TECHNOLOGY REVIEW
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RME OctaMic XTC MIC PREAMP
Versatility is the key selling point of the newest member of the OctaMic family, writes Simon Tilbrook.
RME’S OCTAMIC range of preamplifier/digital converters have a new addition. Alongside the RME OctaMic ll and OctaMic D we now have the OctaMic XTC. The OctaMic XTC is an eight- channel microphone preamplifier with A-D conversion that promises to offer significant flexibility. Even on first inspection you can see that this is a versatile tool. The array of connections you are presented with gives you the clearest indication of this. The first four balanced microphone inputs double up as balanced line inputs, with the next set of four also offering instrument input.
CONNECTIVE FLEXIBILITY The rear panel of the OctaMic XTC is where we get a real feel for the versatility of this device. The eight balanced microphone/line and unbalanced instrument inputs are all Neutrik combination sockets. These inputs offer a gain range of some 85dB, from -53dB to +32dB. Moving through the rear connection
options we come to three ADAT optical (Toslink) connectors, one input and two outputs. Both outputs can simultaneously deliver eight channels up to 96kHz, or four channels at either 176.4kHz or 192kHz. Next up are four AES inputs and four outputs supplied via a Tascam standard 25-pin D-sub connector offering sample rates up to 192kHz. MADI optical input/output connections support the full bidirectional 64 channels, so cascading of multiple OctaMic XTC units is possible. MIDI can also be sent via MADI. Standard five-pin DIN MIDI input/output and word clock BNC input/output connections are also found here. As well as the internal clock on the
unit you can clock from any of the digital inputs, or an external word clock source. As with other devices in the RME range, Intelligent Clock Control, SteadyClock, and SyncCheck are integrated here in the OctaMic XTC. The last connection we find opens up the RME OctaMic XTC in a way we have not really seen before. This USB2.0 is fully class compliant, so audio and MIDI data can be passed
44 December 2013
to other class compliant devices. This is particularly interesting as you can access the iPad with the optional Camera Connection kit, which will subsequently allow you to pass up to 24 channels of audio as well as MIDI data with a large number of audio recording apps. The RME OctaMic XTC is also
compatible with Macs, but unfortunately not with Windows. There is no current support for audio or MIDI over USB. As well as the option for iPad integration, the inclusion of MIDI control over this and other connections allows the device’s microphone preamplifiers to be accessed and remotely controlled, in particular by the RME TotalMix application.
“Using an iPad, the OctaMic XTC opens up a world of high-class audio front end routing and conversion that I have not experienced with previous devices.” Simon Tilbrook
Included with the OctaMic XTC is
a comprehensive internal routing matrix that allows configuration of routing and monitoring between the array of input/output connections.
FRONT PANEL
Unlike other units in the RME range, the front of the OctaMic XTC is simple and uncluttered for such a comprehensive device. The majority of adjustments are made using the two soft rotary encoders (with push button capability) that sit on the far right of the unit’s front panel. The clear multicolour LCD display indicates status and adjustment. Each of the eight preamplifiers has
three LEDs associated with it to indicate signal presence/overload, phantom power, and pad. There are four Select buttons that are placed centrally between each pair of preamplifier LED indicators. Pressing this selects that pair, and displays the gain level of each on the LCD screen,
you then use the two rotary encoders to adjust gain. If you push and hold the Select button, the two preamps are ganged together, and you can gain match with a single encoder. The front panel contains the only analogue outputs you find on the RME OctaMic XTC, two headphone outputs. Through the Phones selection button to their right and the LCD display you can select any input or output source to monitor independently for each of the headphone outputs, and adjust volume for each with the assigned rotary encoder. There are three further selection buttons. Setup is where we find the sync source, MIDI, MADI, general configuration settings, and the comprehensive digital routing offered by the OctaMic XTC. There are four LED status indicators
to show sync source, and a further four to illustrate MIDI status. The Group button allows you to set up to four preamplifier groups, or select group all. You can then collectively adjust the gain of all preamplifiers assigned to that group proportionally. The final button on the front panel is Channel. It is here we can select to engage phantom power and pad, phase invert, and input type on the selected channel.
A couple of things to note: the LCD display always indicates the output levels of each of the headphone outputs as well as the sample rate and clock source along the bottom of the screen. We can also engage the RME
AutoSet function on the preamps by selecting the appropriate channel, and pushing the corresponding assigned encoder. With the gain level set to maximum, the gain will automatically adjust to a peak level of -6dBFS against the input signal.
SOUND AND FLEXIBLE PRACTICE The eight preamplifiers of the RME OctaMic XTC are wonderfully quiet, and totally transparent with a good gain range. This is not a preamplifier
that exhibits a character, but a neutral gain path you can distort externally as the application demands. Operation is straightforward, with all the information you need clearly shown on the excellent integrated LCD display. What will be of real interest is how
the remote access, and interaction with the iPad and its applications work. Remote access and control via MIDI
works exactly as expected, and having the ability to access multiple RME OctaMic XTC units in various locations and/or assigned to multiple recording system setups simultaneously is very appealing. Using an iPad, the RME OctaMic
XTC opens up a world of high-class audio front end routing and conversion that I have not experienced with previous devices.
CONCLUSION The RME OctaMic XTC combines great performance with a fabulous feature set that offers impressive flexibility, and with simple integration with iPad apps and remote control access, the RME OctaMic XTC is a very attractive package.
THE REVIEWER Simon Tilbrook is a freelance sound designer/ engineer, and training designer working principally with US clients on music, movies, and games.
INFORMATION Feature set
• Eight mic/line preamps, digitally controlled (4 x PAD, 4 x Hi-Z switchable)
• Two stereo analogue outputs and 2 x MIDI I/O over USB
• Four AES/EBU I/O •1 x ADAT I/O (2 x out S/MUX); 1 x MADI I/O optical; 1 x MIDI I/O over DIN; 1 x MIDI I/O over MADI
• Option for iPad integration
www.rme-audio.com
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