The Lucid stuff is really outstanding for the money... hell, it's outstanding for things more than double the price!!

I would agree. I've got the 9624 and the Genx6. In fact, I bought them from Mercenary. They have made a big difference in how my mixes and the d8b sound.

I'd go with Apogee Rosetta if you only need two tracks

Well, I was going start this topic myself...
Here I soon have this DAW in my project studio
with a RME Hammerfall LE soundcard.(2 ADAT lightpipe in/outs). I'd really like a AD/DA converter that's not too expensive, 8 ch. i/o since I want to use my hardware reverbs and other vintage effects with my hardware mixer (Mackie SR 24.4 VLZ). The advice I usually get is to buy the Alesis AI-3... or some people say Fostex VC-8. Any opinions about those converters?
Any other suggestions.
And another question: At my music store they told me that I could use my ADAT XT 20 as an AD/DA converter if I wanted to go on a tight budget.
Has anyone tried that?
Would that really work?
If so, I could live with the fact that it's just "20 bits" for a while.

Tore check out the creamware A16.
It's like 10 000:- in sweden.
16-ins/outs

Apogee is unveiling some new stuff at Namm that should appeal to peoples pockets and audio needs.
The coolest thing for my needs is a new master clock that eliminates PLLs in favor of DDSs. It will allow for adaptive loop filtering (no synch loss even from 2" with bad code) clock up to 192k
has 6 word clock outs and do format conversion on the fly.
They also have a 2 channel 192k mini converter with attenuation, headphones, adat and usb which means direct to computer regardless of interface.

I'll just get the clock and stick with the Trac2 and SLAM! converters.

Tore,

I use my adat for an extra 8 tracks, I plug the lightpipe out into my Layla when I record 1 tracks at once. You could buy a much cheaper soundcard with the adat input that might only have two converters on it and plug your adat into it and have 8. You would still have to make a purchase, but you might be able to get away with only spending $200.

Eric

That should read "16 tracks at a time" not 1. :s:

Tore,
I am using a pair of the ai 3's with a Frontier Dakota card and it has been working remarkably well for the price. Big 24 bit bass at a price that was very affordable. I recomend them. They are not Apogee or Lucid converters but for what they cost they work very well. And in a year or two, I won't have a $2000 paperweight but rather an $800 paperweight. Fats

Thank you!
Eric, it was nice to hear that you've been using your ADAT as AD/DA converter. In this case I will start with that, and later I will spend my money on the AI-3... (Cedar Flat Fats, do they cost $800? Someone told me they're going to be on a sale in a few weeks in my musicstore for ~$400 )
Since this is my project studio, I will mainly record instruments and maybe some bg-vocals. So I think that the AI-3 is good enough to me. I think that saving some money for a better mic.-preamp is a better way to go, rather than getting the "best" AD/DA-converter. And maybe I can also afford some new strings for my guitars. :D

Tore,
I paid a little over $600 US for both of mine, new at Guitar Center. I'm using mine to do lead vocals with a U87 and Amek 9098 pre and it sounds pretty good. I think they will serve you just fine. I agree on saving your money for things like mics, pres and speakers. IMO that makes much more sense. Re; using an ADAT as a converter, just keep in mind that you can only send audio to the computer or recive it from the computer. You need two ADATS to send and recive simultaniously as they have to be in digital mode to recive audio from a digital source and doing that disables the analog inputs. Fats

Thanx alot CFF... That's what I really needed to know. So I can only use the ADAT for AD or DA-converter. But it's good to know that I can use it whenever I need 8 extra in or outs. I'll get the AI-3 as soon as possible.
And as you said, there's a few things that you can spend alot of money on: mics, pres and speakers... and I would like to add compressors.
I'd really like a nice compressor.
I've been thinking about Summit Audio TLA-50.
I've heard that it's a very good compressor for that kind of money. Do you have any opinion about that one? Or any other suggestion for a budget compressor? (500-950 USD)

Tore,
Summit makes some very good gear. It's a quality company run and staffed by people who know what they are doing and actually drive cars to work rather than riding a bicycle or riding a water buffalo. :D I am myself interested in the new compact mic pre they have released. Great gear, that Summit stuff! .... Fats
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Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
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It's a quality company run and staffed by people who know what they are doing and actually drive cars to work rather than riding a bicycle or riding a water buffalo.

WWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

LOL

Now that is good laugh!!!!!!

It's a quality company run and staffed by people who know what they are doing and actually drive cars to work rather than riding a bicycle or riding a water buffalo.

And what is wrong with riding a water buffalo to work? I happen to like my water buffalo (His name is "Bob"). He and I are *very* close, and I am offended by the water buffalo jokes!!! rofl! Fats...you're a classic buddy! Haha!

CFF, It's good to hear that from you... I've only read some good reviews on the Summit Audio TLA-50 ( and their mic pre).... but I don't always believe all the reviews in magazines since they are so dependent on ads for the same products. But I believe in you and all the other "masters" here at RO. :c: .... hmmm.. well not about the Ns-10.

Tore,
That is very wise. Many times advertising needs take precedent when reviews are being written and edited by magazine editors. Pro Audio Review has been the best IMO in putting out honest informative reviews. About the NS 10's thing... well , no ones perfect. But really, just try some for a while. I promise , you'll grow to love what they can do for your mixing. CFF

Well, I guess it's a matter of taste... I've been working with the NS-10 for several productions over the years. It's true that you get a good balance of the instruments... but it feels so strange when you're going to mix and put in your favourite CD's to get a reference... and you really don't like the way they sound in the NS-10's. Maybe it's like good single malt whiskey... you have to drink it often before you even think that "tar-and-smoke-tasting" stuff is "drinkable" :)

Maybe it's like good single malt whiskey... you have to drink it often before you even think that "tar-and-smoke-tasting" stuff is "drinkable"

NO, NS10s suck and always have. It's just that they were cheap, small and accented all the nasty stuff so they filled a need.

Fortunately times have changed, there are much better close field monitors that don't kill your ears by the end of the night.

Anyone have any opinions on the Panasonic WZ line of ADC/DACs?

Thanks,
Mike

I just got the Panasonic WZ-AD96M and the WZ-DA96. The clarity of the DA was immediately obvious over the Delta66 that I just sold.

Good luck,
Jay