Topic: Help me decide my next purchase....

[Nick Graham]

I've got some extra $$$ burning a hole in my pocket, and can't quite decide what to spend it on.

Option #1 - MK41 caps. I tape 99% of the time in small shitty bars, and could really benefit from hyper caps. However, I'd be upgrading mics but still running 16 bit.

Option #2 - Sound Devices 722. 24/96, no worries about starting a new file, no more CF cards, no more DAT tapes. However, I'd have high res copies of shows that could be better with hypers.

Option #3 - Mytek 192. Great sounding 24 bit capable A/D, would interface well with my Microtrack, i.e. no more running line in...(my MT runs fine with S/PDIF, it's the analog inputs that are fucked)

What'd ya think?

[jeromejello]

i voted the hypers... the best thing anyone can do is have more mic-ing options, and since you would use these regularly... besides aint nothing wrong with 16 bit... but the sd 722 was my second choice (although i would go 744/r4 instead)
the mytek is overkill for the microcrapper, imo.

[Nick Graham]

i voted the hypers... the best thing anyone can do is have more mic-ing options, and since you would use these regularly... besides aint nothing wrong with 16 bit... but the sd 722 was my second choice (although i would go 744/r4 instead)
the mytek is overkill for the microcrapper, imo.

I agree on all counts.

I'm almost positive I'm gonna buy more caps, but wanted to see if anyone could sway me in another direction. Even though I upgraded my playback system for 24 bit, I'm still happy with good old DAT for now. Not to mention, I've yet to hear any A/D that pairs up better with Schoeps>Sax than the M1s internal converter.

Oh yeah, there was gonna be a 4th option - get my yard professionally landscaped...

[jeromejello]

nick, i am still bummed that your crowes recording (5/7 i think) had misfires... i find it amazing that my source is the only one circulating for 5/5 and 5/7.

[Nick Graham]

nick, i am still bummed that your crowes recording (5/7 i think) had misfires... i find it amazing that my source is the only one circulating for 5/5 and 5/7.

Yeah, me too! I think the 4 of us were the only tapers that night, and John's source (480>V3) was probably ruined as well, at least he never circulated it. Kevin's (KM185>V3) probably would rock, but as far as I know none of his 2005 tapes have circulated at all...possibly per band request.

I tried for days after that and could never duplicate the problem. I tested every piece of gear and everything seemed to be fine, but that night it was totally screwed up...never had a problem since.

Your tape sold me on AT853s, sounded great - even in a shithole like the Tabernacle.

[tfs8271]

I'm new to all this stuff but I've witnessed and heard...MICS!!!!!

[Josephine]

I voted for THE caps.

[Brian Skalinder]

Option #1 - MK41 caps. I tape 99% of the time in small shitty bars, and could really benefit from hyper caps. However, I'd be upgrading mics but still running 16 bit.

If the venues in which you tape really do sound like shit - crappy acoustics, loud and chatty crowds, unable to set up in the sweet spot, etc. - then I vote for MK41s.  IME, 24-bit resolution of crappy rooms just captures greater detail of the crappy room.  But in a good sounding venue, the extra detail in the music sounds -great- to my ears.

[Kyle]

I voted for the 722 - as much as I want a pair of mk41s (badly) - I want to switch to a non-DAT format and 24bit would be nice - I have reviewed all of the current options and the 722 fits me best. Over the past tenyears I have uograded mics/pre/adc numerous times, but am still running the P1. Dyin' to upgrade it.

Which one do you think you would use the most? Or have the biggest impact on your sound?

[Nick Graham]

Which one do you think you would use the most? Or have the biggest impact on your sound?

As far as using the most, it'd definitely be the 722, as I'd use it constantly.

Biggest impact on sound would be the MK41s. Most of my tapes sound pretty good as is, but hypers would likely help a lot. The few instances where I tape in nicer sounding venues or outside, I'd still have the MK4s.

[Nick Graham]

Option #1 - MK41 caps. I tape 99% of the time in small shitty bars, and could really benefit from hyper caps. However, I'd be upgrading mics but still running 16 bit.

If the venues in which you tape really do sound like shit - crappy acoustics, loud and chatty crowds, unable to set up in the sweet spot, etc. - then I vote for MK41s.  IME, 24-bit resolution of crappy rooms just captures greater detail of the crappy room.  But in a good sounding venue, the extra detail in the music sounds -great- to my ears.

Yeah, that's the dilemma. With the MK41s the extra detail and clarity with 24 bit would be nice, but I can't afford both. At this point I think I'd rather have consistently great 16 bit tapes than better than decent 24 bit.

I could just use the cash for the 722 and throw down the Amex for the MK41s....hmmm...maybe that should be Option #4

[Kyle]

Which one do you think you would use the most? Or have the biggest impact on your sound?

As far as using the most, it'd definitely be the 722, as I'd use it constantly.

Biggest impact on sound would be the MK41s. Most of my tapes sound pretty good as is, but hypers would likely help a lot. The few instances where I tape in nicer sounding venues or outside, I'd still have the MK4s.

How important is 24bit right now? If you are not that hung up on it at the moment, go for the mk41s.

[Ed.]

i say screw the yard and get the caps or the 722.

the only possible benefit of getting the 722, would be you could sell the m1 and the mt2496 most likely which would bring the cost down of the 722.

However, if don't see yourself getting rid of the schoeps anytime soon, go with the caps.  Its always fun to have a plethera of caps.

[284201]

the mytek is overkill for the microcrapper, imo.

Care to explain this?  If all you need is a place to dump your digital data, what's the problem? 

In my mind, "overkill" would be running something like a 722 after a separate pre and a/d.  All I need is a bit bucket, and the MT has been nothing but reliable for me.  No reason lug around a larger box that costs two grand more and does the same job.

EDIT:  Sorry for the hi-jack. I voted for the hypers, FWIW. 

[nickgregory]

I would get the 722...as someone who only has cards available for my use, I have found that venue positioning and configuration changes have helped take average tapes from shitty bars, and make them fantastic with the cards.  I agree that hypers is another way to address the issue, but for the longest time I operated under the premise that if you only have cards, you are out of luck in the shitty bars...not true at all...just takes some experimenteation.

And as for the 722...easily one of the greatest taping purchases I have made...ease of use, sound, etc...worth every dime.