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#1
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Mini review: Frontier Tango 24 8ch AD/DA Converter (OK, with a long intro. Sue me.)
I'll preface this by saying that I'm not a pro, just a songwriter with a
project studio. My quest is to find the best sound I can get using gear that I don't have to mortgage my great grandchildren's futures to buy. (Although I'll secretly admit that I just COVET all that tasty, high dollar big name pro gear the big boys love so much. That stuff has a good rep for a reason, but that's not the subject matter of this post.) I have recently purchased a Digi002 rack after much deliberation and on-line research. After reading on line opinions until my eyes hurt, I was convinced that one of two alternatives was true: #1 This thing would be my sonic salvation, or #2 It's just a prosumer level playtoy and part of a vast digidesign conspiracy to trick me into spending 80 large or so on a full blown PT system, so there. (You DO want surround sound and playlists, don't you? Hmmmmmmmm?) When I got it and integrated it into my setup, I concluded that neither statement was true. It was a vast sonic improvement over my existing interface (an old Layla 20bit + Sonar), but it didn't come included with a chorus of angels proclaiming my assured entry into recording heaven, either. As John Constantine said, "Welcome to my life." I noted that my mixes no longer sounded like congealed oatmeal, I had a much easier time placing each instrument in its own space. Over all, I was pretty happy with the improvement in my sound, the clarity and definition of the sound, etc. But this isn't a review of the Digi002r, that's been done and it's pluses and limitations have been explored enough, already. I began to hunger for that intangible something, that extra step up of audio quality that says, "Hi, this was recorded on equipment that doesn't suck." More research. I concluded that I could improve over the converters in the Digi (which ain't bad at all, I should stress, at least to my ears) by using an outboard AD converter into the ADAT lightpipe input. But which one to buy? I found a lot of good things said about the Swissonic AD24, but alas they're out of production and pretty scarce even on eBay. I finally chucked that idea. Then I asked for and received some advice on this group; try the venerable Frontier Tango 24. The kind gentleman (or lady if I got the gender wrong) even linked me to an auction for one. After more online opinion research (It *sucks*/No, it *doesn't* suck) I scored that mofo for the modest sum of $250.00. Got it. Racked it. Plugged it in. So far I've tracked a bass and a set of male vocals with it. And my observations: Bass: I ran the bass (An OLP 5-string Stingray type with a passive double coil PU) through a Joe Meek VC1Qcs and then direct into the Tango. I noticed the difference immediately. First of all, that chunky low B string, when plucked, was now identifiable as a "B" note instead of a blurry ball-jarring WHUMP that you take to be a "B" note just because your electronic tuner says it is. Clarity and detail. It's a subtle but very real improvement. Furthermore I determined that the noise floor (yes, there was one) was the output hiss from the preamp. The Tango itself was dead, dead quiet. If it has its own operating noise, it's below my ability to hear it, even with the gain cranked. Vocals: I recorded a male vocal using a Studio Projects C1 into a Studio Projects VTb1 (Now there's a whole 'nother debate. I like 'em. Some don't. Different strokes, brothers and sisters.) Oh man. Now here's a difference. For the first time in my dubious recording endeavors, I have tracked a vocal that sounds like a natural human voice singing in the room, instead of someone with a sinus condition singing in a refrigerator carton. Oh I'm so happy. The signal is clear and flat as a pancake being raped by a steamroller. I can honestly say that if I use any EQ in the mix on these vocals, it ain't gonna be much, maybe just a tiny bump in the high end some where for presence; then again, maybe not. The signal is detailed and clean. I guess the best way I can describe the improvement is not by what it adds to the sound, but by what this converter doesn't add to the sound. It lets you hear the true character of what's going into the computer in a way largely unaffected by any coloration or distortion that I can detect. Ok, that's my opinion on how it sounds, which is pretty damn good. Now a few words about its features: Aesthetics: Ok, it looks a little cheezy with silk screened graphics on the front 1U panel somewhat reminiscent of an early '90 A.R.T. product. If you run a "real" studio, it's not going to impress clients who amuse themselves by scanning your racks for names like Apogee, UA and Drawmer. IMHO, though, if you buy gear strictly on how it looks you probably bought one of those gaudy purple over-friggin'-priced vacuums that never lose suction, too. Sucker. Features: Pretty simple. You can select 44.1 or 48 sampling rates (that's a limitation of ADAT lightpipe, no 96 in this specification) and you can clock the unit internally, via wordclock or by the embedded clock in the optical ADAT signal. There are eight 1/4" TRS analog inputs and a like number of outputs. Optical in out an through. It's powered by a big chunky wall wart power supply. Gripes: No on and off switch. (I plugged mine into the same power strip that supplies my preamps and so far it hasn't been a problem.) Likewise, no 96 sampling rate. (I don't care personally since I do all my tracking at 24/44.1. These might be deal killers for you though.) There's a three segment (Green, Yellow, Red) clip indicator for each of the 8 ADAT channels. Switchable for input/output readings. They sure look purty but I doubt they'll replace a real meter bridge. Good to know you're not clipping your converter, though. Conclusion: If you already own a rack of Apogees, I just wasted your time. Sorry. If you're looking for an outboard converter to improve the sound of your lightpipe capable project studio level soundcard, I think you'll be deliriously happy with a Tango 24. malachi |
