Black Lion Audio...

[Real Talk Ent.]

OK, so i see so many posts on here about black lion audio (including my own) so i figured I'd start a thread about all BLA Product's to make it easier on the people researching them.

So basically anyone that has experience with BLA post your thoughts a rating (1-10) and if you like it you can mention what high end gear you think it compares to so people can get an idea of how it sound's...



MOD's:

• FM 192
• Digi 002/3R
• M-Audio 2626
  
• Digidesign 96 I/O
• MOTU Audio Interfaces
• MOTU HD192
• MOTU 896
• MOTU 2408 (mkI, mkII or mk3)
• MOTU 828
• MOTU 1296
• MOTU 24 i/o
• MOTU 1224
  
• Alesis AI3

original Product's:

• Black Lion Audio am/cha1 EQ
• Black Lion Audio PM8 Summing Box
• Black Lion Audio Auteur Preamp
• Black Lion Audio Micro Clock mk2
• Black Lion Audio Sparrow ADC
• Black Lion Audio Digital Cables

plus the gear they dont mod or produce any longer and the New gear they mod and or create in the future.


Thanks to everyone ahead of time for their contribution's

[czarthp]

hold up! BLA does profire2626 mods! I'm heading to the site now!

[Real Talk Ent.]

I Dont have any actual experience but i've done a lot of talking to them and here's a list of their comparison's.

FM 192:- on par with the high end Meitner converter's

Digi 002/3:- on par with Prism Genex and lavry AD/DA's

Mikro Clock MKII:- on par with the Antelope Rubidium 10M

All Motu Mod's:- Compare favorably to aurora and Rosetta AD/DA's

M-Audio 2626:- Slightly better than the Modded Motu's

Auteur:- Compare's to high end API pre's

96 I/O:- better than 002/3R not quite as good as the FM 192

PM8 Summing Mixer:- one of the Stereo outs compare to neve/api and the other to SSl the 3rd is clear and passive

Am/Cha1 EQ:- compare's easily to Neve, massenburg, and API Eq's


They said all their comparisons are based on their sound and quality and they made no actual direct comparisons to the mentioned product's

[Real Talk Ent.]

Originally Posted by czarthp

hold up! BLA does profire2626 mods! I'm heading to the site now!

yes but you can only purchase it through gear orphanage as a new product.

[czarthp]

I don't see the 2626 on their site for mod

[czarthp]

Oh, oh well then. Been thinking of getting a used 002 to have them mod

[czarthp]

man if I could get my 2626 on with a rosetta that would be to sweet

[Real Talk Ent.]

Originally Posted by czarthp

man if I could get my 2626 on with a rosetta that would be to sweet

not to sound like a dic* but i was starting this thread for people who already have the BLA gear to post about it, so people like you and me can just read other peoples real life experience and get an idea about their products without doing all the searching reading and e-mailing that i was forced too lol

[czarthp]

ooooooh, my bad. I just got excited when I saw the profire 2626 on the list lol. I haven't been to their site in a while.

[Real Talk Ent.]

Originally Posted by shipshape

For me the BLA 192's have changed the sound of digital recording dramatically . Case in point is the Alison Krauss record Im recording and mixing in Nashville with the BLA's . Its not just the converters , its the clock , which is second to none and makes the real difference , we did a test and Alison couldn't stand the regular 192's after singing thru the BLA's , Its made such a difference , we are re recording certain things that were done without them.
There have been a few top Nashville engineers who have heard the A/B at the studio and have all asked for a demo unit .!!!!
To me Danny at Requisite Audio and BLA have put digital sound into a new league .
I know Im gushing here !! But to be able to get the width and the depth of field and warmth again to music is exciting to me , the difference is remarkable and Im not chasing analogue anymore !!!
Shipshape

im hoping to make this a great thread for new studio owners and one's looking to upgrade to learn about BLA in one spot.
these are the type of posts im hoping for

verry insightful and i appreciate it

thank you.

[zacheus83]

I got the Signature BLA 002R mod, February 2009. At the time of this post it's been 18 months with it.

Clear Improvements:

-A/D convertors sound better
-D/A convertors sound pretty amazing
-It seems that the clock has helped with the clarity of the overall sound and "punchiness", but maybe that's just the convertors that I am hearing.
-Mixing has become much more effortless. Once I got the mod, I could hear how crappy my HS80 monitors were in my room. Bass traps and new monitors later, I trust what I hear 95%.

Not so sure about:

The 1-4 mic/line inputs seem to sound better, but boosting the volume knob is still troublesome. I ran a 1khz sine wave through each channel and it displays really well until the knob is above 12 o'clock. Once the knob is around 3 o'clock the sine wave displays even and odd harmonics that spike and clip the input!!! You can hear the clipping and see the clipping with an ITB RTA. The workaround is to use a separate preamp and/or channel strip and just keep the 002R input knob as low as possible (or completely off).

Inputs 5-8 sound the same to me as they did before the upgrade.

The monitor level knob causes static spikes on output 1 (left) whenever I turn the knob too quickly. It is annoying, and I fear it will hurt my monitors.

