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Post by jaba on Mar 30, 2023 12:48:11 GMT -6
I've been doing more mixing and tracking since the pandemic so figured it's time to consider some new gear and think I might go the 500 route. Although I most often track at a well equipped studio, I mix at home (and track remotely) through an RME UFX (1st gen). Although I don't necessarily need the extra inputs, I'm considering the Cranborne 500ADAT if its benefits make the extra cost worth it.
A few questions on the 500ADAT:
- Main question: how's the conversion quality on the Cranborne? I'll be leaning a bit more into hybrid mixing so hoping it's better than the RME which is fine but not the highest of ends.
- Can I insert my RMS 755 compressor into two EQ channels on the Cranborne and use that combo as an insert on my 2-buss in Cubase (via ADAT)?
- If I end up with a matched pair of comps, can I quickly link the two in the 500ADAT? When mixing I'd like the option to either use them individually or in stereo across a buss without digging around the back in/outs too much.
- If I have a module's XLR output patched into another's XLR input, can I simply switch from using each separately as DAW inserts (via each module's ADAT in/outs), to switching one module's input to its XLR creating a two-module chain (ADAT In - module 1. ADAT Out - module 2)? Hope that makes sense...
Thanks
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Apr 2, 2023 9:21:00 GMT -6
I've been doing more mixing and tracking since the pandemic so figured it's time to consider some new gear and think I might go the 500 route. Although I most often track at a well equipped studio, I mix at home (and track remotely) through an RME UFX (1st gen). Although I don't necessarily need the extra inputs, I'm considering the Cranborne 500ADAT if its benefits make the extra cost worth it. A few questions on the 500ADAT: - Main question: how's the conversion quality on the Cranborne? I'll be leaning a bit more into hybrid mixing so hoping it's better than the RME which is fine but not the highest of ends. - Can I insert my RMS 755 compressor into two EQ channels on the Cranborne and use that combo as an insert on my 2-buss in Cubase (via ADAT)? - If I end up with a matched pair of comps, can I quickly link the two in the 500ADAT? When mixing I'd like the option to either use them individually or in stereo across a buss without digging around the back in/outs too much. - If I have a module's XLR output patched into another's XLR input, can I simply switch from using each separately as DAW inserts (via each module's ADAT in/outs), to switching one module's input to its XLR creating a two-module chain (ADAT In - module 1. ADAT Out - module 2)? Hope that makes sense... Thanks I'm a big fan of the 500ADAT, here are my best answers to these questions. 1) I'm not sure how one even measures which conversion is better. The specs are great on all of these. To me the conversion on the 500ADAT sounds really good but it's hard to say because there are a lot of other pieces of the chain that could be making me feel that way. I also like the conversion in my 828ES. It's all so subjective (cork sniffing as Shadow calls it). The RME has a great reputation so I'm not sure it would be an upgrade from that but I am pretty sure it doesn't matter at all once you're in that territory. RME is good. Cranborne is also good. 2) Yes. That's exactly how it works. Caveat, you can't use the inserts as inputs not matter what jack tricks you might try. This isn't what you're saying but I just want to point that out. So the signal would have to hit your EQ first. 3) No. This is the one feature that is lacking that you would want. There is no built in stereo pairing. Not a big deal for me since the only stereo comp I use is actually a stereo comp. 4) Yes, and it's actually even easier than that. First, if the modules are adjacent to each other you can just flip the "chain" switch and it will pass the analog signal down the line. Second, the ADAT out is always active. Not what you're asking about but it's an interesting feature with interesting use cases. So you can chain modules but still have backup takes very easily accessible if you got a bit over your skis. I don't do this often but occasionally I'll experiment with a really creative setting on the RND 535 and decide to record a safety track from the module that feeds it. I'm not a fan of safety nets in general but if you ever need one, it's just a matter of arming the track in the DAW. Overall take. If this was just a 500 unit with high voltage, killer headphone amps, Aux mixing, and summing it would be worth it. Throw in the ADAT capabilities and it's just incredible. Only real downside to the unit is the limitation of ADAT itself as a format as some others have pointed out. These don't bother me at all. If they don't bother you, this is a great buy. |
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Post by jaba on Apr 2, 2023 12:47:44 GMT -6
Thanks for this.
I'm most often prefer EQ after compression on the mixbuss but the EQ is not doing anything Herculean there so it'd likely be fine.
The chain feature definitely looks like it could open up some nice options for running tracks through.
ADAT isn't a deal breaker for me. Seems the biggest complaint is limitations at higher sample rates but I'm usually dealing with tracks at 44.1 or 48 and if not, the UFX has two ADAT in/outs so I can still do 8 channels at 96 if it came to it.
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Apr 2, 2023 13:45:50 GMT -6
Thanks for this. I'm most often prefer EQ after compression on the mixbuss but the EQ is not doing anything Herculean there so it'd likely be fine. The chain feature definitely looks like it could open up some nice options for running tracks through. ADAT isn't a deal breaker for me. Seems the biggest complaint is limitations at higher sample rates but I'm usually dealing with tracks at 44.1 or 48 and if not, the UFX has two ADAT in/outs so I can still do 8 channels at 96 if it came to it. You could still run the compressor first just by using analog inputs. I run a patchbay into all the inputs anyway so I can use it as extra I/O by bypassing whatever module. Same for outputs if I want a 500 module first then other outboard second before conversion. |
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Post by jaba on Apr 2, 2023 14:53:57 GMT -6
Good point.
Though if I understand correctly I'd then have feed the compressor from another set of converter outputs. It wouldn't be quite as slick as having it in the ADAT500 modules' inserts but still doable.
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Post by paulnajar on Apr 2, 2023 15:25:39 GMT -6
Regarding #1 yes insert your comps but be aware that the insert IO is unbalanced so returns at +18 not +24
#2 The 500 module link bridge is at the back inside of the chassis so you would need to remove module/s to access it.
#3 the chain switch is your friend here. no need for physical patching. Turning on the chain switch does what you’re looking for - sends output of one module to input of adjacent module - send from DAW to adat on one, return on adat to DAW from the next. You can chain slot 1 to the next 7 slots if you want.
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