Someone please give me a definitive answer

[fastlane]

slutz,
Before I start my rant I thought I'd let ye know I've spend the last 2 hours searching for a definitive answer to the question below and came up with loads of varied opinions. I'm heading off to spain for a weeks holiday tomorrow and if I can email the list of the gear I want tonight then all my new gear will be here a few days after I get home. Please help me out.

I lost sleep over the last week thinking about it but here is my finalize list.
a gefell um92.1s modded with a telefunken tube,
a neve 1073 dpa
a chandler germanium dual
an ISA 428
a benchmark DAC1
a drawmer 1968
and a host of other mics to add to the collection.
I'll be spending a small futune on getting the acoustics don't right too.

At the moment the I have the RME fireface 800 and wonder if it should be replaced.

So, should I get the apogee AD16 or should I get some more outboard gear??

If I sell the fireface the apogee will cost me 2200 euro, is it worth the investment??

Please guys, help me put this week of absolute joy and hellish dispair to bed so I can forget about it all and enjoy my week in the sun.

[TREMORS]

Originally Posted by fastlane

slutz,
Before I start my rant I thought I'd let ye know I've spend the last 2 hours searching for a definitive answer to the question below and came up with loads of varied opinions.

You get just as many opinions on this thread, my friend.

My two cents is two-fold

First, can you try out the apogee at all?
Maybe taking some more time is worthwhile.
Though, I know how having the $$$ and wanting to get new stuff right away is pretty intoxicating.

I'd go with the outboard stuff you mentioned.
I spent a lot of $ to get my self up and running for my little home studio, and then realized I had crap for mics.
If you dont have any gear that is comparable to what you own, Id definately go with what's on your list.
I think you are going to what the largest variety of options BEFORE it gets the RME. A bigger tonal palette to begin with.
Again, this is pretty dependent on what gear you already own.
Sorry if not much more help.

When in doubt, go with your gut! thumbsup
-Derek

[fastlane]

thanks tremors,

Unfortunately I can't try the apogee out, I can't get my hands on a demo here in Dublin. I was promise a unit 2 or 3 weeks ago but at this stage it's a no go.

I wonder did you mistake me,
the list of gear is the stuff I am definitely getting, but I'm wondering should I get even more outboard gear or the AD16x.

[TREMORS]

Oh, gotcha.
I'd stick with the fireface, and get more outboard.
And enjoy your trip

-Derek

[feyshay]

Sorry to differ with the previous guy. I'd go for better A/D conversion than that Fireface. I'd get a dedicated A/D converter, at least for a couple of channels.
You've made some good choices on gear, I think.

[fastlane]

Originally Posted by TREMORS

Oh, gotcha.
I'd stick with the fireface, and get more outboard.
And enjoy your trip

-Derek

Cheers man, I will do my up most

[Neveboy]

Hey,

I'm in Dublin and have sent you a PM regarding getting an Apogee to try.

Your gear list sounds great but I fear you'll be dissapointed with the RME.

Remember, AD and DA is one of the most critical links in your chain so even with the best mics and outboard going in, bad conversion will do nothing but take your healthy signal and dilute it.

I used to not care so much for conversion and then I started to take note.

Going from Digidesigns 888 24 to the 192 HD has changed my recording ability no end (Ignoring the obvious up in sample rate).

Added to that, I now sync my 192s to an Apogee Big Ben and this has made even more of a difference.

My mixes now sit better than ever.

Snares poke through, top end is smooth and consistent, low frequency sits much better in the foundation and vocals tear through like the 888 24 could never do.

Good mics and pres will help this but good conversion will hammer it home.

Think of your analog signal as a car on a road ! The smoother the road, the better the drive.

I'm not saying that the RME is not that good.

Its good, but thats the point ! Its good........not excellent!!


Conversion is the portal between your analog performance and 1s and 0s sitting on your drive and Apogee has well got the hang of it.

*You do know the Apogee AD16 is just an A/D convertor? You'll need something to come back out again (Ideally the DA169X)) and there is a difference between the AD16 and the AD16X, mainly double the sample rate PLUS ....the AD16X has the Big Ben C777 word clock thrown in for good measure.....literally !!

You mention both in your posts.

I'd go for the Apogee over the RME. Its a great bit of gear, will do you for a good few years and you can be certain that when searching for weak links in your chain, your A/D conversion won't be one of them

[fastlane]

Originally Posted by feyshay

Sorry to differ with the previous guy. I'd go for better A/D conversion than that Fireface. I'd get a dedicated A/D converter, at least for a couple of channels.
You've made some good choices on gear, I think.

thanks feyshay,
I'm 90% there on my decision, looks ike I'll have a new apogee in my rack

[fastlane]

Originally Posted by Neveboy

Hey,

I'm in Dublin and have sent you a PM regarding getting an Apogee to try.

Your gear list sounds great but I fear you'll be dissapointed with the RME.

Remember, AD and DA is one of the most critical links in your chain so even with the best mics and outboard going in, bad conversion will do nothing but take your healthy signal and dilute it.

I used to not care so much for conversion and then I started to take note.

Going from Digidesigns 888 24 to the 192 HD has changed my recording ability no end (Ignoring the obvious up in sample rate).

Added to that, I now sync my 192s to an Apogee Big Ben and this has made even more of a difference.

My mixes now sit better than ever.

Snares poke through, top end is smooth and consistent, low frequency sits much better in the foundation and vocals tear through like the 888 24 could never do.

Good mics and pres will help this but good conversion will hammer it home.

Think of your analog signal as a car on a road ! The smoother the road, the better the drive.

I'm not saying that the RME is not that good.

Its good, but thats the point ! Its good........not excellent!!


Conversion is the portal between your analog performance and 1s and 0s sitting on your drive and Apogee has well got the hang of it.

*You do know the Apogee AD16 is just and A/D convertor? You'll need something to come back out again (Ideally the DA16).

I'd go for the Apogee over the RME. Its a great bit of gear, will do you for a good few years and you can be certain that when searching for weak links in your chain, your A/D conversion won't be one of them

Neveboy,

Thanks a million for that. I'll be in touch.

I do know it only AD.

I have decided.
I'm getting the apogee ad16x, I'll use the fireface as my DA (for the time being) when using outboard gear and I'll use the benchmark DAC1 as my monitoring DA.

Done and dusted.

Off to bed for 3 hours sleep before I get on a plane to spain(hey, that rythms).

Thanks to everyone for all there help over the last few weeks, I'm sure I have made the right choices for my studio, 100% inspired by GearSlutz!!!!

Slan
Steve