AD/DA Converters?

[Sex Panther]

Anyone using standalone converters? Just started researching it.

Right now I'm using a Focusrite 18i20...which I need for the band. But I'd like to also get some high quality preamps down the road, and from what I understand, these are the way to hook them up to your computer....since plugging them into the Focusrite kind of defeats the purpose.

Any experience with this?

[EndTime]

Well defeats the purpose is a bit strong of a conclusion. Using a standalone quality preamp into the focusrite should still give you better results than the pres in the 1820.. provided you run the preamp into a line in rather than into the focusrite preamps..

Anyway, yes standalone convertors is a step in the direction of professional quality. My friends full fledged studio revolves around his Apogee Rosetta 800 ad/da convertors. He said the Apogee and spending over 10 grand in highest quality cables made significant improvements in perceived 3d space of the mix..

Its worth it if you have the coin

[Loop Bizkit]

Anyone using standalone converters? Just started researching it.

Right now I'm using a Focusrite 18i20...which I need for the band. But I'd like to also get some high quality preamps down the road, and from what I understand, these are the way to hook them up to your computer....since plugging them into the Focusrite kind of defeats the purpose.

Any experience with this?

ADDA converters would interface digitally with the interface. The SPdif or ADAT. The Scarlett would have no affect on the conversion, as you're already converted by the converter before hitting a digital input.

Yes, converters can make a BIG difference. More immediately audible differences for less money are evident in things like mics and preamps, but converters, the better they are, give you better stereo imaging, high frequency detail, and pan accuracy (think of a 10 and 2 pan, instead of a "somewhere left/somewhere right" pan).

[Sex Panther]

Got it. Thanks guys.

Loop, I was looking at the dbx 386, and it looks like a decent option...but the problem is that I'm still stuck with just that preamp. Might be a better option to come up with a solution that allows me to record via whatever preamps I end up with. I'd rather wait a little bit and go higher end than be stuck and regret it.

So if I get this right...my chain would look like:

Mic->Preamp->AD/DA->SPDIF in (focusrite)->USB?

[Loop Bizkit]

Check out the RME ADI2. Line level ins, 2 channels. Use whatever you like in front of it.

Or an Antelope Pure2, etc. They get spendy really quick.

[fretless]

you will need to get it into the DAW somehow . I use Lynx pci cards http://www.lynxstudio.com/ they also make converters but there are several good converters on the market .
I use a Lavry Blue but I also have a http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... oCx7Hw_wcB

and it's an excellent 2 x i/o at waaaay less than anything else out there. I would put money on it that you could not tell which one is which ,

[Sex Panther]

Check out the RME ADI2. Line level ins, 2 channels. Use whatever you like in front of it.

Or an Antelope Pure2, etc. They get spendy really quick.

I was actually looking at both of these earlier.

In the grand scheme of things...$2k is going to end up being a drop in the bucket.

I don't know if I should laugh or cry at that...

[Sex Panther]

you will need to get it into the DAW somehow.

Couldn't I get one with an ADAT or SPDIF out and go into the Focusrite? Or does that also defeat the purpose (I assume not...since it would allow me to completely bypass the MIC Pres on the Focusrite).

EDIT: Also, after a lot of reading, looks like I could also go TRS from the mic pre into an input on the 18i20 and set it to unity gain. While still going through the preamp circuit, it wouldn't be boosting or attenuating the signal in anyway, and should be relatively clean. I could go that route until I got the funds to get a higher end converter setup.

[fretless]

do you mean using a different pre , I would guess it's worth a try but have not idea how it will work . Going back to high end converters , get a Lynx or RME pci card , Lynx has a few with high end converters built in if you only need a couple inputs . If you need say 6 or 8 get their pci16 . You can then connect into a mixing desk or preamps like a lunchbox and what not . To add , you don't need a million dollar setup to get great results , there are some talented folks on this forum that work magic with minimal setups .

[Sex Panther]

do you mean using a different pre , I would guess it's worth a try but have not idea how it will work . Going back to high end converters , get a Lynx or RME pci card , Lynx has a few with high end converters built in if you only need a couple inputs . If you need say 6 or 8 get their pci16 . You can then connect into a mixing desk or preamps like a lunchbox and what not . To add , you don't need a million dollar setup to get great results , there are some talented folks on this forum that work magic with minimal setups .

Yeah, I really don't need to track multiple channels at the same time (at least not high high end). I just want one or two high quality preamps for vocals, acoustic, etc.,

[fretless]

do you mean using a different pre , I would guess it's worth a try but have not idea how it will work . Going back to high end converters , get a Lynx or RME pci card , Lynx has a few with high end converters built in if you only need a couple inputs . If you need say 6 or 8 get their pci16 . You can then connect into a mixing desk or preamps like a lunchbox and what not . To add , you don't need a million dollar setup to get great results , there are some talented folks on this forum that work magic with minimal setups .

Yeah, I really don't need to track multiple channels at the same time (at least not high high end). I just want one or two high quality preamps for vocals, acoustic, etc.,

Welp , sticking with converters for a sec and your op check out Lynx Audio E22
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/E22

you would need their breakout cable with that
http://www.lynxstudio.com/product_detail.asp?i=33

for 2 x in and outs xlr , you jack right into the ins from your preamp out , you run the xlr out into your monitors or a monitor control / headphone amp like Mpatch controller and you are done . or just get some good pres and try going into your unit and see what happens . Maybe it will be fine , btw what is your opinion on the pres in that unit you use and why do you feel the need to buy another preamp ?

[Sex Panther]

btw what is your opinion on the pres in that unit you use and why do you feel the need to buy another preamp ?

Thanks for that.

