A/D converter for Cole MGN sound

[maa386]

Hello,

I'm looking for a converter right now, and while there are lot's of great ones, I'm struggling to find one that I connect with emotionally, which is important to my process. I am a big fan of the recording engineer Cole Mardsen Grieff Neil and would love to just buy whatever he uses. I can't find any interviews with him though. Even taking him out of the equation, my main reference points are Julia Holter and 4AD era Ariel Pink.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8_ZWlOKsUQ


If anyone could point me in the right direction that would be incredibly helpful. The two converters I've found that I like at all are the lynx aurora and the apogee rosetta, but I'm not even particularly in love with either.

Thank you so much!

Michael

[A.David.MacKinnon]

I’m sure others with better technical knowledge will chime in but personally converters have never been something I’ve equated with having a sound. Certainly not enough for me to fall in love with one brand over the other. There are good ones and bad ones but for me, as long as I’m on the good side of the line it’s not something I give a lot of thought to. I bought the best I could afford when I equipped my studio (ssl) and use a wide variety when I freelance in other rooms but as long as the A/D is good I don’t give it a second thought. I’ve always felt that the rest of the chain has a way bigger impact.

Not that that is any kind of answer to your question. Maybe I’m just saying don’t sweat it too much. Get the best you can afford and move on to more important creative decisions.

[losthighway]

^ Nailed it.

[drumsound]

^ Nailed it.

Yep.

Everything before the converter, especially the sound source should be sweated and given a lot more weight.

[Magnetic Services]

Hello,

I'm looking for a converter right now, and while there are lot's of great ones, I'm struggling to find one that I connect with emotionally

Have you tried just being yourself?

I kid. But anyway, MacKinnon is right. Converters are all super good these days, and while there would be a sound difference if you A/B tested a bunch of them, your aesthetic choices and your other gear are going to have so much more of an impact! Besides, converters are boring. Buy a synthesizer.

[Nick Sevilla]

TRANSPARENCY.

That is what you require from an audio converter.

CHARACTER.

That is what you require from your other equipment, such as instruments, microphones, etc.

Get the best converter you can afford, which is compatible with your existing system,
and is going to be future proof for 5 years into the future.

And I second the “be yourself” sentiment.

[joninc]

TRANSPARENCY.

That is what you require from an audio converter.

CHARACTER.

That is what you require from your other equipment, such as instruments, microphones, etc.

This is one opinion - myself I'd love some Burl in my chain....

[Nick Sevilla]

TRANSPARENCY.

That is what you require from an audio converter.

CHARACTER.

That is what you require from your other equipment, such as instruments, microphones, etc.

This is one opinion - myself I'd love some Burl in my chain....

But can you "undo" or bypass their sound?

[losthighway]

TRANSPARENCY.

That is what you require from an audio converter.

CHARACTER.

That is what you require from your other equipment, such as instruments, microphones, etc.

This is one opinion - myself I'd love some Burl in my chain....

But can you "undo" or bypass their sound?

No, and I've never used Burl, but I seem to remember Joel Hamilton saying how even "transparent" comes in different flavors. How whether it's Studer at 30ips, Apollo at 32-bit, or Lynx at 24-bit they all have 'a sound'. Burl seems to celebrate character being a practical part of the process so they intentionally seek a useful one. I don't think any of the Burl proponents have felt painted in to a corner by the unavoidably distinct Burl sound.

[maa386]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I do feel that transparency can mean different things, but I realize that treating the converter as this big part of the creative puzzle is maybe unhealthy. I just want to genuinely like a piece of gear before I spend up to 2K on it. And also as a producer I've underestimated the importance of certain things. I appreciate the advice.