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I have been considering buying the Antelope Orion 32+ Gen3 for a while, as part of a modular setup. I can use it in my studio and then take it out with a SAC/SAW rig, so I will have the same I/O across the board. Does anyone have any comments or experiences with this unit?
dbarrow,
I did rent an Antelope Orion 32+ for a time - three months in fact. However, what I "really-and-truly" discovered is that considering what I refer to simply as "cost-to-output quality", what I was actually hearing was not all that much improved over the ADA-8200! More "bells-and-whittles" with the Antelope for sure - but is the extra cost for the bells-and-whistles really-and-truly worth that extra cost! I personally do not believe so.
In the end, due my hardware requirements, I opted for the Behringer UMC404HD - as all that I have ever required is four channels. THE UMC uses the same mic pre's as does the ADA - so this was a perfect choice for me.
Interestingly, I have an acquaintance who has been literally instrumental in assisting me with configuring SAC and when he last head me perform live, he was very surprised at what he was hearing. He has heard me perform with the Antelope as well, and he actually though that the USM sounded just as good - if not better. Granted, this whole scenario might be indeed a subjective one, but I did not ask him to comment - nor was I expecting one.
David, if you have not yet tested out an ADA, you really should give it a serious try. Even better...rent one!
PS: What was a real bonus...was that I got to take my best friend - who is also my wife, out to the Keg for dinner with the money that I saved!
Hope this helps?
The biggest issue I could see with this is its not the full I/O just the AD/DA, which in todays world is really much less critical. So your still going to need Mic Pre's. If you go low priced your into the ADA8200s which already have converters that as has been stated don't sound that much different than the Antelope. (Not saying there isn't any difference just not one you'd likely notice unless your really using high-end studio monitors in a well treated room).Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarrow
If you go higher end most of the multi-channel pre's also already have AD/DA built-in so again not sure how this helps.
The cost is not ridiculous at $2500, but what are you planning on doing for preamps?
For around 4500 total you could go Motu 8M and get 32-in/32-out, USB, Thunderbolt or ADAT connectivity, Audio over Ethernet for splits (future proof), decent quality Pre-amps with individual Phantom Power, Pads, real Channel metering, all in 4U of space.
Even getting to/from AVB on the MOTU to Dante has gotten cheaper (less than a grand in some cases), so future compatibility is reasonably well assured.
QUESTION: Wasn't this topic discussed here before? I'm pretty sure there was a thread about this a few months back.
Hello,
Oooopppsss...."My Bad!!'...I was using the Antelope Audio, Orion Studio Rev. 2017!
I have had 10+ ADA8000 units and I replaced all the ADA8000 units in my previous band's SAC rack with the newer ADA8200 units years ago, so I am intimately familiar with those. I have also used the ART TubeOpto-8 units. They completely suck. The died, due to the heat build up and being racked next to each other. The Behringer ADA8000's did that, too. I have a stack of those here that died. The 8200 has a much better power supply that runs cooler. What I use in my main rack is the Focusrite OptoPre Dynamic. I have only had one minor issue with those. I was interested in the Antelope Orion 32+, because I also have a bunch of good studio preamps: Neve, Phoenix, Summit, etc. Those definitely sound better than the Behringer units, but it boils down to whether I wold want to take those out on a gig or not. I may end up getting the Orion 32+ just for the studio to use with my good preamps and keep using the Focusrites for live stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_es335
I was interested in experiences with the Orion 32+, regarding latency, etc.
dbarrow,
Dave, not to disparage you in any way whatsoever, but ... but ... may I ask precisely "how and why" you assert that the Neve, Phoenix, Summit, etc ... "definitely sound better than the Behringer units".
Are such statements such as these more subjective than objective?
If I do appear to be "coming across" - shall I say, as hubristic, it is only because of your use of the term "definitely".
I would really appreciate a response to your use of "definitely sound better".
Have you recorded anything through a Neve Shelford channel before? Try it. I have used Behringer ADA8000 and ADA8200 units with SAC and SAW for over 10 years, as well as just about any other combination of I/O setups that you can imagine. I am looking for something that is modular to where I can use on interface for a variety of applications. I could just use what I have, but I have to switch around a bunch, reconfiguring different sets of boxes, bells and whistles for different recording applications, live shows, etc. What I have works just fine. I am just always looking for better, more flexible options.
David,
Not really an answer to my question and I would still like a response.
Have you had a look-see at Philip's system?
See here...
PS: It appears that the images have disappeared!
Link URLs changed, but I've fixed.
That post was from my previous configuration.
Here is a link to the current updated system with MOTU preamps http://www.sawstudiouser.com/forums/...959#post216959
Neve Shelford Channel and Phoenix DRS-8 preamps sound better to me than the Behringer units. Is that clear? I heard the difference and I bought them. These are stand alone preamps, not converters. The Orion 32+ is a converter with no preamps. The external preamps are the front end for the AD converters in the Orion 32+. The Focusrite OctoPre units also sound better to me AND they have built in compression, run cool and are built to a higher standard than the Behringer units. I have 5 Behringer ADA8200 units that are in the SAC rack I bought back from the other band I previously worked for. I have built and operated multiple SAC systems for myself and others over the last 10 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_es335
The Neve, Phoenix and Summit boxes area all extremely nice preamps. I'm presuming you weren't talking about bringing those out for live gigs though? (Maybe the Phoenix as its an 8ch box).Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarrow
Did you have something else in mind for live use?
