RME makes good stuff. I'd even say real good stuff. I don't think the RME mic pre is a mic pre I would brag about, but it is somewhere in the above average catagory.

Do you think it would be a step above the Presonus DigiMax or Focusrite OctoPre? Have you heard any of thier preamps-if so how would you describe their sound? I have one of their converters (ADI-8 DS) and I really like it.

Do you think it would be a step above the Presonus DigiMax or Focusrite OctoPre?

No.

Have you heard any of thier preamps-if so how would you describe their sound?

Yes, I've heard them all in a store demo environment which is not ideal but still gives me a good sense of where they stand compared to the good stuff. There is not enough of a difference at that level to quibble over. I describe them and pretty much all gear at that level as un-inspiring, bland and lifeless.

I purchased the QuadMic last summer for those times when I need to drag more than 4 or 5 channels of preamps to location recording gigs. The other preamps that I take to these jobs are a pair of API/Brent 312s, Vintech and Siemens V78. After much trial and error, I have found that my Neumann KM184s work VERY well through the QuadMic. (Not surprsingly, a new transformerless mic design works well through a new transformerless mic preamp.) Other transformer coupled mics (Coles 4038, BLUE Bottle, etc.) did not sound at their very best through the QuadMic. (they didn't sound bad, they just didn't sound as good as they did through these other high end preamps.)

For the money, the QuadMic is a great addition to a location rig. I prefer to use AC power, but guys who go beyond the range of AC cords will love the QuadMic's ability to be powered by ANYTHING (AC, batteries, car lighter, squirrel on a wheel, etc.)

If you are looking for your 1st good preamp for your studio, I'd say keep looking. But if you want to add several channels of good preamps for low $, the RME is worth considering. If you are a road warrior, the RME models are a great deal.

Thanks Steve, it nice to get a responce from someone who uses it in the field. I have a pair of Neumann KM184's so that's good news. Are the Neumann TLM 103's also transformerless? I will be using those as well as the KM184's, the Octava 012's and Shure SM57's.

This will not be my first good preamp because I have 2 channels of Avalon and 2 channels of Grace back at the studio but I don't want to take them out on the road. Back in the studio the QuadMic can help to fill in when I need more tracks.

Brian

Yes the TLM103s are also transformerless (TLM stands for TransformerLess Mic). I'd bet that they match up nicely with the RME preamps. If you are looking for very small, very lightweigt, decent sounding preamps for road use, the RME is a great choice. My only comment is that they are not on par with your studio preamps, but then they cost less for 4ch than your Avalons or Grace cost per ch. (you do get what you pay for) As long as you are not expecting top of the line quality for mid level pricing, you'll be very happy.

And as a full time road warrior, I'd suggest that you buy a decent small Anvil ATA road case and try taking your Avalon or Grace preamps out of the studio. These things are built to survive anything that might happen on location and they'll still sound great when you get back to the studio. These are serious professional tools, you don't need to treat them like delicate antiques.

Good luck!

Thanks Steve, I was not even thinking that TLM stands for TransformerLess Mic. Boy, do I feel dumb.

I know the preamps that I have in the studio are strong enough to transport. The Avalon is built like a tank. I get quite a workout just trying to get it back into my rack cabinet; maybe that is one reason that I don't want to keep taking it in and out of the studio. Although, a little workout never hurt anyone. I might have to check into those Anvil cases.

I'm not expecting the RME to sound like my Avalon but I was hoping that they would still sound good once track counts start to build up.

The OctaMic does not have any DI's does it? If not what do you use for DI signals?

Brian

The OctaMic does not have any DI's does it? If not what do you use for DI signals?

what's a di?

(just kidding...)

I record acoustic music on location pretty much exclusively. Not much call for a DI when working with a Chamber Orchestra or a gospel choir. To be completely honest, back when I had a traditional multi track studio, I don't think I ever used a DI, not once. I'm a bass player and I've always preferred the sound of an Ampeg b15 or SVT over any DI unit. And the only times that I ever recorded keys it was always either an organ (two mics on a Leslie) or a real piano (mics again). I just never found a use for a DI.