Roland Octa-Capture.., AWESOME!!!!

Great!

I finally figured out how to change the sample rate last night. Going to try 96khz and see how that goes.

It seems to work better for me at 96khz. Working great so far!

I am close to the mixing stage so I can't comment there as of yet. The current project I'm working on now is at 96khz. I'm not having any difficulty at all recording. I don't monitor what I'm doing from Sonar, just from the OC itself. Zero issues there.

I have noticed that it seems  smoother at 96khz. I'll have to get back to you on that because it may be where I had it located. It made a little noise when starting and saving. I moved it from the bad location and then bumped it to 96 and it stopped. I have not tried the 44.1 I usually used since I moved it.

I don't like that all the features are not available from the UI in the control panel.  You have to change the sample rate on  the OC itself. Not a huge deal but it would be nice to do it on the UI in control panel.

I really like the compressor/gate it comes with. I use as little ratio for the compressor but I mainly use the gate to quiet the noisy guitar. The gate is very clean and  the compressor is transparent. I tried using the gate on my E-MU 1616m and it never sounded good. I never used it. The reverb on the OC is very usable. You can't record it but for tracking, it's very good.

If you look at other posts by me about the OC, I've posted other things that I've done with it.
 
If you spent $800 on a Lynx though, why not spend a little more and get an RME? Everyone here says they are THE best. Their second best was the OC though.
 
Good luck!

How is the RTL? Do you know how it compares to the RME Babyface as far as latency and quality of pres and converters? I guess if it is good, it is good. At this point I am not as concerned with the pres and converters (as long as they are good) as I am with the RTL.

Any thoughts?

I've been leaning toward the RME but have not comitted and the OC is cheaper and with 8 audio inputs with preamps... I like it. I realize I can get 10 with the Babyface but I would have to spend another 400 bucks to have more than 2 inputs.. then i'd have spent over 1,100 bucks.

I may just go with the Octa-Capture...

I'll be interested in anything you have to say. I hope you keep posting about it.

Julien

You can't record the OC's reverb. It is strictly for monitoring. You can use the compressor if you like. It is transparent and the gate does not have the noise that some gates have or, I've not heard it yet. I use a Blackstar tube amp and use the emulated output. The gate cuts the noise inherent with distortion for guitars. It does not affect the sound either.  

As for the mixes, You supposed to be able to send different mixes to each output. I read it but I don't use it, yet. TBH, I don't think I will though. You can send one mix to the main outs and hear the vox dry, if you like. At the same time sending a seperate mix to outs 3/4 to the vocalist and they can hear the reverb.

It works better for me at 96khz though. I have a few projects I'm working on that I'm not changing, cause I don't want to have to rerecord them, and then it's strictly 96khz.

nevermind... I just realized I already asked you this question and didn't get an answer, sorry.
 
J

Yes,  Reverb is only added to the monitoring section, not added to the recorded track and only through direct mix A. 

See Craig Andertons review for reverb sound samples and Full photos of the built in Mixer and patch bay for routing.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2746804-Roland-Octa-Capture-Interface-Now-with-Conclusions

Peace

I should get mine Thursday... am excited... can't wait!
 
Julien

+1 for the Octa-Capture I am ordering one to add in to my VS-700 and Focusright octopre set up to give my self 24 inputs.

I am interested to know how you guy have found the auto sensitivity feature ? I have heard its good for drums.

Has any one used this yet and can share there thoughts ?

Norrie

Just bought one myself.  Have not had a chance to install it yet, I am waiting on a new pc.  I am liking what I have heard about it.

For those who have already installed - How hot does it get?  Can it be left on 24/7?

I am looking forward to getting the new pc and the studio back up and running.

Do you mean turning the computer off first?  My computers run 24/7.  That is why I asked.

So you think I can just turn it off when not in use and back on when needed.

Jesse ... thanks for the response.

I come from many years in the technology IT field and have always left computers running.  

I know there will be some disagreement with this but it is easier on the electronic parts to not deal with the surges of turning them off and on.  it is also easier on the hardrives to remain spinning than to have to spin up daily.

The servers that run the internet and the servers that run large corporate infrastructure run 24/7 as well.

I noticed that the Octa Capture was described as Class A.  I know that Class A amplifiers run hot.  That is why I was wondering about leaving the interface on.

I own an Octa-Capture as well.  It has been rock solid so far.  I was forced out of an E-Mu 1616m because of their inefficient Windows 7 driver support.  I am very impressed with Roland right now.  Very smooth and clean pres with low latency.  No hiccups whatsoever. 

I like: XLR inputs go down to -6dBu. (but not as good as Tascam 1800's -2dBu)

Older Roland/Edirol/Cakewalk models had difficulties with hot condenser microphones on louder sound sources. Something often overlooked in the race for high sensitivity.

I dont like: Input mix only turns up level from mic/line inputs. There is no corresponding way of turning down the signal from the DAW (The Quad-Capture thankfully has this feature)

So why is it called Octa-Capture and not Deca-Capture?
Or put another way, why is the Quad-Capture not called Duo-Capture?

Bizarre.

JazzSintger ...  Thank you for the information.  I was not aware that class A preamps run normal.

it should not be a problem to leave it on a good portion of the time then

thanks again JazzSinger