MiniMe question

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willythekid

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I have been looking at the Apogee MiniMe for recording with my laptop. What I don't understand with this product, is that it doesn't seem to include a DA converter. As I have understood it, you need a DA converter to be able to listen to the tracks already in the computer while you're recording a new track. Have I misunderstood something, or do you actually have to buy a Mini-Dac too, to be able to record? That would be far to expensive for me (the mini me in itself is already stretching it) :(

cheers,
wtk
 
That's basically it. Fairly normal though.

The saving grace is the headphone output - I know guys who actually run that to active monitors. Good idea? No idea. But they don't seem to complain too much.
 
Thank you Massive.
I still don't completely understand, though. :confused: Do you mean that I can hear both what I'm recording and what is played back from my computer, when I use the headphones? What is lacking in MiniMe is just high quality outputs for the monitors?

regards, wtk
 
The MiniMe definitely has a D/A converter - the one that drives the headphone out (which will allow you to overdub to existing tracks). Do you want to use it as your only D/A? (i.e. for mixing) NO!! It's fairly bare-bones, a necessary utilitarian function which pretty much HAD to be included with the unit.

You're not going to find anything in the price range of the MiniMe with great mic preamps and excellent A/D converters PLUS excellent D/A. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
 
Thanks both of you, now I get it. :D Maybe I will have to look for something cheaper like the RME Fireface or Presonus new Firestudio. I find it too expensive with both MiniMe and MiniDac + I don't want to have to carry around 2 units.

cheers
wtk
 
Rough call there - The MiniMe is a pretty serious unit with seriously decent preamps... One of the highest bang-for-the-buck ratios of any piece of gear ever (IMO)...
 
How many D/A's do you need to playback while recording? In my opinion, only one. That's why the Headphone out is there. Buy a headphone amp and you can use headphones PLUS send the signal to monitors for mixdown.

I don't understand how the MiniMe couldn't be what you're looking for. What other gear do you have and what's your plan from tracking to mixing?
 
chris-from-ky said:
How many D/A's do you need to playback while recording? In my opinion, only one. That's why the Headphone out is there. Buy a headphone amp and you can use headphones PLUS send the signal to monitors for mixdown.

I don't understand how the MiniMe couldn't be what you're looking for. What other gear do you have and what's your plan from tracking to mixing?
Click to expand...

The only other gear I have is my Powerbook G4 with Logic pro + microphones and monitors. I was hoping that the MiniMe could work as a standalone soundcard for me. If I have understood everything correctly, I will be able to listen to what I have already recorded in Logic with the headphones as I'm overdubbing. But according to Digitmus post above headphones out is not of high quality enough for mixing / sending to the monitors.

Carter, I checked the pictures of the MiniMe rear panel, and actually there is a headphone out, but a small one without volume control.
 
willythekid said:
Carter, I checked the pictures of the MiniMe rear panel, and actually there is a headphone out, but a small one without volume control.
Click to expand...

Your right, its so small I overlooked it :(
 
I tried to get a Mini Me setup on Sat. The headphone out is a "hear whats going to tape" not hear whats already recorded, at least this was my experience. Was I doing something wrong????


Thanks
 
There's a small silver knob that's a "mix" control - All the way left is input, all the way right is output.

In the middle is in/out - Latency included. Makes a nice slapback effect... :D
 
Massive Master said:
There's a small silver knob that's a "mix" control - All the way left is input, all the way right is output.

In the middle is in/out - Latency included. Makes a nice slapback effect... :D
Click to expand...

Doesn't that make it really hard to make overdubs? I would like it if you could here your input (without latency) together with the already recorded material, like on the presonus firepod. During overdubbing I find it really confusing to hear the latency "echo". Massive, if this is impossible with the mini me, is it possible with the combination mini me and mini-dac?

best regards,
wtk
 
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Willy, great question and one I would like an answer to. Also, using the USB mini-me in Sonar the CPU usage upon playback was very high. This is a 2ghz Athlon 500 meg ram. Any thoughts here?
 
willythekid said:
Doesn't that make it really hard to make overdubs? I would like it if you could here your input (without latency) together with the already recorded material, like on the presonus firepod. During overdubbing I find it really confusing to hear the latency "echo". Massive, if this is impossible with the mini me, is it possible with the combination mini me and mini-dac?

best regards,
wtk
Click to expand...
Same as anything else - Cut it down until it either doesn't work or isn't a problem.

But don't leave the knob in the middle... :eek:
 
Massive Master said:
Same as anything else - Cut it down until it either doesn't work or isn't a problem.

But don't leave the knob in the middle... :eek:
Click to expand...
...or just buy a full-featured audio interface like everybody else on the planet, one with zero-latency monitoring built-in. Face it, you're throwing $1200 down the drain with that MiniMal thang.
 
There is really no such thing as "Zero" latency... And if he wants preamps and converters that are a *BIG* step up from what the masses are using, I'm certainly not going to hlod that against him.

"Everybody else on the planet" doesn't include MOST professionals, that use dedicated converters - Not a "full featured interface."

And $1200 for the preamps and conversion on the MiniMe is a bargain...
 
Okay, I used it again tonight. I was able to track and listen to an existing track with no "slap back" effect. Worked great.
 
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