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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 24, 2013 17:48:41 GMT -6
I've got a friend that is wanting to record drums, so he's gonna sell his Quartet to get more channels. He doesn't want to break the bank - but some of this could end up on records. I would think a 16 channel interface would be good. Also needs mic pres. Don't think he wants to spend $4K on a symphony and then another $4K on pres....
Could he add more channels to the Quartet via ADAT or something? The Apollo 16 doesn't have pres...neither does the Orion. I'm not familiar with the Motu or Metric Halo stuff...Any advise?
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 24, 2013 17:57:48 GMT -6
After looking at the Quartet, the optical will allow 8 more digital inputs...Are there any 500 series chassis' that have a digital output? Love to load him up with 8 VP28's for drum tracking.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2013 18:20:25 GMT -6
Personally if you're not looking to spend big money I'd daisy chain some presonus boxes.
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 24, 2013 18:59:00 GMT -6
Yeah - saw the Focusrite OctoPre...looks like it might be a good option...
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Post by popmann on Oct 24, 2013 21:44:24 GMT -6
There are Rosetta800s for $1k used all over. Since the Quartet does SMUX, that gives him solid 12 inputs at 96khz. Spend the rest on preamps. Whatever's around and used and cheap(relatively)....seems like I saw an 8 ch Millenia for sub $3k lately-maybe on the purple site? Good is good. While I love API on drums...you know...grand scheme....good is good.
...another way to go is a Mackie 1640i. The Onyx preamps are going to be on par or better than most of the interface fare....and analog cue isn't trivial for drums or full band--PLUS, EQ, inserts....bussing...lots of flexibility for cutting a full band or kit--goes to 96k. 16x16.
The ultra cheap way to go....I'd probably get the ART TUbeOpto8. Locks you to sub 48khz...but, for drums, I'd prefer a little ability to saturate--and ART has made some surprisingly good A/D in the past. I've not used the actual 8 ch unit...but, contrary to some belief--their little "toob" preamps usually waste interface fare until you get into nicer end of things. At $400? Put the overheads through the Quartet....set it to 48khz and rock.
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 24, 2013 22:26:35 GMT -6
Jk, if your bud needs no more than 10 ins with 4 burr brown pre's built in, It will be damn near impossible to beat this... I just listed my Black lion Audio digi 002 w/FM clock on ebay, it's one of the best converters i've heard, smooth, depth-full, focused image, sounds ridiculously articulate, but in a totally natural way. I know a lot of guys who haven't heard it, will go right to flaming me for saying this, but you'll just be proving the depths of your ignorance lol. The ONLY reason i'm selling it is, i have a 50 channel console i'm finishing up, that needs an appropriate amount of ins/outs, in the 32 and up range, that is going to cost big $ The 2 conversion options i'm looking at now are the Antelope orion 32(word on the street, is some very capable hands are working on a multifaceted upgrade, it could turn the orion into an absolute crusher!), and the symphony, they both sound pretty darn good, the symphony slightly the better of the 2, but IMV, neither one of these sound as good as my BLA signature/ FM clock mod digi 002, yeah i said it  BTW, i offered it on ebay with a 24 hour return option, because i KNOW who ever plugs it in, is going to be stunned at the Quality of the sound. Here's the listing if you want to know a little more. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261311798048 |
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Post by timmyboy on Oct 25, 2013 7:32:14 GMT -6
Yeah - saw the Focusrite OctoPre...looks like it might be a good option... I have one of these, but to be honest - it's pretty much the same quality as an m-audio profire 2626. The profire however, has 8 outputs as well as 8 pres, FireWire, and 2x ADAT inputs AND Outputs. The routing is excellent, but I would suggest the Black Lion Audio mod to get it sounding real nice. 2 modded profires linked with ADAT will give you 16 pres, 16 outputs, 4 headphone amps, all running at 96khz. Pretty exceptional for the price. Combine that with a 51x rack full of CAPI pres , and it's a pretty sweet sounding drum rig for a remarkably low price |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 25, 2013 8:09:27 GMT -6
There are Rosetta800s for $1k used all over. Since the Quartet does SMUX, that gives him solid 12 inputs at 96khz. Spend the rest on preamps. Whatever's around and used and cheap(relatively)....seems like I saw an 8 ch Millenia for sub $3k lately-maybe on the purple site? Good is good. While I love API on drums...you know...grand scheme....good is good. I think this move would be boss. The Quartet with the Rosetta800 looks like a great setup. I know a lot of guys don't seem to like the Millennia pres because they're "sterile". Screw that, these pres are clean and detailed. I think these sound great on drums and acoustic sources. |
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Post by svart on Oct 25, 2013 8:58:56 GMT -6
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 25, 2013 9:11:35 GMT -6
I see your point, that the Rosetta conversion is gonna be better...but I'm just not sure he wants to drop that much. He's a big rock artist that isn't really a gearhead at all. I've dragged him in kicking and screaming because he wanted to build his own little recording room for demos and non-crucial stuff. So, it has kind of been tough suggesting stuff to him. I tried to initially get him to invest in a Symphony and a lunchbox...but I could tell his eyes just glazed over when I started explaining ADDA's, mic pres, headphone cue systems, etc. - oh, and how much it was gonna cost. So, we ended up with and iMac, Quartet and A7x's...I guess I'm just trying to keep it as simple as possible.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 25, 2013 9:19:11 GMT -6
Simple = Midas VeniceF32
I've got one of these and it's a simple solution. 32 channels of i/o through a console. Mic pres, eq, auxes for cues, all for little money. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 25, 2013 9:23:55 GMT -6
I see your point, that the Rosetta conversion is gonna be better...but I'm just not sure he wants to drop that much. He's a big rock artist that isn't really a gearhead at all. I've dragged him in kicking and screaming because he wanted to build his own little recording room for demos and non-crucial stuff. So, it has kind of been tough suggesting stuff to him. I tried to initially get him to invest in a Symphony and a lunchbox...but I could tell his eyes just glazed over when I started explaining ADDA's, mic pres, headphone cue systems, etc. - oh, and how much it was gonna cost. So, we ended up with and iMac, Quartet and A7x's...I guess I'm just trying to keep it as simple as possible. Big rock artist, eyes glazed over?...tell kid rock i said Hi  I'm telling you, BLA digi 002 broman, ask danderloo what he thinks of that rig. |
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Post by scumbum on Oct 25, 2013 10:43:38 GMT -6
My vote is for the BLA Modded 002 or the Mackie 1640i . The Mackie would be one purchase and it has everything .
