Converter Test Session

On June 6, 2010 seven members of the Gearslutz audio forum got together to compare high- and low-end A/D converters. Everyone had to learn Ben Arthur's song "Tonight" on the spot and, for simplicity and audio purity, play all the way through in one take each! This video documents that session.

We recorded five tracks using very high quality gear - a Michael Joly MJE-K47H microphone, Grace 101 preamp, and Lavry Blue converter. The preamp also fed an M-Audio Delta 66 sound card at the same time, recorded to a separate computer. Since we also wanted to include a very inexpensive sound card, the Delta files were re-recorded out of the Delta 66 into a SoundBlaster X-Fi card. Separate mixes were made from all three sets of files, and links to those mixes are on my web site:

http://www.ethanwiner.com/converters.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• sound cards
• converter test
• Ben Arthur
• Ed Dzubak
• John Guth
• Joel Patterson
• Tom Browning
• Gearslutz

[morrissteven]

Mr. Winer, I have to say I love your work but there is obviously a difference in these files. Just looking at the wave forms I can see a visual difference. Whether I can hear the difference in quality is up in the air, but maybe if I had better ears for it I could. I'll have to check out the thread on gearslutz about this. I send you an e-mail eventually when I've decided which file I think sounds the best to help contribute to your work.

[EthanWiner]

@morrissteven @morrissteven You can't really go by waveform appearance when music has passed through different brands of gear. Many factors, such as inaudible phase shift, can make the waves look very different yet still sound the same. So please do let me know by email what you think after you've actually listened carefully.

[H2552H]

Nice... what's the name of the song?

[EthanWiner]

@H2552H The song is called "Tonight."

[cyutaeha]

HAHA, oh man I love this. @3:00 It's a live gearslutz forum debate. <333

[greggb777]

Nice song and arrangement - lovely

[ThoughtWave64]

That's the power of music; It bridges the rift between intellect and emotion. I just watched a group of scientists extract measures of Eden through sound and reasoning.

[Estebanfuturo]

b sounded the best followed by c then a

[puresoundguy]

Mix b sounds better than c. Would of liked a higher end converter comparison than the Lavry. Truthfully one huge reason for high end conversion is record in 192k not 44.1. You guys should of recorded trough the lavry at is full 96k capabilities, and not bring it down to the m-audio's potential. There is a big difference in conversion from 44.1 to 192. I could compare my Lynx Aurora or Apogee symphony converters at 192 to my mobile Presonus rig 44.1, but thats apples to oranges.

[Kolt45Music]

Great song

[DaveKingMusic]

Cool! Wish I was there!

[DownyZ]

How blessed are you, Ethan! Had an emotional response when finally I heard the music, as I always do to things beautiful, ...my eyes just overflow with joy! Thanks so much for sharing this time of talented and harmonious collaboration!