Audio interface recommendations for recording Octatrack mains

[rtme]

@moving_particles

one nice benefit over something like a motu m2 is i can leave it connected to monitors and power by DC,

Note that most newer interfaces will function standalone without a computer as well (including the M2). Just USB-C power and off you go.

But the Analog Heat MK2 has very nice analog circuitry to make your OT sound even better

[lowph]

I like recording the OT with the Heat, but that’s when I want to saturate my signal. I wouldn’t think of it as the best interface for the OT though. I also wouldn’t choose it as my go-to recording interface, especially for clean signals. Doesn’t it have a higher noise floor than most interfaces? I’m not sure, I’ve never measured.

I think a good interface for recording the Octatrack is a good interface for recording anything. I don’t think there’s anything special about the way the OT outputs a signal that requires any specific interface. Most of the bad OT recordings I’ve heard (or made) seem to be due to problematic mixes inside the OT.

[moving_particles]

yes agreed, well aware it’s a case of simply a good recording. my question was should I be thinking of upgrading the tascam us 2x2, not is there a specific way to record the octatrack.

[moving_particles]

yes aware most will do this as well - yes indeed, I’m keen to hear the octatrack thru one

[lowph]

@moving_particles

my question was should I be thinking of upgrading the tascam us 2x2, not is there a specific way to record the octatrack.

I would make sure to get something with MIDI and enough audio I/O for your needs.

When I record the OT, I usually just record the main outputs, but you could get an interface with many ins and outs, to bring signals out of the computer and back into the OT. In addition to the mains, you could also go out the OT Cue into the computer and back into the OT, if that’s useful to you. I don’t really do all of that, but it’s definitely possible.

I realize I’m talking about I/O and not “sound quality”, but I’m trying to think of OT-specific needs for an interface

[ubiquitous]

@moving_particles

i am having to raise the input level there to get a decent level in ableton from the octatrack

I would suggest this in itself is probably not an issue. Of course a higher input level would give you a lower noise floor but any gain in the analog domain to bring it up would also bring up the noise and add more. In terms of dynamic range, at 24bits you can get away with pretty low levels without losing anything significant, that’s probably why it has all that headroom you’re seeing. Basically just normalise and/or whack up the gain in Live.

Edit: you also probably want to be using balanced (TRS) cables and have the interface inputs in balanced mode. For best results, not necessarily loudest. But a mismatch or the wrong cable could cause issues.

[moving_particles]

thank you for these considerations, it’s good food for thought.

[moving_particles]

thanks, I’ve just ordered balanced udg trs cables for recording the octatrack yesterday.

I don’t actually know if the current ones I’m using are balanced as they are old so it’ll be cool to hear if that improves the chain, it could well do. I need to do some testing actually.

I know my trs -> xlr are balanced as I got them when I got my genelecs in more recent years.

[moving_particles]

thanks everyone by the way - you’ve all given me some really useful and varied points to consider - nice first thread experience on the forum.

[brucegill]

@moving_particles

I don’t actually know if the current ones I’m using are balanced as they are old so it’ll be cool to hear if that improves the chain, it could well do. I need to do some testing actually.

TS - not balanced
TRS - Balanced. Or stereo - like a headphone jack

[moving_particles]

this is such a low hanging fruit - they’re unbalanced

i can’t believe i’ve been making music this long and not known this - i knew i wanted balanced, i just never realised those cables weren’t.

to be fair, i’ve been mostly software the entire time. thanks for pointing this out, that’s an easy improvement!

[moving_particles]

Connectors and signals

good resource regarding connectors / elektron devices if anyone finds themselves here in the future.

[Octagonist]

@moving_particles

I know my trs → xlr are balanced

Disclaimer: pedantry.

Cables (and their connectors) are not balanced or unbalanced. Cables are just cables. TRS and XLR are “up to two channel” connectors.

It’s the circuits sending and receiving the signals which are balanced/unbalanced. Balanced signals need two channels, so your TRS->XLR will work fine for that job. The Octatrack has balanced outputs (actually, I think they’re “impedance-balanced”). Your recorder/interface will need balanced inputs to make use of that balanced signal.

Balanced signals shouldn’t make much difference if you’re just running the signal across a desk. But it might

[Octagonist]

@Octagonist

Disclaimer: pedantry.

Sorry… I went for the nerdsplaining before reading the rest of the thread with the helpful diagrams and links.

[moving_particles]

all good

yeah on reading i realise it might not make much of a diff for a short cable, can’t hurt to try though.

[Ulysses]

I have been an RME fan since 2004. Right now I am using the RME Digiface USB + one Audient Evo SP8. 24/48 is more than perfect for me, especially running at 32 samples 24/7. For midi I use my faithful Korg Padkontrol to track all my midi DIN gear since 2010. Perfect timing alignment.

[moving_particles]

just thought I’d post back here with an update that I won an analogue heat MKII on eBay so will be trialling it out to see if it’s for me.

i actually think for now my little tascam is fine for what I need. I’ve been running audio out from the laptop and using it as a sample source for the octatrack, until I need more I/O this is fine.

thanks for all the input.

[dr_laemmerbein]

Don’t worry too much about audio quality… Nobody is able to spot a difference between a cheap Tascam and some high end stuff - in a double-blind listening test with matching audio levels. Your ears are very sensitive to audio levels and if one device is just 1dB louder, you will perceive it as “better”. And that’s because of the hearing curve of our ears, they are very good in the midrange but highs and lows are attenuated, so hearing a louder signal will make the highs and lows more apparent.

Anyway, proper gain staging and a really good mix will always be much, much more valuable than a change in hardware. The stuff built into cheap audio interfaces these days is miles ahead of studio gear in the 90s.

[moving_particles]

yeah to be honest since I posted this and taking on board some of these posts I feel this way.

I will get a balanced cable but other than that my tascam inputs are plenty good enough.

and as always, things like volume and sound selection make way more difference than any of this.

I can use the analog heat mkii as my soundcard now tho so if it’s for me and it’s staying I can sell the tascam on or give it to a friend.

[dr_laemmerbein]

Balanced cables won’t make an audible difference. The signal can be louder though which, again, you might interpret as better.

The main advantage of balanced cables is better shielding which makes them less prone to noise or other interferences. And that’s usually only a problem with long cables and we’re not talking about five meters (more like 20 and more), that’s totally fine for unbalanced cables. If you don’t get any strange noises (apart from the usual noise floor of your preamp), they won’t make anything better. Then again, they aren’t expensive and it won’t hurt to use them…