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Post by aremos on Apr 6, 2020 13:09:06 GMT -6
After months of searching & considering a new AD/DA for my other system, I'm 90% close to going with the MH LIO-8. Have never seen such a complete quality system from tracking to monitoring & with every possible routing in it.
Would like to know from users out there how the AD part compares (if possible of course) to the likes of Dangerous, Forssell, Crane Song, Prism, Merging, DAD, etc.?
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Post by the other mark williams on Apr 6, 2020 13:30:55 GMT -6
I use a MH LIO-8, and I've installed all 8 preamps in the unit, as well. It's a fantastic interface. It's been awhile since I directly compared the A/D to any of the companies you mentioned, but really, it sounds seriously great. I'm still rockin' it as a 2D interface, but the 3D upgrade does improve the clock even further. I think donr uses a 3D-upgraded one. Really the only thing I wish were different about it is I wish the round trip latency were lower. For straight audio, this is not a problem because I'm monitoring through the MH mixer. But for softsynths, etc., I wish the latencies could be lower. It's certainly totally workable as-is, I'd just love it to be along the lines of an RME. That would be killer. |
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Post by donr on Apr 6, 2020 13:43:11 GMT -6
I use a MH LIO-8, and I've installed all 8 preamps in the unit, as well. It's a fantastic interface. It's been awhile since I directly compared the A/D to any of the companies you mentioned, but really, it sounds seriously great. I'm still rockin' it as a 2D interface, but the 3D upgrade does improve the clock even further. I think donr uses a 3D-upgraded one. Really the only thing I wish were different about it is I wish the round trip latency were lower. For straight audio, this is not a problem because I'm monitoring through the MH mixer. But for softsynths, etc., I wish the latencies could be lower. It's certainly totally workable as-is, I'd just love it to be along the lines of an RME. That would be killer. Mark, I've got a 3D upgrade kit but haven't installed it yet. I didn't want to mess with new software and hardware going into this record project that's nearing completion now. I've never had a moment's dissatisfaction with Metric Halo conversion and sonics. |
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Post by aremos on Apr 6, 2020 14:03:55 GMT -6
I use a MH LIO-8, and I've installed all 8 preamps in the unit, as well. It's a fantastic interface. It's been awhile since I directly compared the A/D to any of the companies you mentioned, but really, it sounds seriously great. I'm still rockin' it as a 2D interface, but the 3D upgrade does improve the clock even further. I think donr uses a 3D-upgraded one. Really the only thing I wish were different about it is I wish the round trip latency were lower. For straight audio, this is not a problem because I'm monitoring through the MH mixer. But for softsynths, etc., I wish the latencies could be lower. It's certainly totally workable as-is, I'd just love it to be along the lines of an RME. That would be killer. Mark, that was my main concern (aside from sound).
MH told me that the USB was faster than the ethernet & if I monitored via the "onboard mixer" there was 0 latency. Ariel
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Post by plinker on Apr 6, 2020 14:37:57 GMT -6
I've been a Halo user, exclusively, for about 15 years. I have a LIO-8 with 8 preamps installed, and a 3D upgrade -- the upgrade turns my LIO into a ULN8 because it adds the +DSP. 3D is still in pre-release, but the latest (V9) beta soft/firmware is very stable.
Aremos, I'm surprised MH told you the USB was faster. Connecting via ethernet is super reliable and I've not noticed any latency or otherwise. The MH Listserv, that MH reps monitor, recommend ethernet. You should probably confirm your situation again with MH before proceeding.
Regardless, it's a fantastic interface and really great if you're a technical person.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2020 15:33:22 GMT -6
Metric Halo is great. They have the best interface pres along with Apogee and are super clean without being annoying like Lynx is. They just need to update Channel Strip and write some Windows drivers.
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Post by plinker on Apr 6, 2020 15:49:53 GMT -6
I meant to add that with MH +DSP you can easily DIY Sonarworks EQ treatment for your mix position. Just run RoomEQWizard www.roomeqwizard.com/ then slap a MIO 12 Band EQ (part of +DSP) on the main bus and adjust so that you compensate for the peaks/valleys that RoomEQWizard shows you. You can flatten your mix position pretty quickly that way. I just bought a new pair of monitors and will be doing this later this week. The +DSP package comes with and 3D unit and it super handy/versatile. Want to do some M/S processing? It's in there! |
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Post by aremos on Apr 6, 2020 15:53:49 GMT -6
I've been a Halo user, exclusively, for about 15 years. I have a LIO-8 with 8 preamps installed, and a 3D upgrade -- the upgrade turns my LIO into a ULN8 because it adds the +DSP. 3D is still in pre-release, but the latest (V9) beta soft/firmware is very stable. Aremos, I'm surprised MH told you the USB was faster. Connecting via ethernet is super reliable and I've not noticed any latency or otherwise. The MH Listserv, that MH reps monitor, recommend ethernet. You should probably confirm your situation again with MH before proceeding. Regardless, it's a fantastic interface and really great if you're a technical person. Thanks Plinker. Yes, just yesterday they told me that: 1) monitoring through the unit's software would have no latency & 2) if via hardware, the USB would be slightly better than the ethernet
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Post by plinker on Apr 6, 2020 16:07:12 GMT -6
OK, but how does one monitor through software?? Ultimately, it's got to go through the hardware to be heard.
