1 Topic by muha (edited by muha 2013-04-18 19:52:39)

  • muha
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Topic: Babyface: Extend with ADI-8 DS MKIII or with Oktamic II

Hi,
I need a few additional inputs for my Babyface (only Microphones, no lines, guitars and so on).
Now I think about to buy the Oktamic II or the ADI-8 DS MKIII.
There is only a small price difference and both fit into my budget.
However, I do not understand the difference between those 2 devices when working with a Babyface.

What I want to do:
ORTF stereo recording with a few additional microphones. I will need about max. 6 channels in total. Most of the time 3-4 channels are enough.

But when I think about it a bit I could also buy a Fireface for that money and use this instead of a pimped up Babyface.

What would make best sense?
Tune Baby with an ADI-8 DS, an Oktamic or use the Fireface instead?

EDIT: Oh I just foud out from descriptions that the ADI-8 has no Mic Preamps, right? So I need to decide between the Fireface 800 or the Oktamic, right?

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
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Re: Babyface: Extend with ADI-8 DS MKIII or with Oktamic II

If you are doing location recording, the Fireface UFX is a much better choice. Better preamps and AD/DA converters, plus a built-in back up recording system that is crucial for live recording.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • muha
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Re: Babyface: Extend with ADI-8 DS MKIII or with Oktamic II

Jeff wrote:

If you are doing location recording, the Fireface UFX is a much better choice. Better preamps and AD/DA converters, plus a built-in back up recording system that is crucial for live recording.

I just took a look at this device and it looks realy very very interesting, expecially the ability to record directly to an USB-HDD.
One question:
Is there really such an huge improvement for the mic preamps compared to the Fireface 800 or the Oktamic II?

The only "argument" for the Octamic is that I would be able to record 8 Mics (Oktamic) + 2 Mics (Babyface) = 10 mics.
With the UFX I would be limited to 4 (UFX) + 2 (Baby) = 6 mics. Still enough for my needs but my notebook would run 2 devices with 2 TotalMix instances where the Oktamic solution would only run one device (Baby) with one TotalMix instance on my notebook.

Hmmm, why do decisions always need to be so hard?

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
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Re: Babyface: Extend with ADI-8 DS MKIII or with Oktamic II

If you plan to use the Babyface as well, the UFX can be set up for stand alone operation via ADAT. As for the preamps, I think it's a significant difference, but of course this is subjective.

Probably the best system for location use would be a UFX with an 8 channel preamp/AD converter. You can use the Octamic (especially the upcoming Octamic XTC makes a phenomenal system here), or get one that fits your budget. The UFX can be used for the "important" mics.

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website