Mic Pres / Compressors / A/D converters

[somalade]

Hi people...

I'm looking at purchasing a good quality mic pre / compressor / A/D converter to use with my Digi 001. I'll still use the digi when I need to record more than 1 or 2 trakcs (drums etc), but want something better quality for vocals / guitars / bass etc...

Been looking at:

- Apogee Mini Me
- Focusrite voicemaster pro / twintrakpro
- TL Audio ivory2 5050 or 5060

I prefer not to process the raw signal too much as I record it, so really don't need too much from the unit other than preamp / some compression and A/D converters. Preferably 2 channels. I don't mind a bit of colouration if it is not too aparent, but adds something good.

My best mics are 2x AKGC3000B at the moment.

Any recommendations? I'm leaning towards the Apogee, but it is the most expensive so need some convincing!

Cheers

[audio1420]

Here is some advise. I just got an apogee trak2 with 2 builtin pre amps and the d/a 8 channel output card. This unit is awsome. I also have the 001 on a pc. I just waiting on the ambus8 adat card for it so I get the other 8 in and outs. I've had this unit for a couple of weeks now and I dont know how a got by without it. the a\d converters are great and dont forget about the clock. Its nice haveing a good a/d converter but with a wack clock you really arent getting any improvment. The trak 2 lists for 3600 but if you hunt on ebay you should be able to get a deal I know I did. I hope this helps in your decision.

[audio1420]

Here is some advise. I just got an apogee trak2 with 2 builtin pre amps and the d/a 8 channel output card. This unit is awsome. I also have the 001 on a pc. I just waiting on the ambus8 adat card for it so I get the other 8 in and outs. I've had this unit for a couple of weeks now and I dont know how a got by without it. the a\d converters are great and dont forget about the clock. Its nice haveing a good a/d converter but with a wack clock you really arent getting any improvment. The trak 2 lists for 3600 but if you hunt on ebay you should be able to get a deal I know I did. I hope this helps in your decision.

[hotstuff]

Hi I bought a Focusrite TTPro and am very happy with it1 I also got the AD option and instaled it myself (its very simple) the convertion is way better than the 001 but this unit also comes with DA converter so insted of monitoring though the 001 converter you monitor threw the TTPro and I´ll tell you it´s much more natural and open sounding (better mixes) the unit is cheap, you get 2 channels,a stereo compressor, A/D/A through S/PDif and a latency free monitoring section. It really is good! For ADAT in I got a M-Audio Octane well priced good converters and I recently gor a Rode K2 valve mic... very nice
Dont forget the mic is in first place in the signal path and the converter is last! A good mic is always better than a good converter.
I´ve got an AKG C3000b and quite frankly I dont like it on vocals A stereo pair is probably nice as overheads for drums.
Get a Rode for vocals cause they arnt expensive and they sound great!
TTPro- +/- 650$ Digital option 100$, Rode K2 +/- 700$

Hope this helps you decide

[MidnightFlyer]

I've got an 001 on a Mac G4 800.

I get great results from using a Brent Averill 1272 Preamp, then going through an Apogee Rosetta A/D converter.

Then from the computer, a Benchmark D/A converter, to Mackie HR 624's. I get a great sound, I've been told.

As for compressors, there's dozens of plugins that will work for you.

[somalade]

Cheers for the comments...

I've just borrowed a TTPro for a test drive, as well as a TLAudio irovy 5060. Both have their good points.

With using the TTPro to monitor via its digital input, should I just be able to plug the digi 001 S/PDIF out into the TTPRo digital in? I've tried this but there doesn't seem to be any signal coming through - I've shecked that the prottols mix is being routed to the digital outs (this happens at the same time as it is routed to the digi's analogue 1 & 2). I'm wondering if I have to change some settngs somewhere in protools?

I'm also thinking your suggestion of a Rode K2 is a good one, so I'll probably go ahead with that.

Let me kow if you've got any ideas anyway