2 Preamp's (Profire vs Focusrite) and Input levels test

[::XeS::]

Hi
Today I did a little test.
I recorded 2 guitar DI's and I reamped them through 2 different preamps: M-Audio Profire 2626 and Focusrite Octopre LE.
Following another thread's idea, I tested 2 different input levels for each preamp (the low tracks peak at -10/-9 dB and the max tracks peak at -3/-2 dB).
It's not a blind test because they sound pretty similar (at 99%) so it would be a little boring a blind comparison.
Anyway, these are the tracks:

Profire Low level -> http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/1/4/2252209/Profire Low.wav

Focusrite Low level -> http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/1/4/2252209/Focusrite Low.wav

Profire Max level -> http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/1/4/2252209/Profire Max.wav

Focusrite Max level -> http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/1/4/2252209/Focusrite Max.wav

In my opinion the difference between low level and max level is not noticeable at all, as the difference between Profire and Focusrite.....probably here and there you can hear very very tiny differences, but in a mix there should be nonexistent.
And sorry for the sloppy playing of course

 

[Tachy]

I have the m-audio octane preamp, the preamp you have in your profire are the same?

 

[drew_drummer]

Not really any difference at all, from what I can hear.

 

[nwright]

I have the m-audio octane preamp, the preamp you have in your profire are the same?

the Profire's use Octane pre's, yes.

 

[::XeS::]

Yes Octane.
So...I think there isn't all those dynamics problems about the cheaper pre's (or at least, not in these 2) written in that article.
I don't know if there could be any differences using them with drums or bass

 

[nwright]

I hear a little more high mids or highs on the Focusrite low volume clip. It sounds a tad harsher than the Profire IMO. However, on the higher level clips it isn't as noticeable (if at all).

That said, in general I think I liked the lower level clips better than the higher levels.

 

[nwright]

Yes Octane.
So...I think there isn't all those dynamics problems about the cheaper pre's (or at least, not in these 2) written in that article.
I don't know if there could be any differences using them with drums or bass

what article?

 

[Tachy]

I recorded some time ago some guitars for my band, and comparing the octane to the focusrite octopre, I think the octopre le is more detailed in general than the Octane, infact I don't use it at all, except fot the triggers....at the end of the year I will sell it for a better 8 channel preamp.

 

[::XeS::]

It seems that the Profire's Octane preamps are different from the previous Octane...but I'm not shure.
Anyway I think that you can't hear the differences from Octane and Octopre in a mix.

 

[::XeS::]

what article?

This one
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/andy-sneap/489683-tracking-levels.html

 

[Tachy]

In your case, yes, you wont hear the diffrences.

 

[NickL]

The focusrite sounds punchier to me on both takes but I hear no difference between loud and soft