$800, DAV or MiniMe?

[tromostheory]

I'm using a DIGI 001. What would be a better improvement to my sound? A DAV preamp or the Apogee MiniMe? I would run the SPDIF out of the mini me into the 001. How good are the preamps in the Minime? Are they a big improvement over the DMP3? Would the A/D conversion make a bigger difference than what I'm sure are better pres in the DAV? Unless I record drumset (not often) I record only one or two tracks at a time(mono or stereo). I have a DMP3, an AT4050, a pair of oktava MK012, an SM57, a C1000, and Pacific Pro Audio LDC ($100 mic). I also have an RNC.

[mrface2112]

i can't speak to the dav. i can speak to the minime.

the preamps are quite nice on the minime. definitely a step up from the DMP3. clean and transparent and i like them on just about anything that doesn't "need color".

of bonus, with the minime is that you get a quite usable compressor--i love it on DI'd strat, actually.

the converters are quite nice too. not quite on the same level as the ones in the Rosetta line, but definitely a big step up from the stock "prosumer" level ones in the 001, Delta 1010, etc.

the biggest difference, IMO, is that you get an EXCELLENT word clock. i noticed a huge difference when i clocked my Delta 1010 (the rackmount one) from my minime. the low end tightened, the mids got more pronounced and the highs softened (got less harsh).

from what i've read, the 001 benefits pretty well from using a better (external) clock.

YMMV..........and/but while the dav may be a better preamp......personally i find bigger "bang for the buck" in the minime over the dav.


cheers,
wade

[Dot]

Totally depends on what you're recording and what kind of sound you want.

[MOFO Pro]

I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who owns both and can give you a side by side comprision... But I've got the BG-1... and in a word... "BIG" It's acurate, clean, but "big"... Maybe warm, but not in the traditional sense of bordering on muddy, or boomy if over driven... FULL... I don't freekin' know... that why I rarely comment on Preamps... they fall into two catogories for me... I like them... and I don't...

The minime (Now here's the part I never thought I'd ever say... at least out loud) I've Heard that the converters are excellent, the clock even better... that the sound is clear, and accurate... but without a lot of character. I also thought the minime sold for significantly more new.

The minime is like the swiss army knife of single channel audio (and does all of it well...) the DAV is know for it's BIG clear sound, and I like it

So it depends on your particular needs. Both preamps are good... but the minime does a lot more... If you'd find those features useful... I'd suggest the minime over the DAV... but if your covered, and looking for some gentle character in your pre arsenal... go for the DAV

[mrface2112]

Originally Posted by MOFO Pro

The minime is like the swiss army knife of single channel audio (and does all of it well...)

actually the minime is dual channel (stereo). but yes, it IS a veritable swiss army knife.

but the real answer is "what do you want" and "what do you need". i think overall he'd benefit from the minime at this point in time, given the clock, converters and compressors.......but from a preamp side the dav is prolly better, since it does just that (whereas the preamps on the minime are a bonus). the minime's preamps are definitely good--very clean, clear and a lot bigger sounding than say mackie VLZ pres.....but the minime's pres don't have a lot of color or character to them. but i've got plenty of character in my Tampa and Symetrix 528, so i'm glad to have "clean" in the minime. excellent on OHs, snare (esp with the limiter kicked in--HUGE) and acoustic guitar.

and fwiw, the price on the minime's been dropping something stupid of late. i think they're going for $800 and change (new with the USB) and used you can find em for around $650. can't beat that with a stick. i paid $800 for mine last summer, used.

i run mine s/pdiff into my Delta 1010 and clock the 1010 from it via s/pdiff as well (at the same time). it's one of the best upgrades i've made.


cheers,
wade

[MOFO Pro]

Originally Posted by mrface2112

and fwiw, the price on the minime's been dropping something stupid of late. i think they're going for $800 and change (new with the USB)

Well at that price you just may find someone who owns both... ME

I've lusted after the minime for years... but could never justify the price when I've got all of it's features covered with other equipment... It's just so handy, and portable, with not a lot of compromise on quality for something that does so much.

[mrface2112]

Originally Posted by MOFO Pro

Well at that price you just may find someone who owns both... ME

LOL

Originally Posted by MOFO Pro

I've lusted after the minime for years

me too. and the Grace Lunatec V3.

Originally Posted by MOFO Pro

but could never justify the price when I've got all of it's features covered with other equipment

yeah, i thought so too. but i needed a mobile interface and when i got a decent (at the time) price on a used one, i had to get it. the thing is, i was plenty happy with the sound of the 1010 until i clocked it to the minime--and then i was blown away. the conversion is definitely a step up as well. i'd dare say that the minime is a "professional" piece of gear compared to the "prosumer" level of the 1010.

Originally Posted by MOFO Pro

It's just so handy, and portable, with not a lot of compromise on quality for something that does so much.

i totally agree 100%. my ONLY complaint about it is that it can't be USB bus powered. it needs to have its own battery pack, which'll run about $120.


cheers,
wade

[xstatic]

I would imagine that the DAV is a better preamp, but I would also imagine that the mini-me will also have a more profound impact on your recordings as a whole. There was someone here recently selling a USB mini-me for $625 in the for sale section