Big Ben vs. Antelope Audio Isochrone OCX

rapfreak · 6th June 2005, 08:25 PM

I understand the Antelope Audio Isochrone OCX is now shipping. Has anyone done a shoot out between it and the Big Ben? Based on specs this should give serious competition (if not destroy it) and come in at only $1250. I've only seen one other post about this unit on here. Are there really only 2 people interested in this piece of gear? Where are the slutz?!?

jdunn · 7th June 2005, 02:58 AM

I was supposed to pick one up last week, but I lagged badly. Maybe I'll go get it tomorrow. Yeah, no NBA playoff games tomorrow.

SnakeCained · 7th June 2005, 02:50 PM

Remember the Big Ben clock technology was originally invented for the Aurora hypersonic spy plane for when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.

Whoops I've said too much ............

Must get some sleep, damn album mixing ZZZZzzzzzzzzz

Shaman · 7th June 2005, 03:11 PM

Oh yes - I´m very interested in a comparison - anyone ?

rapfreak · 7th June 2005, 03:58 PM

glad to see jdunn and me aren't alone.

jdunn · 7th June 2005, 10:18 PM

Igor Levin, designer of the original Aardvark and now designer of the Antelope, says that the oven controlled oscillator being used is also a NASA/military part.

He says that he designed it to be better than either the Aardvark 2 or Big Ben.

Ruudman · 7th June 2005, 11:08 PM

Time for Big Ben II ?

ruudman

charleslee · 7th June 2005, 11:19 PM

If I had a chance to get a demo unit here in Singapore, it would be great! But there is no local dealers here yet.

There is a major Broadcast show in Singapore sometime next week, wonder if any of the dealers would carry Antelope's products? Anybody any idea?

I guess I'll write to them to find out!

alnico · 8th June 2005, 05:27 AM

I know a few drummers that need to sync to the Atomic Clock!!! But seriously folks- Sounds pretty cool but I would sure miss the VSO on my Big Ben!!! "Time" will tell...

jdunn · 8th June 2005, 05:56 AM

Big Ben is an excellent product, and it does offer some things that this doesn't. The Isochrone is more for those looking for the ultimate clock. You must be willing to sacrifice the VSO and the termination sensing, one of my favorite Big Ben features.

I didn't make it in to Hollywood today. I'll try again tomorrow.

wolfhound · 19th July 2005, 06:07 AM

anybody try this yet?

Billster · 19th July 2005, 12:19 PM

You should also give the Rosendahl Nanoclock a try. Got plenty of outputs, hi sample rates and is cheaper than Big Ben. I use it every day and I never had one single problem with it.

By the way : does any of you sluts know where I get a good deal on a Neve Portico in Germany ? Thanks, Bill

rapfreak · 19th July 2005, 02:49 PM

jdunn has gotten one. if you ask him nicely maybe he'll post an in depth review.

rentedroom · 27th July 2005, 07:09 AM

I picked up the Antlope clock about 2 weeks ago and all I can say is that as soon as we connected it we heard dramatic changes in the sound quality. It sounds more cohesive, the top end is smooth and the low end is clearer than the Big Ben or any clock I have ever used. When we switched back and forth beetween the Big Ben and the Antelope, The Big Ben sounded distorted and harsh. I am not used to having such a dramatic change from a clock, when I first tried the Big Ben , I thought it sounded a little better and took care of some pops and clicks and maybe was a little smoother. But the Antelope clock is incredible. I also gave CD's with A/B mixes to engineers in the studio, without telling them what the differnce is and they both picked the Antelope mix over the Big Ben, everybody saying that it was easier to listen to and it sounded polished. Anybody who has been in the studio has been floored of what a clock can do for audio. If you have any other questions , please don't hesitate to ask.

Sergievsky · 27th July 2005, 08:07 AM

I just got my Big Ben. This shit never ends does it?

jdunn · 27th July 2005, 08:26 AM

Isochrone!

Everything sounds bigger and more in your face, yet smoother and more musical. Also, I leave it on for days and it never gets hot.

Shaman · 27th July 2005, 08:56 AM

Which converters did you guys use it with ?

