Dangerous Music D-Box

[Sui_City]

http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp...sic-D-Box.html

Sounds very interesting. A Mix MAg preview of AES said it was going to be on display at the show.

Did anyone see it? Pics?

[tengu]

There is a pic here.

http://emusician.com/show_rept/aes_sf_2006/index1.html

Wonder how good the DA will be.

[vocomotion]

I wonder if it will have AES/EBU inputs then...you put 8 digital channels in and get stereo analog out, all summed analogue-ly. I've always wondered why there aren't summing boxes that do this. Of course, you might want to choose your own D/A, but IF theirs is very good...

Is 8 channels of summing enough though?

--> freddie

[kmshroom]

Is it just the rack unit, or will there be a remote for it as well?

Monitor section and crap would be pointless without one, imo.

[DrDeltaM]

Originally Posted by vocomotion

I wonder if it will have AES/EBU inputs then...you put 8 digital channels in and get stereo analog out, all summed analogue-ly. I've always wondered why there aren't summing boxes that do this. Of course, you might want to choose your own D/A, but IF theirs is very good...

Is 8 channels of summing enough though?

--> freddie

I thought at first as well that this box had 8 channels of DA build in, but I don't think it has. Guess the DA is only stereo for the monitoring section.

There are 8channel DA + summing boxes like that Mytek box and the CraneSong Egret. But those cost a bit more then $1400 I'm afraid

[JB872]

Is there a reason why they don't include 2 channels of AD after the summing to send the stereo mix back into to your DAW?

[JB872]

Originally Posted by DrDeltaM

I thought at first as well that this box had 8 channels of DA build in, but I don't think it has. Guess the DA is only stereo for the monitoring section.

There are 8channel DA + summing boxes like that Mytek box and the CraneSong Egret. But those cost a bit more then $1400 I'm afraid

I re-read the description of this box and I think you're right about the DA being stereo only...too bad.

[pigpen]

Theres an ad in the new Eq mag

[TEMAS]

Originally Posted by DrDeltaM

There are 8channel DA + summing boxes like that Mytek box and the CraneSong Egret.

What Mytek box?

[DrDeltaM]

Originally Posted by TEMAS

What Mytek box?

This one:
http://www.mytekdigital.com/products/8x192adda.htm

No clue if it's actually available tho.

[JB872]

Originally Posted by DrDeltaM

This one:
http://www.mytekdigital.com/products/8x192adda.htm

No clue if it's actually available tho.

It says Mike Shipley uses one on the pdf pricing broucher....I thought he used a Folcrom for summing?

EDIT: It says he's a Mytek user

[TEMAS]

Interesting. I didn't realise the ADDA 192 had a summing buss.

[Gravity8058]

Bob & Chris are genius' -- I'm sure it'll be awesome.stike stike

[xqtion]

This looks like a very useful piece.

How would one incorporate their 2 buss hardware outboards with D-Box and still take advantage of 2 monitor systems?

I really hope they include 2 buss inserts between summing and monitor outputs so that we can use our 2 buss comps and EQs, etc... with it.

It'll be cool if they also include an extra stereo out right after this insert point for recording the final master.

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by DrDeltaM

I thought at first as well that this box had 8 channels of DA build in, but I don't think it has. Guess the DA is only stereo for the monitoring section.

Why do you need a DA for monitoring? Aren't the 8 channels summed in analog? So the stereo mix is already analog.

-R

[DrDeltaM]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

Why do you need a DA for monitoring? Aren't the 8 channels summed in analog? So the stereo mix is already analog.

-R

To be able to hear what you recorded onto your digital recorder as final mix. Or to be able to compare your current mix with a reference CD of choice for example.

[nlc201]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

Why do you need a DA for monitoring? Aren't the 8 channels summed in analog? So the stereo mix is already analog.

-R

"Confidence monitoring". Unless you're laying back to tape, your 2 buss is inevitably being printed back to Digital. Thus, the A/D converter you're using is going to impart some sort of coloration on the mix. I would prefer to hear it post digital conversion since everyone who listens to this mix from this day on after it leaves the studio will be hearing it this way. Some people (like myself) process their mix digitally post summing. For example, I use a Cranesong HEDD for my mix A/D and use the "process" functions fairly extensivley. I need to be able to hear what's going on in that part of the process.

Also, being able to monitor out of the DAW through a set D/A is handy unto itself. If I'm running off a mix and printing a "mastered" version where it's been digitally gained up and limited (no flames please, we all do it from time to time), I need to hear it that way. Hearing just the analog stereo buss won't help in that regard, you need a separate monitoring path. I guess Dangerous' logic goes that you might as well use the same monitoring D/A for everything, which I agree with.


Now the question is: Is the Dangerous D-Box D/A any good?

[RKrizman]

You mean it's just a free-floating D/A to be used for whatever, not really integrated into the box's functionality? Seems a bit arbitrary. I would guess that anybody who would be adding this box would already be set up to monitor (confidence monitor) the output of their DAW's stereo mix, and wouldn't have to add another DA to accomplish this. And why would you think this ultra low-cost DA would be a preferable alternative to what you are already using?

-R

[nlc201]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

You mean it's just a free-floating D/A to be used for whatever, not really integrated into the box's functionality? Seems a bit arbitrary. I would guess that anybody who would be adding this box would already be set up to monitor (confidence monitor) the output of their DAW's stereo mix, and wouldn't have to add another DA to accomplish this. And why would you think this ultra low-cost DA would be a preferable alternative to what you are already using?

