analog convertors for my digital recorder

[videodrone]

whats the best analog coonverter I can use for my roland xp1680?

Im looking for something that will give me great analog results, without having to actually go analog.

[LAZI]

I never heard of a Roland XP1680. I think you mean VS1680?

What?

You need to explain what yo u are looking for a little better.

Are you saying you want your digital recorder to sound analog?

Are you looking for a better preamp?

[videodrone]

my freinds went to a studio and they recorded into a digital recorder,

but at the studio they ran it through a converter that makes digital sound like analog. the results were great also,

im wondering about some great analog convertors that I could get that would give me great results, my next step is to call the studio, but i also wanted some shout outs from you guys,

[LAZI]

I have a 1680 to.

I'm currently thinking of these A/D converters for my Yamaha: Art DI/O, Art DPS, and a Presonus Firestation. These all can be used to go into the VS using the digital inputs and skip around the Roland A/D convertors and preamps. The DI/O is not a preamp and the Firestation is actually a firewire audio I/O for a computer but can act a standalone A/D converter and mixer.

I think all user of the Roland VS line and many other DAW users agree that external preamps, digital or analog, can improve the sound quality of the recording. As far as sounding like a analog recorder...Hmmm. Might wanna try a analog recorder.

Many people are satified with just a better preamp and the VS's A/D converters. You should do a search in the Roland section and see waht some people are saying about ways they are bypassing the pres and A/D converters on their VS's.


Also another good site for help is the VSplanet.

[gordone]

I have a feeling that the Analog-Digital converters they were using were >$1000 each (Mytek? Apoggee?) and that they were using $$$$ mics/preamps and had a great sounding room to begin with. I don't think you could throw a magic box at your Roland and have your recordings sound 10000% better.

Learn to use what you have now. What do you think is lacking in your recordings? The quality of your recordings is limited by the weakest link in the chain. This includes the player/instrument, the room, the mic, the pre, and then the AD converters.

Hope this didn't come across snippy, but I just wanted to share some general advice. Good luck!

Originally posted by videodrone
my freinds went to a studio and they recorded into a digital recorder,

but at the studio they ran it through a converter that makes digital sound like analog. the results were great also,

im wondering about some great analog convertors that I could get that would give me great results, my next step is to call the studio, but i also wanted some shout outs from you guys,

[MaximumDB]

I found something that has worked well for me...maybe it will help you too.

I own a Roland VSR-880 that has the 24 bit A/D/A convertors and they already sounded pretty good. The 1680 has 20 bit convertors so the 24 bit ones should give you more resolution too.

When I had to replace my blown power amp I thought about buying some self powered, digital speakers but I still wanted to use my JBL studio monitors because I was used to them.

I ended up buying a VSX 711 Pioneer Home theatre receiver. Don't laugh...I was blown away by the improvment...more clarity, spacious, smooth and open sound. Maybe a little more analog?

I did some A/B comparisons and I am very happy with the amp...for just over $200.00

Now my signal chain is all digital right to the speakers. I have 3 SPDIF inputs to switch between my DVD/CD player & PC sound card...wow, they sound great too. It also has 1 SPDIF out so I can dump things back into my VSR 880 without another A/D conversion. It has a "straight" gain setting so you can just use the 24 bit, 96kHz convertors and power amps with no loudness or tone controls.

I can control everything with the remote control. Down the road, I might even play around with some surround sound mixing.

MaxDB

[littledog]

While I can't claim to understand your question any better than anyone else here, if you're asking what I think you're asking, it sounds like you are describing the Cranesong HEDD. Be prepared to pay well over two grand for the HEDD, though.

[DigitMus]

Yep, the HEDD 192 is absolutely the device to do what videodrone wants. BTW - I think the $2000 estimate would be for a used one - littledog, if you know where I can get one NEW for under $3000 please tell me, I'd like to add another one to my rack.

Scott

[lilcapn]

i've got a 1680, and i never thought about trying different (outbard) converters. but it seems like some good outboard pres (UA, Joe Meek, etc) that have some color would bring your sound closer to the analog feel you're looking for.

they greatly improved my 1680 recordings.

having said that, i STILL find the finished product with the 1680 sounds good but too digital for me; hollow in some way?

it's a useful thing, though, the 1680. try some nice mics and pres.