Replacing two Prism Sound ADA-8XR converters that he has owned for more than 20 years, Swiss engineer and location sound recordist Bernard Seidler has invested in a Dream ADA-128 modular conversion system.
‘When I buy a product, I want it to last,’ he says. ‘Parting with my ADA-8XRs will be painful because they still work perfectly well but, after many years of loyal service, it was time to look at today’s converters and take advantage of developments in that field. I wanted to stick with Prism Sound because I’ve always appreciated the audio and build quality of its products.’
Based near Geneva, Seidler works in broadcast, recording audio for Télévision Suisse Romande (RTS) and for small production companies. His projects range from news to more elaborate magazine programmes and documentaries, such as the programme on the life of renowned Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, which he recorded for Troubadour Films, and more recently a documentary on an innovative palliative care centre run by volunteers.
He has also had a 20-year working relationship with Argentinian conductor Roberto Sawicki who leads the Geneva-based l’orchestre de Lancy-Genève chamber orchestra, and records two or three of their concerts a year for release on CD and the orchestra’s website.
‘My recording set-up is designed to be portable so it can be easily transported to different venues,’ he says. ‘I have a Pro Tools HDX recorder and a selection of microphones and preamps from Manley, Millennia and Summit, but at its heart is Prism Sound conversion – everything passes through it. I don’t have a mixing console so if I need to record, the converter acts both as an A/D interface to Pro Tools or other applications on my computer and as a DA to listen to the recording or mix. Without it, I couldn’t do anything. It’s a vital part of my system.’
Designed to be used as both a modular conversion system and high-performance, networkable audio distribution and processing system, Dream ADA-128 offers up to 128 channels of 32-bit AD/DA conversion at sample rates of up to 768kHz. Its 2U-high mainframe that can be fitted with up to 16 analogue and digital IO modules, each of which nominally provides eight input or output ports or both. Up to four host modules provide bidirectional multi-channel connections to host computers, workstations and networks, with the free routing between all of these inputs and outputs under detailed user control, as well as a wide range of processing functions.
Seidler also likes it small footprint, which is important for someone working with a portable set-up.
‘My ADA-128 has allowed me to replace all of my ADA-8XRs and save on the purchase of racks and space for transport, not to mention a lot of effort in terms of loading and unloading,’ he says. ‘What’s more, with the Dante, Madi and soon-to-be-released Mic/Line interfaces, I’ll only need one rack and a few accessories when I’m on the move,’ he says. ‘The Dante and Madi interfaces will also allow me to integrate with other systems in the future, which I couldn’t do with the ADA-8XRs.’
He is currently using his Prism Sound Dream ADA-128 to digitise the extensive vinyl collection he has been building since he was in his teens. ‘I’m enjoying getting to grips with it and seeing what it can do,’ he says. ‘I owned ADA-8XRs for almost 20 years and they always worked perfectly, despite being regularly moved around. The company’s products are reliable, long-lasting tools and I have no doubt that my new Dream ADA-128 will stand me I good stead for at least another 20 years.’
More: www.prismsound.com
