For example, Benchmark Media's ADC1 A/D has a 41-detent variable gain control, a 10-turn calibration trimmer and a three-position (-10/-20/-30dB) first-stage, gain-adjustment switch to preset the converter's analog operating environment. Other factors, such as the specific topology of the analog circuitry that precedes or follows it, or the quality of the clocking facilities, etc., will have a major effect on a converter's sound.Ī good A/D converter begins with a great analog front end, one that's capable of wide dynamic range without clipping by using precise, resettable level controls and attenuators. It's important to note that any converter design that relies solely on the best-rated chips does not necessarily guarantee its high performance. Chip manufacturers offer many versions depending on price, conversion method, number of channels, ancillary chip(s) required, additional DSP chip-interfacing features, THD/noise floor and dynamic range performance. The actual conversion of analog audio to digital data and digital to analog takes place within chips or chipsets. If you consider that everything you record and everything you hear is running through these circuits, a consummate audio professional would have nothing less than the very finest. The best converters spare no expense in their designs, with quality components, power supply technology, clocking facilities and flexible control. High-quality conversion is necessary whenever a master recording is being created or repurposed for commercial use. As if carved in stone, no matter how fine a D/A is used, you cannot recover audio quality that exceeds the original A/D's capability. The A/D converter is even more important because its audio quality-as constrained by sample rate, bit depth, conversion precision, clock stability, analog input section-is permanently embedded within the produced digital data.

In the studio, a truthful D/A is just as important as proper monitor speakers and a good listening space.

Mix Magazine 'Compression And Compressors'īenchmark Media ADC1 Analog-to-Digital ConverterĪnalog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters are 'gateway' processors-the superaccurate portals that pros rely on in digital audio production. Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Converter Overviewīarry's Free Downloadable Equipment Front Panel Recall/Manualsīarry's Mix Magazine Equipment And Software Reviewsīarry's Massive Discography And Engineering Careerīarry's Music Connection Magazine Reviews

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