Lexicon Omega Studio review — Mix
Mix reviews the Omega Studio Recording System from Lexicon. The Omega actually came out last year, but the Mix review only appeared recently. Besides, I like this product because it looks like R2-D2. Actually, the R2-D2-alike box is just part of the system. The Omega studio recording system consists of three pieces: the Omega USB audio interface, Steinberg’s Cubase LE DAW software, and Lexicon’s Pantheon VST reverb plugin.
A brief description paraphrased from the review: The Omega — an 8-input, 4-bus, 2-output USB I/O mixer — represents the core of the system. A closer look at the uncluttered front panel reveals a surprising amount of features and functionality. Flip the Omega around and cute turns to brute: The rear panel is a no-nonsense array of connectivity. “As a frequent headphone mixer, I immediately heard a major improvement over my soundcard in Omega’s headphone amp, which sports a very open sound and plenty of power. Subsequently, the unit shined in a variety of recording and mixing applications.”
Cubase LE is a decent, if stripped-down, version of Steinberg’s music production system. There are limits on the number of tracks, plugins, etc. that you can use, but the interface is still the same as the high-end versions. As for the reverb plugin, “While the choicest algorithms remain reserved for the company’s higher-end systems, there’s still no question that Pantheon is a killer reverb with the creamy goodness for which Lexicon is famous.”
Overall, they rate this system very highly as a cost-effective way to get sound into your computer. “For overall ease of use, Omega and its mixer-based architecture (as opposed to a patchbay structure) is an absolute pleasure. Between its assignable buses and well-thought-out interface, it just goes where you point it for highly intuitive portable or desktop recording/mixing. … When you take into account the fact that VST reverb plug-ins of Pantheon’s quality can easily sell for $200 or more, the addition of the extremely flexible and handy I/O box — not to mention Cubase LE — makes the Lexicon Omega an outstanding value.”
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Hey,
The omega is all you need for a small home recording studio. Having 4 track capability, phantom power and 2 silver series pre amps its a blessing. Saying all this it would be a blessing if it worked. i have had the omega for a month and have not been able to get it working. i have had support from lexicon but they will not admit it is a problem with the omega. i heard many other reviews saying that it has power but no signal ever goes through i ignored these for it was such a good deal. but i should have listened. you get power but no signal is ever recieved. if anyone has been able to get there to work some help would be greatly appriciated
Its a good product if it would work,
Samuel
Samuuel Wales on 9 June 2007 at 10:55 am
Have been usiing the Omega for over two years,and just finished recording an albume of 15 tracks of prayers with background flute music for Consuelo Records without a hitch. The omega has been a God Send for The WoodShed Recording Studios here in Portales,New Mexico. Been using it since day 1,and have not had a bit of trouble with it. With the Omega, our Studio went from a home project studio, to Stae of The Art Recording Studio,and our rates? Quite Higher,and our business? pretty much tripled…Buy It.
Andrew Sisneros on 22 June 2008 at 7:33 am