• Registered: 2020-06-24
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Babyface Pro expansion: budget and value from 8 input preamp

Hi All,

Sorry bit of a NOOB question

I have the RME babyface pro that I love
I want to extend via ADAT to ensure I can use 8 additional inputs

If I buy a cheaper pre amp eg Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre 8-Ch Mic Pre-Amp w/ ADAT Connectivity will the babyface pro still be doing the analogue to digital conversion?

Will there be a significant benefit in getting the RME OCTAMIC2? in terms of sound quality?

I am using Ableton  with 44,100 sample rate and 256 sample buffer size
Main use is listening and recording external synths and samplers through ableton on separate tracks

I no not use audio out or a desk, mix ITB

Thank you

  • breun
  • AD/DA expert
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  • Registered: 2020-08-01
  • Posts: 54

Re: Babyface Pro expansion: budget and value from 8 input preamp

An ADAT input is digital, so the external ADAT unit handles the analog to digital conversion for its inputs.

3 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2020-09-03 07:09:47)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,175

Re: Babyface Pro expansion: budget and value from 8 input preamp

Overall quality of RME will be better. RME is known to have an excellent transparent ("no") sound. It doesn't add smth to the original signal.

A real operational / handling benefit would be to get the Octamic XTC in terms of "AUX device" support.

Then the preamp can be remote controlled by TM FX and by this you can store the settings (Gain, PAD, etc ..) in the TM FX snapshots of the BBF Pro. For this you need MIDI cabling for the remote control.

When using MADIface Pro and Octamic XTC you can use "MIDI over MADI" feature to remote control via MADI cabling, then you do not require the additional MIDI cables.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14