The best ADAT mixer of these three

[tvolhein]

I am looking at getting an 8-channel ADAT mixer to run in conjunction with an RME FF 800. I have looked at each of these and am wondering which is best. I record acoustic groups and set up from 8 to 12 mics in the studio at one time. I want good clean preamps for the mics. Budget is $1,000.

PreSonus DigiMax FS ADAT 8-channel mixer
Focusrite OctoPre
Mackie ONYX 800R

Any experiences, thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated.


Thanks in advance,

Tom

 

[tvolhein]

I am looking at getting an 8-channel ADAT mixer to run in conjunction with an RME FF 800. I have looked at each of these and am wondering which is best. I record acoustic groups and set up from 8 to 12 mics in the studio at one time. I want good clean preamps for the mics. Budget is $1,000.

PreSonus DigiMax FS ADAT 8-channel mixer
Focusrite OctoPre
Mackie ONYX 800R

Any experiences, thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated.


Thanks in advance,

Tom

bump, anyone?

 

[omtayslick]

I have used two of the three.

I own the Digimax FS, and it is a hassle free product. It syncs quickly, and although the preamps do not have pads, they seem to have plenty of headroom. I use them mostly for drums. But interestingly enough, I also like it on vocals with my Oktavamod 319. It seems to pair up nicely with that mic. The pres have a small, tight image with pronounced mids, that seems to mix well and give a good stereo image.

The Digimax has XMAX pres, so see the comments in this thread also.
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=278214


I have used the Octopre at a friend's studio. It seemed fine as well, and everything we put through it sounded fine. He had no operational issues with it that I am aware of. It's a little hard for me to make a direct comparison between the two soundwise, because his mic collection is different from mine, and the recordings were made in a different room, etc.

I have used the Onyx pres in a mixer format, and liked the sound of the pres. I think the Onyx are the best of the Mackie pres. But I have no experience with the unit that you mentioned.

Bottom line is, I think any of them could work well for you.

 

[tvolhein]

Thanks

I have used two of the three.

I own the Digimax FS, and it is a hassle free product. It syncs quickly, and although the preamps do not have pads, they seem to have plenty of headroom. I use them mostly for drums. But interestingly enough, I also like it on vocals with my Oktavamod 319. It seems to pair up nicely with that mic. The pres have a small, tight image with pronounced mids, that seems to mix well and give a good stereo image.

The Digimax has XMAX pres, so see the comments in this thread also.
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=278214


I have used the Octopre at a friend's studio. It seemed fine as well, and everything we put through it sounded fine. He had no operational issues with it that I am aware of. It's a little hard for me to make a direct comparison between the two soundwise, because his mic collection is different from mine, and the recordings were made in a different room, etc.

I have used the Onyx pres in a mixer format, and liked the sound of the pres. I think the Onyx are the best of the Mackie pres. But I have no experience with the unit that you mentioned.

Bottom line is, I think any of them could work well for you.

Thank you for the response. I am still trying to decide. Luckily I have time and the project leader that I need the 8 inputs for has agreed to pay for the gear to do the project.

t