Tampa SPDIF

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frank Story
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Frank Story

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I'm looking at getting an M-Audio Tampa. Is the SPDIF in and out appreciably better than using the analog in on my 2496 card? I'm assuming that the converters would be pretty similar since M-Audio made both units. All the positive comments about the Tampa have me about convinced but I'd like to know about the SPDIF.
 
That's a good question. You could ask M-Audio their opinion. If you find out, let me know what they say.
btw - I am really enjoying the Tampa...it was one of the better purchases that I've made.
 
yeah that tampa is a no brainer. i havent used my spdif yet. im using an art /dio
 
OK, now you've piqued my curiousity

What is it that you're going to use the spdif on that you're currently using the analog ins for? I'm missing a piece of the puzzle here. :confused:
 
Digital in verses analog in seems like the cleanest signal path with less chance for noise or signal degradation, providing the converter in the Tampa is as good or better than the one in the soundcard. My current gear is all analog output so I was hoping for an opinion from someone who uses the SPDIF. I'll probably team it with a Lexicon M200 and use the SPDIF for through routing with both.

David, I did email M-Audio with the same question but they haven't responded yet. In my Tampa search I listened to your MP3 and liked it.

Between this and several other forums, there are a lot of people who like the Tampa - I'm sold and ordered mine today.
 
my question is

digital what in? For the spdif in to be useful, you have to be recording something that has an spdif output. Unless you're talking about signal degradation between the output of your pre and the input of the 2496?
 
Sorry, I should have said digital OUT from the Tampa to the SPDIF in of the card. Am I correct in thinking that this will use the Tampa converter, bypass the converter in my card and provide a 24 bit signal straight to Cubase? Having one less analog audio cable trying to be an antenna for interference or hum seems like a plus.
 
OK, now I see

it just seemed to me to be a lot of expense/trouble for what I assumed would probably be a fairly small improvement, but then I'm not that picky (or discerning, depending on how you look at it). I suppose if you have a long run from your pre to the card, or you have particular interference problems, it could be useful. Forget I said anything. I just didn't quite understand the scenario, and I can't stand it when I don't get something. Thanks for clearing that up.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread...
 
so.. i´m reading and ...

PA-2496 and tampa. spdif in / digital out.
this pre looks like a vintage one, but if I pick all the ideas about it, everything is digital (so just tube look) with or with out tube natural sound?
I have already a AP-2496 and thinking to get a DMP3 thru analogs I/O direct to the card.
if you are shure tampa work perfect thru digital way I can change my viewpoint about it.
 
Sebastiano,

I just received my Tampa and like it. It works fine through the SPDIF but I haven't figured out how to set up my soundcard software/mixer to hear it and the tracks coming from Cubase that I want to play with. The analog output sounds fine so I'm not sure that using SPDIF gains a lot for me. It just seemed like a good way to avoid adding noise or interference to my signal. One other factor is that, using digital output, your overall gain drops some and you can't use the 20db pad that allows you to selectively overdrive the gain section.

Truthfully, I haven't had mine but a few days and have a lot to learn about using it. Based on the sound I hear from it and what so many others on the forum say about the DMP3 I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
 
The Tampa is nice. I've got a couple and have had them for a couple months now. I use only the analog out (the analog out IMO is clean) and haven't tried the digital yet. Don't know that I will as the statement about gain drop is accurate (from what I've read by users as least). When you use the +20db pad, and get some good gain going, that's when you get into the sound character changes that are part of the "THA" (temp. harm. alignment).
 
warble said:
Don't know that I will as the statement about gain drop is accurate (from what I've read by users as least).
Click to expand...

i have the user manual in front of me. this is covered on page 9. "if you find that the digital output is lower than desirable when compression is engaged, try summing the identical left and right digital outputs together. You'll get 6dB more overall level and 3dB greater signal-to-noise ratio."

this is due to the lack of make up gain on the compressor.

also, when using the analog outs, you should use the balanced outputs as they give you 6dB more level than using the unbalanced outputs.

warble said:
When you use the +20db pad, and get some good gain going, that's when you get into the sound character changes that are part of the "THA" (temp. harm. alignment).
Click to expand...

i'd agree with this statement--driving this preamp is one of the things that gives it a nice character. however, as noted on page 11 of the manual, "the 20dB pad only affects the analog output circuitry. Engaging the pad has no affect on the signal at the digital outputs".

this means that you can't use the pad on the digital outs, and therefore lose the ability to "soft-clip" the Tampa via engaging the pad and driving the input (one of the "cool features" they hype about it).


IMO, that makes the digital output a bit less functional than desired. i use the balanced analog outputs going into my Delta 1010 and it sounds plenty fine.


cheers,
wade
 
hey frank-

Frank Story said:
Sebastiano,

I just received my Tampa and like it. It works fine through the SPDIF but I haven't figured out how to set up my soundcard software/mixer to hear it and the tracks coming from Cubase that I want to play with. The analog output sounds fine so I'm not sure that using SPDIF gains a lot for me. It just seemed like a good way to avoid adding noise or interference to my signal. One other factor is that, using digital output, your overall gain drops some and you can't use the 20db pad that allows you to selectively overdrive the gain section.

