Most audio interfaces in this price range give you only two simultaneous inputs, turning your computer into not much more than a stereo hard-disc recorder. With the
Lexicon Omega USB interface, however, you get four simultaneous input streams, taking your recording process into true multi-tracking territory. For example, four inputs is enough for tracking guitar, bass, and stereo-mixed drums for making some pretty advanced demo recordings. But available inputs are just the beginning. The Omega sports eight total inputs with internal mixing, so you can hook a whole range of studio equipment up to it. You get
1/4-inch line-level inputs, a dedicated instrument input for guitar and bass, digital S/PDIF for recording from ADAT and additional digital mixers, and MIDI I/O for syncing with external sequencers, drum machines and control surfaces. Stereo outputs can be mixed between your computer's output and input signal for direct, latency-free monitoring. . . a huge advantage when layering your symphony of guitar overdubs and five-part vocal harmonies! The Omega Studio has enough routing capability to become the center of your home or project studio.
Unlike standard computer I/O boxes based on a patch bay concept, the Lexicon Omega Studio is designed and built around the same paradigm as large-format recording consoles. An 8-input, 4-Bus,
2-output USB I/O mixer with inserts, instrument input, MIDI I/O and complete metering and monitoring functions gives you the freedom to record up to 4 tracks at once and mix without the need for additional mixing hardware.
Two dbx Silver Series mic preamps with
48V phantom power provide a pristine front end for high-end condenser or more common dynamic microphones, insuring premium sound quality from the first take to the last. TRS insert points allow you to plug in your favorite dynamic processors before the signal reaches 1 of the 4 busses, where 24-bit converters transform the analog signal into a digital masterpiece.
Four servo-balanced TRS line inputs with up to +22dBu input levels let you hook up everything from keyboards to guitar preamps, including high-output professional gear. Stereo digital inputs are available via SPDIF jacks, and an additional high-impedance instrument input is included on the front panel for easy access to guitars and basses.
Finally, a fully opto-isolated MIDI input to ensures that there is no annoying ground loop hum or MIDI talk-through noise common with many I/O boxes and sound cards; MIDI output has rock-solid synchronization to USB frame rate to support applications requiring critical sync.
The Omega I/O mixer also features channel peak indicators for each analog input as well as an assignable bargraph meter for the 4 busses. By monitoring the signal before the A/D converters, clipping and distortion can be averted, unlike software-only level monitoring that can miss 'overs', ruining the track.
All these gazintas and getoutzas are put together just like a big recording console, with input gain controls, four recording busses, and full monitoring features, in one attractive, portable I/O Mixer. Just plug it into your Mac or PC computer with the included USB cable, and you're instantly ready to capture the moment.
