Still trying to make soundcard choice...

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getuhgrip

getuhgrip

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Looking to replace a Darla24. A few lingering questions I have are:

If I'm burning songs directly from HDD to internal burner, are S/PDIF I/O's of any use to me? Aren't these generaly used for going to an ADAT or amp with matching I/O?
I might be using a digital mixer if that's of any consequence.

If I'm using a stand alone mixer, does it matter what kind of pres the soundcards breakout box has if any?

If I'm recording to HDD, is work clock significant to me?

I'm playing all the instruments myself. Should I need any more than the six inputs I'll use for micing drums?

Anything I'm leaving out?

What's a good magazine for home recording information?
 
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there are a lot of great pc interfaces out there ..........if you are doing everything on a PC that's a plus....digital in/out is less of an issue for your soundcard then............i wouldn't go with a digital mixer....it won't sound as good as a decent analogue mixer with direct outs going into a six or eight channel interface.......or even mixed to two tracks............if all you need six channels for is drums, you probably could do it in stereo as well, which would cut down on the number of pre amps you need....and mics....just need to be able to go back and forth between drum sounds and the other tracks to hone in on a good stereo mix for the drums.
 
If you're gonna use analog mixer pres, can you bypass the pres in the soundcard? Alternately, if you opt for a digital mixer, you'll need the SPDF I/O on the card to accept the digital signal from the mixer, right?

As for word clock, I think you get what you pay for, more or less. It's probably not pertinent to your purchase of a soundcard, but here's Sjoko on the importance of clock and converter and more in another thread:

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30520

Magazines: Recording, Electronic Musician are two I like.
 
Dobro: thank you for the link. There's a lot of food for thought there.
I am in the process of collecting pieces to integrate my new Tascam TM-D1000 into my DAW. I have a Lexicon Core 2, with ADAT ins & outs, and I am waiting on a TDIF-ADAT converter box to connect the D1000. Tascam says you cable the clock sync between the D1000 and the converter, and that the clock is embedded in the data stream going through the TOSlink optical cables from the converter to the Core 2. I guess I'll have to try that and see what I get. Does anyone have any advice to offer?
John
 
I'll check the link today dobro. Thanks.

I've been looking at the TM-D1000 also from the stand point of keeping everything digital.

I'm not necissarily interested in a card that has on-board pres. I may go with the Blue Tube if I find that this is a viable player in the path.

I really didn't know what the significance of S/PDIFD or TOSlink connections are. I think John has indirectly given me a direction to look in, though.

Still not clear where word clock comes into play, but lemme look see what Sjoko has to say.

J, are you talking about stereo overheads as the only coverage on drums?

Thanks guys.

Rick
 
Rick: SPDIF and TOSlink are 2 different things. SPDIF is a 2-channel digital connection FORMAT that (as I understand it) can be transferred via cable with RCA ends (coaxial) or optical with RCA type connectors. TOS is a Toshiba (=TOShiba Link) optical CABLE (not a format) that uses proprietory connectors at the ends. In other words, SPDIF won't fit TOS. ADAT is the 8-channel-via-TOSlink-cables format that Alesis came up with for their ADAT multitracks. And finally, TDIF is Tascam's own format that the D1000 has, alongside analogue outs. So with the Lexicon Core 2, which has an analogue breakout box (4 in, 8 out on 1/4" unbalanced), AND TOSlink/ADAT connectors directly on the card, the sensible thing is to use a converter with the D1000 to convert TDIF format to ADAT format, making everything from the mic preamps on, digital. I just got off the phone with a friend in St Louis who has had a D1000 for a year or so, and he loves it. I expect to love mine once I get the converter box (on backorder). So far I have used it only for playback (analogue computer outs) and it is very quiet. And of course, you don't need a soundcard with pres if you have a D1000. Finally, on the subject of word clock synch, I posted a query for help with that very issue. We'll see if somebody knows more than we do
Hope this helps.
John:D
 
If you are set on the TMD 1000 then I would suggest looking into audio cards that have the TDIF interface on them already. Tascam
has one and I believe Delta has a new TDIF interface and also Aardvark.

This would elimnate the need for word clock connections. You would simply be going into the TMD mic pres,s and using the boards converters. Out of the TDIF cable (capable of 8 channels) but this board can be expanded to 16 digital otus with the optional TDIF expansion card. Then to the audio card.

Although, I must add, if I was asked my opinion of this mixer I would not recommend it. I didnt like the mic pres or the converters. The board is loaded with features but the quality is not there. Which I suppose explains the price.

Just my two cents and good luck!
 
Thank you very much. Frankly I bought the D1000 to get a digital board for a low price... I am an amateur who wants to get on the digital bandwagon without spending more than I can afford. And it IS a step up from the analogue board I have been using. I don't expect it to get a very rigorous workout!

In fact I am trying to put together a non-"state of the art" system that will last me a little while. I do acoustic music these days: no drums, occasional overdubbed bass, otherwise mic'd acoustic guitar, Dobro, harp & vocal. I realize there is a great pull toward buying the best and the fastest etc but at my age I'm not in the race.

I have a converted garage studio and a selection of instruments and amps and mics and, as I have said elsewhere, my aim is to get the biggest bang for the buck. Quietness and lack of coloration is primary but I can't spend the next thousand dollars to achieve an incremental improvement.

So while I am not surprised that you don't approve of the quality or the preamps, for me the choice was really whether to buy the D1000 or stay in the analogue camp. The next least expensive digital board I have seen is the O1-V for what, $1800? No thanks.
At the same time, the D1000 is a huge improvement over what I was using, and for now -- at least -- I like it.

But the music is the thing, not the gear, and I am pleased with the results I am getting so far. I just don't want to get to a point where I can't understand it well enough to hook it all up!

Anyway I appreciate your input.

John
 
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