Standard 192 I/O s ?

jdunn - on your equipment list I see the BB - is the difference drastic ?

phunkyt · 27th July 2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rentedroom

I picked up the Antlope clock about 2 weeks ago and all I can say is that as soon as we connected it we heard dramatic changes in the sound quality. It sounds more cohesive, the top end is smooth and the low end is clearer than the Big Ben or any clock I have ever used. When we switched back and forth beetween the Big Ben and the Antelope, The Big Ben sounded distorted and harsh. I am not used to having such a dramatic change from a clock, when I first tried the Big Ben , I thought it sounded a little better and took care of some pops and clicks and maybe was a little smoother. But the Antelope clock is incredible. I also gave CD's with A/B mixes to engineers in the studio, without telling them what the differnce is and they both picked the Antelope mix over the Big Ben, everybody saying that it was easier to listen to and it sounded polished. Anybody who has been in the studio has been floored of what a clock can do for audio. If you have any other questions , please don't hesitate to ask.

Where can I check it out at? (Site wise?)
Thanks,
Tim

kosi · 27th July 2005, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rentedroom

I first tried the Big Ben , I thought it sounded a little better and took care of some pops and clicks and maybe was a little smoother.

took care of pops and clicks

what system do you use ? which clocks have you used before ?

jdunn · 27th July 2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaman

Which converters did you guys use it with ?

Standard 192 I/O s ?

jdunn - on your equipment list I see the BB - is the difference drastic ?

I'm using Mytek converters. I didn't think it was a drastic difference from the Big Ben, but I haven't had the two side by side for a comparison. I sold the Big Ben before I got the Isochrone. Definitely not selling the Isochrone.

I'll be updating that website soon. I don't have the Sony DMX console anymore either. We'll be selling music over the site soon too.

Shaman · 27th July 2005, 11:32 AM

Thanks jdunn

I´ll see where I can get the next antelope, BTW nice name

Stupid question regarding following quote from the Antelope website:

"ATOMIC CLOCK

The Isochrone OCX can be locked to the most accurate clock on Earth: the Atomic clock. A studio can truly achieve perfect stability with the power of Atomic Clock, and the OCX is the the only Master Clock capable of locking to this unprecedented technology."

Where can I get an atomic clock (signal).......................?
and if yes - how much is an atomic clock...............?

Ruudman · 27th July 2005, 12:09 PM

..and when everybody's sold their BB and gotten an Antelope, along
comes a new Mytek/Lavry/Benchmark/Apogee/Prism/CraneSong/Younameit

Like Sergiesky said, it never ends..

ruudman

Ruudman · 27th July 2005, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaman

Where can I get an atomic clock (signal).......................?

You should probably sync to FCNT (French Central Nuke Time)
Just hook up with the gastons across your border

ruudman

jdunn · 27th July 2005, 06:59 PM

From the little that I've heard about it, an atomic clock uses a rubidium oscillator, or something like that. They are around $9,000, but I was told that Antelope is trying to build one for around $4,000.

Don't me mad at me if this info is wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the deal. These people are serious about clocking!

Duardo · 27th July 2005, 09:45 PM

Quote:

He says that he designed it to be better than either the Aardvark 2 or Big Ben.

Time for Big Ben II ?

If every manufacturer replaced a product every time another claimed that their new product outperformed it...

-Duardo

jdunn · 28th July 2005, 05:27 PM

Yes, I think the Big Ben is still an excellent product. As I've pointed out before, it has some very nice features that the Isochrone doesn't, such as the termination sensing on every channel, and the VSO.

I only ended up with the Isochrone because I sold my Big Ben, thinking I could use my Fairlight as a master clock. Wrong! Dedicated clocks are the way to go if you need to sync multiple digital devices.

I was going to buy another Big Ben actually, but when I saw the Isochrone, I had to check it out. I'm glad I did, though I'd be more than happy with a Big Ben too I think.

rentedroom · 29th July 2005, 06:27 AM

This is a reply to the guy who asked which clock I used before . and the answer is Big Ben, Rosendahl, Ardsync.

