focusrite octopre. i find it to have less headroom than i'd prefer. it's typical of the stuff they do with their platinum series, which i'm pretty soft on. otoh, the isa428 is totally cool, but two of them are a lot more money than the octopre. here, it's you get what you pay for. if you could swing the money for the isa series it would be well worth it.

I am not sure I can afford the ISA428 at the point but I guess that is something to upgrade to possibly in the future. Thanks for the info though, I will do more research to see what else is out there.
-The Ripper

[SimonT]

Apparently the presonus digimax is meant to be alot better than the octopre. I have also head good thing about Audient ASP something.

[jdub]

anyone try the focusrite saffire Pro? I'm planning on connecting an API A2D by SPDIF then getting an 8 channel interface.

Currently I'm using a DAV and 1 solo 610. Forget the Rane and Art. The Dav BG-1 is a stereo pre that rocks for the money. 2 channels for around $750. It's definitely worth a look. Works on pretty much anything.

[otek]

I have also head good thing about Audient ASP something.

I haven't used the Audient myself, but several engineers I truly respect are recommending it. It's a little more pricey than the Focusrite, however.

I tried a Presonus recently and I think what struck me most about it was the lack of solid transient response. It felt sluggish to me. But then you will find this kind of problem in a lot of budget pres.

The FMR RNP should also get a mention, very, very solid preamp for the money.


otek

[RobtheRipper]

Upon a bit of research, I found that the audient is 2000 bucks. Does anyone know how it performs?
Thanks for all the help
-The Ripper

[recall]

The Octopre is OK. Yesthe ISA is better but at a hell of a lot more money. I can't comment on the presonus directly but I have a presonus blue tube which again is pretty good. There aren't too many faults with these units. I have the octopre LE and for £500 its doubled my channel count with no significant compromise in sound q.

Of course I'd love API nad apogee and all that Jazz but you have to work with what you've got.

[RobtheRipper]

Yes my thoughts exactly. I don't really want to spend over 1000 bucks on an 8 channel pre so I guess I am going to have deal with the best I can get for that much. With a budget of 1000 bucks what do you guys think my best course of action is. I was under the impression that the Octopre was the best way to go in that price range but what do you guys think?

Appreciative as always
-The Ripper

[RobtheRipper]

By the way I am a member as of yesterday, and I would just like to say thanks for all the propt responses and feedback. I think this forum is really superb and I have learned some really interesting and important things in the past few days from simply browsing all of the topics. All you guys rock and thanks again.
-The Ripper

[pounce]

in this budget there is almost nothing out there, but i'd take the presonus over the focusrite. in a bigger budget you get more options, but we'll leave that for the future. i was also going to recommend true mic pres, their precision 8 is totally cool, but way out of budget.

[FajitaTone]

I love the 428 with Digital option. 4 pres and 4 line ins into the A/D. soft limit, wordclock, variable impedance.


but I know you're looking for 8 pre's. The Octo is ok, but I think the presonus sounds a bit better.


there my $.02

[SimonT]

If you want to spend a tad more i think the new apogee ensemble goes stand alone soon to.

[jdub]

I love the 428 with Digital option. 4 pres and 4 line ins into the A/D. soft limit, wordclock, variable impedance.


but I know you're looking for 8 pre's. The Octo is ok, but I think the presonus sounds a bit better.


there my $.02

Yeah that thing looks cool. How are the pres for drums and how do they compare to api? Are the pres fairly versatile?

[Wilkesin]

mackie has one...an Onyx series (800 F I think is the model #) that is just a smidge under $1000.

[6x2]

I haven't used the Audient myself, but several engineers I truly respect are recommending it. It's a little more pricey than the Focusrite, however.

I tried a Presonus recently and I think what struck me most about it was the lack of solid transient response. It felt sluggish to me. But then you will find this kind of problem in a lot of budget pres.

The FMR RNP should also get a mention, very, very solid preamp for the money.


otek

Audient pres are brilliant (I've used the desks), but more expensive. The value for money IMHO is a lot better than on the other ones, as it sounds clearly better than Focusrite or Presonus.

