After having a drive destroy a recording by having some bad header information, I’ve been more conscious about running a backup during concert recording. In the past I’ve dropped the backup gear because of cost, weight and complexity to a recording (usually because it involved a live to stereo mixdown). So with a very limited budget, I made use of equipment I already had access to.
My wife has a Macbook Pro. Now, on another part of my website I have a A/D converter test which clearly points how out terrible computer converters are; obviously not something I want to use. But what if I could bypass those onboard converters using a digital signal? Did you know the Macbook Pros have optical in/out?
I own a Mytek A/D, which does the analog to digital conversion and is fed from two tracks of Millennia preamps usually from B&K 4006 microphones. The Mytek has both an RCA and optical SPIDIF output (which both work, unlike Digidesign gear). So I take the RCA into ProTools (003), and the optical split into the optical in on the Macbook Pro (running Garageband!) and wala….. pristine two-track backup. This drops the need for 2 splitters, 2 additional XLR cables, mixer, “X” to unbalanced RCA to 1/8 mini into the MBP’s converters.
A Glitch
There is one large glitch. The Macbook Pro is not capable of recording at every sample rate between the typical 44.1k—96k. As the knowledge base article 306513 points out, models are able to record at 44.1, 48, and 96. I typically record at 88.2 to make the down-sampling easier on my older Powerbook, and using the same A/D, I can’t sample at different frequencies between the primary and backup computers.
Update: The Mytek is in for repair after thinking it’s probably something in that box…. we’ll see….
My Recording Rig with both ProTools and Garageband using optical audio through the Mytek (below the computer on the right).
For anyone who owns a Macbook Pro, I would highly recommend taking a look at purchasing optical cable for both incoming and outgoing audio (it supports surround sound!). It’s not as expensive as you think.
http://www.stsi.net/storefrontprofiles/processfeed.aspx?sfid=104074&i=151204666&mpid=7584&dfid=1
Being able to release my dependancy on ProTools in two-track recordings while maintaining the identical quality with existing equipment is great. As more equipment starts to migrate to open digital standards I’m sure the locked-in standards will diminish. But for now, having a small, portable and extremely powerful two-track rig from gear I already own is a relief to have both on my budget and my back.
