Questions about the OMNI STUDIO (m-audio of course)

[andyouandi]

Hey, I made the mistake of not researching before my purchase of the Audiophile USB... I need some questions answered about the Omni Studio.

1) It has preamps, but if I don't need them on, can I bypass them? Are they decent preamps?

2) My computer isn't that sophisticated (according to my System thing, it says I have a Celeron with 701mhz and 386 mb of RAM), is that too slow? I'll most likely just be using the two XLR mic inputs.

3) In this picture where it says "XLR mic inputs", are those covers? To me, XLRs have always been those 3-pin ones... what's the deal?

4) Umm... I don't remember question 4... it'll come back to me...

And I'd like to know anything else you might have to add (personal experience/problems/tricks, etc.)

THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH!

 

[Toonsmith]

1) It has preamps, but if I don't need them on, can I bypass them? Are they decent preamps?

The mic/intr inputs 1 & 2 are dual function Neutrik connectors. You can use either TRS or XLR jacks. From what I've seen you can't bypass the pre-amps on htese two inputs. But you can use the line 3 and line 4 ins to bypass them, but you'll still need a pre-amp to get your signal up. I think the pre-amps are pretty good on the Omni myself.

2) My computer isn't that sophisticated (according to my System thing, it says I have a Celeron with 701mhz and 386 mb of RAM), is that too slow? I'll most likely just be using the two XLR mic inputs.

You'll have to ask some one else about that as I'm not to computer literate. I think you have enough ram though, 'cause I only use 256. But most think that 512 should be the minimum.

3) In this picture where it says "XLR mic inputs", are those covers? To me, XLRs have always been those 3-pin ones... what's the deal?

Answered that above. Guess I got ahead of myself. hehe.

4) Umm... I don't remember question 4... it'll come back to me...

I'm not a mind reader.

And I'd like to know anything else you might have to add (personal experience/problems/tricks, etc.

For me the Omni and Delta 66 card has worked flawlessly. You really just need to play around with the thing for a while and you get the feel for it. As a solo guitarist the two pre-amps are really all I need. If there are tricks to the thing I have'nt found them, of course I'm just going straight to the computer with no outboard gear.

As a down side, there are some people here that think M-audio is rather lacking in online service and that thier new drivers don't seem to measure up. I've never had to use thier services so I can't speak on that. And I've never downloaded any of thier new drivers. I'm still using the same one that came with it. When the Omni users here say it's alright to download and install a new driver then I may consider it. But until they do, I'm pleased with what I have now.

 

[andyouandi]

Awesome man! thanks!

I'm also sort of a solo artist. That's what I see myself using it most for. But I do have friends who i might collab with.

Would it be logical if I end up getting a Behringer mixer later on (when i get more money ) and have more inputs in there, level everything, then use one input on the Omni Studio?

also, if I used vocals, would I have to preamp the vocals first to be able to send it through dynamic effects? could I do that would an Omni Studio or should I get a mic preamp too? Should i use a compreesor tool on the computer?

 

[test212test]

E-mail from m-audio about the preamps

I have been thinking about purchasing an m-audio omni studio pci.

Toonsmith, by chance could you share some clips with up?

I think the only bad thing that I can see about the omni is that you can only turn the phantom power on for both channels, you can't turn them on/off independently. If you wanted to simultaneously record an acoustic plugged in and with a mic, I guess you could use the line level inputs on the back?

I was wondering if the omni studio had the same preamps as the audio buddy or the dmp3. The reviews that I have seen seem to say that audio buddy is a nice inexpensive preamp, but the DMP3 is a bit better. So I sent m-audio a email and they responded with in 24 hours. Here is the response:

The Omni Studio PCI pre-amps are better than the Audio Buddy but about the same as the DMP3. You can definitely hear the difference in sound quality. Here is the link to our site so you can take a look at the specs for the Omni Studio.

If there are any other questions, please let me know.
http://209.132.209.147/products/en_us/OmniStudio-focus.html

Thanks,
Reggie Brown

 

[Toonsmith]

Would it be logical if I end up getting a Behringer mixer later on (when i get more money ) and have more inputs in there, level everything, then use one input on the Omni Studio?

If I were to use a mixer I would run the two lines out to the Omni Line Ins 3 & 4 just to keep everything in stereo.

also, if I used vocals, would I have to preamp the vocals first to be able to send it through dynamic effects? could I do that would an Omni Studio or should I get a mic preamp too? Should i use a compreesor tool on the computer?

If it's vocals why not just use the pre-amps on the Omni. Also the Omni has a effects send and return for outboard effects. As for a compressor, I have about three different one's on my computer but I never use them. I seem to be able to keep my acoustic under control most of the time. And if things get out of control once in awhile there are ways to fix that with changing the gain or using automation to work the faders. Of course I don't do that very often either.

 

[Toonsmith]

Toonsmith, by chance could you share some clips with up?

Check out the link under my sig. Although there's only one acoustic piece there right now.

I think the only bad thing that I can see about the omni is that you can only turn the phantom power on for both channels, you can't turn them on/off independently. If you wanted to simultaneously record an acoustic plugged in and with a mic, I guess you could use the line level inputs on the back?

You can actually use both a condensor and a dynamic mic while the phantom power is on. I'm not a great mic techie, but I'm sure someone here can explain why it's alright. In fact, I have used a condensor mic and a guitar pickup in the Omni, and I did'nt see or hear any problems. Now though I just use two MXL67 mics to stereo record my acoustic.

I was wondering if the omni studio had the same preamps as the audio buddy or the dmp3. The reviews that I have seen seem to say that audio buddy is a nice inexpensive preamp, but the DMP3 is a bit better.

I can't really say if one is better than another. I've never heard the DMP3or the Audio Buddy. But they seem alright to me, and I guess that's all that matters. In the rack forum, I think, there are some members who think the DMP3 is a pretty good pre-amp. The RNP is also a pretty popular one too. Of course you only go up from there. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$