All user reviews of 5/5 for the Roland UA-1010 Octa-Capture

8 inputs with preamp, USB connection, compact design. Possibility to output 4 different mixes via the 4 outputs and possibility to connect 2 together to have 16 inputs in total. I had a 2-input card before, so I wanted to go to the next level to be able to record demos of my band track-by-track or live. I wanted a soundcard that was easy to take with me on a backpack from my place to the rehearsal room.
I use a laptop PC (core 2 duo 2GHz, 4G ram and 7200rpm HDD) running Vista. That's why I wanted USB.


USE

The drivers are very stable, I have never had a crash with Cubase. As for the latency, I get 8ms at the input and 14ms at the output with a medium-sized buffer.

I've recorded up to 13 tracks (with a 2nd octa-capture as an extension) at 24bits 44.1 and I have played back up to 30 tracks, I think. I have never tried it with more.
Sometimes, when I'm working on a project with lots of plug-ins I've been forced to increase the buffer to avoid crackles. But my computer is no performance beast.

Regarding the preamps, there's not much to say, they do their job. They sometimes sound a bit "stiff" with some mics, but they have the virtue of being neutral.


OPERATION

Easy and fast installation. I haven't noticed any incompatibilities.
The manual is useful and clear enough on certain points, especially when it comes to connect two octa-captures, the different routing possibilities, etc.

It's easy to set up, you plug in, adjust the gain or use Auto-sens (automatic gain adjustment) and that's it. Also note the built-in (digital) compressor and the possibility to insert a reverb in the headphone out, for the singer, for example.


OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for 3 years and have no intention of replacing it. I actually might get a second one.
The pros: Well-built, compact for 8 mic inputs, easy to use, it has very practical stuff, like when everything starts flickering when it's distorting, making it impossible to miss it. The soundcard knows how to make you forget about it, which is much appreciated.

The cons: I could quibble about 2-3 details...but nothing's really worth it, in my opinion, at least for what I use it for.

Having already had many quality soundcards, I hesitated between this one and an RME Fireface, which I compared it to.
I have a computer music setup, no mixer, and use a hackintosh (I7 3.5GHz + 32Gb ram, OSX 10.6.8) with Logic pro 9.
I record guitars and vocals mainly.
I chose the octa-capture due to its price and, especially, because it features 8 quality preamps, which allows me to also use it to play with my friends without having to add a mixer.

USE

It will soon be 4 years since I've been using it and I have never had the slightest issue.
Given that, I think I made the right decision.
Stable driver, I haven't measured the latency, I work with 128 samples under Logic.


OPERATION

To be honest, it's so transparent that I have forgotten I have a soundcard.
Even the compressor included is transparent. I leave the default settings for every take, there's no need for more. The auto-gain is an awesome feature.
I plug in my guitar, press auto-gain, I play a bit, press again auto-gain and voilà, I'm done with the settings and I can start recording.

OVERALL OPINION

I won't say that this card is better than the RME, but it's not far from it.
I sold my Apogee Duet and TC konnekt.
I didn't get any better takes with the Fireface RME.
I haven't had any interest in soundcards for 3 years, although I used to know them all before.
An AF member, Jeezo, recommended me this card.
In short, it's a great soundcard that goes unnoticed so you can concentrate on the music. What else can you ask for?

I bought this sound card there is less than a week to replace the Alesis iO2. The latter offers only two inputs and outputs, and especially its convertos are a little light (for the price, 100 euros, they still do the job well). The latter restriction is detrimental to capture the richness of the dynamics of my electric piano (Roland V-Piano), especially attacks. I wanted to type in the upper range to record as accurately as possible. The budget constraint, as well as rave reviews left on the net quickly directed me to this card. And 8 I / O, it's really useful in practice, especially when playing with a guitarist that uses a stereo reverb and bassist. And yes, a piano, a guitar and a bass stereo, it already requires five inputs ...


