#1681476 - 06/05/05 05:25 AM
Multi-Channel Preamps
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facingwest
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Registered: 06/04/05
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I'm in the process of trying to get my project studio together and needed an opinion on whether to purchase a board (Mackie 1604) or a multi-channel preamp (Focusrite OctoPre).
I'm leaning more towards the Focusrite because of the way my recording system (Paris Pro) is set up. I need to be able to adjust the trim/level prior to sending it into the Paris. However, the Mackie crosses my mind in case I want to EQ something (mostly for cutting unwanted frequencies) prior to it being recorded. The Paris system has incredible EQ options, but the dynamics processing on it isn't all that great and colors tracks greatly.
Any thoughts or suggestions on this?
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#1681477 - 06/05/05 08:52 AM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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where02190
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Registered: 11/06/01
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The Octapre is IMHO the best multichannel lightpipe pre going, and will totally smoke the Mackie pres.
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Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording.
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#1681478 - 06/05/05 07:33 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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Sean Eldon
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Registered: 04/19/04
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Loc: Long Island
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The Presonus Digimax 96k is another GREAT lightpipe mic pre. The LT will save you a couple of bucks, but the actual pres and converters in the bigger version really do make a difference,
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#1681479 - 06/05/05 07:59 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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Registered: 08/23/03
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You don't want to use the eq on a Mackie board.
I like the ATI 8MX2.
Bill
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"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
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#1681480 - 06/06/05 01:35 AM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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facingwest
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Thanks for posting guys. What are the advantages/major differences between the Presonus and the Focusrite that would benefit more?
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#1681481 - 06/06/05 02:06 AM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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Philip O'Keefe
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Registered: 12/17/00
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There are subjective sound differences between the two, with some people preferring one brand over the other. Both the Focusrite and the Presonus units are pretty good "bang for the bucks" units, and you should be able to make good quality recordings with either. Personally, I don't really do a lot of tracking with EQ, and I prefer to save that for mixdown and avoid "EQ'ing twice", although I am not religious about it... but most things I track are done with just mic, cables, preamps and maybe a bit of compression "going in". Of course, if you're looking for something "different" or a specific "sound", anything goes, but for the most part, I prefer to capture the basic sound and make adjustments thereto with my mic and preamp selection choices, and mic placement adjustments, or adjustments at the sound source - different playing technique, different guitar or cymbals, etc.
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#1681482 - 06/06/05 03:34 AM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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facingwest
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Which of the two preamps doesn't color the sound going into the recorder? From experience, we used a focusrite Focusrite Platinum Voicemaster for some vocal tracks and it colored the vocal tracks a little. Do you know if this particular one is more transparant? Also, is there something better that's an 8 channel preamp?
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#1681483 - 06/06/05 07:37 AM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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wireline
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"Also, is there something better that's an 8 channel preamp? "
Millenia HV3-8...True Precision...2 API 3124s...OSA/API lunchbox...Cranesong Spider...there are lots of options in the 8 at a time framework that have a proven track record (pun intended)...
I have (and use) an Octopre, and it does seem to impart some color (not good or bad, just different) than the Presonus units I have...
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So What ARE We Gonna Do With 8 Tracks...Fire the Arranger?
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#1681485 - 06/07/05 06:44 AM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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evets
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Registered: 10/19/01
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Aren't the new Mackie Onyx pre's supposed to be pretty sweet?
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-Steve
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Sometimes ya gotta find out what it ain't, to find out what it is...
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#1681486 - 06/07/05 09:42 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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Funkwave
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Registered: 04/12/03
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I know a few guys that are using the M Audio Octane with good results. It's an 8 channel pre with lightpipe. Might want to check it out.
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#1681487 - 06/07/05 11:36 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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where02190
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Registered: 11/06/01
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IMHO the Octapre is much more musical sounding than the Presonus. I've also heard rumors of great sounds from the Octane.
_________________________
Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording.
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#1681488 - 06/08/05 05:16 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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hotstuff
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Registered: 09/15/04
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Hi there!
After looking around I ended up buying an M-Audio Octane, and´its great, the pre´s are very nice and its quite a feature fulled box! 
It´s got typical features like, pads on every channel, phase reverse on every second channel, 2 two instrument inputs,but its got some extra features like M-S matrix encoding for mid side mic setups, every channel has ballanced insert points which are mic pre line out and ADC line in which I have normalled on my patch bay, this way I can easly patch in a compressor or eq easily, I can also send a seperate mic pre or DI to one of the line ins to use the ADC of the Octane and bypass the mic pre´s.
I use the Octane mainly for drums, and they sound really good, the toms sound particulary good but the kick and snare also sound very good and very well reproduced;
Wow! I´ve actualy done some kind of review 
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Portuguese Homerecording
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#1681489 - 06/13/05 05:11 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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KenElevenShadows
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Registered: 12/20/00
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Hey, turn your review in to EQ!!! Get paid for your Octane review!!! Whooo-hoooo!!
Seems like M-Audio makes products that are a really great bang for the buck, as they say in America....oh, wait, I'm from there, too...
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#1681490 - 06/16/05 07:54 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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Björn Fröberg
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Registered: 11/29/03
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I agree with Phil. I try to get the best sound possible without using EQ or compression going to tape/HD. What I want from a mic-pre is simple: Good preamps without other stuff that costs money and messes the sound up. If I'm not satisfied with the result in the mix, then I'll do EQ and/or compression.
But, as far as this thread goes, this post may be useless, because I haven't used any of the preamps discussed here.
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A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams
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#1681491 - 06/17/05 05:12 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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Philip O'Keefe
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Not useless Bob (or Bob). 
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#1681492 - 06/17/05 06:54 PM
Re: Multi-Channel Preamps
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KenElevenShadows
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Originally posted by Björn Fröberg:
I agree with Phil. I try to get the best sound possible without using EQ or compression going to tape/HD. What I want from a mic-pre is simple: Good preamps without other stuff that costs money and messes the sound up. If I'm not satisfied with the result in the mix, then I'll do EQ and/or compression.
But, as far as this thread goes, this post may be useless, because I haven't used any of the preamps discussed here.
For eight-channel, Wireline had a lot of good suggestions: "Millenia HV3-8...True Precision...2 API 3124s...OSA/API lunchbox...Cranesong Spider...there are lots of options in the 8 at a time framework that have a proven track record (pun intended)..." The only one out of these that I've actually heard in person are the True Precision, which is distributed by Neumann and sound very clean and good. I've heard nothing but good things about the others as well.
And finally, I almost *never* record with EQ or compression while tracking. If it doesn't sound right, I adjust the sound at the source, move the mic, or choose another mic. And I just don't think that a lot of stuff really needs a lot of compression unless someone is really erratic in their volume.
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