Konnekt 24D or Onyx 400F?

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:15 pm

As several of you know, I'm in the market for a new firewire recording interface.

Two Options I'm Considering:

On this board and others, members whose inputs I value continue to recommend the TC Electronic Konnekt 24D. I'd like to hear anecdotal opinions of this unit: the sound of the hardware, latency/reliability, usefulness of the built-in effects, etc.

I'm also impressed with the sound of the Mackie Onyx preamps, and I'm therefore looking at the Mackie Onyx 400F. Four (arguably) useable preamps make a strong selling point. If you've used one of these, please don't withhold.

A Potential Problem:

The majority of my work is with rock/pop/metal/indie bands, and I almost always track instruments individually. But this still leaves the need for (again, arguably) a number of inputs for drums; comfortably, I'd like to have 7 channels at my disposal if the situation so demands. I have two channels of decent outboard preamplification, so I'd need 5 more to a mic a complete kit.

While the Konnekt24D lacks the hardware for this, it DOES allow for ADAT Ins, so I could incorporate the pres on a friend's FireStudio 2626, though perhaps at the sake of quality. The Onyx 400f, on the other hand, does have enough preamps that I could perhaps get by, but it looks like the unit has no way to add preamps if I'd ever need it (other than via the Line Ins, which wouldn't be exceptionally useful in conjunction with the FireStudio).

If I'm overlooking something, please let me know. I just need help. I'm so close to having a setup I'm confident in. Particularly useful would be direct comparisons between these two units. Some people have talked about the AKM converters in the Onyx as being comparable (or is it identical?) to those in RME's products, but as someone who lacks experience, this is all jargon to me.

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 7:23 pm

Update:

it looks as though I can use the Firestudio 2626 as a standalone unit (i.e. without a computer) to route its preamps to its respective analog outs, and then run these into the Onyx 400F via the Inserts or Line Ins. If any of you can confirm that is actually will work (you never know with Presonus...), I'll be grateful.

I read extensive reviews of both units last night, so if the above is true, I suppose it's a matter of each unit's sound and reliability. Any input is still quite welcomed.

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 3:23 am

The Onyx preamps are good.

I can't compare with the Konnekt24D, but I've been using an Onyx Satellite with my laptop and I'm very happy with it. I'm probably going to add the firewire card to my Onyx mixer so I can multi-track on location more easily..

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:26 am

The Onyx Pres are good - there's no doubt about that.

The TC pres are quite nice also. Both would be on the neutral side of things. I'd give the cleanliness and wide-open, noiseless gain points to the TC. I'd give the "character" points to the Onyx.

The conversion in both boxes is good as well.

I will say that I've owned the following:
Onyx 800R
Onyx Satellite (got a broken one out of the box so I didn't get to use it much - but I did get to use it.)
TC Konnekt 24D

Out of the above, the 24D is the most flexible. (Obviously the 800R is not an interface...) The built-in plugs (mainly the reverb) are beyond reproach and at least as good as some of the very expensive outboard units I've used.

The latency is acceptable (better than PreSonus/MOTU, not as good as my RME Fireface).

Here's my setup - just to give you an idea. This is only for my in-studio work - my on-location work is all done through the Fireface.

TC Konnekt 24 handling mic pres 1/2, Aphex 107 (modified) handling mic channels 3/4, Focusrite ISA428 with ADAT option handling channels 5-8 and any other pre - Grace/Millennia,etc... handling channels 9-12. This is a very versatile setup and will record just about anything I want.

For the money - $2500 - I couldn't imagine a better setup than the Konnekt 24D and the ISA 428 with the ADAT option - it leaves you with so many choices.

In the mean time, use the 2626 and when you can, later, upgrade a bit...

Cheers-
J.

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 2:21 pm

Thanks, guys. Both of you.

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 3:23 pm

Three of us.

I prefer TC.

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:42 pm

Have you heard both boxes, Ben/t? Are you saying you prefer the sound of the TC and its whole signal chain (dacs, pres, and guts) to the Onyx units?

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:18 pm

Cucco wrote:

For the money - $2500 - I couldn't imagine a better setup than the Konnekt 24D and the ISA 428 with the ADAT option - it leaves you with so many choices.

double check the ADAT compatability on the SMUX/SMUX2 stuff
also double check the BNC wordclock compatability with the ADAT

I'm not up to date with SMUX/SMUX2 stuff
and
I have Slow Net and can't quickly look the details up right now
(I am on the TC and FF sites now)
can't see the BNC on the Konnekt
(SMUX/SMUX2) would keep you at 96k ... yes / no ?

both units have good options
you can stack the Konnekts to a larger system
and
" A to D Delay 0.68 ms / 0.63 ms @ 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz "
I usually think in sample but I think this is OK

the ISA has
( ... 25-pin D-Type connector, integrates seamlessly with ProTools HD as well as other popular hard disk recorders and mixing desks.

Digital formats include an eight-channel single/dual wire AES/EBU and S/PDIF output, as well as an eight-channel ADAT lightpipe (SMUX/SMUX2) output. Word clock i/o is provided via dedicated BNC connectors )

on paper that all looks good
Embarassed

actually , for a mobile system it could almost get my away from Alsihad
Confused

stackable and expandable and has genuine options
that's pretty cool
Cool

then do as Cucco suggests " Grace/Millennia,etc "
that could get very snobby
Razz

the smug smile could follow

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 9:48 pm

Quote:

Have you heard both boxes, Ben/t?

No, not both boxes. But I have heard products from both manufacturer's (and have used both for far too many years), and on that basis I'm giving you my opinion...

TC's better than Mackie.

I opine...

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 12:14 am

bent wrote:

I'm giving you my opinion...TC's better than Mackie.

I appreciate this: a man so firm in his opinions that he's willing to put his reputation and finances on the line regarding liability over my purchase.

...right? Ben/t?

Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 9:56 pm

Quote:

willing to put his reputation and finances on the line

No, sir.

Not at all.

I continue to opine...

Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 11:30 pm

At this point I'm almost sure I'll go with the Onyx 400f. I'm just waiting until I find a used one that's affordable.

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 1:16 am

TC Gear doesn't sound like a cardboard box...

Some Mackies do...

---another one of my opinions...

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 2:53 am

bent wrote:

---another one of my opinions...

I hold your opinions in high regard. Sincerely.

Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 3:29 am

bent wrote:

....sound like a cardboard box...
Some Mackies do...
---another one of my opinions...

How about the one in your Avatar? (And sorry for editing you to sound like Yoda.)

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