-R

Wouldn't need (D/A), perhaps. I think this box might be targeted at a lower end user. If you had a smaller DAW setup, like a Digi 002 rig or similar, the Dangerous box would probably offer a much higher quality monitoring solution than you'd get out of the 002 unit itself. It would also lend itself to easily sourcing multiple digital inputs into the same D/A converter. IE, you could ref a CD on the same converter as your mix. However, given the lower cost of this unit, I would be skeptical in terms of sheer quality as a really good D/A can cost more than this whole box by itself. But, a look at their original monitoring product, the "Dangerous Monitor", seems to add some perspective. 3x the price point with a badass sounding Troisi D/A. And it doesen't do summing, just monitoring control. That's definitely a "high end" box, or at least intended to be.

It seems that this new Dangerous box is maketed more towards the lower to mid level DAW user who need a quality integrated monitoring/summing solution at a good price point. This would be somewhat of an upgrade for many lower end users. If you're using 2", RADAR and a vintage Neve console with some Lavry D/As, this box probably isn't for you.

[jbuzz]

where is the promissed AD/DA Box for my Monitor ST?
Is Dangerous going the same route as others?
New product after new product.. missing the care for released ones?

Please dont... I was so happy up until now..
But im still waiting for the st update boxes..

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by nlc201

It seems that this new Dangerous box is maketed more towards the lower to mid level DAW user who need a quality integrated monitoring/summing solution at a good price point. This would be somewhat of an upgrade for many lower end users.

I don't think it's necessarily an upgrade at all. Even the low end PT systems sound just as good internally as HD. You need to have some truly bitchin analog to improve the sound. Just sticking a few chips in the audio path isn't necessarily going to improve anything.

-R

[nlc201]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

I don't think it's necessarily an upgrade at all. Even the low end PT systems sound just as good internally as HD. You need to have some truly bitchin analog to improve the sound. Just sticking a few chips in the audio path isn't necessarily going to improve anything.

-R

Agreed.

I think part of the deal is that "analog summing" is such a buzzword right now. Personally, I think summing analog off of a low end system with crappy converters (like a 002 or similar) is audio suicide. Any potential benefits are far overcome by the introduction of a lesser converter sound onto everything. HOWEVER, I think the monitoring section of this box would be an upgrade for most low end users. An added summing section seems more of a marketing ploy than a properly thought out "upgrade". But, fair enough! Bob and Chris are great guys and they make great stuff. I hope they sell a lot of these boxes. I can't imagine huge profit margins building Dangerous Monitors or the other expensive esoteric stuff. In the end, I'm sure they'll sell make a lot more money off the lower end stuff than the high end stuff......

[macr0w]

Originally Posted by nlc201

Wouldn't need (D/A), perhaps. I think this box might be targeted at a lower end user. If you had a smaller DAW setup, like a Digi 002 rig or similar, the Dangerous box would probably offer a much higher quality monitoring solution than you'd get out of the 002 unit itself. It would also lend itself to easily sourcing multiple digital inputs into the same D/A converter. IE, you could ref a CD on the same converter as your mix. However, given the lower cost of this unit, I would be skeptical in terms of sheer quality as a really good D/A can cost more than this whole box by itself. But, a look at their original monitoring product, the "Dangerous Monitor", seems to add some perspective. 3x the price point with a badass sounding Troisi D/A. And it doesen't do summing, just monitoring control. That's definitely a "high end" box, or at least intended to be.

It seems that this new Dangerous box is maketed more towards the lower to mid level DAW user who need a quality integrated monitoring/summing solution at a good price point. This would be somewhat of an upgrade for many lower end users. If you're using 2", RADAR and a vintage Neve console with some Lavry D/As, this box probably isn't for you.

A 002 doesn't have AES outputs. So how could a 002 user use this for DA? I have a Rosetta 200 infront/behind my 002R and I wouldn't sidestep the Apogee DA for this box. S/PDIF and ADAT are the only digital outs a 002 has. If I wanted this box I think I may spend a bit more and get the Monitor ST.

[Sui_City]

Originally Posted by macr0w

A 002 doesn't have AES outputs. So how could a 002 user use this for DA? I have a Rosetta 200 infront/behind my 002R and I wouldn't sidestep the Apogee DA for this box. S/PDIF and ADAT are the only digital outs a 002 has. If I wanted this box I think I may spend a bit more and get the Monitor ST.

Besides the fact that one can interface AES and SPDIF without a problem, the D-Box can accept both AES and SPDIF signals.

[tengu]

The box has sum outputs.

Perhaps the sum output works even when the monitor section is set to DA.

This way the sum could be routed into perhaps a stereo comp and tracked backed into Audio editor and monitored via the DA output from soundcard.

?????

That would be sweet and mean the DA is a brilliant addition.

[Lefrançais]

What's the D-Box price ?

[Jamzone]

The D-box seems like a good deal if it was'nt for;

If you use the DA you can't insert your favorite gear. You could do that if you use the analog inputs... But what's the point paying for HiEnd converters you can't use???

Hmmm....


///Jamzone

[Sui_City]

Originally Posted by Jamzone

The D-box seems like a good deal if it was'nt for;

If you use the DA you can't insert your favorite gear. You could do that if you use the analog inputs... But what's the point paying for HiEnd converters you can't use???

Hmmm....


///Jamzone

Do you understand the difference between a monitoring path and a processing path?

[Jamzone]

Originally Posted by Sui_City

Do you understand the difference between a monitoring path and a processing path?

???


http://www.dangerousmusic.com/faq.html


dfegad

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

I don't think it's necessarily an upgrade at all. Even the low end PT systems sound just as good internally as HD. You need to have some truly bitchin analog to improve the sound. Just sticking a few chips in the audio path isn't necessarily going to improve anything.

-R

Yep! I think the API system like the DMS/8200/8200a may be a good upgrade for PT HD o any other DAW.