Logic + Digital Microphone + Monitor Speakers

[zgmg]

Hey, I'm thinking about purchasing the Neumann 103 D which is a digital microphone, and patches through a DMI-2 for greater quality and creative control, and then to my MacBook Pro which would be running Logic 9. My question is, can the DMI-2 double as an audio interface (not just a microphone interface - I'm not sure I understand the difference), so that a) I am capturing optimum microphone/TLM 103 D quality and b) I am hearing an optimal audio signal?

 

http://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=current_microphones&cid=tlm103d_description

http://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=current_accessories&cid=db_current_accessories&dbid=166

 

What I mean to ask, is can I use a DMI-2 with headphones and a pair of monitor speakers (in addition to the TLM 103 D), thus it's acting as an audio interface? Thank you.

[David Nahmani]

The TLM 103 D outputs digital audio through AES42. The DMI-2 translates AES42 into AES3 which is another digital audio connection format that is more commonly used. You still need an audio interface, which is a device that turns audio signals into computer signals: basically it takes an audio signal, analog or digital, providing audio connections on one end (such as XLR, 1/2" jacks, RCA, s/pdif, AES42, AES3, ADAT, MADI, etc etc....) and provides a data connection on the other (such as USB, FireWire, PCIe, etc...).

 

I don't know of any audio interface sporting AES42 ports. So you'd have to go

 

Mic > Mic interface > Audio interface > Mac.

[zgmg]

THANK YOU DAVID

 

So if there were an audio interface, capable, I could go Mic > Audio Interface > Mac. But the DMI-2 has nothing to do with a sound card per say, but a converter.

 

My only question is, does it make sense to buy a TLM 103 D, and not a TLM 103 (if their signals are identical, though they are not) because there it offers no multiple patterns, attenuations, etc. to apply to the signal before it's recorded? The RCS or Remote Control Software is (purpose of Solution D mics) is comprable or lesser to a Channel Setting using industry plug ins.

 

Do you have any experience with digital microphones? I'm very curious about the technology. Thank you.

[David Nahmani]

So if there were an audio interface, capable, I could go Mic > Audio Interface > Mac.

Correct.

 

But the DMI-2 has nothing to do with a sound card per say, but a converter.

Correct, it's a D/D converter: it converts from one digital audio format to another.

 

Do you have any experience with digital microphones?

I have none, so I'm not the best person to answer those questions.

[zgmg]

David- I'm not sure how accurate your response was, if I understood it correctly. The TLM 103 D takes an analog signal, converts it to digital, outputs it to AES42, and DMI-2 converts the signal to AES/EBU and also allows pre-capture attenuations, etc. The User Port on the back of the DMI-2 goes to USB (can't tell if 1.0 or 2.0). So basically, IF you can handle preamplification via DMI-2 or the Remote Control software, then an external, traditional audio interface isn't necessary.

[fastfourier]

The User Port on the back of the DMI2 is an RS-485 port - for configuration only.

 

So you'd still need an audio interface. You can convert AES to S/PDIF easily, and there are tons of interfaces supporting that. Or go for an AES card (RME etc).

 

Personally I think digital microphones are a terrible idea and would recommend avoiding them. The improvement in "quality" (whatever that is) is debatable, you lose the ability to record through pre-amps and converters of your choosing, they are impractical (converter boxes, control networks), hugely expensive and incompatible with 99.9999% of all audio equipment out there.

 

And what features do you get in return for all this BS? The ability to change the pickup pattern and pad switches remotely. I'm sure it does a few other things but really?!

 

If one is really scared of noise/lazy/have money to burn then I'm sure they are great. But they will pry my analogue front-end gear from my cold, dead hands.

 

/rant

[David Nahmani]

User Port on the back of the DMI-2 goes to USB

The User Port is a Control bus to connect the DMI-2 to the Neumann RCS (remote control software). It does not carry any audio signals. You still need an audio interface.

 

And what features do you get in return for all this BS? The ability to change the pickup pattern and pad switches remotely. I'm sure it does a few other things but really?!

That can be HUGE for some applications, for example recording a live classical orchestra in a large concert room or large studio with mics hanging from the ceiling... fun to experiment with patterns without having to go into the rafters to pull the mic's cable!