New Interface vs. mic pre

  • Thread starter Thread starter meddlingfool
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meddlingfool

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I was going to buy a mic pre after spending dosh on good mics, but the salesman suggested a new interface with better a/d converters would be a better route. I have Firewire 1814,he suggested TC Konnect 48. He said a good mic pre with it's own D/A converters would just get dumbed down to the 1814.
Opinions?
 
A few reviews I saw did say the converters on the M-Audio weren't the best. Can you bypass the preamp on it? If not then I would definitely get a different soundcard first. If you are planning on getting some really nice pres in the future then I would find a card that is just some really nice AD converters. You are still paying for preamps and other stuff in the TC card. I guess it just depends on how far you are planning on taking your equipment. If eventually you want really nice pres with really nice AD conversion, I would head that route by buying a pre or a nice card with just the converters. If you are just looking for better AD converters with decent pres, something like the TC unit might be worth it. Is any of this making sense? I think I am confusing myself...
 
$1200USD can buy a really really nice mic pre. Or several really nice mic pre's. I think you'll see a bigger improvement by buying a stand alone mic pre and using it with your 1814 than getting the TC 48. Mind you, I have no experience with either, but as far as converters go, you're not going to see vast improvements until you spend big bucks on one. But you will see vast improvements on mic pre's in the same price range or even half. Much more bang for the buck.

My guess is the TC Konnect 48 works much better for the salesman than for you.

ymmv.
Cheers,
 
Buy one now and start saving for the other. New better pre's will help more with your tracking. New better converters will help more with mixing. The order is not important.
 
I have heard that AD converters are basically the same and don't play as big a role in your sound as you think it does. I think a dedicated preamp will be more valuable to you than a soundcard/ interface that doubles as an interface and preamp/ in out device.
 
I think you will get a better sound out of a nicer pre. I mean, how bad can the 1814 be? Its got to be good enough to support a recognisable quality increase from a good pre.

But yes, upgrade both if you have the cash.
 
Thanks so far

Thank you all for replying so far.
I guess what I need to know is whether using the ADAT connecter on the 1814 will take the 1814's converters entirely out of the signal chain.
Thanks
 
meddlingfool said:
Thank you all for replying so far.
I guess what I need to know is whether using the ADAT connecter on the 1814 will take the 1814's converters entirely out of the signal chain.
Thanks
Click to expand...
ADAT is one of the formats for transmitting DIGITAL data, but if you get the TC connect, you won't need the 1814 any more.
 
meddlingfool said:
Thank you all for replying so far.
I guess what I need to know is whether using the ADAT connecter on the 1814 will take the 1814's converters entirely out of the signal chain.
Thanks
Click to expand...

This is correct. If you were to get a pre-amp that had digital ADAT out on it, and run it into the 1814, you would essentially be using the 1814 as a firewire connection.

Also, I think that's hogwash what the guy said, he's probably just trying to move some TC Konnects. A step up in the pre is going to be quite a bit more noticeable than a step up in your A/D/A as far as I'm concerned, especially in regards to your interface (although I've heard some mixes from a 410 and I was pretty impressed). Besides, if you're gonna upgrade that aspect of your studio, go all the way and make sure it's not something you're gonna have for a while, cause anything that's not very expensive (like an apogee or RME) isn't going to be much of an upgrade.
 
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