The card is plugged into a rather muscular config ^ ot: asus N53 quad-core i7 2.2 GHz, 16 GB of RAM.

It should be noted that I have not had the opportunity to compare this interface to other more expensive references (RME & Co.).

UTILIZATION

Really nothing to say, the ergonomics are perfect, the drivers are stable. The latency was one of my selection criteria, and I perceive so little that I did th ^ m not bothered to seek its value. The gaming experience is perfectly preserved and its output is top, that's all that matters to me.

GETTING STARTED

The installation was a bit laborious, but I do not know if the problem was the map where my PC. I do not pronounce myself on this point. The general configuration is frighteningly easy, considering the number of features that the toy offers. You can easily find what you are looking for. I have not opened the manual.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for less than a week but I had time to do what I wanted to efforts dérisoires.Tout is really well thought out, the card is lightweight, it offers a generous connectivity, it has the mouth (not essential, I mean ...). Oh, and self-direction (automatic gain control) AWESOME!

I see no fault at the moment, but promised, this notice will be completed as soon as I find one!

Note: The following opinion was formed around a mainly amateur use. It is therefore incomplete for someone wishing to form an opinion on a pro or intensive use of this interface.

What motivated my choice: portability, 8 preamps neutral and qualitative finding of steady Edirol products, construction inspiring strength, ergonomic controls front, independent for each 48v preamp, offline use (bonus: midi in / out).

Usage:
- Home-studio mainly (recording, virtual instruments), but with a view to moving towards the registration of small groups.
- Also to a lesser extent voiceover recording and sound editing video on personal or business.
- Use for everyday life (listening to music, commercial, film, web, games, etc..) Because the parasites produce integrated cards and sound a bit narrow, while the octa capture is perfect and has never been because of incompatibility problems with any current software.

Around the interface:
- Used with RD-700GX Keyboard midi and balanced audio (limited use since the purchase of Pianoteq).
- Electric guitar connected to Hi-Z inputs.
- Microphones: Oktava mk012 pairs B2Pro and a very average, connected and powered directly by the interface for registration clarinet, classical guitar, voice, and occasional saxophone.

Hardware: used effortlessly on two HP notebooks:
- Elitebook: C2Duo T9600@2.8 Ghz / Ram Quadro FX 2700/4Go / 7 Pro 64 Windows
- Probook: i5@2.4 Ghz / Video Integrated Intel HD / 4 GB Ram / Windows 7 Pro 32
A shot once in lending a recent macbook pro without worry, nothing to report.

On the characteristics, the only thing I could possibly talk is the inability to use only with power from the USB port, even in degraded mode (style 2 channel would have sufficed). But ultimately, I've never been in a position of being penalized by this.

UTILIZATION

Drivers:
For my usage, the drivers are as stable as they can be: no crash since the first day, all. No update as I know, but not necessary: ​​everything is there, and it is running.

Software:
- Primary use: Cockos Reaper, from version 3.x to the latest 4.10, small business license, Adobe Soundbooth CS4 + freeware
- Plug-ins: Modartt Pianoteq 3, Red Wire + mixIR2 impulses, plug-ins and many reaper free VSTS

For latency, in practice it has never jumped to the ears. Some empirical evidence, since I have done no action:

- Using a piano reverb + separate, I go down to 48 samples (two in the driver settings, graduations for 2048 of 9 samples max) without any click with the polyphony of Pianoteq on setting max.

- In record: not tested more than 4 streams (2 + 2-way keypad microphone). In 48 samples without concern (sometimes with software reverb and EQ for headphones back more flattering).

- In use "mix" (5 to 20 tracks max, I have not had the opportunity to test more) with synths and plugins: I never had, to date, climbing to more than 256 samples (set 6) to be completely comfortable. The only problems that may occur at times mainly due to plugs on the 32-bit bridged W7 64 who consume more CPU. The same plugs on 32 W7 pose no concern.




GETTING STARTED

Installation
R-to-s. Driver installation, connection, it is running.
I had no need to open the manual.

