At RC we have an Apogee AD8000 for tracks 1-8 and three Digi 888/24's for the remainder.

Old, yes - but I really do dig the Apogee.

I haven't used Mytek gear, but the specs look good, and I'm pretty sure it has received good reviews here...

Cucco probably has some good info he could share on this topic.

Check out the Benchmark stuff before you make any firm decisions.

Link removed We own the DAC-1 and the ADC-1

Depends on budget. The Mytek sound a bit more transparent (IMO) than my Apogee, in turn the Lavry Gold sounds more transparent than the Mytek, again IMO.

I don't do mastering but, comparing the Mytek with my Apogee PSX-100 SE in my studio I have heard the following:

I recorded the same 5 minutes of music playing on of my hand-made classical guitar, various acoustic instruments, some synths and vocals. The Mytek A/D conversion was 'cleaner' overall but, arguably a bit anemic for certain sounds. With the classical guitar track, bass notes were a bit clearer, each note in a chord a bit more distinguishable, perhaps with a nicer space between notes. Same was true for some other acoustic instruments such as shakers, hats, etc...

Electric bass sounded better on the Apogee as did drums in general, electric guitar (clean and distorted) synths and vocals. The mids in general were 'nicer' IMO on the Apogee. But, that would depend on the style of music too, personal taste, particular instrument, etc...

In other words, as far as production work goes, each converter may have a certain sound that is more appropriate or preferred for a particular track. I use all three (Apogee, Mytek and Lavry). If I were forced to use one it would be the Lavry Gold.

In Mastering you have different requirements altogether.

So, for the money, the Mytek may well be the best sounding A/D/A converter for your purpose.

Also, do you want to upsample? If so, do you do it in software or in real time, through a converter? Mytek has an upsampling unit too but, I have never auditioned that one.

I couldn't live without the Crane Song HEDD. Especially for the D/A after the analog chain. The A/D is split between the HEDD and a Bel Canto e.One DAC3.

I like all kinds of converters. Some have a funky color, some are clean, etc... It's nice to be able to pic and choose if you can. But if I had to have just one, i'd go with a clean sounding one.

Hi,
I have got one hand at a Hedd 192. Fingers crossed here.

Alécio Costa - Brazil wrote:

Also, do you guys use mixed brands for the a/d d/a?

Hi Alécio,

I also like different converters and yes I like to mix different ones. I like the Rosetta A/D for Rock / Metal etc... I frequently switch the A/D's from the Rosetta and the Lavry Black (more neutral) and I always keep a Benchmark DAC-1 for monitoring, I am used to it, like it a lot and translate very good in my setup.

Richard

Cool!
However, I find it weird when usersreport that brand X/Model Y has more top end, more bottom.

Isn´t the goal of a converter to be as transparent as possible and loyal to original sound sorce?
:roll:

I agree with you, but for A/D's, I like to have choice that might get closer to the client's sonic goals/taste. I did not try all the converters available in a "real working" situation in my studio so I could change my opinion about that but till now, clients are happy and so am I.

Richard

Hi,
I have just completed two months with my Hedd 192.
My setup now is killer: Pendulum Ocl2 + Crane Ibis Eq + Crane Hedd 192 + PT HD 192 Digital I/O.

In close future I want Crane STC8 and a second analog EQ, probably Millennia .

If you can afford Lavry or Crane Song Go for it

Hi, Edward. Look above: I´ve got the Crane Hedd 192 already. At this very moment I am using it here for cutting an Axé Music Song.
Thanks for the tip.

Congratulations on a great purchase. Since you have both {the Rosetta} - what differences do you hear now? What sort of apparent improvement has taken place in converting music? Just asking.

Best regards,

Not AC, but I'll throw in - Had both - Dropped the Apogee quickly after auditioning the HEDD. Just better across the board - and not as subtle as I thought - 100% blind A/B.

From what I hear (no pun intended) the Rosetta turns into a different unit when clocked from the Big Ben... But the HEDD already has a great clock. Plus those wonderful Pentode and Tape functions...

Hi,
I upgraded from the 02r96v2 (!!!) to the Hedd.

I had just a minor experience with the Rosetta. Not so different from the 192 I/O Analog.

Yep I have to agree, I like my hedd 192 as well. When I was buying I checked in the Benchmark and Lavry units. I ended up with the cranesong. I also picked up the avocet for my monitors and am really happy with it.

Thanks Massive, as usual very knowledgeable - but let me re-phrase my question to you: what sort of direct state of being in proportion to the phase shift to frequency over the frequency range in comparison to the Apogee do you hear?

From what I hear (no pun intended)

No pun intended to the Apogee Electronics Corp or to a nb comp? :D

Best regards,

I just listened to it - I didn't interview 'em. The Rosetta just sounded "smaller" by comparison. A little more forward in the mids (in typical Apogee style), a little "less smooth" everywhere else.

Hi, John.
I do agree with you. Got the same impression in my quick listening test.
(192I/O, Rosetta 200, 02R96, Hedd).

Massive Mastering wrote: I just listened to it - I didn't interview 'em. The Rosetta just sounded "smaller" by comparison. A little more forward in the mids (in typical Apogee style), a little "less smooth" everywhere else.

Thanks Massive, I know now that the Apogees have come to pass {RIP}.

Best,

Now now guys. We all know you are making things up. There is no difference in ADCs. It's all in your minds.

It's silly making things up, then talking about it. Don't express yourself, don't share your thoughts or impressions because a scientist may come along, blindfold you and trick you into not knowing your arse from your elbow.

{old-link-removed}

/sarcasm

Greener, just respect opinions, ok?

music_guy wrote: Thanks Massive, I know now that the Apogees have come to pass {RIP}.

Depends on the application. I still love Apogee AD's for tracking. For mastering purposes, I want more "purity" (for lack of a better term). Plus with the HEDD, you have a lot of freedom to add color (a LOT if you want) or keep the path as pure as possible. Plus, a great clock.

Ok.

Massive Mastering wrote: [quote=music_guy]Thanks Massive, I know now that the Apogees have come to pass {RIP}.

Depends on the application. I still love Apogee AD's for tracking. For mastering purposes, I want more "purity" (for lack of a better term). Plus with the HEDD, you have a lot of freedom to add color (a LOT if you want) or keep the path as pure as possible. Plus, a great clock.

Yes, but I 've been hearing too many times how great the HEDD sounds. I am going to need a new converter that I can use for both tracking and mastering - I assume that the Spider 8 will do it all. Correct me if I am wrong.

Regards,

Dave actually talked me out of using the Spider and into the HEDD. There's just too much in the path.

As a front end or summing mixer though... We put some PT mixes summed digitally against the same mixes summed through a Spider - It wasn't even a fair fight. Great preamps too -- But I'd still go after a Flamingo (perhaps the greatest preamp I've ever used) or two *and* a HEDD and have the best of both. Although I suppose you'd still need some individual AD's...

Massive Mastering wrote: Dave actually talked me out of using the Spider and into the HEDD. There's just too much in the path.

Holy Cow! Thanks for that piece of advise. I'll wait a little longer to make sure I get a killer combo or get separate units. You'd think that there would be the same Crane Song consistency by adding 8 I/O's but I guess the pre-amp section and all those channels can't be transparently by-passed to act as a discrete two in and outs. I am sure is a great unit for tracking and live recordings though.

If you go into the line inputs, it's pretty clean. I don't want an additional gain stage though... One more is one more too many.