How do the RME QuadMic and Octopre Sound?

[Dan O'Dea]

So these products have been out for a while, but it doesn't seem like
many people are using them. How do they compare sonically to the
Sytek, RNP, or even other low cost pre's like the VLZ's on a Mackie,
or the low end crap with a tube in it? (I'd figure it at least kicks
their asses).

My primary use for this is to mount in a portable rack with my 8
channel interface and run it to my laptop for mobile recording.
Everything else is up to specs, but my last problem is that I'm short
by 4 channels of pre. I've already got 4 channels but need four more,
and don't want to splurge for another Sytek, another RNP to pair to my
existing one, or something high end like an ISA 428 (which also takes
up more precious rack space.

I'm specifically looking at the QuadMic, but if it sounds half
decent, I might even go for the Octopre to save space and put my other
four channels back in their rack at home.

Please let me know your thoughts specifically on the sound quality
of the pre's. I don't need the battery power since the rest of the
rack needs power anyway, but I do need 4 clean mic pres for live work.

Thanks,
Dan O'Dea

[Rich Peet]

I use the Multiface with Quadmic as a field recorder in a custom built case
with 4 hour battery life handled externally.
On battery or the ac brick supplied the quadmic is as advertised, ein 139db.
Or in lay terms it is as good as you can find sound wise. It did well in a
side by side comparison to the MP2 for sound.
If you run a low quality ac brick and expect the quadmic to do all the
filtering of the power then don't expect the full 139db but it will still
exceed cd quality.
I say this as the power requirements are broad for the quadmic. AC either
polarity, DC, wide range of voltages.
If you are using the quadmic as a stand alone pre then keep in mind that the
controls were kept simple and primitive as it does not have a on/off switch,
very limited metering, just 48 volt phantom on/off, low cut filter, and
phase reverse. It was designed for metering being done on a laptop.
I love the input universal connectors that handle xlr or 1/4", balanced or
unbalanced.

I do not know the Octopre but believe it was a bit of an improvement over
the quadmic to handle true 192khz where the quadmic was designed for up to
96khz.
The quadmic is a great choice for a laptop recordist that cares about sound
quality first and not controls and doesn't want to pour money into unused
controls. Having 60db gain was a very important consideration for me in
going with the quadmic.

Rich


"Dan O'Dea" > wrote in message
om...
> So these products have been out for a while, but it doesn't seem like
> many people are using them. How do they compare sonically to the
> Sytek, RNP, or even other low cost pre's like the VLZ's on a Mackie,
> or the low end crap with a tube in it? (I'd figure it at least kicks
> their asses).
>
> My primary use for this is to mount in a portable rack with my 8
> channel interface and run it to my laptop for mobile recording.
> Everything else is up to specs, but my last problem is that I'm short
> by 4 channels of pre. I've already got 4 channels but need four more,
> and don't want to splurge for another Sytek, another RNP to pair to my
> existing one, or something high end like an ISA 428 (which also takes
> up more precious rack space.
>
> I'm specifically looking at the QuadMic, but if it sounds half
> decent, I might even go for the Octopre to save space and put my other
> four channels back in their rack at home.
>
> Please let me know your thoughts specifically on the sound quality
> of the pre's. I don't need the battery power since the rest of the
> rack needs power anyway, but I do need 4 clean mic pres for live work.
>
> Thanks,
> Dan O'Dea

[Uncle Russ]

My QuadMic is not quite at the level of my Grace Lunatec V3 but it is still
very, very good and light years better than the Digi 001 preamps I had used
previously. I might add that the 001 was still able to produce some pretty
good sounding stuff so you should feel confident the QuadMic will capable of
doing your recordings justice.

Uncle Russ

WESTLAKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
www.finescalerr.com
WESTLAKE RECORDS
www.westlakerecords.com

"Dan O'Dea" > wrote in message
om...
> So these products have been out for a while, but it doesn't seem like
> many people are using them. How do they compare sonically to the
> Sytek, RNP, or even other low cost pre's like the VLZ's on a Mackie,
> or the low end crap with a tube in it? (I'd figure it at least kicks
> their asses).
>
> My primary use for this is to mount in a portable rack with my 8
> channel interface and run it to my laptop for mobile recording.
> Everything else is up to specs, but my last problem is that I'm short
> by 4 channels of pre. I've already got 4 channels but need four more,
> and don't want to splurge for another Sytek, another RNP to pair to my
> existing one, or something high end like an ISA 428 (which also takes
> up more precious rack space.
>
> I'm specifically looking at the QuadMic, but if it sounds half
> decent, I might even go for the Octopre to save space and put my other
> four channels back in their rack at home.
>
> Please let me know your thoughts specifically on the sound quality
> of the pre's. I don't need the battery power since the rest of the
> rack needs power anyway, but I do need 4 clean mic pres for live work.
>
> Thanks,
> Dan O'Dea

