Members GZsound Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 I need some advice from anyone smarter than me...which is just about everyone. I am planning on updating my studio computer, a PC and that means I either have to buy a PCIe compatible card for my MOTU interface or buy a new Firewire interface. I have a digital mixer with ADAT I/O. I don't need mic preamps in an interface. So, my question is regarding the quality of converters. If I am not needing preamps and simply an ADAT to Firewire converter, does the quality of converters really make that much difference? I record at 24 bit 48K and that fits my needs just fine. Don't need higher resolutions. Aren't I limited by the quality of converters in my digital mixer? So, what I basically am asking is this: I can get a fairly new Presonus Firestudio Lightpipe ADAT to Firewire interface for $250. Or I can get a Presonus Firestudio 2626 with 16 channels of ADAT AND mic pres for under $500.. I most likely would not use the mic pre's. OR should I be concerned about the conversion/clock quality and step up to RME or other big dollar units like a Fireface 800.. Someone help me sort out this out if you would please. OH... I currently use a MOTU 2408 and can get the PCIe card for it for $300 and just keep the current system I have now. That is also an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MrJoshua Posted October 1, 2009 Members Share Posted October 1, 2009 If you're using the converters in your digital mixer and sending the signal to your interface via ADAT I/O, then you don't need to worry about the converters in the interface because you aren't using them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GZsound Posted October 2, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 If you're using the converters in your digital mixer and sending the signal to your interface via ADAT I/O, then you don't need to worry about the converters in the interface because you aren't using them. Thanks, that's pretty much what I thought, but wasn't sure there wasn't more conversion going on from ADAT to Firewire and that the quality of that conversion made any difference. I think you just saved me a bunch of money.. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doug osborne Posted October 2, 2009 Members Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yes, I'd get the PCIe card for the MOTU. There is a difference between converters - MOTU isn't bad, RME or Lynx would probably be a step up, and you can always spend a lot and get better - but it's only one link in the chain. PCI is still the fastest interface, all else equal. I'm experimenting with a Presonus Firestudio2626. It's actually very good, but I can't get it operating with as few buffers, for lower latency, as my RME Multiface/PCI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GZsound Posted October 3, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 3, 2009 Yes, I'd get the PCIe card for the MOTU.There is a difference between converters - MOTU isn't bad, RME or Lynx would probably be a step up, and you can always spend a lot and get better - but it's only one link in the chain.PCI is still the fastest interface, all else equal.I'm experimenting with a Presonus Firestudio2626. It's actually very good, but I can't get it operating with as few buffers, for lower latency, as my RME Multiface/PCI Thanks Doug. I thought the Firestudio 2626 might be a good addition simply because it has the analogue I/O just in case I need it. But for now I'll most likely just get the PCIe card for the MOTU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 GZ, what digital board are you using? And I concur - if you're using a digital board, and the mic preamps on it, and then feeding that to the interface via ADAT lightpipe, then you're using the converters on the board; not the ones on the audio interface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kendrix Posted October 4, 2009 Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 Yes, I'd get the PCIe card for the MOTU.There is a difference between converters - MOTU isn't bad, RME or Lynx would probably be a step up, and you can always spend a lot and get better - but it's only one link in the chain.PCI is still the fastest interface, all else equal.I'm experimenting with a Presonus Firestudio2626. It's actually very good, but I can't get it operating with as few buffers, for lower latency, as my RME Multiface/PCI FWIW Ive hade the presonus 2626 for several months. I'm happy with the converters. They are a step up from either my Delta T card or Yammy AW4416. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GZsound Posted October 4, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 4, 2009 GZ, what digital board are you using?And I concur - if you're using a digital board, and the mic preamps on it, and then feeding that to the interface via ADAT lightpipe, then you're using the converters on the board; not the ones on the audio interface. I have a Soundcraft 328 16 channel digital console. I bought it a year ago after my Mackie 8 bus went to mixer heaven. Huge difference in quality of sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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