M-Audio Octane 8-Channel Digital Preamp

No longer available at zZounds
Add 8 quality mic pres and A/D converters to your multichannel audio interface via ADAT Lightpipe. Two mic/instrument channels accommodate guitar or bass.

The perfect match for the FireWire 18/14 is the Octane 8-channel preamp with ADAT Lightpipe output. At this aggressive price, Octane is perfect for enhancing the front end of any multitrack digital recording system.

Octane is ideal for miking drum kits or bands -- and the two mic/instrument channels are great for guitar, bass and other instruments. M-S matrix encoding lets you employ stereo miking techniques previously available only in pro studios. Octane even has analog preamp (direct) outs for each channel, making it the perfect upgrade for any digital audio interface or mixer. Word clock also means that you can sync multiple Octanes for as many channels as you need as your studio grows.

Features:

- Award-winning M-Audio preamp technology
- 8 channels, each including Microphone input (XLR), Line input (1/4" TRS), Preamp out (1/4" TRS), 3-segment LEDs, and 20dB pad
- Phantom power with indicator (groups 1-4, 5-8)
- 2 channels are mic/instr preamps (front-panel 1/4 in. TS)
- ADAT Lightpipe output (TOSlink)
- 24-bit audio resolution throughout
- Selectable sample rate (44.1k and 48k) and external sync
- Word clock I/O (75-ohm BNC) for synchronization to other digital devices
- Line inputs are half-normalled as insert ins or standalone A/D
- M-S matrix encoding on channels 7 & 8 with width control
- Phase reverse switches on even channels
- Low-cut filter on channel 1 (-12dB/oct @ 80Hz)

Microphone Inputs
- Variable Gain: 50dB
- Frequency Response: 20-20kHz, +/- 0.11dB; mid gain
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 120dB, A-weighted; mid gain
- Dynamic Range: 120dB, A-weighted; mid gain
- THD+N: 0.00041% -107dB, 1dB below clipping, 22Hz-22kHz; mid gain
- EIA Noise Rating: -129dBu @ max gain, 600 ohms, 22Hz-22 kHz (unweighted)
- Input Impedance: 2.85k ohms, no pad; 3.600k ohms, pad engaged

Instrument Inputs
- Input Impedance: 3M ohms
- Variable Gain: 44dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz, +/- 0.03dB; mid gain
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 133dB, A-weighted; mid gain
- Dynamic Range: 133dB, A-weighted; mid gain
- THD+N: 0.0018% -95dB, 1 dB below clipping, 22Hz-22kHz; mid gain
- System Throughput Gain: 6dB to 50dB (balanced out); 0dB to 44dB (unbalanced out)

Line Inputs
- Line Input Impedance: 20K Ohms (balanced), 13.3k ohms (unbalanced)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz, +/- 0.04dB
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 110dB, A-weighted
- Dynamic Range: 110dB, A-weighted
- THD+N: 0.00067% -103dB, -1dBFS, 22Hz-22kHz

Additional Features
- Maximum Rated Analog Output (Digital Clip): +26 dBu (balanced), +20 dBu (unbalanced)
- Output Impedance: 600 ohms (balanced)
- M/S matrix: L=M+S/3 and R=M S/3
- Digital Clip Level at Line Inputs: +20dBu
- Channel Quasi-Peak Level Indicators: Light 3dB, 10dB and 20dB below digital clip
- Word Clock Range (Switchable): 44.1kHz, 48kHz and external
- Word Clock Slave Sync Range: 33kHz to 59kHz
- Word Clock Impedence: 75 ohms
- Power: 18 VAC (16.5 VAC minimum) @ 3.5A inline power adapter

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 401-658-5765

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. (27 ratings)
Submitted March 28, 2006 by a customer from aol.com

"Beware, phantom power design flaw."

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Hopefully the phantom power issue will not get worse over time. If it does I won't be buying another Octane anytime soon.

Sound
I discovered almost immediately that when plugging my overhead condenser mics (Marshall MXL 2003's) into channels 7&8 with phantom power engaged, that a fairly loud buzzing and humming noise came up. The noise slowly faded away after about 10-15 min. I switched chords, outlets, ground scenarios etc. and it still happened after a cold start. The weird thing was that if I engaged the -20 db pad on channels 7&8 the buzz went away, even with the gain all the way up. M-audio sent me a 2nd unit to try to see if the unit was defective. Same results with the 2nd unit. I took the Octane to a local high end recording studio to check it with other mics, cables and power supply. Same results with my mics (Marshall's & Rode) but when some Neumann U87's were used, no buzz. We started trying some other mics with different ohm ratings (ADK-A51's, Oktava mk012's, Shure KSM-141's). Bottom line, any mic less than 200 ohms caused channels 7&8 to buzz. I informed M-audio's tech support of this and they did their own testing of the Octane units at their factory with various mics. Sure enough, they have admitted to me that it is a design flaw. So, if you have an M-audio octane or are looking to buy an Octane be careful about the condensers you use. Anything less than 200 ohms will more than likely cause you a very annoying buzz or a 15 read more min. warm up time for the noise to go away.

Features
M-S matrix feature is nice in theory but I have not fully tested it yet. The rest of the features are pretty standard for 8 channel pre-amps and work well, with the exception of the phantom power issue mentioned above.

Ease of Use
Straightforeword operation and clear manual.

Quality
Unit feels and looks well put together.

Value
If you have campatible condenser mics (over 200 ohms impedance) you will be pleased with the units sound and performance. If not, power it up, grab a cup of coffee and wait for the buzz/hum to go away.

Manufacturer Support
Tech support was easy to reach but I was very dissapointed when they admitted the unit had a design flaw they basically said "sorry, we don't plan on doing anything about it"

Musical Background:
Active musician/recording

Musical Style:
Jazz, Fusion, Progressive
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