would somebody like to talk about converters?

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kesterdevine

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Hey everybody,
I've been doing a lot of research and experimenting with different digital recording equipment. nothing very high end because the budget won't allow, but I've now had at least some experience either with my own equipment or various friends' gear, and I'm starting to wonder how much of the overall recording quality is directly related to the A/D/A converters in the various machines.

If my hunch is true, that the converters are a big factor, how does one know what they are getting out of a specific piece of equipment in terms of converters?

The overall best sound quality I have been able to achieve for a simple live stereo recording is by running two mics (shures 57/58) through a mixer (cheapy Behringer) and directly to a stand alone CD Burner (JVC).

When a similiar setup is run into a SIAB type recorder, in my cases the Fostex MR-8, and the Yamaha AW16-G, the sound quality is not as high as when I simply go straight to disc, and this is very disappointing.

I'm really trying to understand the particular factors that ultimately affect sound quality, especially on just basic tracks.(Not electronically enhanced or effected.)

I'd like to get your input and knowledge and experience about this. Thanks!
 
It's well documented that AD/DA converters are a huge factor in the quality of digital recordings.

Benchmark, Lavry and Apogee are pretty much the market leaders. Buy one of those and be happy.
 
I use apogees and Lucid. Love them both, cant tell the difference.
 
Thanks for the responses!
I guess my questions is a newbie-level question, because i'm just wondering how one would know what quality converter was in a specific piece of equipment, like a SIAB or a stand alone recorder? Is it just a matter of trial and error, and hoping for the best? I've read quite alot of specs on various pieces of equipment, but still don't understand all the details, and I really don't know how to determine quality of converters. Do companies publish what type of converters they put in their products? I'm talking about average priced stuff, not real high level gear, because unfortunately the budget will not allow for that. Thanks again.
 
as the others mentioned ....its ALL in the convertors plus i might add
a high quality mic and a good mic pre. blue bear, cloneboy, and brad mentioned the well respected high end convertors.
then lower down are products by rme(that i'm saving up for - also highly respected), and the lynx.
further lower down are the sound cards that give good results like the deltas and emus. on board computer sound cards ada is bad imho.
the only way to compare imho is to take a variety of orchestral instruments like violins, flutes and other sensitive orchestral instruments and record them through an excellent mic and pre into each of the above mentioned convertors and hear at which price point you are happy.
for myself the RME is the best compromise. also their drivers under windows have earned a reputation for being very rock solid in the past.
however all this could change if motherboard pc manufacturers introduced
high quality ada convertors.
 
I appreciate your responses, and I guess maybe the question I'm asking is about gear that would be considered entry level by most of you guys here. But what I'm really looking for is advice on how to research what kind/quality converters are installed in gear by manufacturers like Fostex, TASCAM, Yamaha etc...in their all-in-one digital recorders and stand alone units...like
the MR-8, DP-01, AW-16G etc...Are their specific specs I should be reading about or questions I should ask with regard to the converters, or is it simply trial and error / you-get-what-you-get kind of thing at that price level??

Thanks again everybody, and Happy Thanksgiving!

And hey, Manning - it's good to hear from you. Hope your family is well and that you are enjoying your music.
 
kester. thanks. the problem youll run into is some manufacturers you WILL
be able to find out what convertors they use (ie..chips). but others - its difficult. a happy to you too.
 
kester - I would say suck it and see! The SIABs you mentioned have very good reputations and not solely at entry-level either. They're used for location recording etc by pros who need portability.

That's not to say they're great - just that you shouldn't be so let-down by the results you get. I'm realising more that the limiting factor in my recording is not a piece of gear but my own lack of ability.
 
Another avenue for info are the mags like Sound on Sound - check out their gear reviews.They will often include details of the converter chips etc. used in various bits of gear. It surprised me for example to leard that the a/d converter in my delta card is actually not made by m-audio, and is the same chip used in some Terratec card
 
Dont worry too much what chips the converter is running. The same chip in apogee's old hi end units was also used on lots of hunk of shit converters as well. Its the "glue" that matters. Check the REP forums to hear from a pretty hi end converter manufacturer Dan Lavry about how things are set up.
 
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