Interface expandability

[seanrutsch]

Ok so I'm not exactly a newbie, but I'm in the process of upgrading nearly all of my recording equipment, and I'm running into a problem.

In the past when tracking drums, I would use my Tascam US-1800 in combination with a Presonus Studio Channel because I use 9 mics, and the US-1800 only has 8 mic pres. The Presonus out would go into one of four line ins on the US-1800.

I purchased a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, but recently realized that it only has 8 mic pres and no line ins. I'm currently looking at purchasing the Octopre MKII to expand it (via ADAT), but are there any other better/cheaper options?

Ideally, I'd like to have a really nice two channel standalone preamp that sounds nicer than the Octopre MK II to use for most of my tracking and then for overheads when tracking drums (the Focusrite ISA Two for example), but I need it to have ADAT or S/PDIF to send it into the Pro 40 both because I need to record at least 9 channels simultaneously when tracking drums, and because I don't want any coloration from the Pro 40's preamps when I'm tracking other things. So far every solution I've found that meets this criteria is way out of my budget, either because the preamp either doesn't have digital outs and would require a standalone converter, or requires an expander card for digital functionality. I'm looking to spend less than $800 if possible.

TLDR; Are there any quality two channel preamps (substantially better than the preamps in my Saffire Pro 40 or an Octopre MKII) that have either ADAT or S/PDIF built in (or with an expander card) that total less than $800?

[ecc83]

Hi Sean,
The only mic pre I know of OTTOMH that has S/PDIF out as standard is the Audient Mico.
It has gained a very good rep as a pre amp and the converters are also reckoned to be first class.

For ADAT the Behringer ADA 8000 is something of a pro "workhorse". Many readily admit to using one, I wonder how many "closet" ADAphiles there are?

There was some very carefull work done last year that gave very strong reason to believe that any reasonably competently made mic pre is indistinguishable from any other regardless of price PROVIDED levels are kept below any "character" inducing point.

So, if you avoid distant ribbons on the Bellringers or high level brass you should be ok!

Of course IF you want "irony Neves" you will have to pay!

Dave.

[seanrutsch]

Hi Sean,
The only mic pre I know of OTTOMH that has S/PDIF out as standard is the Audient Mico.
It has gained a very good rep as a pre amp and the converters are also reckoned to be first class.

For ADAT the Behringer ADA 8000 is something of a pro "workhorse". Many readily admit to using one, I wonder how many "closet" ADAphiles there are?

There was some very carefull work done last year that gave very strong reason to believe that any reasonably competently made mic pre is indistinguishable from any other regardless of price PROVIDED levels are kept below any "character" inducing point.

So, if you avoid distant ribbons on the Bellringers or high level brass you should be ok!

Of course IF you want "irony Neves" you will have to pay!

Dave.

Thanks for the response, the Audient looks perfect! Now my only other question would be (and you sort of already answered this): are the preamps and the conversion on the Audient going to be substantially better than that of say an Octopre or ADA 8000 in respect to the price difference?

And on a more technical note, if I do go with the Audient, should I clock it to the Pro 40?