The headphone amp seems to be over 30db softer than it was before. It sounds much cleaner, no hiss whatsoever, and is a definite improvement. However, the loss of volume is, once again, pretty annoying.


Overall

I'd give the Mod a 4 out of 5. The price is pretty steep, but I do believe it is better to purchase the mod than to buy an external A/D-D/A (which is what I would have done, if not for the BLA mod). You get more for your money with the mod...

Hope this helps!

[Obitheincredible]

This is my review and a shootout on the Black Lion Audio Auteur

Pre Amp Shootout | ObiAudio

Black Lion Audio Auteur Review | ObiAudio

[frans]

Got my MOTU 828 mk1 modded maybe 5 years ago.
pro:
- even the return customers asked me what I did to get clearer sound
- no frills, no hassle with BL
- reasonable price
- suddenly the two micpres are usable .. don't ask me about them before the mod....

contra:
- now the 828 insists on being the master clock, okay, got a SPDIF to wordclock converter/distributor from Mutec which works like a charm and my 828-clocked Mackie onyx800R stopped having hickups (which it did when it was clocked via firewire from the unmodded 828)

all in all : 9 out of 10.

[anguswoodhead]

I had the original Micro Clock for a year or so...
Then upgraded to the Micro Clock II when it came out.
Man.....whew.... what a weapon.
Anyone that reckons that clocking makes no difference needs a new set of ears.
I always had trouble with harshness in the hi mids and woolly bottom end when I clocked with RME converters.
The BLA MCII - wow - my mastering engineer heard the difference and asked me what I had changed as it improved my sound A LOT.
Thanks BLA.

OH BTW - I have just bought a HD4 system with 2 x Lynx Aurora 16's....
I will be doing some tests with and without the Micro Clock II and fully expect it will end up on clock duties permanently for my HD rig.

[zacheus83]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

I had the original Micro Clock for a year or so...
Then upgraded to the Micro Clock II when it came out.
Man.....whew.... what a weapon.
Anyone that reckons that clocking makes no difference needs a new set of ears.
I always had trouble with harshness in the hi mids and woolly bottom end when I clocked with RME converters.
The BLA MCII - wow - my mastering engineer heard the difference and asked me what I had changed as it improved my sound A LOT.
Thanks BLA.

OH BTW - I have just bought a HD4 system with 2 x Lynx Aurora 16's....
I will be doing some tests with and without the Micro Clock II and fully expect it will end up on clock duties permanently for my HD rig.

Please let us know the results of the test!!!!

[Real Talk Ent.]

Originally Posted by zacheus83

Please let us know the results of the test!!!!

yeah i'd love to hear

[jasonwagner]

I have one of the PM8 I use to sum four stereo stems coming out of my ensemble.

I let a client hear the difference between the two on some of their mixes, "WoW" was the word used, with a big smile!

Since I don't have any experience with other summing units I can't really comment about any comparisons but I love what it did for my mixes. Both of the outputs sound a bit different and work differently with different styles of music.

Haven't tried the passive with an external pre.

When I record I have to set all outputs to 1 and 2 to be able to monitor incoming signals and still be able to hear the mix, so I bypass the PM8. Working on a mix I was getting very frustrated because it wasn't sounding anywhere as good as it did the other day, I then realized I hadn't routed everything back through the PM8 and was only using Logic to sum.

[Real Talk Ent.]

Originally Posted by jasonwagner

I have one of the PM8 I use to sum four stereo stems coming out of my ensemble.

I let a client hear the difference between the two on some of their mixes, "WoW" was the word used, with a big smile!

Since I don't have any experience with other summing units I can't really comment about any comparisons but I love what it did for my mixes. Both of the outputs sound a bit different and work differently with different styles of music.

Haven't tried the passive with an external pre.

When I record I have to set all outputs to 1 and 2 to be able to monitor incoming signals and still be able to hear the mix, so I bypass the PM8. Working on a mix I was getting very frustrated because it wasn't sounding anywhere as good as it did the other day, I then realized I hadn't routed everything back through the PM8 and was only using Logic to sum.

thats great tanks for the post, and its all good we all make dumb mistakes sometimes lol

[overgrown]

"Digi 002/3:- on par with Prism Genex and lavry AD/DA's"

bit of a stretch.

[Real Talk Ent.]

Originally Posted by overgrown

"Digi 002/3:- on par with Prism Genex and lavry AD/DA's"

bit of a stretch.

its what hey claimed!

and again (not to be rude) PLEASE only people with experience comment on what you feel/think about the products explain why and rate the equipment you have

[chrisdee]

Wonder if they mod mbox2pro ?

[777Artin]

Originally Posted by Real Talk Ent.

I Dont have any actual experience but i've done a lot of talking to them and here's a list of their comparison's.

