Location Recording Converter choice?

[Jim vanBergen]

I'm in a quandry.

I'm selecting a new, dedicated ProTools HD system for a client, needing around 16 channels (classical/opera).

I'm thinking DAV (Millenia, Grace, Earthworks) preamps, but I don't want to stock PT converters...I think they sound better than they used to, but still no sheen or sparkle.

Would you:
a) buy two Cranesong Spiders for the preamps & converters?
b) buy 16 channels of one of my preferred preamps and 16 channels of AES conversion, such as Prism, Weiss, Aurora, Mytek, Apogee, Lavry.....
c) screw it and use the ProTools converters
d) other (please explain/describe)

I thank you for your help and thoughts on this. I am almost at a decision (as you see based on my choices above) and thought I'd see what my fellow slutz think.

JvB

[tnjazz]

Sure wish I had your troubles, Jim.

If it were me, I'd go with DAV and Millennia for pres and top it off with either the Weiss or the Prism for conversion. Never heard the Aurora.

To be fair I haven't heard the Spider either, but I know of its rep. I'd go that route if you were looking for an "ease of use" situation I suppose...

[Fretbored]

Lavry and Prism fan here.

[mosrite]

If the Lavry Blue ADC's are anywhere near as good as their DAC's then you can't really go wrong.

[klaukholm]

For 16ch location work in protools I would get the AD16X.
one rack unit and it will also function as a 16ch AES out in the Protools system.
We have had them here next to Lavry Gold, blue and Prism and they performed very well.

[Jim vanBergen]

Excellent suggestions, all around.

Keep 'em coming...anyone think the flexibility of the CraneSong Spider as a pre + converter + summing mixer makes it superior to comparably prices converters?

Anyone think the Lynx Aurora, Apogee, or Mytek is superior to other converters and therefore a great value?

Anyone think the Lavry Gold, Weiss, Prism or other "gold standard" converter is the only real choice for high quality classical?

I'm trying to make sure my choices will be solid for several years, since I'm not the only person who will be forced to live with the choices made. Sorry if my questions seem to be all over the map, I'm trying to approach this from a LOT of perspectives. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

[DSD_Mastering]

For the highest quality Classical, I only record in DSD through EMM Labs... but that's a whole different ballgame.
If I were to record in PCM, it would have to be Lavry Gold... nothing else.

Regards,
Bruce

[Jim vanBergen]

Bruce, I truly appreciate your insight. And I think you are out of my league. But, your comments have me thinking and I'm going to do some research. Thanks!

[David Rick]

There's a picture in this old thread.

Millennia / Prism rig

Obviously, you should rack them differently, so they don't melt!

Needless to say, this is a pricey rig, but one that will never embarass you. If the technical layout allows the computer and converter sets to be close enough for Firewire, you could use the new Prism Orpheus converters instead of the ADA8-XR, and that would keep the price under $20k.

David L. Rick
Seventh String Recording

[klaukholm]

The next step up is an ada8 16AD with two HD interface cards.
That is what we use for classical and it is superb.

It is two rackunits and also eliminates the need for a 192 interface.
How about picking up Jules unit that he is selling right now?
You would also have to get two HD cards and they will set you back about the cost of an ad16x.

[fifthcircle]

If running a PT HD rig, I would go one of a couple ways...

Probably the easiest way is to go with a Lynx Aurora with the PT HD card in it. Direct connection to the DAW with up to 32 I/O. You can use the 16 I/O of analog and digital at the same time. Gives you 16 channels that sound significantly better than PT for your main I/O and you have 16 channels of AES for larger projects and times that you want to bring in the really high-end stuff. I haven't used the Apogee interfaces directly into PT, but I'm not a fan of the AD16X for classical work. There seems to be a certain "soft" quality about it that I don't think works very well.

Or, if going the PT interface route, I'd probably get one of the digital boxes and get converters. I'm using Lavry Blues and a Mytek 8x96AD here and am very satisfied with both. Both have advantages and disadvantages and that determines which box goes out on which gig. I haven't actually A-B'd them against the Lynx Aurora. I've used each individually and been happy, but it is hard to speak to the differences right next to each other.

If you're recording concert work, I would get good, but I wouldn't kill the bank with conversion. IMO, there are so many things going against you in a live environment that many of the advantages of superb A-D conversion become lost. If we're talking session work- things are different and that is when I pull out all the stops.

I will say that I've never had a client harp on me about anything in the sound related to analog to digital conversion- and I do all my live stuff at 44.1KHz. Whether using a digi 002's converters or Myteks, people don't really seem to care. As long as I've got good mics in the right place and they are going through good pres, my clients are happy campers.

--Ben

[Plush]

Any converter will do since Protools does not output what is input.

I'm totally serious.

[Harley-OIART]

Originally Posted by Plush

Any converter will do since Protools does not output what is input.

I'm totally serious.

EDITED : I am assuming you mean the Digidesign Convertors specifically exhibit a lack of I = O, and not Protools its self?

[Jim vanBergen]

Well, I'm finishing up today and submitting. Good thoughts and perspectives.

Thank you all for your insight!

JvB