I'm still thinking that the requirements for Live vs Studio are sufficiently different (particularly when your referencing higher-end boutique pre-amps for your studio that wouldn't generally be hauled out for live recording or sound work), that the Orion might not really be as cross-functional as you might like.
However, I have no doubt it would make a terrific back end for your studio pre-amps.
I have explained this numerous times. I already have various configurations of SAC with Behringer, Focusrite, etc. I have done over a thousand shows with various SAC rigs. I have also used these to record various performances that have ended up on Robert Rodriguez DVDs, Friday Night Lights, Songwriters Across TX tv shows etc. I met with Rupert Neve for 3+ hours to show him how SAC worked and to talk with him about possible products that would work with SAC or similar systems (8 channel preamp/converters).Quote:
Originally Posted by cgrafx
I asked if anyone had experience with the Orion 32+. I am not trying to get off on a tangent on how to build a new system.
Sorry but not explained particularly well, and nobody was talking about building a new system.Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarrow
I was trying to understand in what context you would be using the Orion interface. Are you planning on just dropping the loose box on a table and throwing ADAT cables into it when you move from your studio to your remote/live use. Are planning on purchasing 2 Orion interfaces?
And no that doesn't directly answer the question you asked, but its clearly a part of the bigger picture. The extended context of your question was would it make a suitable dual purpose AD/DA and in order to answer that question the bigger questions also have to be answered.
If it connects with USB or Thunderbolt, I could have it in a rack that connects with multi-pin to another rack of preamps. That could be in my studio or at a live gig. The "experiences" I am looking for are how well it works with USB and/or Thunderbolt, latency issues, dropouts, etc. I'm guessing from the lack of responses regarding this that not many people have these interfaces or know about them. A friend ofmine has a Goliath, but he only uses itin the studio with a Mac. I am curious how well the Orion 32+ might work as a front end for SAC and then also be a front end for studio gear, hooked up to the computer with a USB or Thunderbolt cable. I already have working versions of all this with other gear for both live and studio. I am just exploring options for improvement modularity, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by cgrafx
Unfortunately, your unlikely to find people in the RML forums that have experience with this particular interface. I'd suggest (if you haven't already) searching or posting in https://www.gearslutz.com as they have a much bigger audience and will have more potential users.Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarrow
You might also see if you could rent or get a test unit from Antelope. Lots of manufactures (particularly the smaller ones are generally happy to help in that manner).
I don’t understand the love for the 8200 units. They are ok, but not great. I’d use them for an in-ear rig, but not for FOH. Maybe I would if I were exclusively doing small gigs with speakers on sticks, but on a big rig when you can hear everything, I find them to be brittle and weak sounding. Kind of lifeless.
I agree.I like my Focusrite OctoPre Dynamic units better. They sound a bit "smoother" to my ears.Quote:
Originally Posted by mojogil
For that money, I would suggest you the old Lynx Aurora16 with ADAT or DANTE if you want Quality!!! And if 1 dies you have to raplace only 1 of 16ch units :DQuote:
Originally Posted by dbarrow
I have one in my studio and I will never sell it :D as it kick assssss!!!! Also compared the SSL Alpha VHD pres with Yamaha P4000, Midas Legend3000 and BehringerADA8k, Yamaha M32,
and SSL is way above all the rest.
The other thing is the heat in the rack, you will have to carry a freakin' huge rack if you want neve, api, summit pre's to have stacket in the case for 32ch lol
A good choice would be SSL Alpha VHD, Fucusrite isa 828, Midas XL48...
You know...I built the very first computer that was gigged with SAWSTUDIO, with mulitple monitors, FOH, recording 16 tracks, horns vocalists musicians, and I used a P4 3.2ghz, 1 gig ram, 7200rpm hard drives, thru some poweramps. the computer had rme9652 and ada8000s.
Do you know why I bought the new ada8000s? THEY WERE CHEAP! Nobody was using them. So, In case, the project didnt work out for the reason of using the program for a PA system, then I would only be out I think I got them at 199 at the time. After posting how ANALOG sounding it was, everyone jumped in and the rest is history. I say this, because I bought focusright after that and an Antelope Zen when they came out. I liked both those. The Zen I really like the most now. Some people have said it sound high def thru the PA I have setup in my studio. I dont go out anymore, but might..I would take that. I have a UM404 Behringer for my laptop with SAC running vsti's and use high sample rate for playback and it sounds good. May buy one of those USB 8200 to see what its like. The zen has alot of options, but no midi. Again, THEY WERE CHEAP, but they turned out good man. If i had to do it over again, I might by a used mytek or something....or not. The focusrites sound good I think for the price. I enjoy recording at high sample rates. There seems to be a fullness.. Al Schmidt likes recording at high sample rates. I think thats pretty good company.
If the LON Bronson stuff was done ada8000s, that **** sounds some of the best i ever heard. Maybe its the guy recording that. My stuff dont sound lke that even on a good day.
Thats my 2 cents, THEY WERE CHEAP!