Topic: Optical>2 channel XLR???

[mikesalvo]

hellooooo
question....

I have a Denecke AD20 (currently up for sale or trade in the Yard Sale forum). I was going to sell it because I am now using the Zoom H4, and it doesnt support an otical connection. Is there a atable, low noise, way of coonverting my optical signal to a 2 channel XLR??? Or should I just be looking to get a different pre. Any help  would be much appreciated.

[Craig T]

you're looking for a battery powered D>A converter with optical in and balanced XLR outs?

don't bother - sell the AD20 and get a new pre.  Sound Devices MP-2?

[cgrooves]

Can you send a digital signal to that recorder via the 1/4" or xlr inputs?  The only digital signals I have experience with were sent to the recorder via optical or coax inputs.  Looking at the H4, I would have assumed it was analog in only.  If so, I don't understand why you would want to go A>D to D>A to analog in on the H4.

[mikesalvo]

ha ha, ya I didnt think it made sense to do that. I am a half-newbie, still getting my shit down here.
soooo. I have 2 analog XLR ins, whats my best bet for a nice, low budget pre? nAnyone have anything they want to sell?

[cgrooves]

I briefly looked at the users manual, and upon first glance it does not look like you can bypass the built in pre.  If you use the xlr / 1/4"  inputs you still have to adjust the input gain to low, medium or high and then dial in the levels with the input sensitivity recording level adjustment (from 0 to 127).  Unless I'm wrong, all of the input gain settings would use the internal pre.  You can turn the phantom power on or off, but it does not look like you can set the input gain to 'off'.  I would do a search and see if there are any posts discussing the H4.  Based on my limited knowledge and quick review, it looks like you may have to use the H4's pre & AD.  You would probably get a big increase in recording time if you had the phantom power 'off', and used an external phantom power source for your mics.  I may be wrong, so don't take my word as the gospel 

[eric.B]

If the zoom is going to be your long term recording device, I would run the mic in/xlr with the phantom/pre/a>d of the zoom until you get a pre to run a "line in" signal to the zoom. 

[Roving Sign]

If the zoom is going to be your long term recording device, I would run the mic in/xlr with the phantom/pre/a>d of the zoom until you get a pre to run a "line in" signal to the zoom. 

What he said ^^^

 - you can use an outboard preamp - but you have to make an analog connection...you will be using the H4's A/D converter...

There is likely a default "unity" setting on the H4 - set it there and drive it with your preamp...

You can still use the AD20 ahead of the H4 if you prefer its electronics or controls...

[cgrooves]

You can still use the AD20 ahead of the H4 if you prefer its electronics or controls...

How is this possible if the AD20 outputs a digital signal via coax & optical and the recorder will only take an analog signal?  Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to increase my knowledge.

[Roving Sign]

You can still use the AD20 ahead of the H4 if you prefer its electronics or controls...

How is this possible if the AD20 outputs a digital signal via coax & optical and the recorder will only take an analog signal?  Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to increase my knowledge.

My bad - I forgot there was no analog outs on the AD20...this was cleared up in PMs with the original poster...