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Focusrite Platinum OctoPre 8-Channel Microphone Preamp

NAMM 2002 saw the unveiling of the latest Focusrite processor, the Platinum OctoPre. Providing 8 pristine discrete channels of Focusrite Class A mic pre and compression, OctoPre routes directly to any digital audio workstation via eight standard analog outputs, or via a choice of 2 optional 24-bit, 96kHz A/D converters. The new OctoPre offers the unique qualities associated with the Focusrite name at an affordable price. Learn More...

    • New $799.95
  • Installment Plan:4 payments of $199.98
    • free ground shipping
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Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Individual User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I use xlr inline pads when necessary so I don't mind that there are no pads present. Variable impedance would be great but would probably raise the cost by $2000 :)

Quality:
Has held up nicely for a few years now and I bought it used to begin with.

Value:
I doubt there is anything much better for $100/channel with ADAT out...

Sound:
For $100 per channel the preamps sound quite good to me for general all-purpose recording. Will a $3000 2-channel preamp be better suited to recording an orchestra? Probably. Will a $1500 single-channel tube preamp be better for a lead vocal? Probably. However, these channels sound quite good and I have used them for lead vocals and been impressed with the results. I do not use the compressor function but the limiters are worth their weight in gold for recording to a laptop like I am - prevents the dreaded overs. you don't always have the time you would like to get the levels right :)

Ease of Use:
If you know how to use a preamp there is not much to it.

Overall:
Great value, highly recommended.

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * . . . . 6 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10

Feature:
I would have liked the AES cable to be included with the digital board.

Quality:
Made in China . . . . but so what. Everything else is anyway.

Value:
8 channels of Focusrite with digital and analogue out for under a grand? What's not to like?

Desirability:
For remote recording to have 8 really good mic channel digital inputs to my Alesis HD 24 . . . had to have it. Smart move on their part to include ADAT inputs.

Sound:
As soon as I puirchased it, I put it to the test on some gospel vocals. FAT ! And that was using the analogue outs . . . . can't wait to try the digital outs. As far as the absence of a pad . . . . even with close range full-throttle vocals on an AKG 414, never had an over. The compressor/limiter worked great.

Support:
Haven't had to deal with support. A good thing perhaps?

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Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I wish it had a "pad" feature. Front panel layout is excellent. The outputs are a little awkward if you want to use analog, rather than digital, outs.

Quality:
The circuitry is a bit cheaper than some, but design is excellent.

Value:
If you can live without the pad, definitely go with this over the digimax.

Desirability:
Very sexy.

Sound:
PHENOMENAL. Fantastic preamps. I was at first skeptical because this use cheaper JRC integrated circuits, but the noise performance on this unit absolutely blows away the Presonus Digimax, which uses more expensive TI integrated circuits. Great converters too.

Support:
No experience

Overall:
If it had a pad, this unit would be as close to perfect as I've seen.

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