Digi 001 preamps?

[tc4b]

I use a digi 001, love it, never saw any (affordable) reason to upgrade, the thing is a horse. My question is, how dire is my need for a preamp? The front two channels sound pretty OK to me, but I might not know what I'm missing. I'm talking about using mics, a Groove Tubes GT55 and an SM57 (for any application you can think of except drums). Also bear in mind that i just ordered a RNC, haven't received it yet, in case that makes a difference.

 

[sdelsolray]

Well, the Digi001 is designed to accomodate analog outboard preamps using the Digi001's internal AD converters (Channels 3-8), as well as outboard digital sources (Channels 9-16 via ADAT and Channels 17 & 18 via SPDIF).

I've used a Digi001 for many years. It is a horse. Very stable at PTLE 6.4. No need to play the upgrade game anymore with Digidesign or the various third party plugin manufacturers.

Even still, you can improve the recordings quite a bit if you (i) use outboard pres and/or (ii) use outboard converters. I did both and the improvement is very noticable. The better the outboard pres and converters are, the better the improvement.

 

[Zetajazz44]

I've used the Digi001 since it first came out and I'll have to agree, it is a horse... I've used the Digi002, but couldn't justify upgrading to it...

I've been wanting to get better converters but so far haven't... I am using the Presonus MP20 that I put Jensen transformers in and there was a noticable difference in my sound... Much richer and fuller...

BTW, I'm also using an RNC... That is one of the best tools I have in my studio... You'll love it...

 

[Zetajazz44]

Even still, you can improve the recordings quite a bit if you (i) use outboard pres and/or (ii) use outboard converters. I did both and the improvement is very noticable. The better the outboard pres and converters are, the better the improvement.

sdelsolray, what converter(s) are you using now?

 

[LeeRosario]

I second the 001.


However, the pres are B rated at best. Not exactly a first choice, but for home purposes it's pretty sturdy.

 

[tc4b]

converter?

Isn't the 001 a converter? If I bought a better converter, why would I need the 001?

 

[giraffe]

i have an oo1 also and love it, but yea, the pre's are B grade at best...
the low mids suck-at least on mine. something not so nice going on there.

 

[guido #2]

I agree with all these guys.... had the 001 since it came out. The built in pres are in the range of say a Mackie 1604 pre or some such.
I use them for A; my talkback mic and B; when Im lazy

 

[sdelsolray]

sdelsolray, what converter(s) are you using now?

Three years ago I got the RME ADI-8 Pro converters. Solid, mid-level converters. 8 channels AD with (simultaneous) 8 channels of DA, all via ADAT to and from the Digi001 PCI card. The ADI-8 Pro fits like a glove with the Digi001. 48k top sample rate (don't need higher with a Digi001), you can clock to the RME clock (better clock than the one in the Digi001), etc.

For outboard pres, I have 2 channels of each of the following: (i) Pendulum Audio MDP-1a, (ii) Pendulum Audio SPS-1, (iii) John Hardy M-2 and (iv) Rane DMS22, plus 4 channels from a Soundcraft M4 mixer, and, of course, the 2 channels in the Digi001 breakout box.

Like I said above, outboard pres and converters make a difference.

 

[RockNSoul]

converters?

Hey I am new to this. I have been researching compressors and preamps for a few days to add to my 001. I havn't heard anything about converters.
Yall really think this helps alot? Does anyone know of any good converters within a 300.00 or so price range? Also in that price range would it be better than just using the 001?

Thank you for any info!
-Chase

 

[malice930]

How would you add converters to the digi 001? Wouldnt that defeat the purpose because you will be using your outboard pres > outboard convertes > DIGI 001 converters (Any analog input will be converted using the digi converters). Does this still achieve better quality audio if you are still going to use the DIGI 001 converters? I think this would work for the ADAT lightpipe input on the 001 though. I'm not sure if the digi uses its own converters for digital inputs.

 

[reshp1]

How would you add converters to the digi 001? Wouldnt that defeat the purpose because you will be using your outboard pres > outboard convertes > DIGI 001 converters (Any analog input will be converted using the digi converters). Does this still achieve better quality audio if you are still going to use the DIGI 001 converters? I think this would work for the ADAT lightpipe input on the 001 though. I'm not sure if the digi uses its own converters for digital inputs.

No, digital inputs don't go through another conversion. The Digi001 just passes the data directly to Protools (there might be some sort of formating and what not, but it stays digital the entire way). Your analog inputs will still go through the digi001 converters, but may even sound better if you clock the digi001 to the external converter, assuming the converter has a more stable clock source than the 001.