Truthfully, I haven't had mine but a few days and have a lot to learn about using it. Based on the sound I hear from it and what so many others on the forum say about the DMP3 I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
Click to expand...


hi, how is tampa going?
could you tell me your rig route? i mean from the ap2496 to the instrument or mic, please-
i´m looking for a nice pre but have no idea tips to get better sound with an ap2496-
thanks a lot.
seba-
 
mrface2112 said:
i have the user manual in front of me. this is covered on page 9. "if you find that the digital output is lower than desirable when compression is engaged, try summing the identical left and right digital outputs together. You'll get 6dB more overall level and 3dB greater signal-to-noise ratio."

this is due to the lack of make up gain on the compressor.

also, when using the analog outs, you should use the balanced outputs as they give you 6dB more level than using the unbalanced outputs.

i'd agree with this statement--driving this preamp is one of the things that gives it a nice character. however, as noted on page 11 of the manual, "the 20dB pad only affects the analog output circuitry. Engaging the pad has no affect on the signal at the digital outputs".

this means that you can't use the pad on the digital outs, and therefore lose the ability to "soft-clip" the Tampa via engaging the pad and driving the input (one of the "cool features" they hype about it).

IMO, that makes the digital output a bit less functional than desired. i use the balanced analog outputs going into my Delta 1010 and it sounds plenty fine.

cheers,
wade
Click to expand...

I'm glad you're making good use of the manual :eek: Think I took a quick look at it to get the gist, then just started using the thing.

The digital output is of no use to me (as I know of what you've stated), hence why I'm using the analog outs (and balanced).
 
Sebastiano,

I use an MXL 603 to mic my nylon string guitar, a Shure PE56D to mic my Roland Jazz Chorus guitar amp or trumpet and plug my bass directly into the Tampa - then straight into the analog inputs of my M-Audio 2496 and into Cubase. I've also just purchased a TC M300 effects processor and will only use it for monitoring reverb and perhaps mix reverb. I've been using convolution reverbs on my mixes and am interested in seeing if the hardware unit will sound better. My soundcard outputs go to a Beri UB202 that I use for distribution to my headphones and monitors. A very simple setup as I only record alone and use a Yamaha keyboard and VSTIs for backing tracks. The only other gear I plan is a small home made patchbay and desktop rack.
 
warble said:
I'm glad you're making good use of the manual :eek:
Click to expand...

i'm a manual junkie. call it the curse of being a systems engineer. i read all manuals that i get my hands on. sometimes if comes in handy.

warble said:
Think I took a quick look at it to get the gist, then just started using the thing.
Click to expand...

as did i. i always "just play with it" first. but i always eventually go back and read the manual. :D

warble said:
The digital output is of no use to me (as I know of what you've stated), hence why I'm using the analog outs (and balanced).
Click to expand...

i'm using the analog outputs as well--i could use the s/pdiff with my 2496, but i use the balanced analog out into my 1010 and let the 1010 do the A/D. plus, that allows me to drive the Tampa and get a little character. :D


cheers,
wade
 
Frank Story
Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 55
Rep Power: 2


Sebastiano,

I use an MXL 603 to mic my nylon string guitar, a Shure PE56D to mic my Roland Jazz Chorus guitar amp or trumpet and plug my bass directly into the Tampa - then straight into the analog inputs of my M-Audio 2496 and into Cubase. I've also just purchased a TC M300 effects processor and will only use it for monitoring reverb and perhaps mix reverb. I've been using convolution reverbs on my mixes and am interested in seeing if the hardware unit will sound better. My soundcard outputs go to a Beri UB202 that I use for distribution to my headphones and monitors. A very simple setup as I only record alone and use a Yamaha keyboard and VSTIs for backing tracks. The only other gear I plan is a small home made patchbay and desktop rack.

Frank Story:

and your monitors? my ap2496 outputs straight into a pair of samson resolve 65a (active) and now and looking a way to routing my headphones to take back the control of the output soundcard. do you think the line is the same straight to the monitor than throuth a beri? I feel now more clean moninitor sound-
I´ll get SOME pre. but have no bucks to go for a serius one.
 
A lot of people on the forum don't like Beri gear but my only experience with it is for monitor routing. Mine has been fine for that and I don't feel that it colors the monitor output much if at all. It's not in my recording signal path and works fine for routing. If you don't like Beri, Yamaha and a few other companies make very small mixers that should be fine.

I haven't bought high quality monitors yet and still need to decide what to buy. I'm currently using Sony speakers for mixes and Sony headphones for tracking. My room/studio is small, I play mainly nylon string jazz and don't mix at high volume levels so I don't need power. I'll probably go with something with a sub. I do keep a castoff boombox and a small bookshelf stereo in my room for comparisons on mixes and play them on my car stereo and personal cd player before making final decisions. Maybe some of that won't be necessary once I have real monitors
 
Hey Frank, you're gonna get a LOT of mileage out of that Tampa. Had mine for about a year now. I go S/PDIF into my delta 1010, passes the delta convertors because the tampa ones sound just fine. Tried it analog in too through the 1010, different sound, sometimes recorded both and blended or gone through the desk and back to the 1010s analog ins for more texture. It's a great unit but I'd say the convertors hold up pretty well if you wanna go direct.

I love the fact that you can use all the outputs at the same time so tracking through S/PDIF to cubase I can monitor in real time by using the analog out into the mixer. Once you switch in the +20 and crank the gain special things start to happen. I'm gonna add a second one to my rack when money permits. Probably my best buy to date. The first guy I recorded with it got a recording deal off the back of the 4 track demo he done here and everything went through it that day.
 
LemonTree,

I listened to the MP3s on your site before I bought the Tampa and I liked your music. "Penny" is a very artful song and the way the acoustic guitar sounded in it influenced my decision to buy the Tampa. 75% or what I record with it will be acoustic nylon string guitar with the other 25% divided between trumpet, bass and electric guitar tracks. I do sing live but HATE the way my voice sounds recorded.

I see that you use an M-Audio card also. I got my SPDIF input to work and can monitor it but can't hear my backing tracks coming from Cubase at the same time. Switching from SPDIF in to "Monitor Mixer" gets Cubase back but loses SPDIF. Can you tell me what setup to use to hear both?
 
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