ADAT? Am I Mental?

  • Thread starter Thread starter marshall409
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If you're looking to use ADAT as your recording medium I'd say you're mental. I actually own a blackface adat that is used exclusively as a converter thats tied in through my other converters via ADAT lightpipe. Its really only a backup or if I'm doing a rather large band live I'll use it for 8 extra A/D converters. For that it works perfectly, but again you're limited as far as 44.1 or 48 conversion rate. Mine doesn't record anymore (it did up until recently) and I have no plans on getting it fixed.
 
how much better is using an ADAT for converters to maybe a 1212 into a PC vs. maudio octane adat out to same?
 
If you are looking to work outside the computer, go with the HD24. I bought two Tascam DA-38s (digital tape machines like the Alesis'), and shoulda saved the extra cash to buy the HD24. I like the 8-track tape decks fine - I don't think that shuttling is as horrific as those spoiled by DAW on this board will tell you - but yes, digital tape is already an obsolete technology, and parts and tape will become increasingly harder to find as time goes on.

Another major thing to consider, in my mind, is that recording to ADAT and mixing on an analog mixer down to stereo means you don't have access to things such as effects, compressors, etc., without buying them separately for individual tracks. Much more costly in the end, unless you don't need a lot of processing (beyond compression, I don't use much on my stuff, so Im fine with that).

Granted, with an HD24, you can pull individual tracks into a computer to process, and toss back on the machine, but I know you don't want to get one involved, just as I didn't (hence why I went the tape route a couple years ago myself).

Also, consider the cost of mixing in general, if you don't use a computer. A mixer that will do even a halfway decent job of mixing 24 tracks will run 1200-1500 dollars+. Then include cables, any outboard effects processing, and we're talkin 4-5,000. Probably more than you were looking to spend. If you are planning on mixing in the box, then the HD24 is fine, but even for monitoring, you need some sort of analog mixer to listen back, etc.

So, Id say, don't waste the money. Sorry to be long-winded, but I figured Id share my experience as I was in precisely the same situation myself.
 
junplugged said:
how much better is using an ADAT for converters to maybe a 1212 into a PC vs. maudio octane adat out to same?
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I've never used either of those two units mentioned, so maybe someone else can help chime in? BUT, think about this:

Do you know many big studio records being released that used either a 1212 or an octane? Now think back to the 90s, how many big releases were done on ADAT? Quite a few if I remember correctly. Eh... for what its worth anyway.
 
rory said:
I've never used either of those two units mentioned, so maybe someone else can help chime in? BUT, think about this:

Do you know many big studio records being released that used either a 1212 or an octane? Now think back to the 90s, how many big releases were done on ADAT? Quite a few if I remember correctly. Eh... for what its worth anyway.
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I do not think that is a very fair comparison. If the technology from today existed back in the ADAT's time, hardly anything would have been released on ADAT. Personally, I have a hard time selling things off. I am a pack rat of sorts and it usually pains me to seel something off. However, over the years, there have been a few things I am very glad that i sold. First, I am very glad I got rid of my DBX 376 and 566's, they sounded awful. Second, I am glad I got rid of all 8 ADAT machines I have had over the years.
 
are there still latency problems with PC recording, when I first tried years ago it drove me batty so I bought adats, still have two of them. Was thinking of getting and HD24 but don't really know much about them or how good they are.
PCs go down to often for my tastes.
 
If you get one, at least get the XT-20. I use one (it IS my primary and only recording medium) and I get by just fine. I can't stand computers and currently cant afford a reel to reel, so for me it's great. I've had zero problems with it reliability-wise, though I might have been lucky.

Though if i can get my hands on a reel to reel, it will quickly be for sale.
 
It still depends greatly on what equipment you get, but for the most part with almost any computer from the last 2-3 years and any remotely respectable interface, latency for the most part isn't a problem anymore. I haven't had any problems whatsoever from my P4 3.0/Delta1010 (well, latency-wise :p I need to upgrade my processor at some point here!)
 
robin watson said:
You're more clued up than me on the R2R stuff, but here's my take on that suggestion:

1. It's being used to record rehearsals: probably similar recording time per tape in either format, right? Tape cost is much cheaper with Adat; that said, if he's throwing it all onto computer (?) I guess the same tape can be reused. But if you're archiving, then Adat (properly handled) seems like a better option somehow.

