Advice requested: Upgrading my converter

OzNimbus · 3rd August 2003

Hey gang, I'd like to get some opinions on 2 channel A/D converters.

I've worked with a 44.1/48khz Rosetta for the last three years. It was great in my old studio, but I've just completed construction on my new RFZ control room, and the Apogee is beginning to show it's flaws. (Never underestimate how much the room factors into the equation)
Is it just me, or does the Rosetta seem a touch on the "gritty" side? Maybe not on single tracks, but when you start stacking overdubs run thru it on top of each other, it does seem to have an undesireable effect.

My main application is heavy rock. So that means layers & layers of heavily distorted guitar.

What should I be looking at for an upgrade? Should I be going "pristine and clean" or be looking for something with a little more "analog flavor" Again, it's heavy rock.... no actually, it's mostly Death Metal.

Any comments, advice, or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

-0z-

NathanEldred · 3rd August 2003

I think "analog flavor" in an ADC is pure hype, it's stated to cover up flaws like jitter and lack of headroom (I'm not talking about DSP like on the HEDD). The Crane Song HEDD is a wonderful piece with the ability to put in "tape" and "tube" flavor in addition to being able to turn it off when those are not applicable. Benchmark makes wonderful ADC's, and are soon coming out with a slightly low cost unit with mic preamps installed. I believe a unit with no mic preamps is to follow in the sometime future. Mytek is also coming out with a 2 channel , ADC only unit in the next 4-6 weeks. All of the companies that make these units have an eye towards a 'hi-fidelity' basically pristine kind of sound (with minor tonal variations between each, just like Grace and Millennia preamps are both different, but both are still "clean") what you put in is what you get out, as far as an ADC can allow anyway in 2003. Here are a few links to get you started:

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/news/awards.asp

http://www.mytekdigital.com/kramer.htm

http://jdvservices.com/stone/press.html#cranesong

Based on the excellent past track records of these companies, I don't think that you can't lose with any of these. Remember, 2/3 of these specific products have not been released yet so they are still subject to scrutinization. However, I doubt that Mercedes or Rolls Royce will be putting out a piece of trash onto the market, nor will CS, Mytek or Cranesong (as some might have you believe just for the sake of arguement). And if you find you don't like them there is always room to try something else instead. From my experience, when one gets to a certain high level of gear it comes down to functionality and features in addition to price factors. At least you have indicated that you can hear the difference and realize that what you currently have could use improvement, this is a excellent first step in the right direction.

e-cue · 3rd August 2003

The HEDD unit is right up your alley. You never see these things being sold used, and there's a reason why.

mr.gefell · 3rd August 2003

here is one from universal:

http://www.uaudio.com/products/2192.html

OzNimbus · 4th August 2003

I'll admit I'm intrigued by the Cranesong Hedd. Would I be looking at a significant boost in quality over the Apogees?

3rd August 2003	#1
OzNimbus SawSlut Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: 22 Acacia Avenue Posts: 248 Thread Starter	Advice requested: Upgrading my converter Hey gang, I'd like to get some opinions on 2 channel A/D converters. I've worked with a 44.1/48khz Rosetta for the last three years. It was great in my old studio, but I've just completed construction on my new RFZ control room, and the Apogee is beginning to show it's flaws. (Never underestimate how much the room factors into the equation) Is it just me, or does the Rosetta seem a touch on the "gritty" side? Maybe not on single tracks, but when you start stacking overdubs run thru it on top of each other, it does seem to have an undesireable effect. My main application is heavy rock. So that means layers & layers of heavily distorted guitar. What should I be looking at for an upgrade? Should I be going "pristine and clean" or be looking for something with a little more "analog flavor" Again, it's heavy rock.... no actually, it's mostly Death Metal. Any comments, advice, or opinions would be greatly appreciated. -0z-

3rd August 2003	#2
NathanEldred Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 7,130	I think "analog flavor" in an ADC is pure hype, it's stated to cover up flaws like jitter and lack of headroom (I'm not talking about DSP like on the HEDD). The Crane Song HEDD is a wonderful piece with the ability to put in "tape" and "tube" flavor in addition to being able to turn it off when those are not applicable. Benchmark makes wonderful ADC's, and are soon coming out with a slightly low cost unit with mic preamps installed. I believe a unit with no mic preamps is to follow in the sometime future. Mytek is also coming out with a 2 channel , ADC only unit in the next 4-6 weeks. All of the companies that make these units have an eye towards a 'hi-fidelity' basically pristine kind of sound (with minor tonal variations between each, just like Grace and Millennia preamps are both different, but both are still "clean") what you put in is what you get out, as far as an ADC can allow anyway in 2003. Here are a few links to get you started: http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/news/awards.asp http://www.mytekdigital.com/kramer.htm http://jdvservices.com/stone/press.html#cranesong Based on the excellent past track records of these companies, I don't think that you can't lose with any of these. Remember, 2/3 of these specific products have not been released yet so they are still subject to scrutinization. However, I doubt that Mercedes or Rolls Royce will be putting out a piece of trash onto the market, nor will CS, Mytek or Cranesong (as some might have you believe just for the sake of arguement). And if you find you don't like them there is always room to try something else instead. From my experience, when one gets to a certain high level of gear it comes down to functionality and features in addition to price factors. At least you have indicated that you can hear the difference and realize that what you currently have could use improvement, this is a excellent first step in the right direction. __________________ Nathan Eldred Visit Atlas Pro Audio USA Distributor for Buzz Audio Atlas Recording Studios, Inc.

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3rd August 2003	#3
e-cue Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 4,061	The HEDD unit is right up your alley. You never see these things being sold used, and there's a reason why.

3rd August 2003	#4
mr.gefell Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: forest and hills Posts: 1,246	here is one from universal: http://www.uaudio.com/products/2192.html

4th August 2003	#5
OzNimbus SawSlut Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: 22 Acacia Avenue Posts: 248 Thread Starter	I'll admit I'm intrigued by the Cranesong Hedd. Would I be looking at a significant boost in quality over the Apogees?