Which component is the Weakest Link?

[scarynoises]

Wanted to get some opinions on what it would take to upgrade my chain. My assumption is that my AD converters are the weakest link. Here's my most common audio chain for recording:

MA 200 mic -> UA DCS -> Distressor -> Finalizer (on bypass) -> RME Digiface -> Sonar 7 PE (quadcore PC w/ 3 UAD-1's)

Output chain is Digiface -> UA DCS -> Samson amp->KRK's

yes, the amp/monitors are cheap but my main goal is good tracking of vocals and acoustic guitar--I produce demo's at home and would hope to send out for pro mixing. Thus my main goal is good tracking.

The Finalizer only allows me to record 16bit via S/PDIF which makes me think it's the weakest link. Is it?

If so, how much should I expect to spend to bring my converters up to the level of the rest of the chain? E.g. is there a decent 2-chan ADC I can get for ~$500? It needs to output to either S/PDIF or ADAT Lightpipe and support 24bit in 44.1/48/96k.

Thanks!

P.S. I'm also working on acoustical treatments for the room I'm tracking in but that's a separate subject. Just wanted to avoid the inevitable comment there.

[Kiwiburger]

The Lucid AD9624 is a solid little converter that hasn't let me down. Frontend has them.

EDIT - bugger, discontinued.

[scarynoises]

So, my assumptions are correct that the Finalizer is the weakest link right now?

[allencollins]

get a better a/d

[u b k]

Originally Posted by scarynoises

yes, the amp/monitors are cheap but my main goal is good tracking of vocals and acoustic guitar...

good monitors are every bit as essential for tracking as they are for mixing. you can't capture what you can't hear, you can't correct what isn't audible, and you need to be sure that the problems you *do* hear actually exist.


gregoire
del
ubk
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[woomanmoomin]

You mean the Mojave MA-200? I've read on here that it distorts pretty easily (although many people like the distortion that results). I wouldn't expect to get hi-fi results from that mic.

[scarynoises]

Hmm, so one vote for the a/d, one for the mic, and one for the monitors...maybe my chain's better matched than I thought.

Any other opinions?

[scarynoises]

I'll make this easier: is there an upgrade for around $500 that will allow me to have 24bit a/d that's going to sound significantly better than the Finalizer's converters? I'm investigating the black lion sparrow, the new motu ultralite-mk3, as well as used gear from mytek, RME ADI-2, Lucid's, etc.

[YRLK]

I think mics and pres are always more important than super hi-end converters. That's just my opinion based on listening to many albums that had good mics and pres but relatively cheap converters.

Monitors, on the other hand... I just can't imagine not being able to hear what I'm doing, and it sounds like your monitor setup isn't really too accurate.

I'd vote for monitors. Or I'd add another mic or pre to my arsenal.

B

[skiltrip]

I say, you're going to want to have the best you can in every category at some point, so get what you can when you can get it. Or get what you want when you want it. Or decide what items you want, and keep an eye on Ebay for used stuff, and when you see a deal on any of it, grab it. I recently got a Grace 101 for $325 and an ADI-2 for $525, both on Ebay.

I started with a few mics, then a couple good pres, then an ADI-2 for better conversion, and i'm currently deciding what monitors to upgrade to.

Some would say I should have done monitors before the conversion, but what does it matter?, as like I said, it's all going to get done. It doesn't make sense to have a chain of really good stuff with one lame link in the middle of it.

[nukmusic]

assuming you understand what's you're doing and have a decent room to record in..

I'd say you have too much in between the inst and the DAW. How many feet does your audio signal travel before it hits your DAW. This connected to this, connected to this, connected to this...

shorten your audio patch my friend. Maybe drop the Finalizer and the RME for one converter unit into your DAW. (vs two)

Mic>> Preamp>>Compressor(via preamp inserts) >> Converter>>DAW

[scarynoises]

I'm mostly just tracking here, not mixing, so I'm optimizing around capturing the best sounds possible. I'm going to grab some Adam's before too long but I definitely want to be able to record in 24bit and I can't w/o upgrading the Finalizer. The Universal Audio pre and the Mojave mic are new and I'm still putting them through their paces but I'm happy so far.

[woomanmoomin]

In a way, my view is that the nearer the gear is to the front end of the signal chain, the more priority it ought to have. Sure, you can get a good signal from a great mic and a great pre if you plug them into great converters or whatever, but on the other hand, you could spend thousands on great converters and a great pre and the results would still sound like cr@p if the mic was no good. Right environment, right mic, then pre, etc.

That doesn't really help, but hey.

[Vinrockindie]

Originally Posted by u b k

good monitors are every bit as essential for tracking as they are for mixing. you can't capture what you can't hear, you can't correct what isn't audible, and you need to be sure that the problems you *do* hear actually exist.


gregoire
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ubk
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Well said!