Onyx 1220 and FF400

[Tom Hakala]

this might me a stupid question but how to connect 1220 to my FF400 if i only want to use 1220's preamps?

I need 4 more preamps and right now the onyx sounds like the best bang for the buck.

Better ideas?

[YUGA]

you can use channel inserts as direct outs. if you also want to use eqs, use main out and alt out and pan each channel hard left and right.

[Tom Hakala]

or should I get the quadmic, it's 150€ less. And A LOT smaller. I just need 2-4 pres (4 preferred) asap.. I was thinking about the Sytek first, but because I love API and I'm definitely buying 3124+ next year, but I can't afford it right now.

[Coyoteous]

Originally Posted by Tom Hakala

this might me a stupid question but how to connect 1220 to my FF400 if i only want to use 1220's preamps?

I need 4 more preamps and right now the onyx sounds like the best bang for the buck.

Better ideas?

- not stupid at all. There are at least 3 ways:

1) insert send out to FF line in - you can do this with a TS cord inserted half way into the 1220 insert, it will also send to the mix buss, unless you push it all the way in. This will be pre-fade, pre-EQ and post filter on an unmodded board.

2) direct out to FF line in - you will need a DB25 break out cable to do this and on the 1220, you only use 4 of the 8 cable channels. This signal is pre-filter on an unmodded board.

3) if you don't mind going through more of the mixer circuitry, you can take (for example) the 1 & 2 inputs to the main buss and the 3 & 4 inputs to the ALT 3 & 4 outs (muted) or the 3 & 4 inputs to AUX 1 & 2, respectively - outs to FF line in. These signals can be post EQ/post fader on an unmodded board.

I usually do option one. It's kind of big for 4 pre's, but I use it for direct montoring, as well. The pre's are decent, too. You could also just get 2 DMP3's (or better, for more money), if you don't need the mixer.

[Coyoteous]

Originally Posted by Tom Hakala

or should I get the quadmic, it's 150€ less. And A LOT smaller. I just need 2-4 pres (4 preferred) asap.. I was thinking about the Sytek first, but because I love API and I'm definitely buying 3124+ next year, but I can't afford it right now.

I think the QuadMic is more than the 1220 in the US. That would be a cool compact set up with the 400 and I guess the pre's would be similar, if not the same as the 400. I have an ADI-2 that is indispensible here. I like their half rack boxes.

re: API - check out the Seventh Circle pre's, too (especially if you can build kits).

[Tom Hakala]

Originally Posted by Coyoteous

I think the QuadMic is more than the 1220 in the US. That would be a cool compact set up with the 400 and I guess the pre's would be similar, if not the same as the 400. I have an ADI-2 that is indispensible here. I like their half rack boxes.

re: API - check out the Seventh Circle pre's, too (especially if you can build kits).

Onyx is 499€ and Quadmic is 360€.

Or should I just get the Sytek?

This is the endless thing about preamps... yes I know there's already a lot of threads about the subject, but none of considering MY preamps

[Coyoteous]

Originally Posted by Tom Hakala

Onyx is 499€ and Quadmic is 360€.

Or should I just get the Sytek?

This is the endless thing about preamps... yes I know there's already a lot of threads about the subject, but none of considering MY preamps

Au contraire! This one is all about YOUR preamps.

What are you recording with what mics? Do you want more channels like the 2 in the 400?

Here the 1220 is $529 and the QuadMic is $549. I almost went for the RME QM after I got the ADI-2, but I got the 1220 with a free firewire card (which I don't use all that much, but it was free!). If you have any need for a small mixer, the 1220 is great.

In your shoes, I'd probably get the QuadMic and later an ADI-2 (which has slightly better conversion than the 400 - it's like the 800). That would be a lot of power in 3 little boxes. But that's me superimposing my needs and wants on your situation.

The Sytek has a pretty good reputation, especially the one with the 2 different flavors of channels. Now to make things more crazy, you might want to consider and 8 pre lightpipe box: Onyx, Presonus, RME, etc.

- or for less than $1000, you could get 4 Seventh Circle C84's in kit form with the chassis and PS and add API-style or other channels later.

If you want to stay non-rackmount the QuadMic is a good way to go at that price - or if you want to rack it with the 400, but RME pre's are considered to be kind of lacking in character (character starts at about $300/channel and up - and it goes way up!).

How's that for circles within circles?

It would be like me getting the Quad for about $200 less than the US price when compared to you having to pay more for the 1220 (sort of) - which I'd be all over a QM for $350, or so. (this part may only ever make sense to me!)

- and still, there's 2 X M-Audio DMP3's... (what do they go for there?)

[Tom Hakala]

Thanks for your input!

I'm recording anything from hardcore metal band to a singer songwriters...

mics that's i'm using:

sm57, sm58, AT4040, MD421, SM7, MXL 603 (omni)... and I'm probably getting more of those A40XX series mics (probably 4047).

I have been thinking a lot about preamps lately... RNP has been on my list, DAV has been there, lately I've been thinking bout the Sytek... I'm doing a shoot out between RNP and RME pretty soon. It will definitely give me an idea... of course the problem here is that I don't have onyx, sytek or dav around here to try it out myself.