ADAT Preamp Suggestions

[aBigPianist]

Hey, peeps.

I'm looking to add an ADAT preamp to my setup (x8). Mainly trying to make it easier to record drums. Something with either 4 or 8 pres in it. I know the Behringer stuff exists, but I imagine there are better options. The new SSL stuff looks tasty, for example. Just wondering what some of you are using and your experiences with it.

Thanks!

 

[MaxTwang]

I've been looking at ADAT expansion lately and the Focusrite Scarlett OptoPre or Audient EVO 8 look like a nice step up from Behringer, and the Focusrite Clarett+ OctoPre and Audient ASP800 the next step up from the Scarlett or EVO.

Right now I'm trying to decide between the Audient ASP800 or EVO 8 as I'd like to be able to enable phantom power on each channel, while the Focusrite's enable phantom power for banks of channels 1 - 4 and 2 - 8.

The EVO 8 meets my needs but I'm thinking of stretching my budget for the ASP800 for possibly slightly better converters and the JFET and IRON saturation on channels 1 and 2 (that I would probably never use as I could add that later with UAD plugins).

 

[Deif]

I had the Clarett OctoPre and demoed the ASP800 at the time. They're both really good units.

 

[scratch17]

Motu’s latest 828 has a preamp mode which automatically assigns the 8 line inputs and outputs to the two ADAT ports. You can also add two more input channels (mic / line / or Hi Z) to your X6 or X8 via S/PDIF. Note that the 828 has really good ESS converters.

 

[flandybob]

Audient ASP800 or 880. ASP800 is like 699 so not that expensive, all inputs on the back which is a big plus over the Focusrite stuff to me

 

[Selmax]

Another vote for Asp 880, i love mine, just works and sound great! Also, as it has the possibility to run 8 more linesignal via dsub inserts You actually have 16 inputs if You like ( but not at the same time offcourse) I have a 500 rack with preamp and then some hardware synths and a torpedo going direct to digital connected at all times. Wery handy.

 

[aBigPianist]

I'm seeing a lot of love for the ASP880, which sounds great on paper. I'm seeing a lot of horror stories about them dying, though. Any input on that?

 

[Selmax]

Don’t know really.. only thing that died in my studio was a Apollo twin so far!
Had the asp for maybe five years now, no problem at all. But again, had no problem with the Apollo until it stopped working.
If the asp dies, I”ll buy a new one. Love it! but yeah I would be pissed! Love my Apollo to, was pissed when it broke, but both Apollo twin and Audient feels like quality products, the 880 a bit more probably, it’s rugged and sturdy for sure.
But yeah, Maybe they hava a high failure rate, and I’m lucky.
For Op, the asp 800 have more choises in coloring the sound. 880 is kind of ”clean” only, but good clean!

 

[hotspot]

I'm seeing a lot of love for the ASP880, which sounds great on paper. I'm seeing a lot of horror stories about them dying, though. Any input on that?

Mine is actually a very old one, 10 years or so, bought second hand. All good with, I love that thing. It runs daily and because of its non existent power switch it is on from the first to the very last minute in the studio.
When I compare its preamps to pure Apollo preamps w/o Unison, I'd prefer the ASP preamps all the time.
That and its DB25 extension for outboard gear makes a great partner to the Apollos.

If the asp dies, I”ll buy a new one.

This!

 

[flandybob]

I think at launch there was a bad batch of asp880, you can see that the reports are quite old and if you read through you get this info. Solid units.

i personally have an ASP800, sounds good, clean, good built quality. Any additional color you can add later in the box if needed, for the price it does the job really well.

 

[aBigPianist]

It sounds like the ASP880 might be the answer. As an alternative, does anyone have experience with the UA 4710d? Looks like I can get more mojo out of it, but less preamps and more expensive? Is it worth it?

 

[jnorman]

The audient asp800 is an excellent unit, and I love the preamps. The first two channels have additional hmx and transformer emulation “iron“ for color if desired.

 

[Rainflower]

I'm seeing a lot of love for the ASP880, which sounds great on paper. I'm seeing a lot of horror stories about them dying, though. Any input on that?

I’ve had an 880 for over a year…it’s turned on almost every day..still working..

 

[slamthecrank]

It sounds like the ASP880 might be the answer. As an alternative, does anyone have experience with the UA 4710d? Looks like I can get more mojo out of it, but less preamps and more expensive? Is it worth it?

I have had experience with the UA 4710d, and in my opinion it is in a class above all the ones listed here before. The sonic possibilities (clean to vibey) is really great with the UA unit. The ability to go straight in or bypass the the mic pre is a bonus on the UA unit because they allow you to patch into it from a normal-ed patchbay (in other words, each of the 4 pre's can be permanently connected AND permanently bypassed via your patchbay), and each channel has its own discrete send/return.

Of course it also allows 4 more inputs but you'd have to have separate pre's for those mics.

It's a good unit, but I wouldn't consider it to be a good comparison to any of the budget-friendly ADAT interfaces that have already been mentioned. It's definitely overkill if you only need another couple of channels via ADAT.

 

[Gitaarwerk]

I had experience with a couple of them; My pick, if. you like the trannies, ofher than the ones in robes and beards, is the Asp800.

 

[chrisso]

I'm using the Cranborne Audio 500 ADAT for drum tracking. Their Camden mic-pres are affordable and absolutely fantastic on drums. It also gives you the option to use Api pres and eq's.
The Cranborne adds two headphone outs, which actually sound nicer than the Apollo ones.

 

[flandybob]

What is your budget and what do you plan on using the preamps for? If it’s to mic toms or hi hat and keep the big stuff on the Apollo go audient for the clean « record it like it is » approach and budget friendly.

If the goal is to add color for the main stuff like kick, snare or overheads, go for 500 series and pick & chose what color you need. Alternatively there are neve / UA / api rack preamps.

edit: alternative approach if you have the budget —> how about adding a second Apollo like the x8 or x8p? If you have the budget for the SSL or 4710d it’s not that much of a stretch (also looking at buying second hand) and it gives you additional DSP, headphone outputs, etc)

 

[hotspot]

And always keep it in mind: When recording drums, use the preamps of only one device - don't split on different devices, at least for all the crucial transient drum parts.
There is always a certain latency between ADAT devices and the "master" interface, in this case the Apollo.

 

[flandybob]

I would say keep the close mics on the same interface. For overheads / room mics you can get away with the latency between converters by moving the mics

 

[chrisso]

And always keep it in mind: When recording drums, use the preamps of only one device - don't split on different devices, at least for all the crucial transient drum parts.
There is always a certain latency between ADAT devices and the "master" interface, in this case the Apollo.

I've measured my latency and can nudge the ADAT files forward.
Also, I'm now using Sound Radix Auto-Align which takes any of the guess work out of it.