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Post by guitfiddler on Jul 4, 2020 21:27:58 GMT -6
I am wanting to step up the game and workflow. I have some Dangerous Music gear and really like my Converts and using the Apollo mkII converters. I love the workflow, but the headroom isn’t as good as I want. I have been experimenting and found that when I use outboard I have to use the Dangeeous Music AD+ going into the AES/EBU of the Apollo to be happy. When I go into the analog stage of the Apollo I just can’t get to where I need to be. Dangerous doesn’t make more than 2 channels of conversion. My dilemma is to track drums and want at least 16 inputs on a converter that is capable. What will give me the headroom and nice sound I’m looking for in a converter on the level of the Convert AD+. Are the new Apollo X’s there? What other Manufacturer’s converters are up to the task? I really want 16 I/O
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2020 21:48:02 GMT -6
The Apollo Xs aren’t there. They have more detail but still have the bad Apollo color. Check out MOTU 16a, SPL Madison, Lynx Aurora N 16, or Burl Mothership. If you’re using the transformers on the AD+, you’ll probably dig the Burl. Otherwise, they’re all good. MOTU has the best usb out of all of them. Lynx sounds cleanest but less headroom. Burl and SPL the most vibe. Dangerous has their own unique sound you’re not going to get out of anything but Dangerous but you can get a multichannel converter of similar quality.
The RME PCI-E cards are still the most solid around but if you go Dante, you’ll need the Audinate card. The RME rack mount interfaces aren’t as good but their USB drivers are the only perfectly stable thing ever on USB but only on Windows.
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 5, 2020 4:12:58 GMT -6
Sound preference can be very subjective, do listen yourself to be sure.
Perhaps listen to the UA Air studio classical recording with X, before ruling the 16 out and you might want to add the Apogee symphony Mkii to your list?
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Post by nomatic on Jul 5, 2020 6:15:10 GMT -6
The JCF audio AD-8 is my favorite tracking converter of all time and worth checking out!
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Post by guitfiddler on Jul 5, 2020 13:35:17 GMT -6
I’ve experimented with the Transformer/emphasis knob on the Convert AD+, but it really only impressed me on guitars one day with a touch. I usually leave it off. I’m going through basically a console when I track, I just need solid converters that give me nice conversion and high headroom. JCF is a little out of budget for 8 channels, and I’m not sure I’m looking for a vibey converter. I don’t think I need transformers on my converter. Thank you guys, I appreciated your input. I have read that if you are to get Apogee go with the SE card, but that is only 2X6. Is it really that different between the SE card and the regular cards?
I might hook up my older Apogee16X converters again just to see what happens. But I really like the DM Converts! I wish Dangerous Music made a Convert AD8+ Because I would get that right now!
I want to go with ApolloX16 but it would be cascaded with the MkII series units. Then I’ll want to upgrade again...vicious cycle, I just want to be done with it and get to finishing songs instead of studio configuration work arounds. My Apollo mk2’s are at the point where it bothers me to listen to it. I’m using my aes/ebu outs to a monitor controller. I can’t listen to the Apollo analog monitor outs. I need another AES/EBU input, therefore an Apollo16X to raise the bar and bypass the analog stages. One AES/EBU for my Monitor Controller and one AES/EBU for my Bricastih. I like the workflow of the Apollo’s and the newer Apogee mkII Symphony box seems like a nice option. Just seeing what you guys are recommending. Thanks.
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Post by ragan on Jul 5, 2020 14:06:35 GMT -6
I’ve been really happy with my Symphony MKII. I don’t think about conversion anymore, the MKII sounds right to me and when I want more channels (well, I want more now but I need to graduate and get a job first) I’ll buy another card for it.
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Post by chessparov on Jul 5, 2020 14:21:11 GMT -6
Bad Apollo color? Grasshopper asks. This caught my eye and ear. My main recording resource-a Buddy-uses the Apollo ecosystem.
Thoughts?
Thanks, Chris
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 5, 2020 14:54:15 GMT -6
I think it fair to say Apollo sf were very coloured the mid bass bloom, the bf less so and the X less so again.
To each his own but I haven’t read much criticism of X sonics?
Like Ragan, I really like my Symph mkii but already made the jump the 16.
I do still think of adding mastering converters and am considering the apogee 2x6 se (duh), RME adi-2 FSA pro, lynx: stuff like that.
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Post by Guitar on Jul 5, 2020 15:16:14 GMT -6
I didn't really like the DAC on the silver Apollos. I thought the inputs sounded just fine, on the other hand.
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Post by guitfiddler on Jul 5, 2020 15:18:59 GMT -6
I’ve had all the Apollo’s but the X. I absolutely hated the silverface, complete garbage! It had to be the worst sounding converter I ever heard! I liked the behringer ada8000 better
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 5, 2020 15:19:18 GMT -6
Yeah, I think the Symphony mkii AD Is better than the Apollo X. It’s nothing that is like a deal breaker, but I’ve been thinking about moving to the Dangerous or trying the Burl again. But the idea of slaving this and making this the master blah blah is just kind’ve exhausting.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 5, 2020 15:25:58 GMT -6
Honestly, I just need to stop thinking about it. It’s not my converter that’s holding me back from making great recordings.
