On Mar 6 2011, Eric Benjamin wrote:
In a case such as the FA101 I'd be very tempted to make an internal conversion to a 10-channel (analog) interface. I'm not at all sure what the internal structure is like for the FA101.
So would I and that's probably what I will do when I need it :-). The main problem with the FA101 is that it's panels are _very_ crowded so it would be difficult to fit more sockets (not impossible, but difficult). From what I remember from my post-purchase "let's see what we got in here" look at it, it uses one of the eight channel + spdif digital interface chips with four stereo codecs, rather than 5 USBUARTS - damned if I can remember the part number. It's at work at present so I can't check.
It's being as part of a really wacky rig that we've set up experimentally to see if an installation we've been asked to look into would actually work. I'll post something later in the week because I suspect that, like me, most people would think this distorted weirdo of a rig simply wouldn't work - but it does, and very well - so much so that it's beginning to make me wonder if the holy grail of a regular rig may actually be counter productive!
So, yes, I'm planning on having B-format available directly. I'd rather record B-format since B-format is what I intend to use. One can make the argument for recording A-format because it's possible that some new information's or philosophy may become available such that a better conversion can be made at a later time.
These days I would also argue that it's a good think because it also involves (and, as a hardware guy from way, way back the following statement may seem strange) far less building of hardware. With A format you just need a preamp with good gain tracking - maybe not even that with a good audio interface. With B Format you are into a whole bunch of analogue electronics with trimmers and general stuff. Much more work which soaks up valuable recording and playing (in both senses) time.
However, for me it's mostly worked to my disadvantage. I just made an A-format recording using the DPA-4 rig, and son of a gun if I didn't screw it up again. Which capsule was the first one? Is this set of files the ones before the EQ or after the EQ? Of course those same sorts of problems can occur if it's B-format that is being recorded.
Hmm, seems to me the solution is to forget separate XLR's or jacks or whatever and go for multiway connectors, at least to your preamp box, so's it's always the same. If you have to build hardware I would always say include a test oscillator - but don't do it in analogue, use a micro and have it announce the channel id's, so even if the XLR's into the recorder get mixed up, there will be an id on each channel in the file - saves having to tap on the capsules one by one and physically announce them. So, yeah, A format for me these days, if the choice is available.
Dave
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