Any (new) M-Audio Octane Users?

[reshp1]

Hi,
I've searched the forum for some first hand accounts of M-Audio's Octane pre. A lot of the people posting in the recent threads said they were about to get one or had on on the way, etc. So now that you guys have your new preamp, would you care to share some of your first impressions of the unit?
I am also thinking of getting a 8 ch ADAT pre in the near future. It's between the Octane and Presonus DigiMax LT at this point, but unable to decide between the Octane for more features, and DigiMax for better sound quality.
Thanks.
Mike

[cominginsecond]

Why do you think the DigiMax has better sound quality? I thought that's what you were asking about.

[reshp1]

You're right. I don't know that, never had a chance to play with the Octane. I have heard the digimax and it sounded pretty damn good. I guess I just assumed. If the Octane does sound as good or better then I guess it'll be an easy decision.

[cominginsecond]

I've heard the Octane has the same pres as the DMP3, and I like my DMP3 quite a bit. Really clean and lots of gain. I don't know how it stacks up against the Digimax, though, since I've never used it. Anyone else out there have a DMP3 and a Digimax?

[reshp1]

Originally Posted by cominginsecond

I've heard the Octane has the same pres as the DMP3, and I like my DMP3 quite a bit. Really clean and lots of gain. I don't know how it stacks up against the Digimax, though, since I've never used it. Anyone else out there have a DMP3 and a Digimax?

I've heard the Octane uses DMP3 pre's too (and Tampa from another review)
Looking at the specs at M-Audio's website, it seems the DMP3 and Octane are significantly different.

DMP3

frequency response: 20Hz-80kHz, +/-0.5dB @ max gain

signal-to-noise ratio: 116.3 dB

THD: 0.05% @ minimum gain

max input: +13.7 dBu

max output: +27.5 dBu

input impedance: 3K ohms balanced

EIN: -128 dBm @ 600-ohms

gain range: 13.5dB to 46.5dB (low gain range)

34.5dB to 67.5 dB (high gain range)

low-cut filter: -3dB @ 72Hz


Octane:

MICROPHONE INPUTS



variable gain: 50dB

frequency response: 20-20kHz, +/- 0.11dB; mid gain

signal-to-noise ratio: 120dB, A-weighted; mid gain

dynamic range: 120dB, A-weighted; mid gain

THD+N: 0.00041% -107dB, 1dB below clipping, 22Hz-22kHz; mid gain

EIN noise rating: -129dBu @ max gain, 600 ohms, 22Hz-22 kHz (unweighted)

input impedance: 2.85k ohms, no pad; 3.600k ohms, pad engaged

[chessrock]

I just think M-audio, overall, seems to have better-sounding stuff than Presonus. I have no real basis for this other than what my ears tell me. I just think M-audio stuff sounds better, and they represent unusually high bang/buck ratio in just about everything they make.

[cominginsecond]

I really did not like Presonus's BlueTube on everything, other than Bass DI.

[juststackit]

I was going to try out the prosonus digimax, but it crapped out on me. and I have two other friends tell me they had problems too. So prosonus scares me on their quality as far as craftsmanship goes- I had some tech problems with their blue tube also!

[WATYF]

Originally Posted by reshp1

Hi,
I've searched the forum for some first hand accounts of M-Audio's Octane pre. A lot of the people posting in the recent threads said they were about to get one or had on on the way, etc. So now that you guys have your new preamp, would you care to share some of your first impressions of the unit?
I am also thinking of getting a 8 ch ADAT pre in the near future. It's between the Octane and Presonus DigiMax LT at this point, but unable to decide between the Octane for more features, and DigiMax for better sound quality.
Thanks.
Mike

I will have mine tomorrow. I won't have all the mics and misc gear to go with it till this weekend, so I can't give impressions till then.

My brother has the Digimax LT. It's fine. The Octane has a few extra features that the Digimax doesn't, plus I heard some good reviews about it, plus I found it for 500 bucks at www.floridamusicco.com (I'd check that out first if I were you... shipping was free and it only took three days)... the cheapest I could get the Digimax for was 600-ish on eBay (either used or out of box).

My bro and I also decided that we didn't want to use identical 8 channel pres so we could at least have a little variety in our pre-amp choices (in case he wanted to borrow mine or vice-versa).

I will let you know when I get some results.


WATYF

[WATYF]

Here you go, as promised... sample of my kit running through the Octane.

http://www.recordingproject.com/bbs/...pic.php?t=7454

I'm pretty pleased with the results. I haven't even started working on it yet (i.e. gate the snare, compress to OHs, etc) and it already sounds decent. I'd have to say I prefer the Octane over the Digimax. I've had this same kit mic'ed up and running through my brother's Digimax, and I like this sound a little better. No earth shattering difference or anything, this is just a little more to my taste. YMMV.

WATYF

[gumplunger]

Sounds pretty good. Those toms sound real nice. I'm looking at investing at a fairly similar drum recording outfit, good to know it has the possibility of sounding that good, even before processing.

[BJW]

WATYF,

Sounds pretty sweet, man. I'm definately an M-Audio fan. What mic's did you use for that drum track?

-Brian

[gumplunger]

Originally Posted by BJW

WATYF,

Sounds pretty sweet, man. I'm definately an M-Audio fan. What mic's did you use for that drum track?

-Brian

It's listed in the post in his link.

[Strange Leaf]

What drums are you playing?

[reshp1]

Thanks for the samples WATYF, they do sound good. I think that I might be leaning more towards the Octane now. If you don't mind me asking, where'd you pick yours up for and how much was it?

[WATYF]

reshp1... see my previous post (half-way up the page) for info on where I got it and how much.

BJW... the mic list is at the beginning of the thread that I linked to.

Strange Leaf... it's a Yamaha Stage Custom with Aquarian Double Thin coated heads and Zildjian A Custom Cymbals. Here's a pic.


WATYF

[BJW]

Originally Posted by WATYF

BJW... the mic list is at the beginning of the thread that I linked to.

WATYF

Ahhhhh, found it. Thanks

-Brian

[MadAudio]

Bump!

Hey, WATYF! Are you still enjoying the Octane? I am seriously considering getting one, and your posts are making me think it would be a good choice for me. I got a DMP3 recently and I'm very impressed with it.