G.A.S. acting up, Octane to blame

  • Thread starter Thread starter MadAudio
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MadAudio

MadAudio

Damned if I do
Recently I got a DMP3, and I'm pretty impressed with it so far. So now I'm thinking about the Octane. I know WATYF has one, and I've listened to the drums he recorded with it and they sound great. Granted, I'd be using different mics than he did, but the Octane seems pretty clean sounding. I'm getting decent results with the pre's in my Mackie 1604 (did I just hear Blue Bear groan?), but since upgrading my monitors, I think it's time for better pre's. The M/S matrix is an attractive feature, too. Any other Octane users want to weigh in?
 
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I got to A/B the Octane against a Presonus Digimax LT (both via ADAT Lightpipe) and for cleanness of audio and quality of construction, the Digimax won. It was pretty close, but without measuring tools I could tell the Digimax had a lower noise floor. Also, the Octane has plastic knobs, which in my opinion don't belong on equipment in that price range.

However, the Digimax loses on features. It doesn't have the polarity reverse switches, the 1/4" TRS outs (although the inserts can be made to work that way), or the M-S encoding.

What other hardware are you running this into and what is your price range?
 
I was thinking of using it as a pre for my drums (right now using Beyer TG-X50 on kick, Beyer M201 on snare, 57's on toms and MXL 603's for OH). I tried recording straight into my soundcard (Layla 24/96) with the DMP3 and liked what I heard.

As for price range, the Octane fits it.

It's funny, though. WATYF compared the same two pre's and liked the Octane over the Presonus!
 
MadAudio said:
It's funny, though. WATYF compared the same two pre's and liked the Octane over the Presonus!
Click to expand...

Opinions are like assholes everybody got one....

That tells you, you should do your own A/B test and see which floats your boat.
 
That would require me to get off my lazy ass. :eek: Geez, isn't this what the internet is for? :D
 
I'd just stick with the Mackie board until you can afford a real and tangible step up . . . something like a Sytek (or maybe a couple of Syteks).
 
Good, sensible answer, chessrock. I told you it was the G.A.S.!
 
I started out with a DMP3 and had a hum issues with it so I recently bought a Sytek and I can say there was a huge difference and I'm very pleased with the upgrade. I can't say it's the best thing for the money or would be right for you but it was good enough for me. Now I need to get some better mics.
 
Arrrgh. Well, fuck it. I just ordered one anyway. Thanks to Gidge, I was able to get AMS to knock $100 off their price, and their EZ payment plan still applies. And seeing as how I broke up with my girlfriend last night, I'm in the mood to reward my impulsive gear slut tendancies. Why not, right? If I don't like it I can return it. I plan to give it a thorough tryout once it gets here.

I really appreciate all your responses, though. Y'all haven't let me down yet. I admit I will sometimes just buy stuff impulsively, but the last few gear purchases I've made have been influenced by recommendations here, and not one has been a dud.

And since I'm dateless tonight, and too tired to go out, I'll list what I've bought thanks to you bozos. :p

- MXL v69m - I love this mic. Period.

- MXL 603s matched pair - been using as drum overheads, but plan other applications

- M-Audio DMP3

- Beyer M201 - Again, I love this mic. Kicks the 57 in the ass on snare AFAIC

- Wharfedale Diamond Pro 8.2s active monitors - Great definition, and an amazing value for bi-amped actives.
 
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