Time to upgrade my converters!

[long_tail__]

I’m ready to upgrade converters on my mac-based system!

My recently updated, nearly complete setup:

Room 1: Acoustically isolated room, well-treated. I must both track and mix in here due to limitations in my house/lifestyle.)

Room 2:
My office, not isolated or treated. Basically a mechanical room for the purposes of this discussion.

The rooms are wired together with two runs of AES in each direction (four wires total). There are also two CAT5e wires, over which I am running a mirror of my computer monitor from Room 1 to Room 2, as well as USB (for mouse and computer keyboard). This keeps the computer in Room 1, eliminates all the computer noise, and most of the heat in Room 2.

Currently, mics run over AES(XLR) to outboard pre, to MOTU Traveler, into Mac Pro 8-core via FireWire. Out of the Mac, back through Traveler, over AES(XLR) to Mackie HR824s.

The problem: I can’t use headphones in Room 1 with this set-up. So, no way to track vocals/acoustic instruments. I'm recording myself most of the time.


I’m looking to upgrade my converters, and I have a healthy budget. I’ve read up on the boards about converters, so much so that I’m now lost. <pulling out hair>

So, ye slutz (Mac in particular)… what is the solution? Is there a one-box solution that will work, with an output running over AES to a headphone amp in Room 2? Or, do I need two devices: an AD converter into the Mac Pro, and something like a Lavry Black DA 10 in the monitoring room? And how do I get the output (from Logic) to this second device?

I appreciate your input! Yeah, gear!!

[long_tail__]

Just had an awful moment of recognition: I also need to send and receive MIDI between the rooms (or at least send). Currently I sit in the office by the computer for keyboard work.

Sorry to reply to my own post, but egads!