VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[tackerman]

I'm thinking about getting a different converter.
I'm currently using a Digi 003 but a lot of my work is long form narration and e-learning. For that I prefer recording & editing with my trusty AA 1.5.
I like the noise reduction on 1.5 and I find it much easier to use to edit multiple files over Protools. My Digi/PC relationship has always been shaky and when I try to bounce longer files it almost always ends up with buffer errors. (And believe me I've tried repeatedly to fix this problem.)
So here's the question... what would you go with? I'm running an NTK->737->Digi->PC DAW.
I'd like to put a rack mount converter in to replace the Digi and still be able to use 1.5. I've heard a number of good things about MOTU products from VOBBers. I'd also like to keep it under $1000.

MOTU 828mk3 $750

[jasbart]

[anthonyVO]

Tom - if you don't mind popping in a PCI card - you can get a LynxONE (recently discontinued this past July '08 ) for about $300.
You can't go wrong with Lynx. If you're looking at a LynxTWO, then that will probably cost b/w $600-$700.

KG has one or the other so he can give you more details, but that's the way I'm going when I dump PT this Winter.

[Rob Ellis]

Don't know if it would fit your specs, but I use the MOTU Ultralite

and am quite happy with it. Around $500.

Just make sure you have the right kind of Firewire in your computer

[Edo]

[Bruce]

I've enjoyed my MOTU 828's a lot. Trouble free. I like their Audio Desk software too, but if you're already proficient with another program, no need to switch.

I will say too I'm not sure why you've got a problem with files over 5 minutes. I often bounce and manipulate 30 to 60 minute programs with several tracks involved with no trouble.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Yoda117]

I'm with George and Bruce on this one. It's a little weird and that shouldn't be happening with PT, or any other application really.

And I hate PT, so even I'm amazed that I'm not blaming the application for this.

BTW: have you tried using your Digi into AA? You know you can do that, right?

Try it and see if you get the same problems.

That said, MOTU or Lynx are good converters for the $. Used in conjunction with some of their higher-end products, the Lynx can really rock your world!
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

[tackerman]

[bobsouer]

Tom,

I've used the Digi MBox2 many times with Sony Sound Forge while traveling on the road when I don't want to take the time to launch Pro Tools just to record a quick audition. I'm pretty sure your 003 has the ASIO and WAV drivers installed that would let you use AA with it. Just look for the Digidesign ASIO device in your hardware set-up.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[jasbart]

I totally went off topic when I made the comment about 5 minute mp3's. My comment to Tom was meant to address the size of the file. Years back I had a lot of problems with my DSL provider and with the ISP's of receiving clients, with the size of MP3 files. So I arbitrarily established a cap of 5 minutes (give or take) of any file I sent out. A mono voice file, therefore, would be about 5 mb in size. Since then I've stretched it somewhat, but I still try to be aware of the file size.

Looking back at Tom's original question, I realize that his problem wasn't the size of the file, it was with Pro Tools errors when he bounces to disc.

By the way, I still don't understand the general hostility towards Pro Tools. I've been using it for 10 years and the only problems I've had were caused by me.

Jim
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Jim Barton
Barton Voice & Sound
www.bartonvoice.com

[tackerman]

Bob, what version of AA are you using?

[bobsouer]

Tom,

I'm not using AA, just Sony Sound Forge. But, the ASIO drivers work with any audio program that supports ASIO. If your version of AA doesn't support ASIO, then look for the Digidesign WAV (or Wave) sound device.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[TC]

Hey, Tom:

In the meantime you might want to try a Pro Tools trick I learned from Deirdre: Instead of bouncing those long files, use the "Export Regions as Files..." command from within the regions bin over there on the right side. Not only might it bypass the issues you're having with buffer errors, but it's also way, way faster than bouncing.

Tony

[Frank F]

Tom,

I use an 828 MKII, and love it. The rest of the stuff with Digi... I do not know or want to know, sorry.

Toodles

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[Yoda117]

I'm kind of with Frank on this one. I don't like being locked in to proprietary stuff, which is what DD does with a lot of their products.

I went to external AD/DA units a while back and piper them through an AES 16, only through PT cards when it's a requirement (and most times I merely do the editing in PT and bring it in via the AES).

Different strokes...
_________________
Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones