Tascam Converters?

[tommypenngotti]

I have a audio engineer genius in LA that recommended I get rid of my Motu 896/828 and use Tascam DA78's for the conversion , then into a Motu 2408 into my Mac . He claims the Tascam converters will rule within a limited budget.

Anybody care to chime in ?

current set up below

thanks!

[Gravity Jim]

When people start splitting hairs about conversion, I like to remind them that "The Nightfly" - an album so sonically pristine that it is still used to tune PAs and studio control rooms every day - was recorded, mixed and mastered digitally in 16-bit/44.1k using convertors that, while state of the art for their time, were far worse than the convertors in the cheapest device you can buy today. Your iPhone might be better.

As Michael Jordan said so eloquently, "It ain't the shoes, Mars."

[bayswater]

I used Tascam DA converters via a 2408 for a while. I have to say I always liked the sound, very clean, but wonder if it had more to do with clocking or the analog stages of the equipment than the converters themselves.

I'm puzzled why they would be regarded as inexpensive, even if you can get them easily.

[Gravity Jim]

The convertors in my DM3200 are great, and that might be a function of the superior clocking you get when mixer, convertors and interface are all, essentially, the same device. But I thought my MOTU unit sounded good, too. My point was that virtually any convertor in anything you can buy today is probably better than the ones used to make some landmark records. I'm not disputing your LA engineer's rep as a "genius," but in my experience the really smart guys all knew that it is 95% what you put in the grooves and 5% how you get it there.

[tommypenngotti]

first off I appreciate your guys input . Secondly, I was already on Gravity Jim's side in advance when my guy mentioned the Tascam deal. I love the Beatles/ Hendrix era stuff and know the value of a good producer vs gear

I'm now tracing a weird tone/buzz in my chain ….I think my Motu 896 is crapping out. Is there a hard reset like the 828 for the 896?

thanks guys!

[mikehalloran]

The 896 was discontinued nearly 8 years ago for the mkIII that came out in 2007. There are components that go bad over time.

You can try opening the unit and burnishing the connectors - unplug and reconnect each one three times. You might be surprised how often that brings old gear back to life.

[Gravity Jim]

Good call, Mike. I have also seen old, seemingly broken gear brought back to life by simply spraying contacts with Caig DeOxIt. It is miracle juice. Crack it open and hose it down.