On Jan 24, 2015, at 1:34 PM, roberto wrote:
> While the L discussing is swinging toward audio... I received a 5.1 mix that I've back into our final edit. What central audio output component(s) should I consider to turn my stereo playback system into surround?
> I have: an iMac (i7, late 2013), OS X 10.8.5, MC 7.03
> 5 Dynaudio Acousitcs speakers (powered, XLR input)
> 1 BagEnd InfraSub 18 Pro (5 XLR I/O)
> Grace m903 DAC - USB in from iMac, stereo out, key feature: digital volume level display
> My guess is I may need something like a MOTU HD Express, which is priced right, but my iMac doesn't have an PCIe connection that it looks to require.
> The MOTU HDX-SDI has Thunderbolt, and 8 channels of XLR output, and other nice features that I don't necessarily need, but I do like having the ability to ingest SD... I have some old tapes I need to transcode.
> Thoughts? Suggestions? Alternatives
I offer:
Your Grace DAC will do you no good as it is stereo only.
Concerning audio only, you need two things that you don't have: (1) an Avid-compatible interface processor (such as your suggested MOTU HDX-SDI) to get the Avid media into and out of your computer, and (2) a monitor level controller to allow adjustment of your speaker levels. If you are fond of Grace Audio products (and can afford them), the Grace M-906 is the perfect monitor controller for 5.1 audio. It's all digital and can accept AES directly, thereby maintaining an all-digital path. It can also be configured as the DAC for all of your speakers: http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m906/m906.htm
But it is expensive and overkill for your needs ($6000). The best substitute for the Grace is this one from Coleman Audio: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SR51mkII
Though it is analog only, it's well-built and should do all you need. It's connected between your interface and the powered speakers and not only allows control of the speaker levels, but can be set to monitor 5.1 in both stereo and mono to check for compatibility. Individual speaker muting is also available. The Coleman is one fifth the price of the Grace unit ($1100).
In addition to the MOTU HDX-SDI (I'm not sure if it's Avid-qualified), there are other interface units that will work fine. My favorite is the AJA Io XT. This Thunderbolt-connected device provides all the ins and outs you'd need. While audio input is digital SDI only, output can be analog or SDI digital. The 8 channels of balanced analog audio outs come from a 25-pin D-connector which can be broken out to XLRs. AJA Io XT is Avid-qualified and is actually priced about $100 cheaper than the MOTU at $1500: https://www.aja.com/en/products/io-xt
Dennis Degan, Video Editor-Consultant-Knowledge Bank
NBC Today Show, New York
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Posted by: Dennis Degan <dennyd1@verizon.net>
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