Ruudman · 29th July 2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rentedroom

The Big Ben sounded distorted and harsh.

If it was distorted, and not just in a metaphorical way, surely something
must be wrong

ruudman

raal · 29th July 2005, 08:31 PM

so.... no one's actually A/B'd these things?

kosi · 29th July 2005, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rentedroom

This is a reply to the guy who asked which clock I used before . and the answer is Big Ben, Rosendahl, Ardsync.

Okay, and with all these you had pops n clicks ? Maybe, there was a cable problem, I can't imagine, that a Big Ben or a Nanosync sounds harsh and distorted ???
But who knows ?

Anyway, on which system do you work, Pro Tools, Motu , etc or what ? Maybe a ll bit more background info would be useful. I work here with PT HD2, AD16X, DA16X, Digi 192 I/O and 2 PC with Hammerfalls synced to a Nanosync. The difference between the Nanosync and the Big Ben was too small for my ears, to buy a Big Ben, but I'm getting off topic here.

6th June 2005, 08:25 PM	#1
rapfreak Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 836	Big Ben vs. Antelope Audio Isochrone OCX I understand the Antelope Audio Isochrone OCX is now shipping. Has anyone done a shoot out between it and the Big Ben? Based on specs this should give serious competition (if not destroy it) and come in at only $1250. I've only seen one other post about this unit on here. Are there really only 2 people interested in this piece of gear? Where are the slutz?!?

7th June 2005, 02:58 AM	#2
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,693	I was supposed to pick one up last week, but I lagged badly. Maybe I'll go get it tomorrow. Yeah, no NBA playoff games tomorrow. __________________ Jason Dunn 5 Sonic Productions

7th June 2005, 10:18 PM	#6
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,693	Igor Levin, designer of the original Aardvark and now designer of the Antelope, says that the oven controlled oscillator being used is also a NASA/military part. He says that he designed it to be better than either the Aardvark 2 or Big Ben. __________________ Jason Dunn 5 Sonic Productions

7th June 2005, 11:08 PM	#7
Ruudman Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 2,820	Time for Big Ben II ? ruudman __________________ Working Class Hero Visit this website of Noma Children Hospital Sokoto

7th June 2005, 11:19 PM	#8
charleslee Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 185	If I had a chance to get a demo unit here in Singapore, it would be great! But there is no local dealers here yet. There is a major Broadcast show in Singapore sometime next week, wonder if any of the dealers would carry Antelope's products? Anybody any idea? I guess I'll write to them to find out! __________________ www.tworooms.com

7th June 2005, 02:50 PM	#3
SnakeCained Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: LONDON Posts: 632	Remember the Big Ben clock technology was originally invented for the Aurora hypersonic spy plane for when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. Whoops I've said too much ............ Must get some sleep, damn album mixing ZZZZzzzzzzzzz

7th June 2005, 03:11 PM	#4
Shaman Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Munich - Germany Posts: 1,639	Oh yes - I´m very interested in a comparison - anyone ?

7th June 2005, 03:58 PM	#5
rapfreak Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 836	glad to see jdunn and me aren't alone.

8th June 2005, 05:27 AM	#9
alnico Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 426	Cool... I know a few drummers that need to sync to the Atomic Clock!!! But seriously folks- Sounds pretty cool but I would sure miss the VSO on my Big Ben!!! "Time" will tell...

8th June 2005, 05:56 AM	#10
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,693	Big Ben is an excellent product, and it does offer some things that this doesn't. The Isochrone is more for those looking for the ultimate clock. You must be willing to sacrifice the VSO and the termination sensing, one of my favorite Big Ben features. I didn't make it in to Hollywood today. I'll try again tomorrow. __________________ Jason Dunn 5 Sonic Productions

19th July 2005, 06:07 AM	#11
wolfhound Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: nyc Posts: 218	anybody try this yet?

