MOTU and Apogee gear...

pixieproductions · Post by **pixieproductions** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:20 pm

Hi there. I'm new to this forum, so please go easy with me. I currently own 4x MOTU 1296's, which I am very happy with (although with a little more cash...) and a MTP AV USB, which is awesome. I was wondering if anyone out there has has experience using their MOTU gear in collaboration with any Apogee gear (namely the BIG BEN). I'm trying to establish whether I would be chucking £1200 down the drain if I added a BIG BEN to my setup, or whether it would 'up the game' of my 1296's. Any advice / help will be gratefully received.

snicka · Post by **snicka** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:16 pm

I use a Big Ben with my 2408mk3 and love it.

pixieproductions · Post by **pixieproductions** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 3:29 pm

Thanks Snika.

How big a difference did you hear when you first hooked up the Big Ben? How did it sound different to just the 2408 on its own?

qo · Post by qo » Tue Nov 29, 2005 4:18 pm

Hi Pixie,

You'll find other discussions on this if you search the site for "Big Ben" as this question has been asked before. In your case, since you have more than a single converter, you need external clocking anyway and so it makes sense to investigate what a better clock can provide. IMHO, you should visit to a dealer that can provide a demo for you since there is no substitute for hearing for yourself. My own experience is that the Big Ben did not improve the quality I was getting from a MOTU 896HD.

I've since upgraded the MOTU to Apogee AD16-X and DA-16X and so no longer need the Big Ben at all since I can clock one of the Apogees from the other one. Indeed, I have the WC out of each plugged into the WC in of the other. This way, I can change the master clock depending on what I'm doing (for tracking, the AD-16X is master and for mixdown the DA-16X is master).

wynsmth · Post by **wynsmth** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 4:44 pm

Adding a Big Ben to your setup would be a great idea. We have a 1296 clocked to an Apogee PSX100SE which made a big difference. Tighter low end, sweeter top end, better imaging and clarity. The Big Ben clock is much better than the PSX so it should make an even greater improvement. Another option would be the UA2192 http://www.uaudio.com/products/digital/2192/index.html Great clock, including distribution, plus 2 really great A/D & D/A converters.

snicka · Post by **snicka** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:06 pm

I did not hear much of a difference, but I am just a beginner at this stuff and don't have very fine-tuned ears yet.

I did have 5 pieces of gear that I needed to sync, so the Big Ben was just what I needed.

woodbrosproductions · Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:07 am

wynsmth wrote:Adding a Big Ben to your setup would be a great idea. We have a 1296 clocked to an Apogee PSX100SE which made a big difference. Tighter low end, sweeter top end, better imaging and clarity. The Big Ben clock is much better than the PSX so it should make an even greater improvement. Another option would be the UA2192 http://www.uaudio.com/products/digital/2192/index.html Great clock, including distribution, plus 2 really great A/D & D/A converters.

I have to second the UA2192 suggestion. The clocking is great but the converters are astounding. And if you're of the opinion that real time capture sounds better than boucing to disk (as I am), converter like this are amazing to have. Also monitoring through the DAs is really eye opening.

zerosin · Post by **zerosin** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:30 pm

I recorded my last project in my friend's studio. He was/is running a PSX100 SE clocked to an Aardsync and using a 2408 as the analog I/O (also clocked to the Aardsync). The sound is amazing. The PSX on it's own is awesome and the 2408 is really good too, though a little muddy compared to the PSX. The 2408 cleared right up when clocked to the PSX and both snaped right into focus when clocked to the Aardsync. Even my MAudio Delta66 has a new brightness when clocked to my MiniMe.