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Post by the other mark williams on Apr 6, 2020 16:08:52 GMT -6
I've been a Halo user, exclusively, for about 15 years. I have a LIO-8 with 8 preamps installed, and a 3D upgrade -- the upgrade turns my LIO into a ULN8 because it adds the +DSP. 3D is still in pre-release, but the latest (V9) beta soft/firmware is very stable. Aremos, I'm surprised MH told you the USB was faster. Connecting via ethernet is super reliable and I've not noticed any latency or otherwise. The MH Listserv, that MH reps monitor, recommend ethernet. You should probably confirm your situation again with MH before proceeding. Regardless, it's a fantastic interface and really great if you're a technical person. I'm with you on the longevity, plinker. I think I got a 2882 back in 2004, maybe? Then a ULN-2. Then sold both of those and got an LIO-8. And yes, I remember a few posts over the past several months on the Listserv where BJ said the USB driver would provide slightly lower latency. If I'm not mistaken, though, using ethernet allows one to use many more inputs via MHLink. aremos: There's been some talk of improving the RTL over ethernet, but I'm not sure if that's confirmed. There's also been some talk of possibly using the EdgeBus to provide faster throughput to one's computer. I've been hoping that might include Thunderbolt in the future, but definitely none of that has been confirmed, nor would I expect BJ to confirm it. If lowest possible latency is required (and again, it's not like it's unplayable as-is or something - it really is generally fine), then it's certainly possible to use an RME or Lynx AES PCIe card in one's computer and connect that way. Also, one of the "killer apps" for MH in my book is how stellar the customer service is. Those guys are just incredible. Best customer service I've received with any product in any industry. |
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Post by the other mark williams on Apr 6, 2020 16:10:04 GMT -6
OK, but how does one monitor through software?? Ultimately, it's got to go through the hardware to be heard. I think he just means monitoring through the MIO mixer vs. monitoring in the host DAW. |
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Post by aremos on Apr 6, 2020 16:14:54 GMT -6
OK, but how does one monitor through software?? Ultimately, it's got to go through the hardware to be heard. I think he just means monitoring through the MIO mixer vs. monitoring in the host DAW. Correct |
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Post by sirthought on Apr 7, 2020 7:32:50 GMT -6
swafford has ULN 8 and 2 Metric Halo units in his studio and uses Ethernet. Another buddy uses LIO with Firewire, I believe. A mastering engineer we were all friends with was a beta tester for them. He thought the conversion was grade A and felt what they were doing was the center of his operation. I use Apollo but have often thought if I wasn't so invested in that I'd use MH in a heartbeat.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Apr 7, 2020 10:01:38 GMT -6
I use the LIO-8 at home. Not gonna lie - it can be a bit glitchy, requiring restarts frequently. The software looks pretty antiquated.
Nevertheless, it does sound good and does everything I need.
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Post by nomatic on Apr 7, 2020 10:02:33 GMT -6
The Metric Halo Stuff is really damn close to all but the most esoteric convertors and with its future proof ethos it is a no brainer!
My Original ULN-8 has been in service for like 10 years and with the 3D upgrade it is on par with my prism..(Apples and Oranges)
This being said nothing can beat my JCF stuff but that is very spendy!
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Post by aremos on Apr 7, 2020 11:57:02 GMT -6
What is it about the JCF converters? Is it a "color" thing like Burls? Or a way to sound like "tape" as in the Radars?
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rpc
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Post by rpc on Apr 7, 2020 12:08:16 GMT -6
I own two ULN8s and a ULN-2. The ULN-8 converters need bow to no one; the integrity of the bass in particular is outstanding. (This assumes you want a neutral sound!)
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Post by plinker on Apr 7, 2020 13:21:32 GMT -6
I use the LIO-8 at home. Not gonna lie - it can be a bit glitchy, requiring restarts frequently. The software looks pretty antiquated. Nevertheless, it does sound good and does everything I need.
Sounds like you are still on 2D, Dan. If so, I highly recommend the 3D upgrade!
I've been running mine with my hachintosh and have zero problems. In fact, my 2D 2882 was glitchier (is that a word??) than my 3D LIO.
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Post by nomatic on Apr 7, 2020 14:14:39 GMT -6
What is it about the JCF converters? Is it a "color" thing like Burls? Or a way to sound like "tape" as in the Radars? There is simply no digital artifice and they sound very analogue and broad. |
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Post by nomatic on Apr 7, 2020 14:16:05 GMT -6
My 3D system has been quite stable......
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Post by swafford on Apr 7, 2020 14:47:26 GMT -6
PB9 has been rock solid for me.
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Post by nomatic on Apr 7, 2020 17:29:58 GMT -6
The Ethernet is damn low latency so thats not an issue....
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Apr 7, 2020 17:39:12 GMT -6
Can’t go wrong with MH ! They all sound good and are among the most stable !
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Post by donr on Apr 8, 2020 0:05:51 GMT -6
Dan, what do you have to restart with your LIO? Your DAW? I've never had the MIO Console app crash in over 10 years. I leave my ULN-8 on all the time. That and my monitors. Everything else in my studio I cycle.
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Post by swafford on Apr 8, 2020 5:52:54 GMT -6
Ethernet connectivity and seamless box aggregation...everything is so much easier now.
Firewire...ugh.
I leave my Mac mini, ULN8/LIO and ULN2 pretty much on 24/7 unless I'm leaving for more then a few days. Everything else I cycle. The only restart issues I've had are the rare occasion when the boxes don't seem to see each other and toggling them on and off seems to fix that. Very rarely, I find a computer reboot necessary because something is not making sense.
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