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RME User Forum → FireWire & USB series → Upgrade original Babyface
Hey- have been using original Babyface for years which I love. Looking to really upgrade my DA section since I am primarily an itb mix engineer and want the best signal possible to my monitors. Would I be better off getting a Babyface Pro fs, or getting an adi-2 fs and connecting it via adat to my original Babyface? Purely looking for the best conversion quality as my original Babyface still functions 100%. Thanks!
You could expand via ADAT by adding one of these devices:
- ADI-2 FS
- ADI-2 DAC FS
- ADI-2 Pro FS
The ADI-2 FS is the cheapest one allowing to monitor an input stream with the phones output.
More worked out features for phones connection you find with ADI-2 Pro / DAC, like e.g.:
- dynamic loudness
- 4 different reference levels
- auto ref level selection feature
- high power phones outputs
- connection of unbalanced and balanced phones
- 5 Band PEQ
- selection of D/A filter being used
- slow ramp-up of volume when plugging phones or changing the output channel
- remapping of functions to the 4 keys in the front
- more input/output options
- Sample Rate Converter
- DSD recording and playback
- ADAT/SPDIF, AES
- with reference levels typically being used in the studio
- useable as preamp for a power amp
- ....
Where the ADI-2 DAC FS is a cost optimized version of the ADI-2 Pro for using it more in the HiFi area:
- without analog inputs
- without digital outputs
- without AES
- without balanced phones
- without SRC (sample rate converter)
- 2nd phones output is IEM
- with only one D/A converter instead of two
- with reference levels adjusted (slightly lowered) for HiFi use
Some examples how to combine this with the Babyface via ADAT, see my blog:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … our-Setup/
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … ort-DE-EN/
I do understand your urge to improve DA. But a big but, it will not make a real difference, maybe a small Psychological difference in the beginning. The differences between very good and excellent converters (on paper) are at beyond -100db so inaudible.
And even if there was a difference for the better (which there is not) it would not be a win per se. Like how some engineers like to work on NS10's because if it sounds good on those it will be good everywhere. If your magical new DA would sprinkle some magic dust, that would not translate to other listeners. Better sprinkle your magic when mixing itb.
I think this does not apply as much to AD, since getting the best signal in is important. However you can agree that if your mic and preamp have -80db noise and 0.4% distortion, having -115 or -120db and 0,004 or 0,003 AD is not that important any more.
Also the times of flawed anti alias filters like in the beginning of digtal is long gone.
Better make a choice based on features, driver and support (longevity)
Having said all this, if you still want to, one of the ADI2's is an excellent choice you will be certain with you have the best available DA!
Hi
Following this thread, as I'm in the same situation. Currently, I do connect my outboard preamps to my babyface original.
Regarding the ADI-2 FS --- It looks like I would connect my outboard preamp to the analog input of the ADI-2 FS, which would connect via adat to the babyface.
When tracking, would I then be able to monitor input through ADI-2 fs headphones, as well as the babyface headphones?
Thanks,
- Leon
Yes and you can even send a mix and input to the adi headphones. It behaves just as 2 extra ins and outs (1 stereo pair in and out) to the babyface. It will be on the AS in and out of the babyface totalmixer. (AS is adat spdif)
Much Thanks!
Amendment question:
Now I'm looking at the improved preamps of the UCX II. In the scenario where I would just be using those more than outboard, is it correct it would just make sense to get that UCX II [I'd sell my original Babyface] and I'd then be all set for better preamps and the improved converters in the UCX II?
Thanks again!
I would upgrade to the UCX II if you need
- more analog / digital ports
- (un-) balanced inputs, outputs for external devices or "Monitor B"
or if you want to have additional features like e.g.:
- Autoset
- DURec
- full implementation of FX chip on the recording interface
- 100% operateable in standalone mode throug display
Regarding expansibility: should you need more Mic inputs in the future or if you want to record in double speed, then keep in mind that also the UCX II offers only 1x ADAT I/O. In this case consider UFX II as well as an option.
If you would like to upgrade to an ADI-2 Pro FS R BE in the future for your monitoring section
see also: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … our-Setup/
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … ses-EN-DE/
then it could be beneficial to have a spare AES or ADAT port for that and still to be able to connect an additional preamp if needed. With the UCX II you can connect the ADI-2 Pro (or DAC) by using the AES port.
Thanks again!
RME User Forum → FireWire & USB series → Upgrade original Babyface
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