Recording with 20 bit adat bridge

[Heaven]

Hi all
If I was to record tracks using the 20 bit adat bridge using a 24 bit enabled converter and the 24 bit capability in pt, would I still retain that 20 bit depth and resolution. In other words would it be better than recording at 16 bit?? Surely it would ...?

How many of you would recommend just going for a 16 bit 888 converter. Extra bucks on a 24 bit 888i/o is just a bit hard at the moment.

[Heaven]

....--....?? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[sdevino]

Given that you can get a ADAT XT-20 on ebay for between $350 and $600, you can't beat the price for a box with great converters (far better than 888-16 and some say it is better than the 888-24 on internal clock).

You also get great meters (better than 192i/o) and the ability to run tape as a safety while tracking.
I used 2 XT-20s and a ADAT bridge for over 2 years witha mixplus system.

[Alécio Costa]

I also use two adat bridges with my PT, 02R. Steve, do you use the XT20 for a/d into the AB, right?
nice tuesday

[Alécio Costa]

heaven, you would have a better signal arriving at your PT rig. 16 to 24 bits is a great leap. just try to make a fade out and watch with your own ears!! I have two Ab´s... In PT session, 24 bit should be your choice too! less quantization error, etc.

[sdevino]

I used 2 of them for A/d into AB then into the Mixcore card. Sounded great. I recently steped up to 192I/O and kept one of the ADATs for transfers and safety again via the 192's light pipes.

Steve

[Alécio Costa]

that is what I imagined!! .but your adat analog inputs are -10dbv unbalanced , right? or are you converting with elco?

[Heaven]

Hi Again Alecio and Sdevino

Guys do you both use the 20 bit AB?? Im confident that I would benefit fron this use as I described.

Peace [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[sdevino]

I used 20 Bit. 20 bits provides 120 dB S/N. The analog path was at best 110 dB (as it is for almost any studio) so 20 bits was plenty for conversion. This still allowed full 24 bit performance inside of Protools where it is needed for summing and FX.

I usually monitor in 16 bit on the DAC (even on my 192I/O) so I can mix to final sound instead of being surprised and dissappointed by the degradation once it goes on CD. Its nice to hear the 24bit converter quality, but the mix is miss leading if the final product is headed for CD.

Alecio, I used both the Elco and the RCA's depending on what was upstream (via patchbay). One thing I did learn is to use the -10's for tape monitor instead of the ELCO +4's, which use cheap amps to convert the level.

[Heaven]

Thanks heaps folks for ya input [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]