What is the best A/D converter with MPC & Macbook Pro?

Hey guys I need some advise. Presently my studio consists of an MPC 2000XL, a microkorg, 2 turntables and a mixer. I'm planning on investing in a Macbook Pro and Logic Studio 9 to replace my digital 8 track recorder.

I hear if I'm going down the computer route it's a very wise idea to get an A/D converter. What I'd like to know is which A/D converter is the best to go for with my equipment??

I have a budget of no more than £350 on an A/D converter.

Any advise u peeps can give me would be very much appreciated.

At that budget, get an Apogee Duet and call it good. You're looking at a $1000 us for a good standalone A/D with marginal gain over the apogee IMO

Deta!L wrote:At that budget, get an Apogee Duet and call it good. You're looking at a $1000 us for a good standalone A/D with marginal gain over the apogee IMO

Well said indeed.
The duet it's a quality interface for real

dunno where you are but this dudes in Germany

I´m selling a hardly used Apogee Duet, which I only had for a few measurements or to set-up a singer in a spare room to make some guide tracks etc....it´s all in the box, looks & works fine!

Location: Germany (near Hamburg)

Price: € 300,- (plus shipping) ....price is fix!

grab it while it´s hot.... PM or email me @

tom (at) hi-endgear (dot) com

from Gearslutz.com

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gearslut ... -duet.html

So it's all about the Apogee Duet. Awesome thanks guys that's very helpful, I appreciate it. Would I be able to connect my mpc or microkorg or mic (I rap as well) to the Duet to the Macbook pro? It doesn't look like it has any phono or jack inputs. Just FireWire. Maybe I didn't look properly though.

yeah, it's got good clean preamps as well...

it has a breakout cable with various inputs

you should know that it only has two inputs though, so if you want to use all that stuff at the same time you'll most likely need a mixer as well...or aim for a soundcard with more inputs

2 things at a time would probably do the job as I'm used to having to record 1 thing at a time and have to get my timing right on my 8 track recorder.

Out of curiousity am I able to break the parts of an mpc instrumental down. Presently when I record a song I have record the drums on the mpc, afterwards I have to the samples or loops of a song seperately and maybe even record the cymbals all seperately from the mpc to each of the tracks of my recorder otherwise it all gets too 'muddy' because I record too much on one track.

Is it possible to play the mpc instrumental with everything going at once, and record the drums and loops of an instrumental on to seperate tracks on logic using the apogee duet? If not can you record it all seperately using midi? I dunno if any of what I said makes any sense.

If you want more inputs look at the Echo Audiofire series. Supposedly it has around Apogee quality conversion. The Duet is nice though.

The Apogee sounds good and 2 inputs would probably be enough. The only thing I'm curious about is how I can work midi with the Apogee? Apparently the Apogee doesn't have a midi interface.

If I can't use midi with the apogee and there's no other way of using midi between a MacBook pro and mpc, then what are your thoughts on the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24? I've heared it's decent, it fits my £350 budget and as far as I'm aware of has a midi interface.

Again I appreciate any advise u guys can give me

buy a usb midi interface - cheap

You can also take a look at the motu ultralite. Their pretty solid imo.. with 8 ins 10 outs + midi in/out. you can get the FW version for about £250..

Don't forget about RME's Babyface. It's not out yet, but so far it looks dope.

I have a Duet. That thing is solid. I just have it plugged in to my send from mixer & just route whatever channel I want to the Duet send. Not using it for return though. I really love the preamp here. It's got a great clean punchy sound that will get you a superior signal for the price.

solo dolo wrote:You can also take a look at the motu ultralite. Their pretty solid imo.. with 8 ins 10 outs + midi in/out. you can get the FW version for about £250..

Great unit too & it has MIDI.

the best i found what is payable is rme and the sound of motu interfaces are very good...