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Post by guitfiddler on Jul 5, 2020 15:26:50 GMT -6
Yeah, I think the Symphony mkii AD Is better than the Apollo X. It’s nothing that is like a deal breaker, but I’ve been thinking about moving to the Dangerous or trying the Burl again. But the idea of slaving this and making this the master blah blah is just kind’ve exhausting. 👍🏻 |
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Post by ragan on Jul 5, 2020 15:53:38 GMT -6
That’s one of the things that drew me to the Symphony MKII, just having it all in one box. Expand I/O as needed over the years.
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Post by wiz on Jul 5, 2020 15:56:53 GMT -6
I think the Apollo x8 sounds great...and I owned the Motu 16a.
Different strokes and all..
Cheers
Wiz
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 5, 2020 16:19:28 GMT -6
I do see X’s for sale now and then, but not much criticism of their sonics ?
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Post by stormymondays on Jul 5, 2020 16:23:59 GMT -6
What’s exactly the headroom problem you have? They won’t take hot analog signals?
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Post by stormymondays on Jul 5, 2020 16:36:20 GMT -6
I just looked up specs. The line inputs take +20.2 dBu and the mic inputs +25dBu (padded). That is quite capable I think! Maybe you have a gain staging problem and not a converter problem?
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Post by guitfiddler on Jul 5, 2020 16:49:06 GMT -6
I’m getting a good sound, but I hate the sound of the analog input stage of the Apollo. I have my vocal chain set perfect for the Convert and when I use the analog inputs of the apollo I can’t keep my chain where I like it. When I use the analog inputs of my Apollo, I have to turn everything down considerably to get an acceptable level. The Dangerous can take much more input level and sounds great. The Apollo can’t take much level before I Peak it. Curious if something is wrong with it. I’m coming from Apogee and Lavry and I really liked the way they sounded. I’m not getting a bad sound, but I do want to up my converter quality, and I’m not sure if I want to stay Apollo or go a different direction
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 5, 2020 16:49:28 GMT -6
I think the Apollo x8 sounds great...and I owned the Motu 16a. Different strokes and all.. Cheers Wiz That’s another reason. I’ve done this enough to know that I’d buy something else and realize if there was ANY difference at all, it wasn’t $2500 difference. |
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Post by stormymondays on Jul 5, 2020 17:14:24 GMT -6
I’m getting a good sound, but I hate the sound of the analog input stage of the Apollo. I have my vocal chain set perfect for the Convert and when I use the analog inputs of the apollo I can’t keep my chain where I like it. When I use the analog inputs of my Apollo, I have to turn everything down considerably to get an acceptable level. The Dangerous can take much more input level and sounds great. The Apollo can’t take much level before I Peak it. Curious if something is wrong with it. I’m coming from Apogee and Lavry and I really liked the way they sounded. I’m not getting a bad sound, but I do want to up my converter quality, and I’m not sure if I want to stay Apollo or go a different direction If you are clipping the Apollo with a vocal track something is definitely wrong. What’s the chain? How and where are you measuring your analog levels? Your vocal should come into the Apollo at around 4-7 dBU, plenty of headroom! If you plug into the Convert, does it come in at around -20dBFS (digital level in your DAW)? |
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Post by tkaitkai on Jul 5, 2020 17:18:09 GMT -6
I’m getting a good sound, but I hate the sound of the analog input stage of the Apollo. I have my vocal chain set perfect for the Convert and when I use the analog inputs of the apollo I can’t keep my chain where I like it. When I use the analog inputs of my Apollo, I have to turn everything down considerably to get an acceptable level. The Dangerous can take much more input level and sounds great. The Apollo can’t take much level before I Peak it. Curious if something is wrong with it. I’m coming from Apogee and Lavry and I really liked the way they sounded. I’m not getting a bad sound, but I do want to up my converter quality, and I’m not sure if I want to stay Apollo or go a different direction I had the exact same issue with my silver Apollo Twin. I had to run my outboard at very conservative levels to prevent overs. Not the end of the world, I guess, but getting an Aurora earlier this year solved that. Plus it has a sweeter tone. No experience with the X series, but it’s a little surprising to see some of the same complaints. I thought UA addressed most of those with the MKII Apollos. |
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Post by chessparov on Jul 5, 2020 17:42:30 GMT -6
Honestly, I just need to stop thinking about it. It’s not my converter that’s holding me back from making great recordings. Well there goes another one of my excuses... Chris |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 5, 2020 18:25:03 GMT -6
I’m getting a good sound, but I hate the sound of the analog input stage of the Apollo. I have my vocal chain set perfect for the Convert and when I use the analog inputs of the apollo I can’t keep my chain where I like it. When I use the analog inputs of my Apollo, I have to turn everything down considerably to get an acceptable level. The Dangerous can take much more input level and sounds great. The Apollo can’t take much level before I Peak it. Curious if something is wrong with it. I’m coming from Apogee and Lavry and I really liked the way they sounded. I’m not getting a bad sound, but I do want to up my converter quality, and I’m not sure if I want to stay Apollo or go a different direction I had the exact same issue with my silver Apollo Twin. I had to run my outboard at very conservative levels to prevent overs. Not the end of the world, I guess, but getting an Aurora earlier this year solved that. Plus it has a sweeter tone. No experience with the X series, but it’s a little surprising to see some of the same complaints. I thought UA addressed most of those with the MKII Apollos. It’s not anywhere near the same...but we are talking about an all in one interface compared to a dedicated $2500 AD or DA. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 5, 2020 18:54:39 GMT -6
in this thread alone, we have referenced 3 different Apollo gens, with 3 -4 (if we also include da) different converters and clocks, thought th x16 had like + 24 dB headroom so it could be connected direct to a pro board ?
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