[Doc Mixwell]

Yes it would indeed be very nice for making up the gain on passive rail, leading directly to the very pure sounding AD converter on board. This device is not easily explained, Its simply a multi-configurable AMPEX line block along with some unconventional type AD/DA technology. To get the sound of tape, well, you just record to tape. There are no "saturation" features, no illusion that this device adds the effect of the actual magnetic format known as "tape", no, it simply gives you the sound of the machine's repro electronics.

Its a mastering device, with some bonus features for tracking. You can certainly use the mic amps to track to tape! The Latte is not meant to sound like "tape", it is meant to sound like the machine, and since the AMPEX machines of yesteryear were built to have pristine analog electronics, this machine [the latte] employs these pristine electronics for a purity of audio that cannot be matched by any other digital converter on the planet in my experience. This device allows you to turn your computer into a AMPEX 2-track, with awesome mic pres, and I think any of that other stuff [tape] should already be going on in your studio along with a recording console if that's the goal.

This box is for the guys who need to digitally capture their mixes from this beloved analog equipment, without any loss in translation. There are no transformers in the AD converter portion of the unit. The AD offers a Line Input, where you can patch ANY line input source, like a console, or an external mic pre, etc....These inputs are not affected by the 440 line block, only when using the mic amps feeding the AD, will the line block be involved on the way to the computer.

The Latte functions and can be used in several ways, and one way at a time,

Either:

A Stereo Microphone preamplifier using a 440 Block [using 4 step PAD, and volume trim/adjustment] Direct to the AD converter, as well as the analog outputs for analog outboard insert patch when returned to the Line ins. This is using the 440 block on the recording. The DAC will not be functional while in this mode.

OR

A Stereo 440 Repro Card [Play Head Electronics of a tape recorder] with configurable EQ curves for direct insertion of a Head Stack, Direct to AD converter, as well as the analog outputs. [Most of us will never use this device for this task, you have to really know what you are doing] There is no facility to record TO the tape machine in the latte, unless you use the mic amps. You just patch your mics into the preamps which feed the tape machine and you don't need a latte for that.

OR

A Stereo Line Level AD/DA with the 440 Line Block for the DAC amplifier, [using the volume trim] which will give you the sound of the AMPEX repro card for the stereo output of your digital source, which may be master link, or DAW workstation. Your console, or summing system feeds the AD, and the return, is monitored through the AMPEX repro card [For Master Buss AD/DA, stereo tracking and monitoring, all 2-track duties with your computer]