They seem "fine", but not great. Keep in mind I don't have all that much studio experience, but just from reading around, the built in preamps can't hang with the higher end stuff. Vocals seem...flat. Not terrible, just not great. Lacking liveliness...I dunno, I don't have words to describe. They're definitely not "lush". And I have "good enough" mics that should be able to get me a richer vocal sound. I'm thinking the preamp and maybe even a hardware compressor may be a big part.

[fretless]

IME pres make a difference , if you can hear it now I would bet you are correct . I'm just not sure how well it will work going through your interface now , it should probably sound better but can't say for sure until you try it . Then move on to upgrading the converter / interface . right ?

[Sex Panther]

IME pres make a difference , if you can hear it now I would bet you are correct . I'm just not sure how well it will work going through your interface now , it should probably sound better but can't say for sure until you try it . Then move on to upgrading the converter / interface . right ?

Yeah that's what I was thinking. If I bought a high end preamp, and it didn't really sound much better through the interface...I haven't really wasted money, it just means I have more to spend.

[fretless]

yop , you are going to get the pre anyway so do that first . So what pre are you looking at ?

[Sex Panther]

yop , you are going to get the pre anyway so do that first . So what pre are you looking at ?

Possibly a WA 12? Still not sure yet. Looking into maybe a 500 series lunchbox setup too...

Hell, they have the Aphex USB 500 Rack at Sweetwater for $300. I could get that and bypass the Focusrite altogether...I think...

Toss maybe an API 512c or even that Shadow Hills pre looks pretty cool.

[fretless]

I think it would be a good move and after reading about it you can use is without any pre installed so if you buy it empty you can at least use it . IME usb devices work or they don't , some are solid with Windows , some with mac , sometimes they never seem to work and they are often higher latency , it comes down to the drivers and if a company keeps updating them instead of forgetting about the product . Still it could be your cheapest in so I think I would try it , perhaps just as a test of the interface you can try it without shelling out a ton on pres just yet . I have a mono gamma and a 512c , both fantastic but if I were to do it over again I would get a BAE 312 for the API flavor .

[Sex Panther]

I think it would be a good move and after reading about it you can use is without any pre installed so if you buy it empty you can at least use it . IME usb devices work or they don't , some are solid with Windows , some with mac , sometimes they never seem to work and they are often higher latency , it comes down to the drivers and if a company keeps updating them instead of forgetting about the product . Still it could be your cheapest in so I think I would try it , perhaps just as a test of the interface you can try it without shelling out a ton on pres just yet . I have a mono gamma and a 512c , both fantastic but if I were to do it over again I would get a BAE 312 for the API flavor .

What does IME usb mean? Excuse my ignorance...

[fretless]

I think it would be a good move and after reading about it you can use is without any pre installed so if you buy it empty you can at least use it . IME usb devices work or they don't , some are solid with Windows , some with mac , sometimes they never seem to work and they are often higher latency , it comes down to the drivers and if a company keeps updating them instead of forgetting about the product . Still it could be your cheapest in so I think I would try it , perhaps just as a test of the interface you can try it without shelling out a ton on pres just yet . I have a mono gamma and a 512c , both fantastic but if I were to do it over again I would get a BAE 312 for the API flavor .

What does IME usb mean? Excuse my ignorance...

In my experience , usb devices either work or they don't

[fretless]

there are a million flavors of preamps , I have a few and they are all great for a certain thing , some are very good with everything . You can spend one million dollars so think it out what you will be shooting for , guitars , bass , vocals etc etc . if drums it's good to have a few of the same for ex the over heads should be the same , so 2 x 512's for left and right etc etc /

[Sex Panther]

In my experience , usb devices either work or they don't

Ah, gotcha. I've fortunately been very lucky with USB interfaces. I've always gotten them to work quite well. Even my shitty M-Audio Fast Track that everyone shits on.

The Gearslutz reviews for the Aphex USB 500 are RAVING. At $300...I may just have to pick one of these guys up...ugh...

As of right now, I'm not worried about overheads, as I record drums with my Roland's triggering SD 2.0. But down the road, I'll need it...when people want to record an acoustic kit. For sure.

[fretless]

In my experience , usb devices either work or they don't

Ah, gotcha. I've fortunately been very lucky with USB interfaces. I've always gotten them to work quite well. Even my shitty M-Audio Fast Track that everyone shits on.

The Gearslutz reviews for the Aphex USB 500 are RAVING. At $300...I may just have to pick one of these guys up...ugh...

As of right now, I'm not worried about overheads, as I record drums with my Roland's triggering SD 2.0. But down the road, I'll need it...when people want to record an acoustic kit. For sure.

you may need 2 x lunchboxes later on

[Sex Panther]

you may need 2 x lunchboxes later on

Yeah that's my concern...since even with SPDIF, I'd be pigeonholed into 6 inputs. In all honesty, I'll probably wait until June when I get my wedding money to make another big purchase.

That'll give me time to make a smart, educated decision...maybe.

[fretless]

you may need 2 x lunchboxes later on

Yeah that's my concern...since even with SPDIF, I'd be pigeonholed into 6 inputs. In all honesty, I'll probably wait until June when I get my wedding money to make another big purchase.

That'll give me time to make a smart, educated decision...maybe.

it's never ending but you can make do with less and get pro results if you know what you are doing . There are endless ways to mic and record something , with drums you could use a mixer and sub mix them then go stereo in , just one way to do it.

[fretless]

300 is a small price to pay , I bet they are blowing them out either there will be a new version or discontinued . I would grab one , no pres yet , and see if it works ok , good latency and what not . I bet and how funny is this is that you may be able to use your current "ok" pres into the Aphex for further testing . You can always send it back.