Topic: compact 24 bit ad (micro, r1, r9, etc.) vs mod sbm-1

[MBHOTAPER]

I am close to buying a mod sbm-1 for my stealth rig and was wondering if anyway has done comparisons between small 24 bit ad converters vs mod sbm-1? Reason being wondering if I should upgrade from a mod jb3 (120 gigs) w/a mod sbm-1 or get a small 24 bit unit to go direct from my sd mp-2?

One buddy posted the microtrak ad sucks and the mod sbm-1 is much better.

Appreciate the info/advice.

Thanks,
murf

[jerryfreak]

if you need a preamp as well, the mic2496 is pretty good

[jlykos]

I have not done or heard a straight comparison, but I used to run a modSBM-1 and currently have a MT and I can say without hesitation that the modSBM-1 blows away the A/D in the MT.  I really do not like the MT's A/D; it sounds harsh to my ears, while the modSBM-1 was among the best I ever heard from a 16 bit unit.  The Apogee units sounded better to me, but I would not purchase one right now due to the word clock issues; the SBM is a much more reliable device at this point and thus makes a better purchase.

I think that you may want to think about whether to go to 24 bit or stick to 16 bit sound.  I really like 24 bit recordings better; they have a much greater sense of space and staging, but this is just how I hear things.  I don't know of any, nor do I run any 24 bit A/D converters that would be the same price as a modSBM-1, but maybe some others on the board do.

One drawback to putting the modSBM-1 in front of the MT is that you will not be able to record in 24 bit mode because the SBM is only a 16 bit device.  Just something to consider.