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Hi guys,
I' ve been working for a while in a PC based platform. I own a project studio with some mics that i think do the job for the price (couple of Behringer B1 / 4 Behnringer B5 / 2 MXL 990 / 57s / 58s / AT PRO 35 and such). Keep in mind that I live in Argentina and all the proces in Audio stuff are charged about 40-50 % over their original prices (for example U.S.). Also keep in mind that english is not my mother tongue!

So, I have 2 M-Audio Delta 1010 LT (the one with unbalanced inputs) and want to upgrade them buying a MOTU 2408 mk3.

Also I have 2 SP VTB-1 and a Mackie VLZ that I use for pres and i want to buy one of those racks with 8 pres. I was thinking on buying something like Focusrite Octopre (with the ADAT expansion card) / PreSonus Digimax LT / MOTU 8 pre.

Y usually record many different music syles from Rock Bands to Tango Tyipical Orchestras. Also I work wit local folklore groups. As I have a large Room (8,40 x 4,20 meters) (26.24 x 13.78 ft) I usually record sessions with 3-18 musicians at the same time so I need to feed a lot of lines there.

I'm thinking of spending about U$S 2400 (MAX!) so i would like some advice on this. I give some impression of the prices here so you can tell.

MOTU 2408 mk3___________________ u$s 1510
MOTU 2408 mk3___________________ u$s 1200 (used)

Focusrite octopre _____________________u$s 1305
Focusrite octopre LE __________________u$s 1000
Focusrite octopre LE A/D ADAT card_______u$s 320
Focusrite octopre multiformat A/D card____u$s 380

PreSonus digimax fs___________________u$s 820
PreSonus digimax lt____________________u$s 1050

Studio Projects VTB-1 _________________u$s 200

This are prices directly from Importers so imagine how much would it cost in a local shop (That pays a rent about U$S 1000 a month).

Thank you in advance
eFe

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Comments

BobRogers Thu, 12/20/2007 - 07:14

Are the Mackie Onyx units an option for you? I have the octopre with the adat card, and it's the one purchase I've made that I suspect I could do a good deal better for the same money. The pres aren't terrible, but aren't substantially better than, say, the pres in my A&H mixer. The big "extra feature" - the compressor/limiters - can be useful if you get them exactly in the sweet spot (which varies with the input and the source material). Of course, this is alway the case with a compressor, but with these the sweet spot is pretty narrow. Unless I'm willing to really mess about, I turn them off.

I have not done a straight up A/B comparison, but I've been impressed with the onyx pres when I've heard them in a couple of live units, and I suspect that I would have been better off with the Mackie.

rockstardave Thu, 12/20/2007 - 15:16

i have an onyx mixer .. it rarely gets used for recording, but gets plenty of live use. it sounds really good for live .. better than lots of other mixers in the same price range. i've heard a few scary things about problems with the onyx mixers, but so far i havent had any problems at all with mine.

i'd recommend the pres if you're on a budget, they sound nice!

eFe Fri, 12/21/2007 - 04:54

Guys, don't forget I want the pres for recording. Also I need some feedback about the iterface. I think I'm going to post in the DAW forum too. The thing is that they moved my post to Project Studio but what I'm trying to do is upgrading mine so it can get to the next level. I don't want to but project studio gear, i want something a little better.

Thank you all for your comments.