Protools users, Opinions Please

[skylabfilmpop]

I am preparing to pony up for HD and am weighing the benefit of a 192 with an Apogee Big Ben VS a 192 with an apogee rosetta 800. I currently use the roetta with my MIX system and love its sound. Do you think the improved Big ben clock with the 192's converters will sound as good, better, or what? Thanks!

[jackaroo]

I have an HD 2 rig, and I went with a Digi converter- 1400 bucks... pretty good. Sounds fine, I think all the emphasis on better converters doesn't mean anything if you're not getting great sounds in the first place. So If you're doing a system for yourself, I think that the $ should go towards better compression, mics, pres etc before converters. I don't use a clock as I only have one 8 channel converter, and any midi I do is in the box and quickly converted to mono. I'm sure the more expensive stuff sounds great, I just think there's more important stuff, though I'm sure there are plenty of folks on the web that will tell you XYZ is a must have and the Digi gear is ghetto.



Best of luck-

JD

[E Baxter Put]

It's hard to tell because to me it's a personal preference. You can get the 192 and perhaps borrow a Big Ben from your dealer to do a comparison. The 192 converters are pretty good though. I have been happy with my 192 as a stand-alone without an external clock.

[guitarcec]

If you already know you're a big fan of the Rosetta sound, why not buy an X-HD card and a Big Ben, and continue using what you love? It's a great combination for PTHD, and you can use the leftover $ for pres/mics like the previous poster recommended. Just my .02

[MichaelK]

I feel the 192 sounds damned near as good as Apogee A/D, and maybe better. I can't say for sure which I like better because I've never made a realtime A/B comparison: same studio, same instrument, same mic & preamp etc. But as far as just great sound – meaning "like analog" – PTHD with Digi 192 and Apogee are both favorites of mine.

JMO, but I think the Big Ben as your clock would be great either way, then do your own A/B with the converters since you already have the Rosetta. If you feel it's superfluous, sell it. If you like it better, keep it.

[MichaelK]

I have been happy with my 192 as a stand-alone without an external clock.

I'm more familiar with a system using Digi Sync as the clock, but that's also a possibility.

skylabfilmpop: I think whoever sells you the HD system ought to be willing to let you try a Big Ben on spec.

[skylabfilmpop]

I need some digital inputs as well for my Gigastudios so an apohhe w the PT card is not viable. Going from my Digi converters to the Apogee roseta 800 years ago felt like graduating from a 4 track to Ocean Way. Although the converter sound is great I really notice the clock improvement in my mixes. Out of the box I am sure HD has better clock than MIX for sure. Most of my HD using friends are using either a pair of the apogee 16 channel converters or a 192 with a big ben. Part of my plan may be to swap my Apogee for a 192 as they are pretty comprably priced second hand and ease the cost of the upgrade, maybe picking up another rosetta or somthing after I have settled in.

[MichaelK]

Going from my Digi converters to the Apogee roseta 800 years ago felt like graduating from a 4 track to Ocean Way.

I know exactly what you mean.

Most of my HD using friends are using either a pair of the apogee 16 channel converters or a 192 with a big ben. Part of my plan may be to swap my Apogee for a 192 as they are pretty comprably priced second hand and ease the cost of the upgrade, maybe picking up another rosetta or somthing after I have settled in.

Sounds like a plan.

FWIW the HD users I know have either a Sync or Big Ben in addition to whatever converters they use. As much as the Rosetta's clock (and probably the 192's) is an improvement over older Digi converters, they still have the dedicated clock. I'm just mentioning it; it's not a system I own.