ART Dio into SPDIF

  • Thread starter Thread starter gooner65
  • Start date Start date
G

gooner65

New member
Hi There,

I wonder if anything has an opinion on this idea of getting audio into a PC?

I was thinking of connecting up the output from my preamp into a RNC then into an ART DIO, then taking the output from that via SDIF into the input of a suitably equipped soundcard. Does anyone have any thoughts on potential problems with this set up?

cheers

gooner65
 
Well - so much for minimal signal chain!

You don't want to run your signal thru 2 preamps....
 
Ok, now I'm confused! I don't own the DIO but ART describes the unit as a "stand-alone converter." The manual (which can be downloaded as a PDF) says that you can run the output from a preamp, mixer, or other analog source into the 1/4 input. The signal goes through AD conversion then out via SPDIF to a computer soundcard. The DIO does not have a traditional preamp setup with phantom power, XLR-IN, etc., although the manual says that the DIO is based on the ART Tube Pre. The DIO has a "tube warmth" feature but it appears that this can be dialed out.
 
Ah - my mistake then, I thought the DIO was another mic pre.....

If all it is is a converter, it will work as he described....
 
I like to think of it as a "colorful" converter...

Not what I would pick for most applications, but pretty nifty when you need that "something extra" you might not get from other gear...

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com
 
Thanks for the input, I'm just trying to find the best way to get the most pristine signal into the PC. As I understand it, doing your A/D conversion outside of the PC is the way to go - correct?

Anybody got any strong opinions on the best way to do this, within the confines of my budget whcih isn't huge

cheers

gooner65
 
Edirol make a couple of devices which might work. You could also go the USB route if you only record a couple of tracks at a time - way cheaper than sp/dif, and still digital.

I have used an Echo Mia sound card with sp/dif input from a Roland M-1000 mixer. Works well, but the M-1000 is expensive. Supports 24 bit/96 kHz.

I have used a USB input to a laptop from a Roland M-1000 - again works well if you only record a couple of tracks at a time. Supports 44.1 kHz 16 bit (CD quality).

There are simple A-D converters - one is known as a "flying cow" which takes audio into sp/dif Digital. This would be like an ART DIO, I guess.

I also have used a Roland MMP-2 mic preamp to do conversion to sp/dif (bought cheaply).

I have also used a Focusrite Trakmaster pre-amp with the optional digital card to provide clean sp/dif output.

The ART Dio is probably the most economic option I have heard of.

Another option might be a Lexicon MPX-200 using its analog inputs and sp/dif output - or perhaps the MPX-110. You might even find a cheap MPX-500 which has digital I/O also. While these are reverbs, they do have digital outputs, for not much more than some plain A-D converters.

I also read about a Sony unit which does A-D conversion. Not certain of availability or price, but it did seem to be portable.

Anyway, some options to consider, if your budget suffices.
 
Thanks lumbago

I have been mulling over the all in one channel strip with digital output option (would also have the advantage of less connections in the audio chain I guess) What’s the MMP-2 like, isn’t that the one that does the mic modelling etc?

I’ll only be recording one or two inputs at a time so I guess I have more choices than I thought, I didn’t think of the Lexicon, interesting one, anyone got any experience of using one of these? Is it 24-bit? Clean signal? If possible I’d like to go 24-bit this time (last time I set up a PC was with a Creative card – sample rate fixed at 48Khz what the hell is that all about?)

Cheers

Gooner65
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top