Aardvark Q10

[Mr Yankoff]

Has anyone used or heard about this unit? I'm assuming Aardvark is low grade stuff, but i dont have $2500 to spend on a one channel mic pre at the moment.

Any comments and reviews are appreciated!

 

[Barkingdogstudios]

Hey Michael,

I own an Aardvark Q10. I did a fair bit of research before I purchased it. Sure, it's probably not high-end stuff but I think it gives pretty good bang for the buck. I needed multiple inputs because I record a drum kit along with a full band. The pres are ClassA and you get two additional SPDIF tracks. You can insert outboard gear on the first four inputs. I haven't heard anyone say "it's a piece of crap". In fact in another thread I heard somebody say they've used it successfully for commercial stuff.

Personally, I think it's a pretty good piece of gear. Certainly in the price range (<$1000), I think it's a player.

 

[jdier]

I am not the best for answering, since I have never owned 'high end stuff.'

My experience though has been good for sound quality and a little rough with integration.

Files under "singles" on NoWhereRadio you can hear some of my results using the Q10 with SM57's and Studio Project mics. Everything here is running direct into the Q10 to sonar with little to no plugin effects added. Link:

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/discography.php?aid=2999

For another view go search on >> rip rowan q10 << he does a nice job comparing the unit to others you may be familar with.

As far as integration I would call -on phone, talk to live person- someone at Aardvark to talk about the computer you plan to use and verify 100% that there should not be any driver issues.

There are a few very rare situations where this gear can cause headaches - uhh, dual amd processors is one.

I am working now with my new RNP/RNC and an older meek unit to figure which combination of pre's and mics will work best for my situation. Also plan some mic upgrades in near future.

Hope this is some help. Email me directly should you have additional questions or want any other info.

Jim

 

[Kurt Foster]

The Aardvark Q10 fall under a "Best Bang For The Buck" catagory IMO.. Pretty good mic pres, lots of flexibility, decent converters and most important, great digital clocking. Before Aardvark released the Q10, they were very well known for superior high end clocking and converters. Aardvark claims they were able to apply that knowledge into the more affordable Q10. Use comments seem to bear this statement out. I think it even comes with some basic recording software, that may be all you will ever need. I have never heard anyone who has bought one complaine about it.

 

[Aloha]

The q-10 is a very unique piece of gear. There really is nothing like it out there for that kind of money. Nice pre's good converters, it is very versatile and above all sounds killer. We use two of them in our studio with cubase sx. We find this combo to work really well. Check out our site http://www.2020audio.ca or email me if you have any questions...

audio2020@shaw.ca

 

[Barkingdogstudios]

jdier,

I listened to your tracks on nowhereradio.com because I'm an Aardvark Q10 user as well. I was wondering how you set up and mic'd your
kick drum on Two Rings? It's perfect for the song. Really nice, full sound.

I use an EV RE20 (close to beater head) and a Sennheiser 421 (a little further
out and off-centre)with the front of the kick covered in moving blankets. It sounds a bit dry.
Oh, and the kick is a 22" DW.

Thanks,
James.

 

[jdier]

Here is a link to the thread where this was discussed in detail:

(Dead Link Removed)

I can check, but I am pretty sure I am using about 90% 52 and 10% 57.

The drum is an older swingerland with a 4" access hole in it.

 

[jdier]

Originally posted by Kurt Foster:
I think it even comes with some basic recording software, that may be all you will ever need. I have never heard anyone who has bought one complaine about it.

It comes with Cakewalk 9 which will save you a bit on your upgrade to sonar.

There are some complaints out there, but most if not all are related to drivers and getting up and running.

For the record, I still crash at least once per hour due to the Aardvark drivers.

 

[Pez]

Be sure to turn hyperthreading off if you have it on your motherboard. The Q10 needs to get a new driver for it (which I think they're working on). It really sounds decent and the customer support is very good. I do think they should come forward with a statement on the hyperthreading issue on their website however. I didn't figure it out until I called them with a problem. It's nice to have the 8 inputs on the front. Less wiring hassles as I hate reaching around the back of the units. I don't want to hijack this thread but I would be curious to hear from anyone who switched from a Q10 to a Lynx converter.

 

[jdier]

Originally posted by John Grimm (Vintage Studios):
Be sure to turn hyperthreading off if you have it on your motherboard. The Q10 needs to get a new driver for it (which I think they're working on). It really sounds decent and the customer support is very good. I do think they should come forward with a statement on the hyperthreading issue on their website however. I didn't figure it out until I called them with a problem. It's nice to have the 8 inputs on the front. Less wiring hassles as I hate reaching around the back of the units. I don't want to hijack this thread but I would be curious to hear from anyone who switched from a Q10 to a Lynx converter.

John,

I found out the same way as you. They have posted on their website that they no longer support dual processor systems.

I have not heard anything lately about a new driver. What do you know?

Jim

 

[Pez]

I don't know much about a new driver. Only that they said that they needed to come out with a new one for hyperthreading. I built a whole new system and had spent about a week trying to figure out the problem when they told me about the hyperthreading issue. To their credit it was solved immediately once I gave their support a call.