Would this be a good DAW front end??

  • Thread starter Thread starter ZiggY!
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ZiggY!

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I've just purchased a Protools|24 rig with a 16-bit 888 interface. While its not the most current rig it is still a quality product and is compatable with the Protools rig at the university i study at (im studying a degree in composition and production - to be a composer/producer, etc, etc).

now heres the plan for the next few months investment (or maybe over the next year or so).

preamps.

Focusrite ISA 428 (with A/D add-on card).

Sebatron VMP-2000e (Im in Australia, and these sell for the equivilant of a RNP here is Oz.)

Grace 201.


Now the ISA 428 has 8 channels of 24-bit 192 Khz digital output via AEU. It also has 4 analog inputs for external preamps to be routed out through the Digital outputs.

So not only will i have 4 preamps in ISA 428 but i can route the 2 channels of the VMP-2000e and the Grace 201 through a much higher grade Converter than straight into the 888 via Digital inputs.

So when i need better conversation than 24-bit 192khz (and it will happen) i can simply invest in a better ADC and still have 8 respectable preamps.

Sound like an idea, applying the qualiy over quantity rule (with reason for a student)?

Will it provide me a nice array of sounds for recording anything and everything?
 
Not sure if you know this or not but with the isa 428 you will not beable to record at 24bit 192khz. You will have to do 16bit 44.1 or 48khz.
 
maddrummer said:
Not sure if you know this or not but with the isa 428 you will not beable to record at 24bit 192khz. You will have to do 16bit 44.1 or 48khz.
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why do you say that?

using the 888's digital inputs bypasses the 888's converters, and since protools TDM 6.1 supports up to 24-bit, 192khz sample rates i dont see the problem. The Signal chain is pretty much going to be from the ISA 428 straight into the computer and protools, The 888 plays little to no role it the equation other than giving me a link into the computer.

If you can't do this, why did a digidesign rep tell me i can?! Better yet why does the 888's manual state that the digital inputs support 24-bit depth?
 
It looks to me like you've done your research, and your front end should do just fine.

Is that what you wanted to know?
 
chessrock said:
It looks to me like you've done your research, and your front end should do just fine.

Is that what you wanted to know?
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im curious as to the 3 preamps i've chosen...

i've selected the Isa 428 & Grace 201 purely from comments and reviews (something i hate doing but couldnt find anywhere local that stocked them), i havent heard them directly... will these 3 pres provide a colour (or flavour i guess) that will work cohersively in a mix together?

the mics i have are:

sm-57,
Rode nt-3
a pair of SP c-4's
AT 3035
MD421
and an ATM-25.


I guess im just looking for reassuring comments before laying down my hard earned money... or negative comments to prevent me wasting my hard earn money.
 
ZiggY! said:
will these 3 pres provide a colour (or flavour i guess) that will work cohersively in a mix together?
Click to expand...


That's really more of an arrangement, source and tracking technique issue than anything else. The pres will play a pretty small role in all of that, in the grand scheme of things. Having good ones certainly can't hurt, and the ones you mention fit that bill, so yea, you should be fine.
 
I have a Grace 201 and I love it. That's a very good choice in my opinion.

I also agree with your idea of having your preamps be separate units from your converters. that's the way I do it, and I think over the long term that will save you money and be less hassle.

However, regarding your plan with the 888, I believe you are limited to 44.1/48k with the 888 interface. The ProTools software will look at the interface and limit itself to whatever the hardware is running at. You may be able to do 24 bit by bypassing the 888's converters, but I highly doubt you can record at anything above 48k. That's two different issues really. You need a ProTools HD to record at 192k.
 
Sounds like a great setup! I don't see any obvious holes in it.
 
I didn't know that it could support the 24 bit. But like Sonic said if you don't have HD, then you can't go higher than 48k. Also you would need D/A converters to monitor the 24bit 48k-192k, unless that Focusrite has that, i don't know.
 
maddrummer said:
I didn't know that it could support the 24 bit. But like Sonic said if you don't have HD, then you can't go higher than 48k. Also you would need D/A converters to monitor the 24bit 48k-192k, unless that Focusrite has that, i don't know.
Click to expand...

yeah i have an m-audio Madcow laying around here somewhere... i was gunna dig it out purely for that :)


thanks...
 
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