#2
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"Malachi" wrote:
It's powered by a big chunky wall wart power supply. Wall wart or line lump? They used to use the latter. no 96 sampling rate. (I don't care personally since I do all my tracking at 24/44.1. These might be deal killers for you though.) Well, that tells you how much *I* care about higher sample rates -- it never even crossed my mind that it doesn't do 96K. I'm with you -- I don't care either. Thanks for the entertaining read. Well written! -- "It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!" - Lorin David Schultz in the control room making even bad news sound good (Remove spamblock to reply) |
#3
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"Lorin David Schultz" wrote in message news:3ssIe.158716$HI.33766@edtnps84... "Malachi" wrote: It's powered by a big chunky wall wart power supply. Wall wart or line lump? They used to use the latter. Line lump, not wall wart. My mistake. Thanks for the entertaining read. Well written! Thanks! malachi |
#4
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#5
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Malachi wrote: So far I've tracked a bass and a set of male vocals with it. Will all due respect for you thoughtful and detailed reports of your experiences, It would be interesting to hear thoughts after having tracked alot more and varied sources through the box (horns and drums for example). I guess the best way I can describe the improvement is not by what it adds to the sound, but by what this converter doesn't add to the sound. It lets you hear the true character of what's going into the computer in a way largely unaffected by any coloration or distortion that I can detect. I am a bit skeptical. The Tango is an aging design and at its price point I would expect its AD to be of the same caliber as the 002R or maybe very slightly better (if you're listening in a very accurate monitoring environment). Don't get me wrong - I'd love for this to be a good box for the application. I also have an 002R and am looking for an 8 channel AD box. But I have a few questions: Did you do anything scientific in your testing? Such as recording the same signal from a console bussed to both the 002's line in and the Tango's line in. That is the only way you could really compare the two fairly. It's amazing how our ears (and brains) steer us when a) you're hearing 2 different takes, and b) you "want" the new box to sound better. Also, when making your judgements were you listening to the tracks you recorded through the Tango's DA or the 002's DA. It would be useful to compare both AD and DA separately in a controlled way and see if you are still hearing the same sorts of things. Lastly, if you really wanted to be thorough you might get a friend to man the controls (out of sight) while you are listening. This takes any preconceived notions out of the picture. Please excuse me doubting your methods. I've been duped myself by non-scientific listening tests in the past. If in fact you have taken these types of measures then congratulations and maybe i'll consider trying one out too! Dan Fox |
#6
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Daniel,
My methods are admittedly unscientific. I'm just going by what my ears tell me. I have compared the sound of tracks I've layed down with the 002's internal converters with ones I've done with the Tango. I think I hear a big improvement in clarity and detail especially with vocals. At this price point, I'm really happy with what I'm hearing. I just posted the track I was recording when I wrote this review on Soundclick; listen for yourself. Here's a link to my music page, the song is first on the page and is called "I'm Not Just A Man's Best Friend": http://www.soundclick.com/artist/8/j...ntes_music.htm malachi "Daniel Fox" wrote in message oups.com... Malachi wrote: So far I've tracked a bass and a set of male vocals with it. Will all due respect for you thoughtful and detailed reports of your experiences, It would be interesting to hear thoughts after having tracked alot more and varied sources through the box (horns and drums for example). I guess the best way I can describe the improvement is not by what it adds to the sound, but by what this converter doesn't add to the sound. It lets you hear the true character of what's going into the computer in a way largely unaffected by any coloration or distortion that I can detect. I am a bit skeptical. The Tango is an aging design and at its price point I would expect its AD to be of the same caliber as the 002R or maybe very slightly better (if you're listening in a very accurate monitoring environment). Don't get me wrong - I'd love for this to be a good box for the application. I also have an 002R and am looking for an 8 channel AD box. But I have a few questions: Did you do anything scientific in your testing? Such as recording the same signal from a console bussed to both the 002's line in and the Tango's line in. That is the only way you could really compare the two fairly. It's amazing how our ears (and brains) steer us when a) you're hearing 2 different takes, and b) you "want" the new box to sound better. Also, when making your judgements were you listening to the tracks you recorded through the Tango's DA or the 002's DA. It would be useful to compare both AD and DA separately in a controlled way and see if you are still hearing the same sorts of things. Lastly, if you really wanted to be thorough you might get a friend to man the controls (out of sight) while you are listening. This takes any preconceived notions out of the picture. Please excuse me doubting your methods. I've been duped myself by non-scientific listening tests in the past. If in fact you have taken these types of measures then congratulations and maybe i'll consider trying one out too! Dan Fox |
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