BLA Mod a good choice for 003r with good outboard pres?

[jsbeeth]

I've been debating getting my Digi 003 modded, but I'm wondering what degree of improvement I should expect. I'm already running some good solid outboard pres -- the Langevin Dual Mono and the Sytek MPX-4aii -- but I'm using the stock 003 conversion and clocking.

I've heard A/B shoot outs that focus solely on the conversion (e.g., stock Digi vs Rosetta), and I wasn't all that impressed with the difference, so should I expect any more from the BLA mod? Is the mod going to improve upon any parameters OTHER than the onboard pres (which I won't really need anyway) and conversion (which is subtle to my ears)?

I keep hearing unanimous praise for these mod, and descriptions of "nigh and day" differences, but maybe these assessments are referring to the mod vs purely stock digi units, pres and all?

Thanks, and Merry Xmas!

[bigfish]

Hi, I was very happy with my mod to my Motu 828 II.Call Matt @ BLA and ask him,im sure he will answer your questions the best that he can.........

[jsbeeth]

Well, I talked to BLA and they of course think it's a good choice So I'm looking for some less "interested" feedback. I'm not questioning whether it's a great product, as everyone seems to agree on this, but I'm just wondering -- in light of the quality outboard pres I'm already using, would the mod be much of an *additional* improvement on top of this?

[Mo HGTR]

I have a modded 002 and it's good for some things but bad for others. Hears the positive-The clocking is alot faster than stock,it makes mixing a little easier because it's depth and you can hear the seperation better. Hears the negative-I also have a dual langevin and when I plugged it in along with many other great outboard pre's,I was kinda pissed I still use it but with a high quality converter and everythings alot fatter,cleaner and alot more musical. Maybe I can patch the langevin into the 002 with and without my converter and you will hear a big difference if you got good ears

[jsbeeth]

Sorry, I don't quite understand -- so you're running your modded 002 PLUS an external converter? And the external converter makes it better? And are you saying your were pissed because it wasn't a big improvement over just running through the Langevin?

[tapehiss]

i got the signature mod for my home rig...

and i'm running a lot of nice outboard stuff, i just got a mercury eq-p1 two days ago......

and i am being completely honest in stating that the mod made the biggest difference than any other item i have purchased for my rig....

and i only use outboard pres.... its basically like pulling some gause out of your ears in terms of improved conversion and clocking.....

i also plan on keeping it for location stuff once i get a board and HD rig, (or something comparable.

[Mo HGTR]

I was pissed because the internal pre's sound nice on the moded 002's but when you hook up a nice external pre to the analog ins,you lose alot of your pre's natural sound. It's a drag because the langevin's transformers and eq sounds so smooth through a nice board or converter that when you hear it through the bla,it doesn't compare but then again I have very picky ears. Hears something to try-----take a nice pre with an instrument of your choice and hook headphones into it,then hook the same chain into an input of your 003 and you'll hear what i'm talking about. Now if you have a nice adda converter going in your digi, your still never going to hear exactly what you heard through the headphones in the digital world but it's going to be a hell of a lot closer than what you heard through an 002 mod or 003 mod. I'm not knocking bla but comparing conversion through a great converter and the way it sounds through a digi is a huge difference. I would just get the best adda converter you can find and go from there! Sorry bla but he is talking about getting the best conversion and if he want's the best,a great converter is the way to go but that's just my opinion. Maybe what I can do tonight or tommorow is post wav's on this thread of the langevin through the digi and then do an after with the converter! Hopefully that help's you to make the best desicion In the meantime,have a good one

[bananerosabroso]

Originally Posted by Mo HGTR

I was pissed because the internal pre's sound nice on the moded 002's but when you hook up a nice external pre to the analog ins,you lose alot of your pre's natural sound. It's a drag because the langevin's transformers and eq sounds so smooth through a nice board or converter that when you hear it through the bla,it doesn't compare but then again I have very picky ears. Hears something to try-----take a nice pre with an instrument of your choice and hook headphones into it,then hook the same chain into an input of your 003 and you'll hear what i'm talking about. Now if you have a nice adda converter going in your digi, your still never going to hear exactly what you heard through the headphones in the digital world but it's going to be a hell of a lot closer than what you heard through an 002 mod or 003 mod. I'm not knocking bla but comparing conversion through a great converter and the way it sounds through a digi is a huge difference. I would just get the best adda converter you can find and go from there! Sorry bla but he is talking about getting the best conversion and if he want's the best,a great converter is the way to go but that's just my opinion. Maybe what I can do tonight or tommorow is post wav's on this thread of the langevin through the digi and then do an after with the converter! Hopefully that help's you to make the best desicion In the meantime,have a good one

I assume that you were going from the mic pre direct into the line in's of the 002, and that is what gave you a sound that was less natural? Could you describe this a little more? I've been considering getting the mod for my 003 so that I can get more out of my pre's, but if it means that I have to drop another g or so because the conversion is inadequate, I may as well not bother with the mod at all.