[hollywood_steve]

I don't need the battery power since the rest of the
> rack needs power anyway, but I do need 4 clean mic pres for live work.
>
> Thanks,
> Dan O'Dea

I don't need the battery power since the rest of the
> rack needs power anyway, but I do need 4 clean mic pres for live work.
>
> Thanks,
> Dan O'Dea

The multiple ways of powering the QuadMic are one of it's main
features, but it does have other merits. Like you, I always have
access to AC power, but I just needed a few extra mic pre channels for
location work. The QuadMic gives you 4ch for about $560, and I don't
think you can find better for less. (You can't find much of anything
for less than that price, good or bad....) They are nothing special,
the Sytek preamps are a big step up, but for several hundred more
dollars. The best thing I can say about the RME preamps is that with
the right mic, you won't notice them. I have found the QuadMic to be
a very good match for my KM184 mics. (not a big surprise, both are
modern transformerless designs)

On the down side, while getting 4 useable preamps in a box the size of
an RNC is a good thing, I'd rather have a box that was rackmountable
(without purchasing a tray, etc.) My only other complaint after
nearly one year of use concerns the I/O connectors: They couldn't fit
8 XLRs on the small rear panel so they used XLRs for the mic inputs
and TRS jacks for the outputs. Not a big deal, but other than an old
PCM60, this is the only piece of gear I own that uses TRS connectors,
so I needed to buy 4ea TRS to XKR cables for the QuadMic's line level
outputs.

Another thing to consider: although neither you nor I have any
pressing need for mic preamps that can be powered by anything that
give off electricity, you never know when that might change. I can
see a time when its a good thing to have 4 decent mic preamps that fit
in your pocket and can be easily powered. Those new devices that turn
a PDA into a hard disk recorder (see Core Sound here:
http://www.core-sound.com/pdaudio-cf.html#INTRODUCTION) would be a
great match for the QuadMic.

Good luck.

Steve

[hank alrich]

Rich Peet wrote:

> On battery or the ac brick supplied the quadmic is as advertised, ein 139db.

Typo methinks. <g> But hey, what's ten dB between friends?

--
ha

[Rich Peet]

Thanks for the correction. I should not have just typed and should have
pulled my prior formal review of the pre. 129db ein.

Rich

"hank alrich" > wrote in message
.. .
> Rich Peet wrote:
>
> > On battery or the ac brick supplied the quadmic is as advertised, ein
139db.
>
> Typo methinks. <g> But hey, what's ten dB between friends?
>
> --
> ha

[Per Karlsson]

Dan O'Dea asked:
> So these products have been out for a while, but it doesn't seem like
> many people are using them. How do they compare sonically to the
> Sytek, RNP, or even other low cost pre's like the VLZ's on a Mackie,
> or the low end crap with a tube in it?

I'm using the QuadMic powered by a Bosch cordless drill battery
sometimes, and I think is sounds fine! Probably a fair bit better than
the preamps in a cheap soundcraft board, but perhaps not quite up to
the level of the Mindprind AN/DIpro (which are the only pieces of gear
I have compared it to at any length). The 14.4V Bosch battery can
power the QuadMic for about seven hours.

[Arny Krueger]

"Per Karlsson" > wrote in message
om
> Dan O'Dea asked:

>> So these products have been out for a while, but it doesn't seem like
>> many people are using them. How do they compare sonically to the
>> Sytek, RNP, or even other low cost pre's like the VLZ's on a Mackie,
>> or the low end crap with a tube in it?

> I'm using the QuadMic powered by a Bosch cordless drill battery
> sometimes, and I think is sounds fine!

Which voltage Bosch battery do you use?

I was looking at the QuadMic blurb at
http://www.rme-audio.com/english/micpreamps/quadmic.htm . It looks like a
gem.

They hype the cleanliness of its interior. IMO its a clear strength.

4 channels at just over $500 is in the same price range per channel as the
classic Symmetrix Sx202. But this one would be far easier to take into the
field.

Since its portable gear, how would you rate it's capacity for desk-high
drops to a cement floor?