Based on a few ideas I read in another thread,
http://www.sawstudiouser.com/forums/...ead.php?t=7079
I decided try replacing my aging analog mixer with the mixer applet that came with the Lynx L22. The applet seems like the descriptions of the RME TotalMix I've read here. I can use the Lynx Analog ins and outs for critical recording and playback, but needed a few more ins and outs for headphone feeds, talkback, phone patch, etc. So I ordered the ADAT daughter card for the Lynx L22, an ADA8000, and a few cables.
As I waited for the gear to arrive, I entertained myself by creating Scenes in the Lynx mixer applet. It doesn't have a very intuitive interface (again, sounds a lot like TotalMix) but with a few notes about what will be connected to the ins and outs, I have a bunch of templates ready to try. Should be nice to make a few mouse clicks and be ready for a session.
As of tonight, all the gear has arrived. The ADAT link from the ADA8000 to the Lynx ADAT card worked on the first hookup, so that was a good sign. I admit to a small grin.
My initial impression of the ADA8000, though, is that it may be worth somewhat less than the $230 I paid for it. The level knobs have subtle detents as they rotate. With a dynamic mic, rotating the knob brings the level from extremely low to moderately low until the last "click," at which point it becomes a little too hot. The result with a condenser and phantom power is the same, but with a bit more level all the way around the knob. With a +4 line in, the level is actually pretty good around 1/4 turn, continues to climb as expected until that last click, then goes way up.
The background noise level of the ADA8000 seems to idle around -100 dB with nothing connected. Rotate the level knob to one click less than full and the level of noise climbs to about -95 dB. With the last click, it's up to -68 dB. That's a 27 dB jump. You don't want that to happen with headphones on.
I was hoping to use the mic preamp on one input for talkback, but I suspect the ideal level is going to be somewhere between the last two clicks. I may have to use an outboard pre to get line level in. Aargh. Simplifying was the whole idea here. Maybe if it's not overloading the A/D, I can use the full level in and adjust the digital mixer level.
The outputs all work as expected. They simply convert digital to analog at about +4.
I don't ever plan to record through the ADA8000, and I was expecting mediocre sound at this price point, but not quirky operation. Is this a bad unit I should return? Or should I consider myself lucky that it works at all? Are the ADA8000s used by some of you guys like this?
