Rhiza
Inspired
Hi guys, just for fun I decided to test the difference when recording an Axe FX directly into a RME fireface 400, the analog way and then the digital way.
The results were... Interesting.
the signal chain is: Axe FX II --> Analog 1 and 2 and SPDIF --> RME fireface 400
I used Mogami wires identical in length, using Neutrik Jacks and RCA jacks.
These files were recorded and exported in 48 khz and 24 bits before being uploaded to soundcloud.
In my opinion, the digital sample sounds better, with more low end and more high end.
The analog sample sounds good too, and loss of frequencies is barely audible, especially in compact disc or Mp3 quality.
the conversion from soundcloud makes it less audible, but in the studio I heard a difference in the bass and treble frequencies.
The reason for this is that the guitar signal is converted one more time than needed.
The analog signal chain goes Analog converted to digital, then from digital back to analog, out through analog 1 and 2 outputs, then into an analog input of the RME Fireface 400, then back to digital to be recorded on the hard-drive, then from digital back to analog into my monitors.
but the SPDIF signal only goes through two stages of conversion: analog to digital, then digital to analog.
This is equivalent to plugging my monitors directly into my Axe FX II.
So by recording through SPDIF Into my sound-card of choice, I loose no tone!
I would recommend recording/monitoring through USB, but if the converters on the sound-card is better, in theory you would have a better "image" of what the preset sounds like.
Analog: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5576791/Axe%20FX%20II/Analog.wav
Digital: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5576791/Axe%20FX%20II/Digital.wav
The results were... Interesting.
the signal chain is: Axe FX II --> Analog 1 and 2 and SPDIF --> RME fireface 400
I used Mogami wires identical in length, using Neutrik Jacks and RCA jacks.
These files were recorded and exported in 48 khz and 24 bits before being uploaded to soundcloud.
In my opinion, the digital sample sounds better, with more low end and more high end.
The analog sample sounds good too, and loss of frequencies is barely audible, especially in compact disc or Mp3 quality.
the conversion from soundcloud makes it less audible, but in the studio I heard a difference in the bass and treble frequencies.
The reason for this is that the guitar signal is converted one more time than needed.
The analog signal chain goes Analog converted to digital, then from digital back to analog, out through analog 1 and 2 outputs, then into an analog input of the RME Fireface 400, then back to digital to be recorded on the hard-drive, then from digital back to analog into my monitors.
but the SPDIF signal only goes through two stages of conversion: analog to digital, then digital to analog.
This is equivalent to plugging my monitors directly into my Axe FX II.
So by recording through SPDIF Into my sound-card of choice, I loose no tone!
I would recommend recording/monitoring through USB, but if the converters on the sound-card is better, in theory you would have a better "image" of what the preset sounds like.
Analog: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5576791/Axe%20FX%20II/Analog.wav
Digital: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5576791/Axe%20FX%20II/Digital.wav
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