SD702 vs Grace and macbook optical questions

[satiricalwonder]

I am putting together a modest 2 channel location rig which will be used mainly for classical recording. I have put in bold my main questions for your convenience!

I would like to be able to back up off of the pre, hence not wanting to use interfaces w/pre's (such as the metric halo ULN2) as the main recorder.. unless it is possible to take a backup off the ULN2 right after A/D conversion without going through the recording software?

I am considering two alternatives: buying Sound Devices 702 OR Macbook + Grace Lunatech V3 (I already have a microtrack ii that I will be using for digital backup)

Here are my questions: is it possible to go directly into the Macbook optical s/pdif input from the AES/EBU output of the Grace unit via a product such as the M-Audio CO3? Will this work in practice? What are the issues involved? If it does, is there a more elegant solution than the CO3 unit? can you just take a cable straight in? I know I can just get a firewire nterface but would like the most elegant solution.

The other question is more simple: I have not actually recorded to the SD unit myself and have read that the pres are quite good and like the flexible routing options and nice build quality and that it's ONE unit and NO COMPUTER! I have used and favor the Grace 801 and 802 for this type of recording and know that the Lunatech uses the same pres.. so am leaning towards that setup. How do the Grace pres compare to the SD pres? For the time being I will be using a stereo pair of KM184s, if that helps.

Thanks for your help!

[DaveD]

For two channels, you might like to consider the soon-to-be-released Nagra LB.

[satiricalwonder]

the nagra is slightly more expensive than I'd like to spend for a stand-alone unit.

according to this thread

Lavry Black AD-10 into Macbook pro optical

the optical in would work great? but then the question remains if it's possible to do it without the CO3 conversion.

[Allen Rowand]

Originally Posted by satiricalwonder

I would like to be able to back up off of the pre, hence not wanting to use interfaces w/pre's (such as the metric halo ULN2) as the main recorder.. unless it is possible to take a backup off the ULN2 right after A/D conversion without going through the recording software?

The ULN-2 has analog send/return points after the mic pres and before the convertors; many of our customers use the insert sends to feed a redundant recorder. You can also route the A/D output to the SPDIF output or optical output in TOSLINK mode to feed a backup recorder while using our Record Panel to track and monitor.

Personally, I feed the SPDIF to a MicroTrak II. I also have used the ULN-2 as a standalone convertor/monitoring system running on batteries feeding the MTII by flashing my console setup as a boot state. I record 96k M/S to the MTII while monitoring in L/R via the ULN cans output by building a M/S decoder into the console.

HTH,
Allen

[Baithak]

Hello "satirical"

If you need to do pretty much anything to the recording after you record it (trim lengths, fade-in fade-out whatever) you will need a computer.

I can vouch for the SD machines. I have been using mine for about four years now with no flaws - I have the 744 and 722 - The 702 is a little more flexible with its ability to write to an external firewire driver. This will be handy if Apple drops support for Firewire as they have in their new Macbooks yesterday. An external drive with FW and USB will be your only way to get data into the Mac unless you snap one of the "older" Macbooks while they are still available.

The pre quality in the SD boxes is excellent and while not in the league of the big Millenia or Grace 201/801 for that matter it is a huge convenience to have only one box. I have used the optical ins on Mac to record directly to the Mac and it works just fine. I have no idea about the CO3 but anything that sends an optical SPDIF signal should work just fine.

So ... I personally would get the SD 702 and a computer - the computer can be your backup recorder too.

Good luck,
Baithak

[peterwild]

I have used MacBook Pro's optical with Sony PCM D1 together apogee Mini-Me via aggregate device setup. Record 4 ch, no problem.

[tnjazz]

Just FYI Grace has modified a number of V3 preamps to include an optical output in place of the word clock output. I believe they'll still do this mod upon request.

That being said, I'd still get a Metric Halo box. It can be configured to run as a standalone unit as Allan has indicated, as well as a full firewire interface.

[satiricalwonder]

Thanks for all your replies. After a bit more hesitation I elected to go with the 702 and couldn't be happier with the setup. I especially love the instantaneous record start on the 702.

[Don S]

Originally Posted by Baithak

The pre quality in the SD boxes is excellent and while not in the league of the big Millenia or Grace 201/801 for that matter it is a huge convenience to have only one box.Good luck,
Baithak

While I prefer the Millennia HV3 over the onboard SD preamps, I would not be so quick to put them in a different league. I've done AB comparisions splitting a pair of Schoeps to the SD and a Millennia/Mytek/laptop chain. The differences were VERY small. The analog and conversion quality of these machine is excellent and quite value.

[Petrus]

SD702 has a dynamic range of 114 dB if my memory serves, even the very best dedicated AD converters (Lavry, Weiss etc) can better that, and by only 6 dB or one bits worth. All in one convenient unit. I doubt you could get better results with almost anything else, things get only more complicated. New Nagras and older Devas have about the same specks (within 3 dB).

Why would a separate FW/USB hard drive be the only way to get data to a new Mac? Take out the CF and use a card reader... I seldom bother to connect my SD722 to PC or Mac, I copy the relevant files from the CF card with a standard $20 card reader/writer.

[satiricalwonder]

Not to mention with the SD + M-audio microtrack (only for its spdif in) as backup you can run both on internal battery and easily record a recital without having to worry about dirty power.

[Don S]

Originally Posted by satiricalwonder

Not to mention with the SD + M-audio microtrack (only for its spdif in) as backup you can run both on internal battery and easily record a recital without having to worry about dirty power.

Awsome combination! I've used it many times.thumbsup

[MichaelPatrick]

I have a SD744T and a Grace Lunatec V3. As some others have said, the SD preamps are excellent.

The V3's digital out can drive recorders via spdif and AES. I've used it with a Microtrac II and the SD744.

I think you'll eventually want to consider getting another high end stereo pre for critical recordings, though you won't need it for most work.

[John Willett]

I have been doing Classical location recording for many years.

My previous rig was based around the Fostex FR-2, mainly using an external mic. pre. / AD and going in the digital in.

I have recently upgraded to the new Nagra VI 6-channel recorder - mainly for the superb ergonomics, mic. pres and 24/96 capability.

For 2-channel work, I like the Nagra LB and the SD 702 - in Europe I think they are around the same price - about £1,600.