RecordingMaster
A Sarcastic Statement
Hi there,
I currently have a Tascam US-1800 USB 2.0 interface. It has 4 line level jacks on the back (w/ no preamps), 8 XLR inputs with digital pres and 2 Di inputs. I usually use my outboard pre's to feed to the line level jacks, and then use the left over xlr's for the rest of my mics when recording a larger instrument (like drums or a detailed guitar setup with multiple mics).
Thing is, so I've read, and so I am hearing, the A/D conversion quality on the us-1800 is not considered to be anything magical whatsoever. I find the stock digital XLR pre's thin and lackluster. While my outboard pre's sound better, they are still passing through this not-so-pro A/D converter which in essence is sort of robbing the potential of what my outboard can do.
That being said, I came across a used MOTU 896 Firewire interface for sale for $200 CAD (the original - 10 yrs old or so). I figured that was a good deal (bargaining to occur of course) and my first thought was that surely thing must have, not only better A/D conversion, but also better XLR pre-amps. They are analog preamps on the front when using the mic or line switch, but they are combo jacks and you can flip the switch to bypass the pre amps (for outboard), so win win!
Instead of just ASSUMING the A/D will be better on this thing compared to my Tascam, how can I know for sure, aside from just "using my ears". Surely there has got to be a something on paper that says how good an a/d converter is, or else why would people buy the great ones if it only CLAIMS to be great? I need something reinforcing my assumption of the a/d conversion, instead of just buying it and trying. As that would be a rather silly decision to make based on purely assumption.
So I am asking you, not just "what do you THINK about the a/d conversion in the motu 896 compared to tascam us-1800", but also "what do you KNOW about the differences in quality of either converter"? lol
Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
I currently have a Tascam US-1800 USB 2.0 interface. It has 4 line level jacks on the back (w/ no preamps), 8 XLR inputs with digital pres and 2 Di inputs. I usually use my outboard pre's to feed to the line level jacks, and then use the left over xlr's for the rest of my mics when recording a larger instrument (like drums or a detailed guitar setup with multiple mics).
Thing is, so I've read, and so I am hearing, the A/D conversion quality on the us-1800 is not considered to be anything magical whatsoever. I find the stock digital XLR pre's thin and lackluster. While my outboard pre's sound better, they are still passing through this not-so-pro A/D converter which in essence is sort of robbing the potential of what my outboard can do.
That being said, I came across a used MOTU 896 Firewire interface for sale for $200 CAD (the original - 10 yrs old or so). I figured that was a good deal (bargaining to occur of course) and my first thought was that surely thing must have, not only better A/D conversion, but also better XLR pre-amps. They are analog preamps on the front when using the mic or line switch, but they are combo jacks and you can flip the switch to bypass the pre amps (for outboard), so win win!
Instead of just ASSUMING the A/D will be better on this thing compared to my Tascam, how can I know for sure, aside from just "using my ears". Surely there has got to be a something on paper that says how good an a/d converter is, or else why would people buy the great ones if it only CLAIMS to be great? I need something reinforcing my assumption of the a/d conversion, instead of just buying it and trying. As that would be a rather silly decision to make based on purely assumption.
So I am asking you, not just "what do you THINK about the a/d conversion in the motu 896 compared to tascam us-1800", but also "what do you KNOW about the differences in quality of either converter"? lol
Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.