AD conversion on the cheap

  • Thread starter Thread starter nbiehl
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nbiehl

nbiehl

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Greetings,

I recently got lucky and aquired a Tascam 34B and a Soundcraft 200B console.

I'll soon be in possesion of a second hand PC (specs unknown, but its a consumer model thats a couple of years old. XP, single processor, maxed out on RAM.)

My Question: For a variety of reasons, I want to put some of the analog noise into the computer to experiment with. I'm chronically low on cash, but I'm patient and resourceful.

Can anyone recommend a quality, slightly out-of-date AD conversion tool, preferably one that someone is likely to sell after an upgrade, that I could be on the lookout for? Appearance is of no concern to me, and I'm not looking for bells and whistles. I'm looking for a reliable workhorse that I can aquire at a reasonable price.

Thanks.
 
Get some freebie multitrack software that'll handle multiple soundcards and then get a cheap additional soundcard to go with the one in the PC and you'll have at least 4 channels of AD. Cost you maybe $10. The converter quality and noise floor on basic PC soundcards is terrible but it'll work.

You asked for a solution "on the cheap". ;)

You might want to put this up in the DAW forum as well since it really deals with a digital issue not analog.
 
Thanks for the reply, Sweetbeats.

I will post this on the DAW forum. I had a hard time deciding whether to post this question on this forum or the Newbie forum, but I went with this forum because it seems that some of the most seasoned techs hang out here.

I was hoping to entice the cynics here (those who are typically unswayed by the latest and greatest marketing schemes) into singing the praises of some under-appreciated piece of gear that the fickle have left behind.

Does such a tool exist?
 
Sweetbeats, you are right, this question is best answered on other forums (though I would still appreciate anyone's opinion on AD conversion cards that perform well and have quality analog components.)

Thanks for your help.
 
nbiehl said:
Greetings,

I recently got lucky and aquired a Tascam 34B and a Soundcraft 200B console.

I'll soon be in possesion of a second hand PC (specs unknown, but its a consumer model thats a couple of years old. XP, single processor, maxed out on RAM.)

My Question: For a variety of reasons, I want to put some of the analog noise into the computer to experiment with. I'm chronically low on cash, but I'm patient and resourceful.

Can anyone recommend a quality, slightly out-of-date AD conversion tool, preferably one that someone is likely to sell after an upgrade, that I could be on the lookout for? Appearance is of no concern to me, and I'm not looking for bells and whistles. I'm looking for a reliable workhorse that I can aquire at a reasonable price.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You can pick up used Echo interfaces without spending too much. The 20 or 24 bit Gina's and Layla's have lost sex appeal and are quite cheap now. The BTW - the 20 bit units sound great so don't be overly concerned with the 4 extra bits they lack.
 
I agree. I was also going to say that PCI interfaces are generally cheaper, but not because the don't perform as well...PCI isn't as portable (since there is an interface card inside the computer) or as chique as firewire or USB. :rolleyes:

BUT PCI hardware is generally more stable than other protocols, less prone to conflicts, has lots of bandwidth, and sounds just as good.

The Delta 44 or Delta 66 from M-Audio is a good low-cost option...For not much more you can get a Delta 1010LT card with breakout cable...no external box but more inputs and outputs...all 24/96.

Here's a good buy on an Echo Layla as it comes with a full version of Logic Platinum 4.8.
 
Thanks for your help folks.

That Layla was on my ebay watchlist about 2 minutes after RRuskin's reply.

I've found a used Delta 1010 in my area (the breakout box kind, not the LT) for what seems like a really great price (under $300.) Are they a reliable system?
 
sweetbeats said:
PCI isn't as portable (since there is an interface card inside the computer) or as chique as firewire or USB.
Click to expand...

The console and the 4 track together probably outweigh me. Portability is not really a concern. ;)
 
nbiehl said:
Thanks for your help folks.

That Layla was on my ebay watchlist about 2 minutes after RRuskin's reply.

I've found a used Delta 1010 in my area (the breakout box kind, not the LT) for what seems like a really great price (under $300.) Are they a reliable system?
Click to expand...

I've had the Delta 1010LT for a few months and haven't had an ounce of problems out of it. I'm also running an old Soundblaster Live card (with the LiveDrive unit). Now the SBLive is a pile O' crap compared to the Delta. However, I use the SBLive for the MIDI synthesis since I don't have anything else. If you have Windows XP (or 2000), go for the 1010 if you can. I think the only difference (other than supplied software) between the 1010 and the 1010LT is that the 1010 has an actual breakout box whereas the 1010LT just has the dongles attached to the sound card with the 1/4", SPDIF, and XLR connections. A small pain in the backside to initially get hooked up, but if you don't have to repatch anything afterwards, it's all good.

It's all personal preference though man. Don't take my word as gospel on this. I've had a good experience with this card thus far, but my situation/setup varies from everyone else's. Let us know what you come up with and how it works for you.;)
 
Another major difference with the 1010 is that the ins and outs are balanced, but this is truly not of any use to your situation, nbiehl...I'd save some bones and go for a 1010LT. About half of that used 1010 you mentioned for new.
 
I use a delta 44 card m audio and have never had one problem with it.
They are going pretty cheap these days. Like 45 50 bucks.
But before I spent the money on a card if you are short on cash i would try the card that comes with the computer first. It may suprise you on how good it could sound.
 
I'm actually not as short on cash as I was when I first posted this question. About an hour after the OP my wife called and told me about an unexpected Christmas check that came in the mail yesterday, so I suddenly have more leeway than I thought.:)

There's a used Delta 66 on Ebay right now with an Omni I/O box that looks like it may go for a low price.

Anyone had any experience with that box?
 
I have seen used Firepods go for less than $200, I think that would be a better investment than one of the M-Audio Delta PCI cards.
 
OK, new question (I posted it on the DAW forum, but I thought I'd ask here as well.)

I bought all of this gear from a TV station. Along with it came a Tascam DA30 DAT machine.

So, could I use the AD/DA conversion capabilities of the DAT to get the analog signal into the PC?
 
The DAT deck will handle the conversion, but then yer STILL going to need something to get the digital audio into the PC via S/PDIF, and you'll be limited to 2 channels in and out simultaneously. The 1010LT has S/PDIF I/O.
 
also, I feel weird recommending a behringer product, but the ADA8000 gives you 8 channels of A/D conversion and Musicians Friend has them for $170 right now. I imagine you could get them a little bit cheaper if you looked used on the bay.

As rough as some Behringer stuff is, these things get decent reviews.

Its ADAT though, not PCI or FW, so I guess you still need a soundcard with an ADAT in.
 
If you're looking into spending around $200 to get your computer, converters, and a CD-burner (I'm assuming) up and running, you may want to consider getting an older DAW, like a Tascam 788. I bought a Tascam 788 not too long ago with a CD burner and 3 year warranty for less than $200. To me, the converters sound really good, I can still interface it with a computer because the 788 can burn .wav files to disc if I wanted to, and everything seems more stable than running multitrack software on the computer. I started recording using multitrack software on a computer and was never able to get the hang of it. I could figure it out, but never get everything to sound right.

Anyways, just thought I'd offer this as an alternative take on your question.

-MD
 
DBX Quantum has good A/D D/A converters & plenty of other useful recording & mastering features built in including DBX type IV. Got one for £300, was £2000 odd new!

Also the Kurzweil Rumour & Mangler FX units have very good A/D D/A converters built in.

Buying a dedicated A/D D/A converter works out much too expensive for the improvements made to your recordings, spend the money on better outboard, compressors, EQ's preamps, & mics / acoustic treatment & your reel to reel machines!
 
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