What front end for field recording to Masterlink?

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ZOWIE!

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Any suggestions for 2 channel mic pre and a limiter (preferably built in to the pre) for using a soon to be purchased Masterlink as a field recorder? Modestly priced, but not a cheap toy. I'm thinking about an ART TPS/DPS, but maybe there's a better choice?

Thanks
 
Thanks guys. Any lower priced suggestions? I wouldn't need the outboard converters with the Masterlink. Can be something rackable too.
 
I was going to suggest the Lunatec, MiniMe or the soon to be released Benchmark ADC as well. But since you really want to use the converters on the Masterlink, then separate components will get you where you are going the best in my opinion. In other words, get yourself a good two channel preamp, and a good two channel limiter.

Something like the Presonus MP20 or FMR RNP, along with a used Aphex Dominator. (Or does the presonus have a limiter of sorts built in?) Another option would be a couple Rane MS-1B's, a less well known preamp but one that I've heard good things about.
 
What kind of "field recording" are you doing? What other gear do you have for non-remote stuff?
 
I've been using the Drawmer DL241 as a limiter in front of my Masterlink for live-to-2-track work for some time. That and an RNP would probably do very well, and not break the bank. The DL241 isn't the cheapest unit out there, but it does its job quite nicely as a crunch-preventer, and is pretty transparent when you aren't leaning on it hard...
 
SonicAlbert said:
I was going to suggest the Lunatec, MiniMe or the soon to be released Benchmark ADC as well. But since you really want to use the converters on the Masterlink, then separate components will get you where you are going the best in my opinion.
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The way you put that suggests a side question: is there some reason it would not be preferable to use the Masterlink converters on a modest budget? I've read that they're very good and figured that using them would allow me to do better on an a pre/limiter w/o converters, and therefore improve on overall sound quality for about the same or less cost.

For example: FMR RNP + RNC > Masterlink (about $1200 used) vs. MiniMe>Masterlink (about $1700 used). I'd assumed the former combo would be preferable or at least in the same ballpark for sound, and obviously much cheaper.

Do you (or anyone) disagree with that? If the second choice is better, then maybe I should nix the Masterlink and just record to my laptop.
 
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The RNC isn't the right unit to use as a front-end limiter, in my opinion- there are other units more suited for the job. But it's down to whether you prefer the Apogee converters to the Alesis converters, sonically. I think the Masterlink converters are perfectly adequate for a modest budget. Sure, the Apogees are better: but it's a judgement call as to whether they are worth the expense given your budget, and only you can make that call.

The real reason I prefer the Masterlink (or my Fostex D1624) to a laptop for location recording is that the Masterlink is stone reliable: punch go and it's going, punch stop and it stops. I've never met any recording software that is as reliable, and most of the stuff I do is one-chance-only. I can't afford to miss a take because the machine is rebooting after a BSOD... You may very well be able to get computer recording to work reliably, but I can't! Your mileage may vary...
 
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