Pre Amps

[harrison_pooley]

I have a 001 but want more XLR inputs so i am able to record drums, but was wondering what to go for in terms of Pre amps. I was in two minds of whether to get a Presonas Digimax, Mackie Onyx 800R, or a Mackie Onyx 1620 desk and jun the line outs to the line ins on the 001.

Any Suggestions.

Cheers Harrison

[superpenguin79]

Welcome to the boards! With an 001, you can max it out up to 16 tracks all together. With pre's, you really want to let your ears give them a listen before purchasing with your fav. microphones. A lot of the lower end pre's will not be worth the time and $$ spent if you are looking for quality audio to be honest with you. Best deal is to go to your local audio shop and give them a listen. goodluck

[bigbubbaj]

I LOVE my DigiMax LT!

[crs117]

I could be mistaken about the 001 but I am almost posative that the 001 is capable of 18 just like the 002. It requires both adat and spdif though.

In laymen terms. 2 pres and 8 converters come standard on the 001. You can add 8 more inputs of digital input via adat, and 2 more inputs of digital input via spdif (or you can use the light pipe for an optical spdif but most folks prefer the extra inputs).

So to add 8 more via the lightpipe adat you need to purchase something that has 8 converters that outputs to adat. The two most commonly found and most highly recommended gear that folks purchase are the octopre with the added adat interface (i have one) and the digimax and digimaxlt. These interfaces all feature high quality mic preamps and converters and the octopre and digimax both feature compressors and limiters (i think the digi max does anyway).

These run about 800 for the lt to 1200 new for the octopre and digimax (at least when i bought mine a couple of years ago) and should do fine unless you are looking for the specific sounds of really expensive pre's like neve's (or clone), avalons, etc. Thing is if you decide to purchase the more expensive pre's you will only get 1 or 2 channels and miss out on the converters and still probably spend more money.

Most folks here purchase one of those units for adat and then when they have enough money purchase a really high quality 2 channel pre (like the ones mentioned above) and purchase a high quality rca spdif converter for solo instruments (vox, and acoustic instruments).

By the way the octopre, and digimax units all provide a major upgrade in sound quality over the 001 stock inputs.

Good luck.

Christian

[jre3132]

Use your ears. I like Amek. Usually use that on all vocals for my pre. I also have 2 Hardy M-1's that are great, very smooth and rich. If you are on a lower budget, the hardys aren't THAT expensive. For Drums, API makes a 4 pre unit called the lunchbox. They are pretty clean pre's and not very expensive. That doesn't cover your input situation though, they are XLR output.

------>MY OPINION<-----
No matter what, never use the control 24's pres. They are just dull and have no presence. I'll only use them for talkback and listenback mics.

[mkosacek]

I'm using the ADAT connection and a focusrite Octopre LE (for drums). It's worlds better than the Behringer ADA8000 I had (more $$ though too). then I have another pre connected via S/PDif for a total of 18.

[sickyboy]

I just ordered the mackie 800R. Its for drum tracks with my 002R. I have been reading about the preamps you mentioned. The octopre looks good as well but you have to buy the extra card for light pipe. The mackies onyx preamps are supposed to be the bomb. And its going to replace my mackie 1604vlz pro which has been a excellent peice of gear. And it comes with the optical connects already. My 2cents

[Joz]

what about the rosetta 800? or is that converters only?

[JonMitchell]

what about the rosetta 800? or is that converters only?

Converters only.

[doylemusic]

For Drums, API makes a 4 pre unit called the lunchbox. They are pretty clean pre's and not very expensive.

Anyone else find this a bit funny? I'm not making fun of you, but I guess expensive is relative. Usually on the LE forumn, anything more than $1100 is expensive. I didn't check the price, but isn't the API around $2k plus? Again, no harm intended, just got a chuckle. I wish I had an API lunchbox, nice pre's.