Sonosax M2D2 question...

[russianpolecat]

Hi, I'm really interested in the Sonosax M2D2 as a stripped down interface for recording and mixing (I only record electric guitar and bass, vocals and acoustic, so no need for more than two inputs at a time and use Superior Drummer 3, other VI's for strings etc.), but it also seems to have the capability for use with DSLR cameras - and short films/videos is something I'm interested in doing in the future, plus it has cutting edge/top end converters and great preamps, all for about £1200. So, very interested. However, a couple of things I might not be able to do so wondering if there is any work around - the line out is unbalanced, and one of the things I'd like to do is get a few 500 series pieces like different preamp colours etc., maybe a 1073 or something like that. However, 500 series is balanced XLR - is there a way I could still do this and run audio through external gear and back into the Sonosax? I could maybe use an external sound card via AES but then I'd be using the conversion out of that and not sure if that makes sense unless very good converters but then the added cost of that kinda defeats the object, might as well get an Anubis if doing that. Obviously I could use a 500 pre on the way in no issues, but I'd like to be a bit more flexible if possible. Also, if anyone has a Sonosax, what are the drivers like and latency etc.?

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[Hugh Robjohns]

The Sonosax's stereo unbalanced line output can also be configured as a mono balanced line output, which might help, although the maximum output level is only +12dBu which is on the low side of things and might prove insufficient to excite vintage-style processors into saturation effects.

The stereo unbalanced outputs are even lower, of course, at +6dBu, and while there are ways of bodging the cabling to connect unbalanced and balanced equipment, there is an inherent risk of creating ground-loop problems too...

The bottom line is that the M2D2 doesn't really fulfil your requirements, so although it might be what you want -- lovely thing that it is -- it isn't what you actually need.

Since you mention it, the Anubis is easily as good from a sound and technical quality, and does exactly what you need... Merging also has a proven history with its drivers...

[russianpolecat]

Thanks Huge. Yes, this is what I thought would be my limitation. I wonder why they didn't confiqure a 'normal' balanced line out so to speak. You seem to have experience of the Sonosax, what is the latency like?

[russianpolecat]

Just thinking, I have the Rupert Neve RNDI which I use for DI purposes so can reamp stuff afterwards, could I use that to boost the signal? It has a balanced output on it.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I wonder why they didn't confiqure a 'normal' balanced line out so to speak.

Expense, intended market, and space for connectors, I presume.

You seem to have experience of the Sonosax, what is the latency like?

I've seen it but not used it, so I don't know. I imagine it has a similar latency to other USB interfaces, but it was designed primarily as a preamp for field and video recording applications, rather than as a studio interface.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Just thinking, I have the Rupert Neve RNDI which I use for DI purposes so can reamp stuff afterwards, could I use that to boost the signal? It has a balanced output on it.

You could... but it is only a single channel and the specs state the maximum output level is +11.5dBu. That's slightly less than the mono balanced output mode of the Sonosax itself... so the RNDI wouldn't offer any practical advantage at all.

It may well be that +12dBu is perfectly sufficient level for the 500-series modules you intend to use.... but equally, if you're hoping to overdrive them for effect it might easily be insufficient.

And would you really only want to process a single channel at a time? Not a stereo bus?

I can see you're trying to find ways of justifying your heart's desire... but it's really not suited to your declared requirements.

[russianpolecat]

Thanks Huge, yes I am But that is because the Sonosax is £500 cheaper than the Anubis, and this one limitation is literally the only one that I can think of for my purposes (other than potentially maybe drivers etc.), plus the Sonosax can be used with a DSLR...

To be honest, unless I get the Anubis, I think maybe I need to rethink the whole 500 series thing in terms of just using it to add a bit of colour to recorded trks. My idea was to pass stereo trks through a mono unit also - which can be done, but would be a PITA - to glue things together as it were, VI's and my vocals/guitar trks etc. I can maybe use Mix Analog or Access Analog for that instead.

[James Perrett]

After reading this thread I had a quick look at the manufacturers information. While it is certainly an impressive device with great analogue specs, it looks like this is strictly intended for video use as it doesn't work at 44.1kHz sampling rate. If you try to play a 44.1kHz file it appears to resample it to 48kHz - a bit like the old Soundblaster cards did although almost certainly at higher quality than the Soundblaster.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Ooh -- I hadn't spotted it only worked at 48/96/192 kHz... that's a killer!

Fork out the extra for the Anubis! It's easily worth it! I've never had anything from Merging that failed to impress.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/merginganubis

[russianpolecat]

Well, I never work in 44.1 these days anyhow, 48 or 88.2 is what I use so that wouldn't be an issue for me. Yes, the Anubis looks more practical, particularly longer term, but you can't attach it to a DSLR Part of the appeal of the Sonosax is the Swiss Army knife thing...but of course that means it does everything well, but not everthing perfect if you see what I mean - the issue with the line out being one. Anyway, thanks for advice guys - I shall consider further before making a decision. It might be worth waiting/saving up for the Anubis in the long run!

[Hugh Robjohns]

Okay, so if use with a DSLR is a requirement then you could investigate the SoundDevices USB Pre II. It can't be physically attached, but it is a convenient size...

[russianpolecat]

Oh, not heard of that? Interesting, thank you. How does it compare sound quality wise with the Sonosax or Anubis?

[Hugh Robjohns]

I've not heard one, but SD build very good gear, and a friend has one and raves about it... So I imagine it's pretty good.

Another option which I have heard is the RME Fireface UC. Excellent converters, full pro levels out, and superb low latency drivers.

[James Perrett]

Well, I never work in 44.1 these days anyhow, 48 or 88.2 is what I use so that wouldn't be an issue for me.

There's no 88.2 either.

[russianpolecat]

OK, thank you - and I'll check out the RME also

[russianpolecat]

Well, I never work in 44.1 these days anyhow, 48 or 88.2 is what I use so that wouldn't be an issue for me.

There's no 88.2 either.

Yes, I meant that I don't use 44.1 so anything above that is fine. Most of the time I use 48. I do have some projects in 88.2 but that's not a big deal for me. I'm mostly interested in the AD side of it, the DA side isn't as big a deal for what I do - once it's in, it's in (so to speak), since I'd get stuff stem mixed/mastered anyhow.

[russianpolecat]

Hi, so a I've thought of a further consideration for the Sonosax or RME or whatever in terms of which one to get - use with a Kemper. I've been looking at the Kemper stage, and it has SPDIF in and out. I've never used digital I/O before, so I don't know much about this, but for what I can gather because Kemper is digital it obviously makes sense to keep the signal path digital for instance when reamping as it were a DI guitar trk. The RME wouldn't be an issue here, nor the Anubis I don't think, but what about the Sonosax? It has AES in and out, it seems you can convert AES to SPDIF via something like a Studiospares RED507 Toslink S/PDIF - AES/EBU Converter...

Not sure how to have the Sonosax as a master and the Kemper as a slave in that situation, or even if you can - beyond my knowledge!

Thanks

[James Perrett]

Personally I'd go RME. RME write their own drivers and have a great reputation for driver quality and low latency. They also design their own interface chips which means that they can be highly optimised for the task in hand. Judging from the driver filename, Sonosax just use the generic driver provided by the USB Audio chip manufacturer.

The Sonosax is a niche product and that niche is video rather than music recording. RME have been making audio interfaces for all kinds of applications for around 25 years and have a proven track record for support.

[russianpolecat]

Hi James, yes I'm definitely considering the RME for those reasons. Thanks for advice