MPC4000 ADAT vs Analog output

Video showing the comparison between the ADAT and the analog output on the MPC4000. I wanted to see a simple direct video long before I purchased the ADAT output...now I am saving you the trouble of not knowing.




Note: To all of you owners with both multiple output and ADAT in your MPC4000...seems like you can't use both multiple analog and digital outputs at the same time or am I wrong? Please explain.

To be clearer...If I wanted different sounds to come out of the multiple analog output channel 1 and a diiferent sound to come out of digital output port 1. Can't see the switch for such.

Cheers,
Ian

TAGS: Roland VS2480, RBUS to ADAT adapter,

You can only use a total of 10 outputs at a time. AKAI in the U.S. wanted the ability to use all 20 outputs simultaneously, unfortunately, there was a hardware design issue which prevented this from happening.

yep, what comes out of Analogue 1-8 is the same as what comes out of ADAT 1-8
(or alternatively, you can set it so Analogue L-R comes out of ADAT 1-2)

I think I will be removing the analog output and putting it back in my Z4 since I have the adat in the MPC4000.

I don't think I would recommend to anyone that they spend the money on the ADAT. The sound is a little louder but the big advantage seems to be the lack of wires.

Let me know if I am missing something?

Many thanks to Adrian for not selling it to me at an extortionist price.
Cheers,
Ian

Ian Canefire wrote:I think I will be removing the analog output and putting it back in my Z4 since I have the adat in the MPC4000.

If you choose not to put it back in your Z4, hit me up because I'm in dire need of the 8 output board!

The big advantage is that you bypass the D/A and A/D conversion process by remaining in the digital domain. The lack of wires is a bonus. If you had a digital mixer with ADAT connections there would be even more benefits. If you can't appreciate the benefits, maybe you don't actually need the ADAT expansion board. That is why it is an option.

Okay so I noticed a difference in a song I am mixing that has panned effects. The panned effects sound much better coming out of the adat instead of analog. For that matter similar effects coming out of the coaxial and the optical digital outputs sound better than the analog method. It is a smoother pan.

Now I have been listening to the tracks over and over and I can tell the difference. Not sure if someone in a crowded dance floor would notice or care.

I also see that having the signal come in that slight bit louder is helpful as well. I don't have an expensive digital microphone pre box but I would imagine that it would make a vocal nice.

Maybe I commented to soon about ADAT not being worth it.

Cheers,
Ian

I have a 4000 it does not have the adat output expansion installed but can I achieve the same results with the two digital outs?

Ian Canefire wrote:Okay so I noticed a difference in a song I am mixing that has panned effects. The panned effects sound much better coming out of the adat instead of analog. For that matter similar effects coming out of the coaxial and the optical digital outputs sound better than the analog method. It is a smoother pan.

Now I have been listening to the tracks over and over and I can tell the difference. Not sure if someone in a crowded dance floor would notice or care.

I also see that having the signal come in that slight bit louder is helpful as well. I don't have an expensive digital microphone pre box but I would imagine that it would make a vocal nice.

Maybe I commented to soon about ADAT not being worth it.

Cheers,
Ian

you can use your MPC4000 as a digital mic pre-amp.
I have recorded vocals through it many times

is it stereo or mono jacks on the 8 out?

I have stereo jacks plugged in and it works fine.
Peace

Ian

Now I will have to play around with this when I get home this evening. My thoughts were different on the question.
For instance, the plug that goes into a guitar has one black band on it and this is universally known as a mono cable or a mic cable/plug. If you use a plug that has two black bands on it into a guitar that usually does not work. Same goes for some Boss pedals.
In some of my keyboards, eg Roland Fantom, you can plug in the mono(one band) or the stereo (two bands) and you will notice that the sound is better with the stereo plugs. With these stereo cables plugged in you can pan left and right and hear sound from any one output.
So, I will go home and actually try it (or read what the manual says online) Because as of now I have only used the stereo plugs to transfer sounds straight into another mixer and have never messed with the panning of the individual outs on the 8 output expansion.

Cheers,
Ian

So I played with the analog output. I have the 8 output analog expansion in my Z4 at the moment. I was unable to pan the sound coming out of the expansion.
So to be clear. I had a sound coming out of output 8 and it did not matter whether it was panned hard right left or in the mid the song just comes out straight in the middle.
Cheers,
Ian