Thanks dude

[Digitalmmr]

Originally Posted by bananerosabroso

I assume that you were going from the mic pre direct into the line in's of the 002, and that is what gave you a sound that was less natural? Could you describe this a little more? I've been considering getting the mod for my 003 so that I can get more out of my pre's, but if it means that I have to drop another g or so because the conversion is inadequate, I may as well not bother with the mod at all.

Thanks dude

Im new to GS but spend so much time reading it I joined so i can throw in my experience. I have a Signiture modded 003R and it is night and day.Of coarse what he is saying is true cause your sending it through more converters and of coarse it is going to sound better before it hits them. The line in's are clearer than they were before the mod and the main difference is the extra head room I got after the mod. Keep in mind they mod the audio out chain and power supply which was enough for me. The pre's sound 1000% better than they did. They are usable but to be honest I dont really use them. I like my api 3124 going through the DI's and the other 4 are Isa 428 running through the DI. This unit now sounds amazing i can honestly say I can get the same results with this box now compared to my uncles 96I.Overall Im happy with the increased headroom DB.The increased wide imaging i'm able to achieve.The clock mod sounds way better than the stock.That being said even if i upgrade I will keep this as a mobile unit.Couldn't be happier

[sam guaiana]

I love my sig 002r. Its clear and seperates everything beautifully. It is hands down better than a stock 96 I/O, but so are most things

[grizshack]

I have a BLA signature series 003r. I am definitely pleased with the difference. Everything: a/d, d/a, pres, headphone outs are a remarkable improvement that rival HD rigs. More headroom and low end clarity Of course, it's all about your outboard gear(mic pre, comp, microphones) going in!

[mattg082]

i was looking into this with my digi002 and i have a lunchbox with a api512c and great river. just ended up getting a used rosetta 200 for 1,200 off ebay instead and it added a better clock da and two channels of great ad for my two money pres i run spdif to get up to 96/24bit. for me right now this is all i need for my own solo projects coupled with a sm7b, sm57, vocal room and my lespaul i couldn't ask for much more with quality and the nice plugins i have to mix with. limitations with having more than 2 channels on a digi interface in like 41/24bit for over to i beleive? so if you only need two channels get a used rosetta and if you don't record at a high sample rate get a used rosetta 800 2,000 or so or a lynx aurora new for 2,000 used for less and do it adat.

think about it...if you spend the money for the mod you are putting more into the interface and the investment and turn around won't be much if you want to upgrade or sell later. investing in a nice converter is more worth it because it's seperate and you can do more with it and the market value is much better if you want to flip it later on. i researched long and hard before i made the decison and that was i want better clocking, better da and only need two chanells of ad and run both protools and logic and want 96/24bit. i will most likely sell the digi002 flip the rosetta200 for a 800 and add more pres in favor of a firewire or symphony. with the way avid is now who knows how much anything will be worth and if they will go native with adc like logic!

i just don't think it's worth putting more into something like that at this point and given the market and avids problems. so think about it and research before you invest your money and think about the long run! if you put another 1,400 into it and decided later on a lynx or rosetta and digi/avid does something else what then? you just lost a lot of money for something that might be a big paper weight or you sell for $500 bucks on ebay you put so much money into. it's like buying a neve or some api pres you know you can swap out and keep market value vs buying some mid range stuff.

[samirsyd]

I Tried To Patch Up My Avid 003 Control Surface With My TL Audio 5021.

I Linked My Microphone Input In The Compressor Input With XLR Cable.
Output Going To 003 Input Pre Via XLR Cable.

Problem I Am Facing I Am Getting A HHSSSS noise In The Back Ground.

I Have A Old Allen & Heath System 8. When I Tried To Patch UP With 003 It Shows The Same Noise. HSSSSHHH In The Background.

I Wonder if I Am Doing Anything Wrong. Every Time I Am Working With 003 Directly It Doesn't shows That Kind Of Noise.

I Wonder If Anybody Can Help Me Out.