May 29, 2003
Doing the music thing again.
The newest additions to my gear collection.
The M-Audio Omni i/o (connected to a Delta 66 inside my mac).
What is it? :)
Here's someone elses explanation....
Essentially, the OMNI is pitched as a front end to the Delta series of professional audio cards. Altogether, what you have is ...
TWO Mic/Inst plus 2 line level balanced/unbalanced analogue inputs to the Delta 44 or Delta 66 soundcard. The two Mic/Inst inputs are equipped with low impedance XLRs, phantom power, insert I/O jacks, individual gain controls, gain reduction "pad" switch, and signal/clip indicator LEDs. The low impedance mic inputs provide 66dB of gain and utilize M Audio's ULTRA low noise DMP2 pre-amp technology. They are switchable to hi-impedance instrument inputs with 46dB of gain, which makes them ideal for electric/acoustic basses and guitars. Frequency response is 10Hz to 200kHz. It also boasts a low THD (total harmonic distortion) of .0009%, and a dynamic range of 130dB (pro spec). Stereo effect returns are via 2.2 Mixing Section (all balanced/unbalanced on TRS (tip, ring and sleeve) jacks) and the Delta analogue outputs feed the Omni I/O's ultra-quiet mixer. Additionally, stereo aux inputs are provided for MIDI devices which are not being recorded and are known as 'virtual tracks' as well as 1 stereo effects return. The 4 Delta analogue outputs can be used simultaneously as independent balanced/unbalanced direct outputs and/or additional effects sends, alternate mix outputs, or simply as feeds to another mixer. Stereo Aux inputs 1 and 2 are routable to the line inputs for quick and easy audio recording of MIDI instruments or other device outputs. By the way - the XLR mic inputs are Neutrik dual function connectors which can accept a male XLR or a 1/4" TSR plug.
Finally, there is a Mix out L&R for recording to a mix down deck (dat, mini disc, cassette etc.), 'Control room' L&R outputs with totally independent level control for overall monitoring of everything coming in and going out of the OMNI. There are also two headphone outputs with their own individual level controls, one mono effect send per Delta channel and L/R output signal/clip LEDs which flicker in green for signal presence or red for when signals reach clipping. The whole kit n kaboodle is housed in a tough metal case and is powered by an external 9 volt AC 500 milliamp supply. A very thoughtful touch is that the top of the OMNI's box has pretty pictures on it of all input and output connections as well as a signal flow chart for easy reference. The omission of many more controls such as auxiliary return or effects return levels makes sense as most outboard effects devices have their own input, output and mix controls thus, replication of these controls has been avoided.
AND......
My new Fatar MIDI controller.