If you're on a shoestring budget, out of those two I'd pick the Presonus. The Focusrite is harsh and distorts too soon. The Presonus isn't great by any standards and the build quality (switches mainly) is poor. All in all it's the better one of those two in my experience.

My .02

6x2

[6x2]

RME also has a similar thing. I haven't tried it out, but a few guys here have used it with great results. It's worth checking out, their converters are great.

I dunno about the price. Google it.

6x2

[SimonT]

RME also has a similar thing. I haven't tried it out, but a few guys here have used it with great results. It's worth checking out, their converters are great.

I dunno about the price. Google it.

6x2

I was looking at getting the RME Fireface 800 but i have heard form people that the pres are only average, though I have never tried them myself. Also seems to be similar in price to the Audient, Audient seems like a better deal.

[RobtheRipper]

So the consensus seems to be that in my tight budget the Presonus Digimax is the way to go. I checked out the Audient ASP008 and it looks pretty sweet but it is pretty much double my budget. The truth is I am still finishing up the construction of my rooms and money is obviously tight so perhaps I am better of just waiting a bit longer and shelling out the 2 grand for the Audeint.
Thank you all as always
-The Ripper

[santeri]

There's also MOTU 8pre that has 8 mic pre's, fits in your budget, and has an ADAT out. Though the pre's in that one are definitely not anything to write home about either.

[6x2]

The truth is I am still finishing up the construction of my rooms and money is obviously tight so perhaps I am better of just waiting a bit longer and shelling out the 2 grand for the Audeint.

Patience is a good virtue!

Alternatively, banks give out loans sometimes. :Twisted:

;)

6x2

[RobtheRipper]

That or, you know, I could rob a bank or something. That'd work haha! (If only I could get away with it)
-The Ripper

[MikeK]

I have one of the Presonus Digimax FS units, and it's cool for the connectivity quotient, inserts, direct pre outs and DAC outs. SMUX is nice as well.

As for sound, I'd feel safe saying it's as good an 8 channel ADAT out unit as you can find, for the price restriction you've set.

The Onyx may be as good, but you lose some connections in exchange for the pads and flips (not going to start any "phase" vs. "polarity" threads here).

[macr0w]

I have been using a Digimax 96 for a few years now with good results. It's not the best sounding pres on the block by any stretch but they work well. It has aes outs for up to 96k too. :D

[gilligan204]

Hey dude, I use a yammy 01v , its my 8 channel mic pre (its a console) if your not to concerend about doing 96k stuff, its pretty handy , onboard eq and comp, you can do 8 direct outs optical, but you can combine more channels to those outs if you like .
and you can pick up those boards cheap nowadays,

also as a plus it doubles as the headphone mixer (sweet)


cheers

s

[theom]

Just an idea,
get stand alone pres one at a time as you can afford them..
and a separate converter.

how about a used lucid ADA8824 (ADAT)
They sell kinda cheap form time to time.
I remember liking them a lot.

[Bonnybilly]

Hey,

I have a presonus firepod and an octopre, I'm not sure if the digimax has the same preamps as the firepod but...the focusrite wins hands down I'm afraid. The presonus pres just sound really plain and flat to me.

Hope you find something you like.

[Bonnybilly]

I just realised I'm a wanker.....nice.

[FajitaTone]

Yeah that thing looks cool. How are the pres for drums and how do they compare to api? Are the pres fairly versatile?

not as punchy as the api, but great for OH, and I use it for Vox and acoustic guitar. I like 'em.

Mostly I use it for Spoken Voice and Sound FX Foley recording.

[con mucho gusto]

i haven't tried the mackie, but a selling point would be the fact that it actually has line level ins as well as pre's...you could slowly upgrade your pre's one at a time. plus, from what i've heard, it's a step up from the presonus or octapre.

i used a digimax for a long time and lack of line ins was one of the most frustrating issues (as well as the 48v switch on the back). Other than that, the digimax (older 48k version) was useable on certain things like toms, but pretty much sucks ass on vocals or anything you really need to sound good.

