Which AD Converter?

rodos1979 · Post by **rodos1979** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:20 am

Hello!

I have a question regarding AD Converters and I would like your opinion on the subject.
First of all, I should say that I own a Pulsar II classic and a Pulsar XTC (without any I/O plate) in my DAW and another Pulsar 1 in my old PC.
I want to multitrack record a live concert (at 24-bit, 48Khz or 96KHz). I need a 16 channel AD converter so I can input the different tracks from the analogue mixing console in to Pulsar. So, taking into consideration the following (summarizing):
1)I want to record at 24-bit, 48kHz or 96kHz
2)I need 16 channels
3)I am not interested in DA Converters (I do not own a mixing console, I am not going to multitrack output any channels out of Pulsar)
4)I dont want a unit that has lots of "extra" things (that I cannot use with Pulsar)
Which options do I have? Which AD units (which model), or do I need any other I/O expansion card for my XTC card? At what prices?
I would be grateful if you could give me some help.

Thank you

w_ellis · Post by **w_ellis** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:37 am

AFAIK, the Pulsar II will do 16 channels in and out via the ADAT interface, so you shouldn't need any extra interfacing. I don't know if there are any different requirements at 24bit 96khz, but I'm pretty sure there's info in the manual about this.

If you do find you need to get more inputs, I might consider selling the I/O interface of my Pulsar II 24ADAT (which I don't really use).

I think that with regard to the AD converter, it depends how much you are willing to spend, as there is a massive range in prices of available products. I think Apogee are among the best (+ most expensive), whereas Fostex do really cheap, but functional stuff.

Good luck,
Will

P.S. If you want to contact me privately about the interface, my e-mail is in my profile.

mano · Post by **mano** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 12:31 pm

2 ADAT PORTS = 16 I/O at 44,1 Khz OR 8 I/O at 96 Khz

You'll need to use the Z-Link plate/connection to do 16 I/O at 96Khz

You'd need:
. A16 Ultra
. Z-Link plate (if your card doesn't have a Z-Link connection) + Z-Link cable

I use the A16 Ultra but I don't have Z-Link... It's ok because I work in 44,1 anyway (2xADAT is fine for this).

Hope this helps!

[ This Message was edited by: mano1.com on 2003-02-19 12:32 ]

rodos1979 · Post by **rodos1979** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 2:49 pm

Hello!

Thank you guys for replying. I know that with the interface I have now on my Pulsar II, I can record up to 16 channels at 48kHz 24-bit quality through the ADAT ports. I thought that the A16 Ultra has not got any ADAT connections but only the Z-link connection (which I currently not have).
So, 2 possible solutions, from what you have suggested, could be:
1) buy an A16 Ultra, and record through the ADAT ins at 48kHz 24-bit
2) buy an A16 Ultra and a Z-link plate, which I could connect to my XTC card and record at 96kHz 24-bit.
How much would each case cost? Do you have any other suggestions?

Thank you

spiderman · Post by **spiderman** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:46 am

apogee AD16

rodos1979 · Post by **rodos1979** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 8:40 am

Hello!

Gee!!!..this Apogee AD16 costs 4000Euros!!! I was looking for just an AD (and not an AD/DA) converter, in order to save money! Well, I think that the A16 Ultra plus a Z-link card will be the best option. Does anybody know how much do they cost? Or how can I find the cheapes price in Europe for them and order them?

Thank you

[ This Message was edited by: rodos1979 on 2003-02-21 08:41 ]

King of Snake · Post by **King of Snake** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 10:05 am

Thomann in Germany usually has good prices and very good service. They're doing the A16 for 1222 Euro (calculated with 19% VAT)

http://www.netzmarkt.de/thomann/thoiw7_ ... 50111.html

They also seem to sell CW plugins for less then Creamware themselves! Vinco is 179,- there

(not sure how this is supposed to work, do they send you a cd-rom or what?)

Also, they already have the NOAH on their page. And they actually tell us how many DSP's the two models have (I still can't find this info on the CW page, but it does seem that the colours have changed!). Apparently the normal version has 7 DSP and the EX version has 11 DSP.

[ This Message was edited by: King of Snake on 2003-02-21 10:13 ]

rodos1979 · Post by **rodos1979** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 8:52 pm

Hello to all!

I found here http://www.music-city.de/product.php?ar ... superfeld= the A16 Ultra at 999Euros. As I dont speak any german, could anybody tell me if this price includes VAT or not? Do you know any other place I could find it cheaper?

Thank you

jigger · Post by **jigger** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 1:35 am

hi rodos

that`s a very good price and VAT is included.

Sunshine · Post by **Sunshine** » Mon Feb 24, 2003 5:17 am

Well, the biggest bargain at the moment might be the Panasonic Converters at Full Audio....

http://64.213.162.194/product_pages/pan_ramsa.asp

According to some users they sound more accurate than the Apogee PSX-100 SE edition converters. On the other hand the Apogee sounded a bit rounder and warmer.

Bernhard/

spiderman · Post by **spiderman** » Tue Feb 25, 2003 6:07 am

alesis AI3

rodos1979 · Post by **rodos1979** » Tue Feb 25, 2003 7:51 am

Hello to all!

Thank you guys for replying! For the purpose of recording the concert I was talking about, I will try to hire an AD Converter and buy one for myself a bit later (when I have a bit more money...)
However, if you have any other ideas or know any good deals for AD Converters, please post here.

Thank you

thorkell · Post by **thorkell** » Tue Feb 25, 2003 4:14 pm

Try musicstorekoeln.de they are cheeper - A16 is there at under 1200 EU. They stock all the CW stuff

spoimala · Post by **spoimala** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 8:57 am

http://www.musicians-gear.com is by far the cheapest I've found. How on earth they can sell stuff that CHEAP?!?!?!?!? Arggh. Scope for 2676 euros!

And A16 Ultra for 1068.00 EUR. Well, that's more than in music-city but compare the price of scope... or other equipment.

[ This Message was edited by: spoimala on 2003-02-26 08:59 ]