19th July 2005, 12:19 PM	#12
Billster Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hamburg / Old Europe Posts: 441	Rosendahl Nanoclock You should also give the Rosendahl Nanoclock a try. Got plenty of outputs, hi sample rates and is cheaper than Big Ben. I use it every day and I never had one single problem with it. By the way : does any of you sluts know where I get a good deal on a Neve Portico in Germany ? Thanks, Bill __________________ www.forcesense.com www.fs-mastering.com

19th July 2005, 02:49 PM	#13
rapfreak Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 836	jdunn has gotten one. if you ask him nicely maybe he'll post an in depth review.

27th July 2005, 07:09 AM	#14
rentedroom Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 19	Antelope OCX Clock Vs. Big Ben I picked up the Antlope clock about 2 weeks ago and all I can say is that as soon as we connected it we heard dramatic changes in the sound quality. It sounds more cohesive, the top end is smooth and the low end is clearer than the Big Ben or any clock I have ever used. When we switched back and forth beetween the Big Ben and the Antelope, The Big Ben sounded distorted and harsh. I am not used to having such a dramatic change from a clock, when I first tried the Big Ben , I thought it sounded a little better and took care of some pops and clicks and maybe was a little smoother. But the Antelope clock is incredible. I also gave CD's with A/B mixes to engineers in the studio, without telling them what the differnce is and they both picked the Antelope mix over the Big Ben, everybody saying that it was easier to listen to and it sounded polished. Anybody who has been in the studio has been floored of what a clock can do for audio. If you have any other questions , please don't hesitate to ask.

27th July 2005, 08:07 AM	#15
Sergievsky Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 248	I just got my Big Ben. This shit never ends does it? __________________ Raul

27th July 2005, 08:26 AM	#16
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,693	Isochrone! Everything sounds bigger and more in your face, yet smoother and more musical. Also, I leave it on for days and it never gets hot. __________________ Jason Dunn 5 Sonic Productions

27th July 2005, 08:56 AM	#17
Shaman Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Munich - Germany Posts: 1,639	Which converters did you guys use it with ? Standard 192 I/O s ? jdunn - on your equipment list I see the BB - is the difference drastic ?

27th July 2005, 11:32 AM	#21
Shaman Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Munich - Germany Posts: 1,639	Thanks jdunn I´ll see where I can get the next antelope, BTW nice name Stupid question regarding following quote from the Antelope website: "ATOMIC CLOCK The Isochrone OCX can be locked to the most accurate clock on Earth: the Atomic clock. A studio can truly achieve perfect stability with the power of Atomic Clock, and the OCX is the the only Master Clock capable of locking to this unprecedented technology." Where can I get an atomic clock (signal).......................? and if yes - how much is an atomic clock...............?

27th July 2005, 12:09 PM	#22
Ruudman Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 2,820	Infinity ..and when everybody's sold their BB and gotten an Antelope, along comes a new Mytek/Lavry/Benchmark/Apogee/Prism/CraneSong/Younameit Like Sergiesky said, it never ends.. ruudman __________________ Working Class Hero Visit this website of Noma Children Hospital Sokoto

27th July 2005, 06:59 PM	#24
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,693	From the little that I've heard about it, an atomic clock uses a rubidium oscillator, or something like that. They are around $9,000, but I was told that Antelope is trying to build one for around $4,000. Don't me mad at me if this info is wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the deal. These people are serious about clocking! __________________ Jason Dunn 5 Sonic Productions

28th July 2005, 05:27 PM	#26
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,693	Yes, I think the Big Ben is still an excellent product. As I've pointed out before, it has some very nice features that the Isochrone doesn't, such as the termination sensing on every channel, and the VSO. I only ended up with the Isochrone because I sold my Big Ben, thinking I could use my Fairlight as a master clock. Wrong! Dedicated clocks are the way to go if you need to sync multiple digital devices. I was going to buy another Big Ben actually, but when I saw the Isochrone, I had to check it out. I'm glad I did, though I'd be more than happy with a Big Ben too I think. __________________ Jason Dunn 5 Sonic Productions

29th July 2005, 06:27 AM	#27
rentedroom Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 19	Antelope This is a reply to the guy who asked which clock I used before . and the answer is Big Ben, Rosendahl, Ardsync.

29th July 2005, 08:31 PM	#29
raal Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: mexico Posts: 3,135	so.... no one's actually A/B'd these things?

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