[SimonT]

i haven't tried the mackie, but a selling point would be the fact that it actually has line level ins as well as pre's...you could slowly upgrade your pre's one at a time. plus, from what i've heard, it's a step up from the presonus or octapre.

i used a digimax for a long time and lack of line ins was one of the most frustrating issues (as well as the 48v switch on the back). Other than that, the digimax (older 48k version) was useable on certain things like toms, but pretty much sucks ass on vocals or anything you really need to sound good.

I think the new presonus has line ins to.

[RobtheRipper]

Yea i was looking at the O1V. How is it as a control surface?

[KEN1]

I run a 24 input system consisting of my Mackie Onyx 800R,M-Audio Octane and RME Fireface mic pre's.They all sound sensational and to be honest I can not really tell the difference between them.The prices are varied though..........800R-$999,Octane-$475,Fireface-$1,500.These are the prices I got them brand new.The best "Bang for the buck" is definitly the M-Audio Octane..........8 great sounding mic pre's with insert's on each channel to boot!

[RobtheRipper]

So the Onyx sounds pretty good then? How would you say it compares to the Digimax and the Octopre? To tell you the truth I am thinking about saving up for the Audient but I don't know yet. Whats the word on the Art Gold two channel tube pre-amp. Is that worth the 300 bucks?
Thanks as always
-The Ripper

[RobtheRipper]

So I started doing some research about the Yamaha O1V96 V2 and it seems like that might be a good alternative. It looks like it functions well as a control surface and has an ADAT out which will work nicely with the 002 rack. Does anyone know how the Pres sound?
Thanks
-The Ripper

[tonytigergrrr]

Ripper,
I actually have three Presonus Digimax in a rack that was in the studio when I came.. I don't like them to much at all..Rarely use them... I replaced them with True systems, Precision 8. It is a little more money than you probably want to spend but they do make a 2 channel and a single version as well...It is a pretty nice pre, not a lot of color and I dont think you will ever be unhappy you have them as you continue to upgrade your stuff. Not sure of the price but you might do a little research...Just another thought....Or maybe I know someone who has a few Presonus for sale CHEAP....:very happy:

[RobtheRipper]

First off thanks for the info,
If you are looking to unload one of those digimax units for a good price I am most definitely interested. I am thinking about picking up a Yamaha O1V but if i decide that I don't wanna spend that kind of money now, I think you might have youself a sale.
Thanks as always
-The Ripper

[tonytigergrrr]

First off thanks for the info,
If you are looking to unload one of those digimax units for a good price I am most definitely interested. I am thinking about picking up a Yamaha O1V but if i decide that I don't wanna spend that kind of money now, I think you might have youself a sale.
Thanks as always
-The Ripper
Hey Ripper,
Here is a link to the closest thing I can find to my Digimaxs. The only difference is Mine don't do 96 only go to 48k. Which I think that is all you have anyways????? There are a few differn't ones but mine have the first two channels that include the hi-z and the phase switch. And these have the external power supply...I think if you really want one I can get it to you at a very good price, since I really dont use them at all..This one in the link is way overpriced..:lol: ..I think your in Boston?....I have a friend who owns a couple rehearsal studios in Boston... I could send it to him and you could get it there...Interested??? :icon_eek:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Presonus-DigiMax-96k-8-channel-mic-pre-w-digital-o_W0QQitemZ140104109417QQcategoryZ119018QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[RobtheRipper]

I am interested but I don't have any money right now (I am still constructing my studio and I just bought a bunch of Owens Corning 703 and auralex acoustic treatment). Are you looking to get rid of those extremely soon or do you have a bit longer for a time frame? Also I will be in NY from May1 to the end of August (My studio is in Long Island) so if I were to buy one of those off of you it would be during the summer in which we would have to figure out a way to get the unit to NY. If you could get me the model name and number that would be really excellent.
Thanks and I hope we can work something out.
-The Ripper

[tonytigergrrr]

Like I said there in a rack just sitting here.. So the answer to your question is: no, I am not in a hurry to sell these.. I will get you the model number later today and If and when you want, just let me know.. I will PM you a phone number and such...:Razz:

[RobtheRipper]

That is excellent my friend. By the way, you are getting rid of two of them, correct? If so I have a good friend who might very well be interested in one as well.