FM 192:- on par with the high end Meitner converter's

Digi 002/3:- on par with Prism Genex and lavry AD/DA's

Mikro Clock MKII:- on par with the Antelope Rubidium 10M

All Motu Mod's:- Compare favorably to aurora and Rosetta AD/DA's

M-Audio 2626:- Slightly better than the Modded Motu's

Auteur:- Compare's to high end API pre's

96 I/O:- better than 002/3R not quite as good as the FM 192

PM8 Summing Mixer:- one of the Stereo outs compare to neve/api and the other to SSl the 3rd is clear and passive

Am/Cha1 EQ:- compare's easily to Neve, massenburg, and API Eq's


They said all their comparisons are based on their sound and quality and they made no actual direct comparisons to the mentioned product's

I also heard about their mod of the Behringer ADA8000 : on par with NEVE 1073 pre and Lavry Gold converters.

Sarcastic devil in me again.

777artin

[Real Talk Ent.]

Originally Posted by spicemix

I have never received any evidence that they are anything beyond a hustling/scam operation. They do not publish any standard specifications or analysis of before & after mods or of their standalone units. I have never read of one being analyzed by anyone reputable. They do not offer demo units or refunds on mods.

They may make enough money off 20-something wannabees to buy celebrity endorsements.

and your thoughts are exactly why i only want people who own and or have real life experience with their products to comment on this thread....

so people who are interested and want to research them can read reviews from real people....


so again PLEASE people who have no experience with BLA STOP commenting so we can hear ONLY REAL testimonial's

no offense to anyone im not being rude i just want this thread to be useful...

[shipshape]

I might not be reputable and I certainly have no endorsement with them , your cynicism is sad , they make the best converters and clocks , I really dont care if u believe it or not , your loss , my gain . You are not very open minded Spicemix , and being open and not cynical about new products might help u improve your recordings , if thats what matters to u. Put the BLA up against Mytek , anything u like . Hear for yourself . Conjecture is pointless
Shipshape

[Real Talk Ent.]

Originally Posted by shipshape

I might not be reputable and I certainly have no endorsement with them , your cynicism is sad , they make the best converters and clocks , I really dont care if u believe it or not , your loss , my gain . You are not very open minded Spicemix , and being open and not cynical about new products might help u improve your recordings , if thats what matters to u. Put the BLA up against Mytek , anything u like . Hear for yourself . Conjecture is pointless
Shipshape

please dont turn the thread into a debate.....
i just want gear testimonials good or bad from REAL BLA Customers thats all just an educational thread for the interested people like me and many others ....
not another famous Gearslutz debate

[Real Talk Ent.]

and here we go again

[anguswoodhead]

I think Clock tests are best done in a mixing scenario where you are sending 24 or more channels out thru converters.
That's when you really notice the difference - the sound of the whole mix changes.
Just my opinion from hearing with my own ears.

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by spicemix

This goalpost moving is familiar. If people would also like to hire me studio time on the console of their choice (we have SSL's, Neves, etc. here in SF) I will do additional tests that way. If people want to provide oxygen free cable and wenge discs I will use those too.

Peter - I hope you get to do the test you want to do mate.
You just might be pleasantly surprised - I know I was.
If I was within a few hours of where you are I would take you up - could be fun, but I'm in OZ so no luck there.
I will however be starting a thread comparing clocking my HD rig with the Lynx Aurora's and the BLA MCII once I get the system up and running - stay tuned.
I will post 2 mixes clocked both ways - will be interesting for sure.

[gongbass]

I got both of my MOTU 2408 MK3's Mod'ed, and actually got the Microclock MK2 before I sent the units out to be worked on. When I got the clock (connected to my digital mixer and 2 2408 MK3's by BNC) I A/B'd it to the internal clock for playback of various mixes. Right away I noticed a bit of "tightening" in the low mids and more definition in the lows. There also seemed to be less "haze" or dullness to the overall sound.

After getting the 2408 MK3's back from being modified I've been thrilled with the results. I've worked with Lynx and Rosetta and find both to be excellent converters. If you offered me either right now I'd decline. I use DP 7 and working with MOTU interfaces (also have an 8Pre in the mix) is just so solid. BLA's mods are absolutely night and day to me. Everything sound for lack of a better word, "exciting" now. With the clock & mods I'm finding more articulation and depth. Imaging has improved as well. I can know pan things in and hear where they are in a stereo field as opposed to soft/hard left, center or soft/hard right.

[D K]

Peter - you are funny...I'll give you that

anyway... BLA mods a lot of stuff that is not listed on their site - always call them

I had my Frontier Designs Tango modded and am ecstatic with what I got back - I thought the Tango sounded good anyways - especially for a converter that came out in 1998 but now it's just flat out a great box - we tested it side by side with my buddy's Aurora 8 and we both were surprised at how well the unit faired against the Lynx. We took splits from his Grace and Chandler in to both and recorded hand percussion, cymbals, guitars and saxophone - He has pretty good ears and lots of experience so it wasn't just potential purchase justification on my part - just good work.

I paid under $200 for the Tango and $400 plus some change for the premium mod - was more then worth for me as I did not have anything to lose really and gained an excellent 8 channels of A/D/D/A that I will definitely keep even as I move up the food chain....thumbsup