I have a Pro Tools MixPlus+++++ system and currently use my Yamaha 02R for the mic preamp's and monitoring via Digi's ADAT bridge. I would like to loose the 02R because it takes up too much space and is not a great choice for mic preamps . I do not feel it worthwhile to spent a bundle on separate and expensive mic preamps and Line level to Light pipe A/Ds. . . other than having one high-end mic preamp for vocals. I am looking for ideas and opinions as follows.
1) Light Pipe - Mic Pre's: I need 16 mic preamp's with Phantom power, 24 bit A/D and ADAT light pipe output to go into one of my 24bit Digidesign ADAT bridge. So far the contenders I am aware of are the:
Digimax http://www.PreSonus.com/html/products/digimax.html
SwisSonic http://www.swissonic.com/products/ad8.html
Any other options? What are the opinions of these mic preamps ?
2) Digital/Analog Monitoring - The O2R has a simple but useful Digital/Analog monitoring section. I have several Analog sources to monitor from time to time (Cassette, CD) and several digital sources (Protools, DAT, Secondary computer). I need to find a replacement monitoring section and would prefer to find something that also supported surround modes 5.1 and 7.1. In addition to the surround inputs this unit would require 2 or 3 digital inputs (AES SP-DIF) and 2-3 Analog inputs as well. It would have analog outputs to go to the power amps, as well as some additional AES and SP-DIF outputs for recording. It could be rack mount but must have a remote POD with a large volume control on it. It also require a secondary monitoring section for the cue mix. This section would also have a Mic Input with a DIM feature for talkback. Has anyone seen anything like this?
Comments
Jules re Question 1, I should have been more clear. I am a look
Jules
re Question 1, I should have been more clear. I am a looking for mic-pre's to ADAT Light pipe. I do not think any of the examples you noted are light pipe (ADAT 8 channel, 24 bit). I believe this is the configuration that makes the most sense for me and at least SwisSonic (AD 8) and Presonus(Digimax) have offerings. My price point is sub $2000 which both the AD 8 and Digimax meet. I need 16 channels and before I take the plunge. . . I am curious if there are any other products in this configuration and also what people using these products have found.
Oh. . .the Cranesong does have the ADAT Light pipe. I 'll check out the others.
>> Do you like recording 'flat' no eq into Pro Tools? - I don't. <<
I have a good selection of mics and do throw plug-in eq's and comps on individual channels where required for monitoring. Personally I'd rather print flat, tweak while tracking and get more radical at mix time. I spent a lot of time with 2" tape and Neve consoles in the 80s so I must admit I do miss many of the pleasing characterises of tape and analog gear (distortion, tape saturation etc. . ), but I like the digital world better. Between the right source signals (Tube mics & pre's, the right drum, etc.) and ProTools with the manyplug-ins editing and automation, I have been able to get much better results than the days of old.
On aside. . .
Awhile ago I strapped the Waves L1 across the headphone mix and found it has really helped both drummers and singers hear the track & themselves better and also reduced their listening fatique. Since then I put the Waves C4 and L1 across the control room master and have found it works wonders for me as well. A little multi-band and overall compression really lets you hear what is in the valleys. This allows peak monitoring levels to be reduced and I can work much longer days without listening fatique. Besides I like the sound of pop music better this way and that is the way the finished product ends up. . . Try it you'll like it.
Hey Jules I took a peek as suggested. The Cranesong looks like
Hey Jules
I took a peek as suggested. The Cranesong looks like overkill for me. I don't need the stereo bus, it looks like it is 4 rack spaces which is a bit much in size for me. I didn't see anything like this at Aphex and the Studer stuff is in a different relm. Anything more in line with the AD-8 or Digimax? Anyone used either of these?
Let me know if you come up with the names of the monitoring sections.
Howard (HFNY!!!)
If you really want to step up from the 02R, you may need to spen
If you really want to step up from the 02R, you may need to spend a little bit more than you've stated. For inexpensive, I'd look at the Trident/MTA 16 channel pre (2 rack spaces, probably $2K), and two RME 8 channel AD/DA's (another $2K). If you can stretch from there, I have heard many people prefer the Lucid AD's, for not too much more money.
Then look up Coleman Audio for a pretty simple, sub-$1K analog monitor panel. I'm sure they can do a 5.1/7.1 capable one, if they don't have one already stock.
That would replace the 02R with a better sounding front end, for less than you paid for the board.
Yes, if the Cranesong seems overkill (features come in handy lat
Yes, if the Cranesong seems overkill (features come in handy later remember!) the indavidual converters & seperate pres seems better...
I suspect you are demanding too much from one low price device and wont get something you describe..
Lucid 8ch or cheaper RME 8ch
+ a good wordclock feeding all digital devices
Seperate pre's
+ Your ADAT bridge
I think for the above you will be lucky to get it to be under 5U rack spaces...
:)
Check these out : http://www.da7.com/. :)
Check these out : http://www.da7.com/. :)
Hey Pete The Panasonic WZ-AD96M from your link is another conte
Hey Pete
The Panasonic WZ-AD96M from your link is another contender. Thanks. . .
Anyone seen a shoot-out or comparison of any of these?
So far we have
-Presonus Digimax http://www.presonus.com/html/products/digimax.html
-SwisSonic AD-8 http://www.swissonic.com/products/ad8.html
-Panasonic WZ-AD96M http://www.da7.com/
-Cranesong Spider (with some extra features) http://www.cranesong.com/products/spider/index.html
Any other contenders (mic-pres to ADAT light pipe)?
.
Re question 1: Studer Aphex Cranesong (spider - recomended
Re question 1:
Studer
Aphex
Cranesong (spider - recomended :)
All make 8 ch mic pre / converter units, I am sure there are some cheaper ones too. The Cranesong pre's will be excelent.
Question, do you like recording 'flat' no eq into Pro Tools? - I don't.
Re question 2:
there are several things around that can do basic control room switching tasks, provided you dont expect one to have TOO MANY features / inputs you should be able to find one as there is a market for them - people doing just what you are..! But the brand names escape me for the moment.. Sorry
Better give us a budget for the pre section, so we can recomend from there... Wild difference in prices abound, obviously...
Jules
Happy New Year!
:w: