Trade in the XT20?

[D Wright]

Hey gurus,
Last year I went on a recording equipment frenzy (at least for me) and purchased what I thought would be top notch at the time which was the Adat XT20. It's nice and all, but of course it's only 8 tracks. I was looking into getting more tracks, at least 16, and since I didn't need them to record all at one time (8 at a time would do the trick) I was looking into trading the XT20 up for a Roland VS- 1680 or a Korg D-16. Do you guys think this to be a wise choice? My origonal idea was to go to computer recording but I have an AMD processor that I don't think will support very much.

 

[bvaleria]

Why not just buy another XT20???

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

 

[MISTERQCUE]

I totally agree with Bruce's statements. I use 2 and now can be had for less than the price for 1 of those boards

 

[D Wright]

Hey Bruce and Mister,
Thanks for the responses. The reason I was considering getting rid of the XT20 was to put that money towards the purchase of either a Roland or a Korg. The cheapest I've seen the XT20 for is maybe $1300- 1400. I saw a Korg D-16 new in a shop for about the same price (actually just under $1300). So I was thinking that since the Adat I have is still less than a year old (brand new when I purchased it) I might be able to trade it up for one of those other machine (maybe for an extra $300 or so). So instead of spending another $1300, I would trade in the XT20, maybe pay about $300, and get 16 tracks instead of 8. The other thing I was considering was the editing features that come with the Roland and Korg that I don't have by just using the Adat set up. I would use my computer, but like I said, I'm not sure the processor I'm using will support much. I have a 400mHz processor at 64m of ram, but it's an AMD chip and I know some sound software won't run off of the AMD processors well if at all.
Would there be much of a sound quality differance between using an all Adat set up and using the Korg, Roland or some other device like those? Can you guys think of limitations I may run into by not going the Adat direction? To me it looks like the sound quality would be the same (because I'd still be working with 20-24 bit on the Roland and Korg?) and I'd gain some editing features that I don't have access to at this time, along with a few more reverbs and stuff. But I have not had any experience on either of these machines (most of what I know is through a breif discussion with a sales guy)so I don't really know what they sound like or how they work.
What do you think? Any suggestions?

 

[bvaleria]

Well, sound quality for one thing.... the XT20s have very nice a/d converters and are 20-bit. I was just noticing that the Korg D16 gives you 16 tracks at 16-bit res. or 8-tracks at 24-bits, so you're not gaining any advantage there if you need more tracks.

Depending on your rig, the ADATs let you run +4 balanced connections, but of course, you need a mixer. The Korg (and probably the Rland is similiar) are decent machines for what they are, but they are still PortaStudios - with all their limitations and trade-offs. (Built-in mixers with less than ideal pres, high-res trading for track limitations, fairly inflexible EQ -- but hey, you get a built-in tuner and 200 rhythm patterns!)

If you're trying to set up at the very least a semi-pro level of quality, stick with ADATs, otherwise those other will work just fine, if you can live with the limitations.

Bruce

 

[Dougie Johnson]

Mr. Bruce Valeria (at Blue Bear Sound )
Is right on the money. I would buy another XT-20, and continue to chain link these as I decided I wanted more tracks. So easy.
DJ

 

[bvaleria]

Hey Dougie...
Why don't you like my "Blue Bear Sound"???

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

 

[D Wright]

hey guys,
Thanks again for the replies. I guess I'll just hold off for a little while then in trying to upgrade to a 16 track setting. I just kinda wish the Adat machines were more versital in the editing arena. That's what really got me hooked to the idea of the Roland and Korg units.
Oh, I did have a question (as I looked back over what you wrote, Bruce). As far as the running +4 balanced connections, would I be running at +4 balanced on the Korg if I brought the signal into the unit from a mixer (I have a Mackie 1604 VLZ)instead of using the mixer in the Korg alone? Also, do you guys know if an XT20 would be able to sync up directly with either of these devices without an additional time-code piece of equipment? (Could you sync them to one another throught the lightpipe thing on the back of the Adat an use them both at one time?)

 

[John Sayers]

I can assure you that if Ed was here he'd say get another XT he loves them...

 

[virtual.ray]

Alesis makes a PC card thingie that lets you edit your ADAT tracka on a computer and dump the edits back onto tape.I forgot what its called exactly.

 

[bvaleria]

I believe it's the AI3 - digital interface unit. Not cheap though. Plus you'll need the BRC for sync - also not cheap. Unless JLCooper still carries the dataSync which is about a third the cost of a BRC (except, of course, the BRC does A LOT more than just providing sync...)

Bruce

 

[Dougie Johnson]

Yo Brucie:
I like it. You just forgot it.
DJ
Just don't re-name it "Blue Kangaroo" Sound.
There's a certain elderly gentleman on the West Coast who will take exeption to that..

 

[bvaleria]

Hey Dougie!

I didn't forget it, I just figured I didn't have to post it again in the same thread!!!

Hmmm, "Blue Kangaroo Sound" - has a ring to it -- but not quite as catchy as Blue Bear Sound!!!



Bruce