Well truth be told, I still have and use ADAT XT's at my studio. While I ocassionally will record to 1/2" 8 track (80-8), I mostly use the adats. I paid around $3K ea for them which was a steal back then, but now the are dinasours.

I am wonder about the converters? Can anyone compare the converters to the more modern ones? I know 16 bit is old, but some great records have recorded and mixed on them.

I am interested in a new platform and can not decide between standalone and DAW. I notice my recordings lack the gloss around and above 12K. I wondering if the converters are part of the issue.

Any insight into a new system is welcome.

Funny thing is, no matter what tools you have, we find a way to make it sound presentable.

Jack

I think most people got rid of their adats a while ago. I know I did. I had three blackface adats. I sold them for about $500 apiece about '98 or 99. I was thinking about getting another one a two cheap just because I have so many damned tapes recorded and not backed up to another format. Either that or rent/borrow a couple for a couple of weeks and spend some quality time archiving . . .

I really don't like the way they sound. They were great for me as an entry level system. And you can make smoe great sounding music on them. It's just that things got better. I went computer DAW with DP and haven't looked back.

Well if you're set up to mix that way, why not look into an Alesis adat HD24?

It's the updated, tapeless adat. 24 tracks in and out, 24bit, uses common IDE hard drives for storage instead of tape. Converters are not harsh and not terrible. I use it with RME ADIs and that's better still. Since you're already an adat user, transport will be completely familiar to you except faster. I believe it will sync up with your current adats as well.

Thanks Rag,

That is the unit I use at another studio. Its pretty nice and real tempting. He has the upgraded converters and they sound great. I may want to get into "Recall" and some automation, so that may mean mixing in the box....

Yeah, I hear you on that. I have wet dreams of automation haha...someday, I suppose...lack of recall isn't enough to get me in the box though I do have that option at any time. It's a subjective thing...

Well that is the dilema. I have a nice 24X16X8x2 english console (studio master)that sounds great, with nice eq's. I mix everything through that right now, and all the patch bays are set up and functioning in that format. So switching over the HD24 would be a piece of cake, but I hate when I get a mix done, and a few days later wish I had the vocals up 1 or 2 db. Then I have to go back and re mix the whole darn song.

I did hear that the HD24 has a ethernet connection so you can dump the session into your computer...?

JD

Now that brings back memories. I also had a Studiomaster board for about ten years. I really like the eq on that puppy. The faders sucked. I sold it a few years ago and went digital(Yamaha AW4416). The groovy eq is gone but no more charting out the knob settings, the automation, and scene recall makes up for it methinks.

quote:

Originally posted by Jacl Daniels:

I did hear that the HD24 has a ethernet connection so you can dump the session into your computer...?

JD

Yes, it's no problem to set the HD24 to function as an FTP server and send files back and forth between a PC via twisted pair Cat5.

The Alesis FirePort is even faster, however I have had problems with the software that interfaces it with my puter (mac G5/OS X panther). Another forumite here reported some possible FirePort hardware problems, so I'd approach that with caution. I have NOT had problems with the HD24 itself; it's been a very stable, trouble free machine. The Fireport accessory has been disappointing, though. That's really my only caution--otherwise I think the HD24 a great system for someone who likes the tape transport but needs the convenience/financial viability of HD storage and a few digital tricks.

if I was recording live I would go with a hd24 but in the studio I would put together a daw hands down, you can do so much more I made the choice a year ago and glad I did