[Steve[_19_]]

Hey all;

I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed. I
was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
and obviously better A-D conversion. Just wondering what everyone's
opinions on the Apogee's preamps were compared to the Focusrite's
before I make the leap. I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I
can't compare for myself.

Cheers;
Steve

[Mike Rivers]

Steve wrote:

I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed. I
was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
and obviously better A-D conversion.

I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I can't compare for myself.

Why not? Are you needing to use it this afternoon? Why not get a MiniMe
and compare it yourself. Frankly, unless you can make use of the added
bells and whistles of the MiniMe, you probably will see no compelling
need to make the switch. The preamps are probably in about the same
ballpark, the converters are probably a bit better in the Apogee, but
depending on what's going in, you may not notice enough difference to
matter. Or maybe you will. You should make this decision yourself.
You're the one spending the money and you know your customers.


--
If you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring and reach
me he
double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo -- I'm really Mike Rivers
)

[Steve[_19_]]

On Jun 7, 11:58*am, Mike Rivers wrote:
Steve wrote:
I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed. *I
was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
and obviously better A-D conversion. *
I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I can't compare for myself.

Why not? Are you needing to use it this afternoon? Why not get a MiniMe
and compare it yourself. Frankly, unless you can make use of the added
bells and whistles of the MiniMe, you probably will see no compelling
need to make the switch. The preamps are probably in about the same
ballpark, the converters are probably a bit better in the Apogee, but
depending on what's going in, you may not notice enough difference to
matter. Or maybe you will. You should make this decision yourself.
You're the one spending the money and you know your customers.

--
If you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring and reach
me he
double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo -- I'm really Mike Rivers
)

Mike;

Thanks for the response. Seeing as the MiniMe is discontinued I would
have to find one used. That's why I was saying I wouldn't get a
chance to AB them before buying. I was just looking at the Twintrak
and I have never used the mid scoop or the compressor in it. I bought
it mainly for the preamp quality until of course I got my FMR RNP. I
usually add all dynamics, EQ and effects post-tracking so I figured I
would get a better A/D converter and preamp with less bells and
whistles than the Twintrak. It's had it's problems which have been
fixed at an insane cost (i've almost paid for it twice). I may stick
with it but the MiniMe has the advantage of being a little more
portable and having better converters.

Thanks.

[Steve[_19_]]

On Jun 7, 1:33*pm, "Soundhaspriority" wrote:
"Steve" wrote in message

...

Hey all;

I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed. *I
was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
and obviously better A-D conversion. *Just wondering what everyone's
opinions on the Apogee's preamps were compared to the Focusrite's
before I make the leap. *I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I
can't compare for myself.

Cheers;
Steve

Steve, I have the MiniMe. Neither the MiniMe nor the Twintrak have
converters that as good as the best "prosumer." The Minime has a 105dB S/N,
while the Twintrak has a 110 dB S/N. The MiniMe is not in the class of
Apogee's main products, not by a long shot. An AD16X has 15 dB of S/N on it.

[Steve[_19_]]

On Jun 7, 3:02*pm, "Soundhaspriority" wrote:
"Steve" wrote in message

...
On Jun 7, 1:33 pm, "Soundhaspriority" wrote:





"Steve" wrote in message

...

Hey all;

I have a Focusrite TwinTrak pro with the AD option card installed. I
was considering going to an Apogee MiniMe for better (maybe?) preamps
and obviously better A-D conversion. Just wondering what everyone's
opinions on the Apogee's preamps were compared to the Focusrite's
before I make the leap. I won't have a chance to hear the MiniMe so I
can't compare for myself.

Cheers;
Steve

Steve, I have the MiniMe. Neither the MiniMe nor the Twintrak have
converters that as good as the best "prosumer." The Minime has a 105dB
S/N,
while the Twintrak has a 110 dB S/N. The MiniMe is not in the class of
Apogee's main products, not by a long shot. An AD16X has 15 dB of S/N on
it.

The Focusrite pres are better. The Apogee uses the INA163 chip as the gain
block, while the Focusrite has discrete Class A circuitry.

To put the nail in the coffin, the DC/DC power converters of the MiniMe
are
on the same board as everything else. This precludes reaching thermal
noise
levels. The Focusrite designers had it easier, with more room for
shielding
and isolation.

The reputation of the MiniMe seems to be due to the celebs who use it as
their personal kit. It also shows that for popular music, the converters
don't have to be the best. While I would not agree with them, the "Zoom
Crowd" adores their little recorders, which have really, really bad specs.

FWIW, I use a MiniMe as a digital input to a Sound Devices 744T. If I ever
record a full orchestra in a quiet hall, I might want something better. It
is 9 dB noisier that the the Sound Devices recorders.

If you have a sound problem, it's probably microphone related.

Bob Morein
**************(31...*******

Hey Bob;

Thanks for the info. *I was under the assumption that the A/D on the
MMe was the same caliber as their rack gear which seems to be untrue.
I was just looking at my twintrack and thinking I could downsize it to
something with better pres and better conversion. *I think I will
stick with it.

Cheers;
Steve
:
If you decide you have to have a MiniMe, let me know. Perhaps there's
something else I could use.

Bob Morein**************(310)*237-6511*******- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Bob;

Assuming the above post was by you (which it seems to be), shoot me an
e-mail at my e-mail address I am using to post with
- replace the word in quotes with a letter
obviously!). I may still be interested in the MMe to replace some of
my lower end stuff.

Cheers;
Steve