Recently I got to try out the Apogee Rosetta (street price, $1100). Using this in place of the DAT machine's analog to digital conversion seems to preserve more of the qualities of the mix so it sounds like what I have up on the board. It doesn't add that special "something" of analog tape, but it does sound more like what I feed into it. The UV22 system supposedly helps with this, adding a kind of "ultrasonic dither" to the program material. The Rosetta comes in two models, one capable of 96 K and one for 48 K, and can "bit split" sending these high-resolution 2-track digital mixes to 8-track digital recorders, something I didn't have the gear to try out. I'm still kind of a sceptic of mixing down to DAT only (if you can't see the tape rolling don't trust it) but I'm much more happier and secure than I used to be when I use it for mixing, 1/4" backups or CDR references. (www.apogeedigital.com)
Converters | No. 129
HEDD Quantum
by Geoff Stanfield
There are pieces of studio gear that are essential and there are color or flavor machines that enhance, adding personality to your recordings or mixes. There are very few that are both, but the Crane...