Pres with ADAT Output

[Caotico]

I've got the MOTU 828mkII that I can expand with ADAT Lightpipe. I've searched the board, and there are a lot of places where pres with adat out are mentioned, but the info seems rather scattered and incomplete. So I'm proposing that we make a list of all the available options with comments from anybody who has used them.

Pres I'm aware of:
-Behringer ADA8000 Ultragain Pro-8 A/D/A Converter (around $230)
-Presonus Digimax LT, Digimax FS, and Digimax 96k. ($600 plus)
-SMPro Audio PR8 MKII 8 Channel Microphone Preamp (200$ + 99 for converter)
-SMPro Audio A08 ADAT / Lightpipe Converter (8 channels 1/4 trs only, not techincally a pre $150)
-Focusrite Octpre Platinum and Octpre Lt
-Mackie Onyx 800R 8-Channel Preamp w/192kHz Digital Out ($999)
-ART DPS II Stereo Tube Preamp with Digital Out ($259)

any others that I've missed?

[visa]

the M-Audio Octane has lightpipe and eight dmp3 style pres i think.

[ChuckU]

MOTU 8-Pre is a host or an expansion. $549 US

[pandamonk]

Originally Posted by visa

the M-Audio Octane has lightpipe and eight dmp3 style pres i think.

It has ADAT outs, but unlike the ADA8000, you can't return to it, to expand your outputs. I'd much rather have the octane, but i need the outputs, so will get the ADA8000, i think.

[Fishmed]

Focusrite ISA-428. It comes with four Mic-pres, then you can add ANY four mic pres to the last 4 ADC.

[antichef]

I have an ART digital MPA that has ADAT out ($380-$400 sumpn like that) - only two preamps, but it uses 12AX7s at spec voltages and has variable input impedance. I replaced the stock chinese tubes with some czech ones that I had, and that cleaned up the sound a lot. I used it this weekend for spoken word vocals on a project - sounded very good - I had it connected to a MOTU Traveler via TOSlink at 48khz.

[Caotico]

Originally Posted by ChuckU

MOTU 8-Pre is a host or an expansion. $549 US

interesting. I didn't know you could use it that way. How are the pres? If I remember right they have 60 db of gain. The 828mkii only has 46db.

I forgot to list the M-Audio Octane. Thanks for reminding me. Are these in fact the same pres as the dmp 3?

I've hesitated on getting the behringer because I have a behringer mixer that has 8 direct outs that I've used for the other 8 channels on the MOTU, which I feel like introduces a noticeable amount of noise with its "invisible mic pres." Would the ADA8000 pres be any better?

I've heard mixed reviews on the focusrites and some pretty good reviews on the presonus digimax stuff. Anybody used those?

[RandyW]

I'm using an ADA8000 to expand my 828MKII.
As much a behringer stuff grieves me the thing seems to
be doing a great job "knock on wood" I been using it for
drum machines and other line level stuff mostly.. I run external
mic pres through 1-8 on the Motu. Actually the pres are
comparable to the 2 pres on the 828.
If money is no object you would probably feel better
about yourself and studio if you spent twice as much
and just bought a 8 Pre, I know I would

[omtayslick]

I have the Presonus Digimax FS. The longer I have it the more I like it. The sound of the pres has really grown on me. And my Layla 24/96 seems to sound better with the Presonus. The Digimax's anti-jitter technolgy is supposed to be of benefit whether the unit is master or slave. Don't ask me how, but I believe I can hear a difference.

I have also used the Focusrite Octopre. It seems to do a fine job as well.

[Caotico]

Originally Posted by RandyW

If money is no object you would probably feel better
about yourself and studio if you spent twice as much

Man, no wonder all those rich people are so happy.

[Benyah]

I've been using the ADA 8000 for quite a while to extend my 828 MK II on Drums and Choir and orchestra recordings and not only have I never had any problems, it also sounds quite good for what it is and costs!!

[earworm]

i also use the berry ada8000 to have more inputs on my motu828 mk1

no complaints

and this thing can be modded by Black Lion Audio (if that mod is as good as the 828mod its worth the money!!)

oh, i got my behringer clocked to an apogee rosetta, if i compare the preamps with my motu pres i do notice a difference, definately, but its good enough for a while


and cheap, ,oh and i've had my berri since a year and it still works!!

[Micter]

Just for the record the DPSII doesn't have ADAT outs. It has SPDIF

[Caotico]

Originally Posted by Micter

Just for the record the DPSII doesn't have ADAT outs. It has SPDIF

according to MF

"Digital outputs include S/PDIF, TOSLINK, and ADAT (front panel selectable). The A/D converter is front panel adjustable from 44.1 to 96K or syncs to ADAT or external word clock (32kHz to 100kHz). You can patch into any ADAT stream and select which pair (or all) of channels the DPS II transmits."

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Out?sku=180631

[timboZ]

Yes it has ADAT out. That is how I use mine.

[MOFO Pro]

But what format arrives at the light termination... 8 channels of adat, with only signal on the chosen two... or a SPDIF two channel signal??

[Caotico]

Originally Posted by timboZ

Yes it has ADAT out. That is how I use mine.

Cool. How do you like it?

[timboZ]

Originally Posted by MOFO Pro

But what format arrives at the light termination... 8 channels of adat, with only signal on the chosen two... or a SPDIF two channel signal??

Only the 2 channels you select.
I also have a Behr... ADA8000. I can use 6 channels of the ADA8000 and 2 channels of the ART by plugging the ADAT out of the ADA8000 to the input of the ART then the ADAT out my ADAT recorder. (Channels 1 -6 from behringer and channels 78 from ART).

Originally Posted by Caotico

Cool. How do you like it?

I like it. Most of the time I use the behringer for only drums.
I will use the ART for vocals and Acoustic guitar. Sometimes I will run my drum O/H into it.

The thing I like about the Behringer is that I can use it for outputs. So I can mix on the big board.

[Micter]

It's not technically ADAT because it's NOT 8 channels. It's optical (lightpipe) though. Speaking of the DPSii.

[timboZ]

Originally Posted by Micter

It's not technically ADAT because it's NOT 8 channels. It's optical (lightpipe) though. Speaking of the DPSii.

Isn't it ADAT but only sending 2 channels of data in ADAT format..
While recording I setup my recording device to accept ADAT the same for the ART or the Behringer.

Originally Posted by ART

Digital outputs include S/PDIF, TOSLINK, and ADAT (front panel selectable). The A/D converter is front panel adjustable from 44.1 to 96K or syncs to ADAT or external word clock (32kHz to 100kHz). You can patch into any ADAT stream and select which pair (or all) of channels the DPS II transmits.