2. Cost: Since when has the bottom line for an Adat been $150? I've seen Blackfaces for $75 on numerous occasions. 8-tracks of reel to reel machine is going to be comparably priced and probably more so.

3. Expandability: An Adat system could be upped to 16 tracks - nice if rehearsals are going well and the drummer's getting pissed off with only 3 mics on his kit! You're stuck with 8 tracks in reel to reel format, since 16 track in that format is going to be way more expensive (see also #1 regarding this point).

4. Reliability: Sure, Adat isn't perfect, but neither is reel to reel, although I have to agree with you that the latter has the advantage of being solid analog format (no drop outs). But a well handled Adat tape won't have any dropouts.

5. Cool factor: Reel to reel all the way baby (^:

6. Portability: He's carting this thing back and forth between the studio and home. If the r2r machine doesn't weigh more than an Adat, see #4.

7. Convenience: Adat all the way, especially if they'll be handling multiple tapes both at home and in the rehearsal room.

8. From tape to computer. Adat lightpipe remains a solid standard. Don't think you'll find one of those on a fostex.

Beck, this is not a mud sling. I love reel to reel, it's cool, and sounds the business, but I'm just thinking that an otherwise obsolete format (adat) would actually have the advantage in this situation.
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Holy crap if you can get an 8-track r2r in good, working condition for $80, please let me know where! They usually go for around $300-$400, and that doesn't even garauntee that the heads are worth a shit either. Well ... the 1/2" ones anyway---I don't know what the Fostex ones go for.
 
ive thought alot about this

if i were to be actually deciding today on which way to go, id have to go PC.

id probably just use it as a glorified adat though. pretty much just for recording and editing. i would really, really want to mix on a mixer. something like two delta 1010's through a mackie 1604 vlz with a few outboard boxes would be my dream first rig.

a setup like this would work like this, right?

mics and line ins would be plugged in to the mixer.

the source would go through the inserts, out to the computer and be recorded completely dry, before the channel strip.

i would send a matching out from the computer to the receiving end of the insert for the signal to continue through the mixer to the main outs eventually.

is this how they do it in the big pro computer setups basically?

Adam
 
i wouldnt run out and buy one...

but if someone just handed me one, i guess i might hook it up and just record live jams with it or whatever. i wouldnt be editing or mixing thru it..
 
I use mine primarily as a AD/DA converter to my soundcard. It also comes in handy for transferring comp'd tracks to and then from the ADAT in order to save disk space.
 
Cyrokk said:
I use mine primarily as a AD/DA converter to my soundcard. It also comes in handy for transferring comp'd tracks to and then from the ADAT in order to save disk space.
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First, the ADAT converters are pretty poor, second, why not get an external hard drive? ADAT's require real time transfers and if you are not doing a digital transfer, 2 more steps of nasty conversion. Then there is the cost of the tapes themselves. A hard drive, even a smaller one, would store a lot more data, no quality loss, and do it MUCH faster.
 
xstatic said:
First, the ADAT converters are pretty poor, second, why not get an external hard drive? ADAT's require real time transfers and if you are not doing a digital transfer, 2 more steps of nasty conversion. Then there is the cost of the tapes themselves. A hard drive, even a smaller one, would store a lot more data, no quality loss, and do it MUCH faster.
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I'm done buying gear, and any loss in quality between recording into the ADAT and having the signal sent via lightpipe straight to pc is minimal or non-existent to my ears. And what I'm doing from pc to ADAT IS a digital to digital transfer: I'm transfering data from the pc, through the lightpipe, straight to ADAT tape and then bouncing back to the pc, all at the same 48khz sample rate. The waveform is unchanged throughout the entire process.

And the cost of the tapes themselves are nonexistent in my instance: I have three or four of them that are used as a one-time digital bounce medium. I simply erase the tape next time I do it, which isn't that often to begin with.


Sure, if I had the money, I would install an additional hard drive to my pc, but the fact is I don't have the money and probably won't for a very long time. Might as well make do with what I have in the meantime.
 
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