Convertor Options For Pop/Rock Productions

[Ernest Buckley]

Help me with my next gear purchase...

I produce mostly singer-songwriters (think acoustic, light rock ala The Fray, John Mayer, etc...). The vocal is usually the dominant track... I`ve been getting by with my two Avalon 737s and an Aphex as my mic pres with no complaints. They`re clean, not too bright, not too dull, etc... just the way I like it.

I sold off most of my outboard gear in 2005 when I had a Mackie d8b, ADATs, etc... went into the box and now run mostly with plugs (for compression) but I miss the sound of the d8b, even though the convertors were not top notch, they sounded better than my current setup: MOTU 2408 MKII. The mixes are two dimensional and narrow. Most of you already know so I won`t go into detail. I`m thinking the convertors in the 2408 are the reason for this...

I`m not looking to get another console, I just really want to get that open sound again. I`ve been looking at the UA2192 possibly but I feel it may be a little overkill for what I need. I never record more than two tracks at a time, if I do, I go to a friends studio....

At the same time, I don`t mind having a top notch convertor, I do a lot of recording so my clients and myself deserve the best. Just debating with myself which way to go with convertors... Budget $3000

I know this is an old topic and I`ve done searches but I`m hoping someone can steer me in the right direction for the sort of stuff I produce: mostly vocal driven pop rock. I have no problem purchasing something and returning it if it doesn`t fit my needs, I just don`t want to go through 4-5 units. Thanks.

[Ernest Buckley]

bump ditty bump

[kooz]

If your MOTU box has AES or SPDIF ins, look at the Mytek StereoAD, either 96 or 192. It's wonderfully neutral conversion IMO, which could suit your preference in signal chain.

[psycho_monkey]

Posts like this confuse me. Converters are not where I'd look for colour from.

You can make pop/rock music with any converter. The "best" converter would be the one that captures the sound the most transparently - so probably the most expensive one you can afford (thinking high end Lavry/prism etc).

The source, room, microphone, preamp etc will have a much more significant effect.

The UA is a fine converter by all accounts - not used one myself. I don't think you can go wrong with anything in that price range really - it's just about which product fits your needs.

the MOTU is firmly in the middle ground on price. In your situation I would sort the rest of the chain first - get a character mic, preamp, EQ, compressor or whatever, and get your sound there. You say you like them clean, but then you want the converter to add colour? get the sound right, and then capture it cleanly.

Make sure your environment (both tracking and mixing) is good. THAT'S what's going to improve your sound. Once that's right, the converter will add the final 2% or whatever.

[Ernest Buckley]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

Posts like this confuse me. Converters are not where I'd look for colour from.

You can make pop/rock music with any converter. The "best" converter would be the one that captures the sound the most transparently - so probably the most expensive one you can afford (thinking high end Lavry/prism etc).

The source, room, microphone, preamp etc will have a much more significant effect.

The UA is a fine converter by all accounts - not used one myself. I don't think you can go wrong with anything in that price range really - it's just about which product fits your needs.

the MOTU is firmly in the middle ground on price. In your situation I would sort the rest of the chain first - get a character mic, preamp, EQ, compressor or whatever, and get your sound there. You say you like them clean, but then you want the converter to add colour? get the sound right, and then capture it cleanly.

Make sure your environment (both tracking and mixing) is good. THAT'S what's going to improve your sound. Once that's right, the converter will add the final 2% or whatever.

Sorry to confuse. I don`t think I want color either from a convertor but I was reading that the UA 2192 when pushed, has a little of that analog rounding out sound going for it. I would really love a 2" machine and all analog board but $$$ does not allow so I`m figuring a convertor to be the next best thing. I`m not unhappy with the 737s and Aphex mic pres, but I feel my overall mixes lack width and depth so I`m thinking the UA is the piece... however, I`ve also heard good things about the Rosetta and the Lynx.... frustrating.