Optional A/D card for Focusrite Platinum Series

[Bryan T]

I have a Focusrite Twintrak that I am really enjoying. I use it for recording solo acoustic guitar into a Digi001 (A/T 3035 and/or Groove Tubes GT33 for the microphones). I've read that the A/D converters on the Digi001 are not very good and that using something else for conversion will improve my recordings. Focusrite offers an optional A/D converter card for the Twintrak. Would this be an upgrade compared to the Digi001? What exactly is wrong with the converters on the Digi001? How would they be negatively affecting my solo guitar recordings?

Most importantly, would my $200 be better spent elsewhere?

Thanks,
Bryan T

[Scott Peterson]

Well I had a Voicemaster Pro that I liked; and I opted for the Focusrite A/D card you are pondering.

The A/D converter sounded fine and I felt it was worth the money; though I cannot personally compare it to the Digi-001 because I have no experience with them.

I can say the Focusrite doesn't compare in clarity and focus (no pun intended!) to my Lynx L2 A/D coverters. The absolute detail on the top end is where I notice it the most.

Just my experiece. Doesn't apply directly, but hope it helps some.

[Bryan T]

Scott,

Thanks for your comments. I remember Michael K mentioning that the A/D converters in the Digi001 weren't very good, but I've never fully understood what about them is bad.

I'll look into the Lynx converters, though I bet they are WAY out of my budget range. If I can seriously improve on my recordings in a tangible way for $200, then I'll probably do so. Beyond that cost and I'll be perfectly content with what I have.

Thanks again,
Bryan

[MichaelK]

They're not "bad." Some A/D converters sound better than others, is all. I don't know much about the Focusrite converters... except that Digi owns Focusrite, so they may be identical. Or they may be better, because Digi's converters have improved somewhat since the 001. The only way I could answer that question would be to do an A/B comparison, but I would not expect a huge difference between the two.

The real question is, how much of a difference will upgrading your A/D converters make? I don't know your rig or your skills; you might not notice any difference at all.

My $.02: save your money. Seriously. You will not hear your money's worth for a $200 upgrade.

[Bryan T]

Michael,

Thanks for your input. I'll save my money!

For what it is worth, here is the type of music and the sound quality that I am getting:

http://www.moebiustrip.org/BT/alaska.mp3

Thanks to you both,
Bryan

[wilder]

Bryan,

That sounds great. I think I recognize your name and style from the G&L board. Excellent work.

Chris

[Bryan T]

Chris,

Yep, same guy from guitarsbyleo. Thanks for the comments! I've learned a lot about my recording studio in the last year and am a lot happier with the quality of the recordings that I am getting. But they can always be better!

Bryan

[MichaelK]

Bryan, that is seriously fine stuff. I listened all the way through - which is rare for me with member clips - and enjoyed every note. No kidding. Nice work!!

When you decide to do master quality recordings for a CD, that's the time to spend a few bucks on upgrading your A/D. I could see you doing that at some point. But until then it's really not worth doing, IMO.

[Bryan T]

Michael,

Thanks for your comments. That is a song that jumped out of my recently purchased Goodall baritone.

I am working on a CD that I hope to have done by December 1. The songs are all solo guitar instrumentals.

I guess this raises the question of what I should be thinking of doing next to improve the recordings. My microphones are decent, but budget, as is the Digi001, and the Twintrak preamp. I'm fairly happy with the quality, but am always looking for improvements.

Where do you think I should invest my money?

Thanks,
Bryan

[MichaelK]

I just listened with headphones. Truth is, I don't think you need a goddam thing. It sounds great. Big, open sound and I hear everything I want to hear. If every tune sounds this good, all you need to spend money on is mastering.

My only critique: the end needs a fade to tail off the noise of your studio. In the future, try to position yourself and the mic so the the noisy stuff is rejected outside the polar pattern.

[Bryan T]

Michael,

Now that is what I like to hear! I've already been e-mailing with Scott Peterson about mastering the work.

I do need to work on the noise floor - I need to get some longer cables so that I can get the computer out of the room instead of under a blanket. It is the other random noises (cars, car stereos, fire engines) that I just have to record around.

In the end, I don't think it sounds like it was recorded in my apartment. It won't win any awards for production, but for the small amount of money I have invested I think I am doing OK.

Thanks again,
Bryan

[LSchefman]

>>I don't know much about the Focusrite converters... except that Digi owns Focusrite, so they may be identical.<<

Digi doesn't own focusrite, they distribute focusrite in the US. Focusrite has different distributors in other parts of the world. I seriously doubt they're identical, though who knows about the chip doing the actual conversion.

Converter quality is partly about the chip - and many units use the same ones - but mostly it's about the other circuitry. It's like anything else; there are good circuits and ordinary circuits, crappy ones, and fantastic ones.

Based on my experience with their products, I'd be willing to bet that the Focusrite converters, even on the platinum series, have an edge on the 001. However, I'm not sure anyone would hear it on a guitar track, unless all of the other gear used in the production was of very high quality, and I'm dead certain that you won't hear it on an mp3.

Just my two cents.

[MichaelK]

>> Digi doesn't own focusrite, they distribute focusrite in the US.

I stand corrected.

[MichaelK]

>> In the end, I don't think it sounds like it was recorded in my apartment.

Not till it gets quiet, and maybe it's less obvious on speakers instead of headphones. I think changing your position in the room could take care of the problem. Where is the computer in relation to the mic?

>> but for the small amount of money I have invested I think I am doing OK.

I think you're doing great.

[LSchefman]

>>I stand corrected.<<

As long as you don't stand on ceremony.

[MichaelK]

>> As long as you don't stand on ceremony.

I don't stand for much. And when I do, I'm usually the shortest.

[Scott Peterson]

Originally posted by MichaelK
>> As long as you don't stand on ceremony.

I don't stand for much. And when I do, I'm usually the shortest.

Pfft! LOL! I just spit water on my flat screen Michael. Too funny man!:D