Cloudbuster
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- Aug 23, 2020
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I play keyboards with Cloudbusting - the music of Kate Bush, and I would really appreciate some advice regarding DACs. Hope this is ok to ask as my first post!
I trigger sample libraries and soft synths with two MIDI controller keyboards through Mainstage 3 on my MacBook Pro. Covid 19 has wiped this and most of next year's gigs off the board and so I'm using the time to redesign my onstage set-up. Currently I use a UAD Apollo Twin (first generation) to convert digital from my MacBook into analogue so send to FOH. I use the 1/4" headphone jack to link to the band's in-ear personal monitoring system. I'm hoping to retire the Apollo and replace it with a dedicated DAC, optimising my budget (£400 to £700?) to get the best possible sound for the price and not paying for any unused pre-amp inputs that are part and parcel of the usual audio interface route. I use fewer of the UAD plugins than I'd expected to and am happy to sacrifice the additional processing the Apollo affords.
Ideally, I would like a DAC that has its own power supply (ie not bus-powered), is utterly stable in operation and is relatively portable (ie not a full sized rack width). I only need one pair of balanced L/R outputs to go to FOH (ideally 1/4" jack as those are what I have in my custom cable looms, although I could swap the jacks for XLRs if needed). I also need one 1/4" headphone jack to lead independently to our personal monitoring system. Crucially, I must be able to output BOTH main outs and headphone out at the same time, as I need to hear what I play, ideally with independent volume control.
I'm going to deep-dive into all the reviews on this site to see if the ideal DAC exists for me - but I was wondering if anyone could immediately recommend something. As I hope I've intimated, the quality of the sound that reaches the audience's ears is really the most important thing of all. Many years ago I had a Centrance Dacport, which I loved, and seemed to lift a few veils even on the excellent sound of the Apollo, but it didn't meet the above criteria and so was useless live. Oh, and I lost it.
So, hoping you guys can recommend the VERY BEST current DAC for the price (up to £700 but ideally a bit less) which has the meagre output requirements I've mentioned and uses the money to create spectacular sound. Thank you!
Michael
I trigger sample libraries and soft synths with two MIDI controller keyboards through Mainstage 3 on my MacBook Pro. Covid 19 has wiped this and most of next year's gigs off the board and so I'm using the time to redesign my onstage set-up. Currently I use a UAD Apollo Twin (first generation) to convert digital from my MacBook into analogue so send to FOH. I use the 1/4" headphone jack to link to the band's in-ear personal monitoring system. I'm hoping to retire the Apollo and replace it with a dedicated DAC, optimising my budget (£400 to £700?) to get the best possible sound for the price and not paying for any unused pre-amp inputs that are part and parcel of the usual audio interface route. I use fewer of the UAD plugins than I'd expected to and am happy to sacrifice the additional processing the Apollo affords.
Ideally, I would like a DAC that has its own power supply (ie not bus-powered), is utterly stable in operation and is relatively portable (ie not a full sized rack width). I only need one pair of balanced L/R outputs to go to FOH (ideally 1/4" jack as those are what I have in my custom cable looms, although I could swap the jacks for XLRs if needed). I also need one 1/4" headphone jack to lead independently to our personal monitoring system. Crucially, I must be able to output BOTH main outs and headphone out at the same time, as I need to hear what I play, ideally with independent volume control.
I'm going to deep-dive into all the reviews on this site to see if the ideal DAC exists for me - but I was wondering if anyone could immediately recommend something. As I hope I've intimated, the quality of the sound that reaches the audience's ears is really the most important thing of all. Many years ago I had a Centrance Dacport, which I loved, and seemed to lift a few veils even on the excellent sound of the Apollo, but it didn't meet the above criteria and so was useless live. Oh, and I lost it.
So, hoping you guys can recommend the VERY BEST current DAC for the price (up to £700 but ideally a bit less) which has the meagre output requirements I've mentioned and uses the money to create spectacular sound. Thank you!
Michael