8 Channel Rackmount Pres as compared to Soundcraft M12 Board Pres

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris F
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Chris F

Chris F

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Sorry, I can hear the collective groan as a new preamp thread rears its ugly head. :D However...

In This thread, I've described how the phantom power on my Soundcraft M12 has just gone out of commission. While I'll probably see about getting the board repaired, I am curious to find out if there are any 8 channel rackmount pres out there that are likely to be a definite step up in quality from the onboard pres on the M12. The only criteria are that the cost of the rack unit shouldn't be more than about $1K, and that it should have reliable phantom power onboard.

For the record, the kind of music I record most often is acoustic jazz influenced small group music (four instruments or less). I'm looking for as "transparent" a sound as possible. A good example of a recent cut showing the sound I'm going for can be found Here (I'm the composer and bassist). Basically, each instrument on this cut was recorded with LD condensers only with the exception of the drums, which were mic'ed individually. If there is a decent 8-channel pre in this sonic ballpark (i.e. - if you could hear each of the instruments involved seperately, they sound just about exactly like what ended up on the recording - no studio gimmicks were involved!) that I could add to my rack in or near my price range, I'd gladly buy it whether I could get my board fixed or not.
 
Presonus digimax, is another option to the octopre. Alot of people favor the digimax over the octopre. And the clocking to the digimax is very good. I personally own the digimax and demo'd the octopre. Would take the digimax over the octopre. Im not diggin the focusrite platnium series pre's at all.

Eddie
 
Hey Chris,

Recognized you from TB. Nice recording, is that your LaScala?
 
leddy said:
Hey Chris,

Recognized you from TB. Nice recording, is that your LaScala?
Click to expand...

Thanks! (I can't decipher your HR username, so I won't even try) That recording was actually the last recording I made with my old Czech bass. It sounds good, but I know the LaScala would have sounded better.

Raw and Protools: It's good to see info on these other pres out there, thanks. The one I drool over is the Universal Audio 8 channel pre, but I'll never afford that one. Does anyone have any experience recording acoustic music using the M-Audio octane? It seems to have a nice feature set as well, and the pres it seems to be based on have a great reputation around here.
 
Chris F said:
Thanks! (I can't decipher your HR username, so I won't even try) That recording was actually the last recording I made with my old Czech bass. It sounds good, but I know the LaScala would have sounded better.

Raw and Protools: It's good to see info on these other pres out there, thanks. The one I drool over is the Universal Audio 8 channel pre, but I'll never afford that one. Does anyone have any experience recording acoustic music using the M-Audio octane? It seems to have a nice feature set as well, and the pres it seems to be based on have a great reputation around here.
Click to expand...

I bought an Octane two months ago and I love it! Nice clean preamps with plenty of headroom, great sounding A/D converters, M-S matrix (I love M-S mic'ing on drum kits), lightpipe and analog outputs. Definately worth checking out IMO.
 
I'll second what kid klash said. I bought an Octane based on my positive experience with the DMP3, and it's a nice clean-sounding pre.
 
Are the Octane pres really going to be better than the Soundcraft M-series?

Based on what I've read here and my experience, I'd fix the phantom power in the Soundcraft, until I could afford and/or justify something like the Grace 801 or two 4-channel API 3124's. I think you'd have to go big to really out-do the Soundcraft. $1k probably won't buy you 8 channels of something better.

Just my $.02

Good luck on your decision Chris.
(My TB username is Larry)
 
Yeah, I agree with leddy - I'd get the board fixed. But Chris F also said he might buy an 8-channel pre in any case, so I was just backing that reco.

Chris, if you have a chance to actually test out any of this gear before buying, then do it.
 
MadAudio said:
But Chris F also said he might buy an 8-channel pre in any case, so I was just backing that reco.
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You're right, I forgot that part. Then the Octane is a good thought, or perhaps that new Studio Projects 8 channel, SP8 I think it's called? I assume it's like having 8 VTB-1's or so. I have a VTB-1 and it's nice for the $$. The variable tube feature may help impart some different flavor to different tracks too.

Chris, you looking for a portable rig to record gigs & such? That's what I do. If so, I can see where you would rather have a rack of pres rather than a heavy board.
 
Hard to beat the Soundcraft pres with 8 channels for under a grand. 8 channels of Sytek (at about $1,600) would do it.
 
leddy said:
Chris, you looking for a portable rig to record gigs & such? That's what I do. If so, I can see where you would rather have a rack of pres rather than a heavy board.
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The board and rack are in my music room, and that's where they'll stay! I'll keep the board regardless of whether I fix the phantom power or not...I was just wondering if the M-Audio pres were better, in which case I'd just go ahead and load up with those instead. The Soundcraft pres aren't bad, but they aren't killing me, either.
 
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