General configuration:
The driver interface is rather plain, so mixer, it is not lost:
- Two main panels: 8 settings preamps (compression [num.], 48, hi-z, phase, low-cut) and Mixer (sections input, output + master).
- "Patchbay" ultra simple (There's even a diagram of signal flow for navigating in case)
- Reverb for hardware monitoring (I did not used yet)
- You can also save configurations we use the PC offline
- You can also adjust settings directly with the buttons on the front. It is less intuitive, but it works.
- Also in front: Auto-sense. It's so simple and practical that I can do without: it supports, we choose the entries you want to solve, we play fortissimo, and hop all levels are made. It sounds like this gadget says, but it is much appreciated and it's really easy life.

Note: In common usage, it absolutely interferes with the PC when I turn it on or turn it off while it is connected. Windows will automatically switch to the integrated card or octa capture. In ASIO, Reaper stops playing, and produces a message if I try to restart it, but it does not crash. One marvels at little, but we have tried to make its Windows 98 traveled to measure changes.

OVERALL OPINION

Purchased late December / early January 2011.

I have had over time a Guillemot ISIS, an M-Audio 24/96 used in conjunction with a MindPrint TRIO (non USB), and E-mu 1820m.

Cons:
- There?
More seriously, it is often criticized for not having I / O perspective, not of Adat. I have not had the need, but it's good to have in mind if there are connecting a digital table top. Note, however, it is possible to use two octa capture on the same pc.

Assets:
- Installation could not be more simple,
- No conflict so far,
- Transportable, robust and compact
- Well-designed controls facade (detail that kills: start flashing when it clipped) that can do just about everything
- Can be used offline as auxiliary mixer,
- Self-direction that avoids many of the heads taken.

In my view, the main interest of this interface is to be completely forgotten. Full equipment, preamps and effective without color, a driver software that adapts to the demands as the most trivial: everything runs like clockwork, so that there is even more attention.

So I think the ratio Q / P very good, and yes, without hesitation I would do this choice.

Characteristics that motivated my choice is the full connectivity, announced the quality of VS and VS streaming preamp (confirmed to use) the size of the machine, the USB connection, ...

I use it with (among others) an MPC 2000 XL digitally connected (via coaxial input), the SL-1200 MK2 connected either directly to recover the timecode in MixVibes or preamp via a whisk. I also tested with a micro edge basic (no use of this 48V phantom power on each of the 8 preamps) and as a preamp with a Fender Stratocaster plugged directly above with the optional Hi-Z.
I also have an Axiom 49 controller connected to the MPC itself connected to the MIDI input / output of the Octa-Capture.

The uses are varied. Use as a monitor for production or simply listening, recording, uses virtual instruments and / or effects (synth, guitar).

PC config: Acer 8930G-864G64Bn (4GB RAM, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.40 GHz P 8600) on Windows 7

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable. No incompatibilities with other drivers already installed (including ASIO4ALL). Frequent updates: N / A for now

What latency? I have not measured but it is acceptable for my needs.

I use Ableton Live 8 CROSS, NI Kontakt (for organ sounds).

How many tracks simultaneously? I know but I think my PC will be the limiting factor before the audio interface anyway.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is simple with the supplied driver CD.
No inconsistency encountered.

The general pattern is very easy. Either directly or via the front mixing software.
The manual, I did not read but he looked pretty (paper included).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for barely 2 months. This is my first audio interface worthy of the name (apart from external sound cards that were not to use music).

The pros:
* Ability to use PC-FREE
* Autosens
* The channel selector buttons flash red if the saturation of an input signal (visible from below)
* Compact
* MIDI input / output
* Digital input / output (coaxial)
* Switch on the front to mute the main outputs (1 & 2) and listen through headphones

The -:
* No input / output optical digital (but I quibble)

The price / quality ratio is good given the quality of finish. And no surprises.
Yes I would do this choice.