Question for Cranesong HEDD users

[stenerlov]

Hi,

I´m planning to get a Hedd192 and would like to know if the following is possible:

Send a digital (AES) signal into the hedd, convert to analog -> outboard analog compressor -> back into HEDD -> Digital AES out from HEDD.

In other words, can it be used as a external effects loop?

Best,
Carl-Johan

[jho]

Yep

[leaper]

Yes!
Nothing more to add, i guess! Unless you have further questions?

[Sui_City]

yup.

[stenerlov]

Lovely!

Would the above be possible with an UA 2192 as well? (haven´t decided wich one to get yet)

Best,
Carl-Johan

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by stenerlov

I´m planning to get a Hedd192 and would like to know if the following is possible:

Send a digital (AES) signal into the hedd, convert to analog -> outboard analog compressor -> back into HEDD -> Digital AES out from HEDD.

Yep... and if I remember correctly you can even change sample rates in the process... so if you come out of your machine at 96k go through an analog 2 buss compressor [as an example] and then go to a recording device set to a 44.1k all should be good.

[tritone]

UA 2192 has inputs and outputs for AES, spdif, ADAT, analog, and wordclock.

The DAC/analog outputs can be driven from three possible sources: AES/spdif, ADAT ins, or the ADC/analog input signal. Selected by a rotary switch.

The digital outputs can be chosen from three possible sources: AES/spdif ins, ADAT ins, or the ADC/analog input signal. Selected by a rotary switch.

AES and spdif are "ganged" in a way - a pushbutton chooses between these alternately, and the one choice made is then active at the AES/spdif position of both rotary dials.

You can readily then input a digital signal - AES or spdif, or ADAT - from your DAW, send it from the analog outs to be processed in that domain, return it to the 2192 analog inputs and route it digitally back into your DAW, to another digital recorder, etc. I use the 2192 as part of a mix buss chain this way.

Rob C

[stenerlov]

Thanks for answering anyone!

Now... wich one should I choose...
I feel that the more "analog" sound I hear the 2192 have is what I´m looking for - but I´m also interested in the pentode/triode/tape fx of the HEDD for use on final mixes...

This is just to hard...

Anyone?

Best,
Carl-Johan

[stenerlov]

I should add that my currenct AD/DA is the Lynx TWO A card wich to my ears sounds good but kind of flat and lacks depth.

I hope a 2192 or HEDD will make a significant difference to my setup.

Best,
Carl-Johan

[allencollins]

both great units. I a/bed them for several weeks
I went with the the UA.

The hedd processing is switchable which I liked better. But the UA
just stacked better. Though if you don't want the color 100% of the time
get the hedd unit.

Functionality - Hedd
Sound - UA

but you couldn't go wrong with either

[leaper]

I have the hedd and haven't bothered with an A/B test like Allen did.
That's because the hedd blew me away! got it on trial and just couldn't let it go. I guess that they are both great units. It's just that i discovered the Hedd first.

I use the hedd for mastering and as the final AD in mixing..The added processing stuff is VERY useful for these applications...

i've never tried stacking up tracks during recording but gut feeling tells me that it would relatively easy to learn just how much processing you need to apply.. (sometimes maybe none...)?
which would require superhuman discipline to do because the processing sounds SO GOOD.

[leaper]

You know, it probably won't matter which you get.. you'll just adapt your work methods accordingly and be really pleased with either.

[ripper]

Love my HEDD.. wish i didn't so i could sell it and buy something more glamorous.

What i really like about it is the fact you can dial in a sound and commit to it while tracking or mixing (have never wanted to undo anything i've used it on).

i own a great ranny balanced 24 track ATR and an ampex 102 1/2 inch w/ extended response heads and i don't find that the HEDD really emulates them

but it's processing sounds great... i just don't hear it as "tape"... maybe because it ADDS rather than ADdS and SUBTRACTS elements (in other words, it doesn't really do subtraction of peaks, tape compression that is, or that rounding thang ATR's are good at)
but it does make things very nice, 3D and warm for digital.

BUT THE REAL THING IS: turn off the processing and listen to the converors, A/D and D/A... very smooth, very natural and detailed...
they make my apogees sound broken and the DA is way closer in sound to my myteks than the apogees (don't have mytek AD so sadly can't compare the two)

anyways, it's some serious plumage!!!!!!!!

[perky b]

Hey there- I am the guy you bought the Pendulum Q2 from- the Hedd is a great box- the one thing no one seems to discuss here is that last year at Tape Op I met up with a great guy from Cranesong and bought a brand new converter chip which Dave Hill apparently had just come out with- I ultimately had to send them the unit to get the settings to work correctly- but it is a beautiful-sounding box-

I am not sure if it even goes up to 192 yet- there had been a problem with it for that- but at 24/96 and below it is a really useful, musical box. Get one.

[alexkemp]

Love my HEDD!! I use it to track and to insert analog gear on the stereo buss of my ITB mixes. A little goes a long way as far as the DSP processing goes, and I usually leave the first one alone (triode, I think).

My sense of it is that the analog part of the signal chain is really spectacular, which means great sound gets to the convertors... I'm really happy with the investment.