Focusrite 22O session pack/Digi 001

[mhvoiceuk]

I'm a voice over artist and I have an opportunity to get a deal on a Focusrite 220, with the digital card. I have a Digi OO1 and am currently using a platinum voicemaster as my voice strip. A couple of questions, for anyone that has one:
1. The 220 has one output - the voicemaster has 3 (-10, +4 pre de-ess and +4).
I currently run the +4 pre de-ess output to my ISDN codec for a clean feed, the -10 to my Mackie 1402 desk for headphone monitoring and the other +4 to Digi OO1. This is great as I don't have to unplug and replug between hard disk and ISDN sessions. If I get the 220 -how do I configure it to do the same thing? I would really like to keep the signal paths as clean as possible. Will I need a patchbay?
2. The a/d converters on the 220 will presumably be better than the OO1's. Do I just use the SPDIF out on the 220 to connect to the 001 - or is it more complicated? The 220 literature mentions connecting to Pro Tools using Superclock , but I can't see an input on the 001. Is this just a TDM thing?
Sorry for so many questions.
Help!

MHvoiceuk

[Kamurah]

You've basically got the right idea....

You would just need to connect the 220 to the 001 via the SPDIF out on the 220. Clock the 001 from this SPDIF input.

Then you could use the analog out on the 220 for monitoring...just like you are currently doing.

Hope this helps...and let us know how the 220 sounds ok? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Cheers

[BradLyons]

I'm a BIG FAN of the ISA430 and have used it quite a bit. Along with the VoxBox from Manley, it's my favorite preamp out there....or at least for the all-in-one channel strip preamps.... pretty hard to tear me away from the Trident S80 but hey. The ISA220, while not quite the ISA430, is still absolutely AMAZING. IT's very musical.... if you're able to score a deal on it, don't pass it up.

Out of curiousity, what microphone are you using since you mentioned you do voice-over? The most popular out there for this is the M149 and M147 from Neumann as well as the B.L.U.E. MOUSE (which is also very affordable).

[The Fez]

I have used the Focusrite 220 for a few months now and have found it to be as exciting as,and sonically comparable to the Producers Pack 430.
The EQ. of the 220 is wonderful, and the compressor is transparent, yet extremely effective for vocals.
The de-esser is so clean that you can run any front-end mic through it, without the annoying artifacts present with other lower classed de-essers.
Go ahead and buy one! You will love it!

[Duardo]

Yup, most of the components of the 220 are the same as in the 430, and the Red series, and so on...the pre and EQ are both the classic Rupert Neve design (not as many frequency choices on the EQ, but no compromise in quality)...the "blend" feature on the compressor is pretty hip as well.

-Duardo

[Duardo]

And yes, Superclock is just a TDM thing.

-Duardo

[BradLyons]

Just so you know, Rupert Neve did NOT actually design the ISA430....I asked the man himself, in person.

[Matt_G]

The ISA220 is a very impressive sounding box indeed, seems a pity to throw all that quality out the window sending it down an ISDN line! Even higher bit rate MP3 would sound a lot better... But if you are getting the 220 at a good price get one for sure it won't dissapoint.

[mhvoiceuk]

Thanks for all the replies. Obviously not a fan of ISDN audio Matt_G ! Unfortunately It's the only way that I can do remote live sessions -so I might as well try and as good a sound as possible before it all degrades. ISDN at Mpeg layer 2 128kbps mono sounds OK for voice I think. I will also record at my own studio with it, so I am pleased that it gets such good reviews here.

MHVoice UK
http://www.voice-overs