Sarno Octal Preamp

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 18 Jul 2013 2:35 pm

Noel, I have not used mine onstage yet. They stay at home mounted on the wall in my studio...I absolutely love this setup. I use a Freeloader, to the Octal, out to an RV3, and the into a DD3 delay. Since the delay is stereo I send one signal to each QSC K12...the tone is to die for...

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 18 Jul 2013 7:36 pm

I'm using it for PSG recording and the engineers are loving it's warm tone and zero noise. Unfortunately, it can't correct my clams. But that's what overdubs are for.

Thanks for the V-8, Brad.

"I coulda had a V8 ! "

Rick Contino · Post by **Rick Contino** » 19 Jul 2013 3:21 am

Any of you V-8 users have pictures of it mounted in a compact rack setup?

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 19 Jul 2013 10:49 am

Mickey Adams wrote:. I use a Freeloader, to the Octal, out to an RV3, and the into a DD3 delay. Since the delay is stereo I send one signal to each QSC K12...the tone is to die for...

So, aren't you "digitizing" that nice pure analog tone from the Sarno preamp into the Boss pedals?

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 19 Jul 2013 12:28 pm

Just cut my first two tracks with the V8....one word...WOW! I am not a huge direct fan, but I am running into the V8 and into a nice API preamp via the transformer direct out and it kills....similar to the direct rig I use with a Mesa Boogie Studio Pre, but creamier and sweeter...nice, nice job, Brad!

Noel Welsh · Post by **Noel Welsh** » 21 Jul 2013 4:45 pm

Rick
This is my V8 in the rack. I made a bracket to hold the V8 and the Black Box[size=0][/size]

Rick Contino · Post by **Rick Contino** » 21 Jul 2013 6:10 pm

Woah, sweet rig. Thanks for the pic, Noel.

Noel Welsh · Post by **Noel Welsh** » 22 Jul 2013 4:30 pm

Thanks Rick
I just did a gig this week end using this rig with a QSC K12 speaker
The sound was awesome

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 22 Jul 2013 8:04 pm

I used my setup at a pretty big outdoor gig this last Saturday where we were the opening act. It was nice to have the XLR to the house board.

Sweet, full sound.

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 23 Jul 2013 5:40 am

Anyone compare the V8 to Brad's Rev or Classic preamps?

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 23 Jul 2013 6:02 pm

One thing I have noticed is that the tubes can be microphonic. I discovered that when I placed the preamp directly on top of my Furlong cabinet while practicing. The cabinet's vibrations caused the tubes to buzz. So, I put a folded towel under the preamp and it was back to clear tone. That's not a problem on gigs where I separate the two pieces.

Then again, maybe it's just the two tubes in my particular unit. Anyone else experience this?

Noel Welsh · Post by **Noel Welsh** » 24 Jul 2013 4:53 pm

Hey Eric
That happened to mine a few times. It would be microphonic one time and the next time I turned it on it would be fine. This happened a few few tiimes a few weeks ago but is ok now. Not sure what caused it.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 26 Jul 2013 12:59 pm

Guys, those with the microphonic issue, drop me an email. I've got a new solution for that issue and have been implementing it into all the more recent productions models.

sarnomusic@earthlink.net

Brad

George Seymour · Post by **George Seymour** » 27 Jul 2013 5:02 am

Noel Welsh wrote:Thanks Rick
I just did a gig this week end using this rig with a QSC K12 speaker
The sound was awesome

Did the Benado PF have anything to do with it? I know mine does!

Noel Welsh · Post by **Noel Welsh** » 27 Jul 2013 8:26 am

Yes, the Benado PF definitely makes a difference. it's an awesome effects unit!

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 27 Jul 2013 1:29 pm

The Rev, V8 and Classic & Tonic all have their own unique sound. The V8 is not rack mountable but I use it on a small desk with a speaker and a power amp off to the side. It's my little Island off to the side of the mess I created in my studio. I also don't play out any longer so the rack items get little use these days.

I'll post a picture of my studio and you will understand

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 27 Jul 2013 1:30 pm

Here are some pics of my messy studio and my little corner with my Octal, a Tele and the only place I can sit and enjoy myself.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 27 Jul 2013 5:27 pm

Although, we do now have a custom rack shelf for the V8, so technically speaking, it IS now rack-mountable. I just got back from traveling, and soon I hope to get the shipping boxes rounded up so I can make the new shelves available. They are pre-drilled to mount a V8, a Black Box or both simultaneously.

B