Roland Octa-Capture
By Rob Sandall
| Posted in Music Technology
Roland has taken its computer recording mission a considerable step further with the launch of the Octa-Capture USB 2.0 Audio Interface, announced today. A 10-in, 10-out unit that records at 24-bit quality packing eight VS preamps and a comb0-XLR input jack per channel, there’s already a huge amount of versatility on offer.
The preamps themselves have been designed to a particularly high standard that aims for maximum transparency, according to Roland. Add to that phantom power, low-cut filters, phase invert and digital compression, and functionality for either novice or pro users is there in abundance.
There are hi-z instrument ins on channels one and two, and balanced TRS on three through eight. Channels seven and eight have also been kitted out to be appropriate for high input levels that would be supplied by the likes of a kick or snare – this really is intended as a full-band setup, then. In addition, there’re eight TRS outputs, coaxial S/PDIF and MIDI I/O.
The Octa-Capture also makes use of a nifty ‘auto-sens’ technology, which levels up as a musician plays (imagine a sound check on a drum kit taking place while the unit automatically figures out the best mix on your behalf). Of course, you can happily tweak them yourself, but this will doubtless put you in the right, time-saving ballpark.
For monitor mixes there are four separate software-controlled ‘direct mixers’, which can be routed to headphones, speakers or other devices as you see fit. As you might expect from Roland, there’s also an onboard 40-bit DSP engine, so you won’t be wasting processing power needlessly.
As well as supporting your favourite DAWs, there’s also the option of expanding Cakewalk V-Studio systems too – suddenly you’re treated to the extra features and channels without having to change the way you work, we’re told. The whole thing is also bundled with Sonar 8.5 LE, Rapture LE, Studio Instruments Drums and “more”. Stay tuned for furthr news on the Roland Octa-Capture as it comes.
Tags: octa-capture review, roland cakewalk expansion, roland octa-capture