Focusrite OctoPre MkII

The Focusrite OctoPre MkII Preamp is an 8 channel preamp strip. I was looking for an affordable mic preamp extension for my audio interface ( only has two mic preamps) and the Focusrite Octo Pre was the best thing I found. Simple, straightforward and easy to use, also great sound quality for the price.

This unit features:
-8 Pre-amps
-Built-in eight channel 24-bit / 96 kHz digital output
-The first two inputs can be used as Hi-Z instrument inputs
-5 LED input metering on every channel
-10dB Pads on every channel
-8 analog outputs, one for each input
-48V Phantom power available on every channel
-BNC World Clock Input


I needed to record a live session with drums, bass and two guitars and I have an Apollo Twin audio interface which only has two pre-amplified analog inputs. So what I needed to do is to get advantage of the 8 bulit-in digital inputs of the Apollo via ADAT. And with this unit the process was quick and simple, and I'm very satisfied for the results. The live session sounded great and with surprisingly good audio quality. It's not rackable, but for me this is irrelevant.


UTILIZATION

When it comes down to operation the Focusrite Octo Pre is pretty easy to use and I found instructions straightforward. The manual is clear and sufficient but unfortunately I didn't find the only thing that I was searching for in the manual, which was the impedance value of the Hi-Z inputs. I wanted to know this info to be able to compare these inputs to other manufacturers' direct boxes. But anyway, the general configuration is simple and I had no problems with it.

SOUND QUALITY

You get a great sound but obviously you won't get the sound of the most expensive preamps and converters. For example the preamps of the Apollo are better my opinion, but the difference is really minimal. If you are willing to invest more you could get better quality, but as I stated before, what stands out in this case is the low price of this unit. Normally you would lower quality for this price but the OctoPre sounds great! It really keeps up with professional studio standards.

OVERALL OPINION


For this unit you basically get what's advertised, you get a good sound for the price and the ease of use that we all love, thanks to features that fulfill this purpose such as the 5 LED input meters, the 10 db pads, the BNC Word Clock input, and the ADAT outs through the Toslink cable. The only not-so-perfect thing (that you have to keep in mind if you plan to use a ribbon microphone with one of this preamps) is that you have to use phantom power in groups of four, but hey!, I think that 500 bucks is a really fair price for what you get. I recommend this product and would definitely buy again if I needed too. I'm really happy with it and I can't really find significant disadvantages to even make a cons list. Pros: Clear sound, great quality for the price, easy to use.

This is an extension 8 ADAT tracks with one preamp per entry. We regret not being able to assign phantom power independently to each slice.
The fact that two inputs are on the front is not to my taste as I used for a battery, but I imagine that some will find their account.
Otherwise, it is a small killing for its price!

UTILIZATION

THE configuration is super simple, I just had to connect the ADAT cable and configure Internal ADAT instead of the saffire mix control software (or FFADO-mixer if you are under linux)

SOUND QUALITY

The signal / noise ratio is properly stunning for a device of this category, compared to a pre-sonus. The portars are reliable and accurate in addition to being robust and well designed. Being able padder each entry is a real plus for some static on a battery for example.
OK then, this is not the RME and maybe we can blame him for the really weak sources it should be stretched a little knob, but frankly, for the price, it is really excellent!

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it to record an album there is a little less than a year, I need 8 additional tracks, I was not disappointed! The rendering is faithful to its expected. I remake this choice with his eyes closed!

Analog digital converter technology and 2 outputs ADAT and BNC In WordClock.
8 Analog preamp with 10db Pad-alim Phantom by grp 4, 2 XLR combo input (jack) on front panel switchable Hi-Z analog output by 8 TRS backside, the other 6 inputs are format XLR combo meter Led and indication of sampling frequency from 44 to 96 kHz and up to 24Bit and sync when using word clock slave.

UTILIZATION

Everything is simple, nothing too complicated, coupled with Rme Fireface 800 ADAT and BNC cable to pass the OctoPre slave, I am more confident to clock Rme than the focus especially for the price, otherwise nothing wrong, it's simple and clear.

SOUND QUALITY

It works, it's cold neutral limit but it's doing well Taf, no breath particular, against the reserve gain is astounding attention to the capture source with low noise level, then I would say it is not Adat is stable in comparison, the preamp of Rme are more colorful but have a good view across the spectrum after facing a little tube preamp not compare the same expectation is not so I have a TL audio tube and the sound is different.


OVERALL OPINION

It's been 6 months that I have is a good product from a known brand but hey should not be much of that mark in there, otherwise do not expect much to transcend this box, it is well its taf, agree very well with the capture and sending musician not requesting a rich sound, so for models that after the fact but otherwise to be seen elsewhere and I think probably not at the same price, as well on 2 outputs ADAT and qualitée correct product for its price, they say good value is that