Setting up a 2 channel overdub setup, and considering a Burl B2 ADC as a tracking converter.

Using Lynx Aurora(n)conversion for mixing hardware inserts. While I know the differences with converters are subtle, I am thinking there may be some benefit having the transformer based B2 as a front end while tracking (not equivalent to tracking to tape, but getting some transformers/coloration on the front end), and then mixing through the more neutral Lynx converters. This would also prevent a build up of any artifacts from multiple conversions through the same exact converter topology.

It seems that a lot of Burl owners love their Motherships for tracking/mixing, but some have moved on from the ADC as a mixbus capturing ADC, as it can be too colored for the whole mix and collapse the stereo image, or low en...seems other high end converters like Dangerous AD+, Crane Song HEDD Q, Lynx Hilo are preferred to the B2 for mix capture.

Though, thoughts on the B2 ADC for tracking purposes?

One wonders if all the things that seem to be true about Burl coming from Paul_G’s posts.

The -M series from Burl exist for this reason. I notice no monization of the source or the low end. I might agree that the Dangerous stuff adds some kind of sweetness (particularly on the DA).

In my opinion, whatever small differences of conversion at this level are not worth all the clocking annoyances if you are doing any kind of sample rate switches.

Get a passive transformer box and put it in front of the Lynx inputs, try a couple and find a transformer you like.

All i can say is i love it cause it sounds truly musical to me, as did the UA 2192, more like a nice class A line amp to my ears than any 'tape' etc sound descriptions. I do mostly acoustic music.
Love it for tape transfer as well.

I have a B2 ADC. At -12 it sounds convincingly true to the sources I record (saxophone, oboe, cello, woodwind quintet, jazz combo). At -18 and beyond, I definitely hear the coloration everyone talks about. I think this converter gives one options, and I no longer wish for any further “upgrades.”

I doubt you'll hear a big difference between the B2 and (n) .. both are top notch converters.
Actually the best of the best. If you want color for tracking get some proper preamps and a variety of them to chose from.

If you get the B16 and the BAD4M card (other slot blank) it will be something that allows for future expansion.

You can get the BAD4M with each stereo pair having different op amps, giving your quite a few different options when you factor in the transformer also being an option

I have one on the way and I got it for those reasons - for tracking, but also being able to upgrade it in the future if desired

If I go the B16 AES route, is it possible to get 8 channels of AD?

Interesting idea with the different opaamps. I’ll have to research this.

I believe you can get 8 channels by going that route. I went with MADI. And the B22 Orca DAC card. There’s also the B4 daughter card which is a preamp that can by bypassed as just a line in AD converter also. Lots of options.



^ towards the end of the video he discusses the different op amps.

Might be a useful comparison: https://www.kmraudio.com/news/digita...rter-shootout/

A phenomenon that only exists on GS and not in real life… and certainly not with modern converters in 2022. But by all means, continue repeating meaningless marketing jargon on here.

Maybe you meant something different? I can hear a difference over YouTube, and I wouldn’t even say I have good ears certainly some converters have “a sound” to them.

It’s not going make or break a song by any means… but some people like to make that choice in what happens in the last (or beginning) stage. I am glad do get out of that everything in one interface trap.

Did I say different converters don’t sound different? Nope. Don’t put words in my mouth.

Everything in one interface trap? Hilarious.

How could I put words in your mouth? Words are more like air. Unless those are words in bags of potato chips?

I’ve gone through 2 interfaces so far. When you get rid of them, you don’t get to keep the preamps or converters, the monitoring, headphone amp, controls.. It’s wasteful and many sluts would agree. Modular is the best investment strategy and less wasteful

That’s not at all how I had originally interpreted that comment. I’m totally with you on modular - I like choosing my own pres, monitor controller, hearback system etc… and also not paying for features I don’t need.

Sorry, but you're proven completely wrong!
The loss of audio quality caused by converter roundtrips is no GS phenomenon but a scientific fact.
It's been made very obvious and self-evident in that video.
If you don't have time, skip to 10:30 in the video.

https://youtu.be/YziM7TNwmqc

Edit: also the video shows clearly that there's differences in quality of budget vs better converters.
Audient vs. SPL in this case

I'm not sure if I can hear AD differences, but for DA those old threads with loopback tests are quite fun and surprisingly noticeable.

Ohhhh my yes, some person looping back audio FIVE HUNDRED TIMES has proven me wrong. Is the concept of real life hard for you to grasp? Do you actually make records? In real life a signal will go through a converter once for recording, and a second time in a hybrid mix environment, or gasp, maybe even a third. For ITB mixes which is the new norm there are no additional trips. The fact that the test has to go 500 times to show a difference actually proves that it’s effect is beyond negligible irl.

I avoided top-down mixing for the longest time. Thought it was gimmicky and not very craftsman like..

Years later I try it out a few times and it changed the way I think about everything, including gear. Along with that, I used to think high end converters were a waste of money… Now I want to eventually build up to having a good mastering chain/loop and getting good converters makes the most sense to me from an investment standpoint because you can also (getting back on topic…) TRACK into them. Why not get yourself good tools to work with? Have the option of getting color from them by driving them harder etc.

Holy Crap ! WOW!

I started the session on a Neve 8068 - and 16 channels of Mothership on drums at an awesome studio.. .. loved it so much that I went and got a Gen 2 Bomber ADC for my mobile rig, ... I have been tracking through my Millennia, and great river pres and fkn WOW ..what a combo! ..I absolutly love this box! the B2 is the sht!!