Dangerous D-box

[Unknown soldier]

This piece is now shipping - just heard of it. Looks like the answer for a high quality mixer with D/A converter, monitor and phones. Anything else on the market like this?

[A27Hull]

well, I started practically the same thread yesterday in "so much gear..."

a few views but no takers so far.

maybe one will get someones attention.

[Stiff]

Well, since it just started shipping I don't think you'll get many takers just yet. From the specs it at least looks good...

[A27Hull]

yeah, its almost exactly waht I need.

the only downside for me is AES inputs

I use PT LE...

[Unknown soldier]

Originally Posted by A27Hull

yeah, its almost exactly waht I need.

the only downside for me is AES inputs

I use PT LE...

it will take Spdif, per the manual. You just need an adapter...

[A27Hull]

could you suggest a high quality brand?

[ep1c0ne]

Guys, I'm considering getting one of these for summing. I have a MOTU interface and have never had a reason to work with SPDIF. What is the work flow like? Would I route MOTO SPDIF out > DBox SPDIF in > DBox SPDIF out > MOTU SPDIF in? Also, how do you use SPDIF channels with Logic?

[nst7]

Assuming your MOTU has enough i/o, you would route all your tracks into the various analog outs (Dangerous recommends splitting them up somewhat evenly) that would go into the Dbox analog ins, for summing. Then you take the DBox "sum output" to 2 analog line ins on your MOTU. Create a new stereo track in the session with the input set to those 2 analog in that are receiving the sum output, record enable that to record your summed mixdown. The outputs of that track would be set to spidf or AES (depending on what you have). The spidf or AES output of your MOTU would go to the Dbox spidf or AES input, allowing you to monitor through the DBox d/a converter and control volume, speaker switching, etc.

Note: If you're using spidf from your MOTU, you will need a spidf to AES adapter cable to go into the Dbox. You can get these from redco.com.

[ep1c0ne]

Well I have an ultralite. I'm still confused about the spdif / aes thing. I understand about how to route analog, but I would like to take advantage of just the dangerous A/D conversion, regular analog cables are still required for this? I'm using Logic and do not see any SPDIF inputs / outputs as an option.

[DrewManchu]

I know it looks like the go-to unit for summing. But I have a hard time justifiying the purchase when, pound for pound, my Central Station has more routing options, ie; cue mixing for headphones in the Live Room. It's really kinda ridiculous to think PreSonus has the best thing on the market to fulfill this particular need.

[ep1c0ne]

Well I don't really care about the routing options at all. I just care about an option for analog summing. As far as I can tell the Presonus Central Station does not offer analog summing.

[climber]

nope - no summing in the CS, but it's a great monitor controller

[ep1c0ne]

So the Ultralite has a SPDIF in / out. Am I correct that the SPDIF in / out are both stereo, not multi channel? In that case would I only be able to take advantage of the DBox conversion on it's output being sent back back into the Ultralite and not from multi channels to the DBox?

Is anyone using SPDIF with Logic? are those in / outs the last one's that show up in Logic's I/O options?

[SonicLegacy]

Originally Posted by DrewManchu

I know it looks like the go-to unit for summing. But I have a hard time justifiying the purchase when, pound for pound, my Central Station has more routing options, ie; cue mixing for headphones in the Live Room. It's really kinda ridiculous to think PreSonus has the best thing on the market to fulfill this particular need.

Was about to go the CS route then changed up and got the ZED R16 as my summing and monitoring solution. Loving it.

[SonicLegacy]

Originally Posted by ep1c0ne

So the Ultralite has a SPDIF in / out. Am I correct that the SPDIF in / out are both stereo, not multi channel? In that case would I only be able to take advantage of the DBox conversion on it's output being sent back back into the Ultralite and not from multi channels to the DBox?

Is anyone using SPDIF with Logic? are those in / outs the last one's that show up in Logic's I/O options?

That's correct. SPDIF is stereo and would only let u run 2 channels out of logic via Ultralite to the d-box and back = no summing.

[nst7]

The Dbox does not have an A to D converter, only a D to A. The summed analog signal would have to go through 2 analog line ins of your Ultralite, and would use the Ultralite's conversion for that. You would create a stereo track within the session, with the input set to those two analog ins, and the output set to spidf, which would then go in to the Dbox's digital input.

I mentioned the special cable because the Dbox's digital inputs are AES, and the Ultralite's digital outputs are spidf. So you need a cable that has spidf on one end and AES on the other. I mentioned redco.com because they specialize in custom building unusual cables at a very reasonable price.

[ep1c0ne]

OK, so I might as well just get the 2 Bus LT (even though it's purple (so ugly) then if I can't take advantage of the A/D in the DBox for summing.... Anyway, thanks for the clarification people.

[nst7]

That might not be a wise purchase. You only have 8 analog outs from your Ultralite, so your summing won't be any different on the 2 bus (you're still limited to 4 stereo pairs). And considering they're about the same price and same audio quality, the Dbox gives you the option of monitoring through a way better D/A converter than your ultralite, plus a much higher audio quality volume knob and headphone outs, plus talkback, monitor switching, and aux input (for a/b'ing your mix with a commercial CD, etc.).

[ep1c0ne]

Well I have to disagree about the track count thing. I think even just sending 4 stereo groups for summing should still make a difference. I'm already using a JBL MSC1 for all of the other stuff. I don't know how much of a difference but DBox's D>A conversion will be. The MOTO is pretty accurate compared to other interfaces I've used.

[work2do]

Originally Posted by ep1c0ne

Well I have to disagree about the track count thing. I think even just sending 4 stereo groups for summing should still make a difference. The MOTO is pretty accurate compared to other interfaces I've used.

You're not going to get what you hope to get but you will have to go thru it yourself. I was there a few years ago. Low quality converters ala MOTU won't help either.

[nst7]

I wasn't saying that 4 pairs of summing wouldn't be useful. I was pointing out that you would only have 4 pairs of summing even if you bought the 2 bus, because your Ultralite is limiting how many outputs you have. So I was saying the 2bus would not be a wise purchase, because you'd be paying for more channels that you couldn't use, whereas for the same price, the Dbox gets you all the summing you can do, plus other features that would be very useful.

And the Dbox's D/A converter would be a major upgrade from your Ultralite, or any other interface in that price range.

[Guitfiddle]

Agreed with above post...I really like Dangerous, product wise and company wise. They are a solid company with great people that stand behind their products. The converter is definitely an upgrade, and the summing sounds great too. I have used it both on a Logic Symphony rig and a PT rig...you can't go wrong with this box. There is a lot of info on this box, do a search. If you are having to use PTLE w/an 002 or 003 this converter will make a huge difference in the sound of your monitoring.

[russellwolff]

+2 as another happy D-Box owner, I agree with the last 2 comments.

[no-xplode]

How do you guys deal with talkback and sending to cues? It seems that I have to sacrifice one headphone output to send to the live room. Wish it had better talkback design.