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Post by popmann on Oct 25, 2013 12:27:52 GMT -6
Why is "not a gear head" bothering? There are plenty of studios--big and small in this town. That absolutely tells me go with the Mackie. It can double as a live mixer. He can record gigs with it. One box...one plug to the computer. If he's using a Mac, I'd almost bet it's simply class compliant (but check that out) CoreAudio...there's no need to learn much about monitoring--turn off all software monitoring, and the cue mix is right there on the board-no need to manage control panel mixers along side the software mixer...
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 25, 2013 14:12:18 GMT -6
I think that's kind of where he finds himself...why am I even bothering with this when there are a hundred studios in town and this is a pita to figure out. But why do ANY of us do this? He's got a farm and has guys come in to write. He doesn't want to spend $100k like every other knucklehead with a hit - just enough to get the job done. Therein lies the issue...it's never as cheap and as easy as it seems, right?
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 25, 2013 14:18:56 GMT -6
BTW - the Mackie and BLA002 are both FW...There aren't any FW ports on the iMac...is an adapter asking for trouble?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Oct 25, 2013 14:22:05 GMT -6
I wish I could start with a hit!
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Post by scumbum on Oct 25, 2013 15:48:03 GMT -6
BTW - the Mackie and BLA002 are both FW...There aren't any FW ports on the iMac...is an adapter asking for trouble? Hey John , I just checked out the Apogee Quartet and it has an ADAT input . He should keep the Quartet for sure , that thing is bad ass , and just pick up an 8 channel ADAT device . That will give him 12 channels . Theres the Ross Martin 8 channel ADAT converter that he could hook up to his Quartet and he'd be set . |
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Post by scumbum on Oct 25, 2013 15:53:00 GMT -6
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 25, 2013 19:58:54 GMT -6
BTW - the Mackie and BLA002 are both FW...There aren't any FW ports on the iMac...is an adapter asking for trouble? There is no firewire 800 on an iMac? i use firewire 800 to 400 cable, perfect operation. |
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Post by popmann on Oct 25, 2013 20:17:25 GMT -6
A Thunderbolt port can host Firewire. It's not really "adapted"....Thunderbolt is like PCIe externally--it's intended to host all external connections on one. The TB to FW dongle is just underutilizing the TB port's capability and intention. It's literally meant to be a docking port---I know, that's new for Macs  ....but, seriously--go look at the hubs that carry dual DVI, 4 Firewire. and 10 USB ports off a single TB connection....that's what it's for. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2013 19:12:31 GMT -6
I presently use a TB-FW adaptor for my audio interface with no issues.
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Post by popmann on Oct 26, 2013 21:30:28 GMT -6
BTW - the Mackie and BLA002 are both FW...There aren't any FW ports on the iMac...is an adapter asking for trouble? There is no firewire 800 on an iMac? i use firewire 800 to 400 cable, perfect operation. Apple dropped FW a couple years ago. They've done a really bad job of explaining thunderbolt. It's not a direct replacement. It's access to the PCIe bus--see above about how it's like a dock. |
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Oct 31, 2013 7:35:19 GMT -6
I know few like to pony up the cash, myself included, but it's been my experience that it always costs me more in the long run if I don't get what I want right from the start. I'll end up losing some money selling what I didn't like and buying what I started to buy in the first place.
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Post by svart on Oct 31, 2013 8:19:21 GMT -6
I know few like to pony up the cash, myself included, but it's been my experience that it always costs me more in the long run if I don't get what I want right from the start. I'll end up losing some money selling what I didn't like and buying what I started to buy in the first place. I keep saying this but nobody listens. |
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....but, seriously--go look at the hubs that carry dual DVI, 4 Firewire. and 10 USB ports off a single TB connection....that's what it's for.