Onyx 800 vs Focusrite Octopre

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:31 pm

Anyone have experience with both these boxes? I'm looking for more simultaneous ins to my 2408 mkII, using the ADAT port or TDIF. They are about the same price, though the Mackie's got two channels of variable imp. My question really rests on the quality of the converters. Better Focusrite's are, well... better. Wasn't too keen on some of the lower end stuff, like MBox.

So ultimately, preamp comparison, converter comparison. Any opinions?

Thanks

And, if you know, Onyx vs VLZ pres

jon · Post by **jon** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:49 am

Both are very nice but the 800R had more to offer me and very pleased with the sound quality. Here is a Tape Op review that helped me decide.

http://www.mackie.com/pdf/press/800R_01-05_TapeOP.pdf

-J

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:19 pm

Thanks for the take on it. I'm going to audition one next week, also a focusrite octo, but can't find a presonus digimax to try. Any other opinions anyone?

zruzzo · Post by **zruzzo** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:42 am

I have octopre and is good, I use with ADAT pipe in motu 828.
I don't know the other interface.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:39 am

It's really hard to say that one is better than the other, as they are both excellent for their price-point...yet offer a unique "flavor". The pres on the Onyx are more transparent than those of the Octopre. You also have the impedance switching which can be quite useful. However, the Octopre does have some slight warmth in the sound and combined with the general compression onboard...it makes for a versatile pre, especially for drums. By the time you add the ADAT card, they are about the same price.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:28 am

Thanks everyone.

Howzabout this? What about those pres vs. soundcraft pres in their smaller mixers? I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck. I'd use the digital ins on my 2408 for the outs from the Octo or the Onyx, but I could alternately get a used 2408 on ebay "fer cheap" and pipe it through the same pci card, and run another mixer and have e.q. on my input channels, with live monitoring capabilities. Right now I've got an Aphex tube pre that's smoked everything I'm comparing it with at the price point ($150/channel) and a Mackie VLZ pro.

Operatives here: maximizing a G4 400 mhz with a 1.8 ghz cpu upgrade, trying to get something that gives me more simultaneous inputs at 24 bit, that won't be "undercompatible" when I get a g5.

So I'm thinking pres, and how to get 'em in. Presonus digimax? Octopre? Onyx 800? Soundcraft?

Macinbowl · Post by **Macinbowl** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:12 pm

How about a Midas Venice? It's configure with 8, 16 or 24 pre with 4 stereo channel. Those pre sound very good. Compare to older soundcraft low budget console, Midas pre sound way better!! Even better than bigger board...

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:27 am

Yeah, thanks. I'd need a towel if I had a Midas. But again, the price point.