I need a converter to 003 preamp bypass?

[abt]

Towards the end of last year I purchased a digi 003 rack. My first Pro Tools rig. Since then much has changed. I'm doing everything differently now, bass, drums, tuning, string gauge. A lot of experiments but little recording.

I'm happy with everything except my guitar DIs. I've been running guitars into a Mackie onyx pre then out to the 003. I plan on doing some tests on various signal flows to post but don't hold you breath for clips, this week's a nightmare.

Anyway, I think I need a AD converter to bypass the 003 preamps altogether. I'm sure many have done this, is it worth it? Specifically talking guitar DIs? Anyone done this for a 003?

These things are expensive, I can't afford to drop that kind of money and not have it work.

 

[AndrewPGlover]

I ordered an API a2d a month ago and just got it last week. I have been using it almost exclusively as a guitar DI to use with Pod Farm and in case I need to reamp any guitar parts. The clarity is incredible and I feel good knowing that I have two channels of great pre amps and great conversion to use. I highly doubt I'll ever touch my digi or presonus pres again for any reason other than close drum mics that'll be replaced anyway. With a little extra cash you could get a Lynx Aurora 8 or a Rosetta 800, but the A2D including two 312 pres made it the obvious choice for me.

 

[abt]

I ordered an API a2d a month ago and just got it last week. I have been using it almost exclusively as a guitar DI to use with Pod Farm and in case I need to reamp any guitar parts. The clarity is incredible and I feel good knowing that I have two channels of great pre amps and great conversion to use. I highly doubt I'll ever touch my digi or presonus pres again for any reason other than close drum mics that'll be replaced anyway. With a little extra cash you could get a Lynx Aurora 8 or a Rosetta 800, but the A2D including two 312 pres made it the obvious choice for me.

Thanks mate, the API looks cool. So you plug you guitar straight into the 1/4" input at the back? Is it HI-Z? That would be cool, no DI box. How do you get back out to Pro Tools? Sorry for the dumbass questions.

 

[amarshism]

I'm pretty sure the mackie handles conversion then you sync it to your digi via optical to bypass the pres.

 

[Charlie E.]

Anyway, I think I need a AD converter to bypass the 003 preamps altogether. I'm sure many have done this, is it worth it? Specifically talking guitar DIs? Anyone done this for a 003?

I'm pretty sure you would just need a preamp to bypass the 003 preamps...

And I think amarshism is right. That method would not only bypass the preamps but the converters as well if that's what you meant.

The 003 should have line ins. So in the case that you only want to bypass the 003 pres and still use the A/D of the 003, then just hook up another preamp to them.

It would help if we knew your budget and if you need just a preamp or a preamp with A/D.

Personally if I were you I'd just get a good DI box if you're just not happy with the DI's.

 

[abt]

I'm pretty sure the mackie handles conversion then you sync it to your digi via optical to bypass the pres.

There's no optical out on the mackie

That method would not only bypass the preamps but the converters as well if that's what you meant.

Yes, you are right. I meant bypass the pres and the converter.

It would help if we knew your budget and if you need just a preamp or a preamp with A/D.

Budget TBA.

I tested recording DI at 96k after reading another post and I can here an improvement over recording at 44k. It's better but still not what it could be.

 

[amarshism]

Strange, it's how it's set up at our studio. Mackie onyx too I believe. Older version maybe.

 

[Charlie E.]

Well, if you don't already own an optical enabled preamp/da unit, maybe that would be a good choice so you get additional tracks in the event that you need them etc?
I recently purchased a PreSonus Digimax D8. Works like a charm and it's not too heavy on the pocketbook. It also comes with 2 Hi Z inputs so you wouldn't need a DI box.
I just don't know how much better they'd be than a 003 or if they are...

 

[abt]

Strange, it's how it's set up at our studio. Mackie onyx too I believe. Older version maybe.

I know the one
http://www.mackie.com/products/800r/

I've got a 1620, the older one with firewire (not the i series). I'm thinking of selling it because it doesn't really get used.