Sorry for all these questions and random musings, but I am taking my mastering more and more seriously as each day goes by, and there are a few things still unclear to me.
I want to upgrade a lot of components in my mastering chain next year, and I have a few questions regarding these changes. If you have any suggestions, or see any pitfalls, please let me know!
Chain:
1) Clients stereo digital audio file in PC running DAW software, and "surgical" Linear Phase EQ plugin, if needed.
2) File out of PC into DAC 1 feeding the analogue outboard gear (Compressor, EQ etc.)
3) Analogue outboard gear's outputs into ADC 1 back into PC.
4) DAC 2 feeding the powered monitors.
How does that look?
I currently intend to purchase a pair of ATC SCM20ASLs for monitors, a Forssell MADA-2 for DAC 1 and ADC 1, and a Grace Designs M903 for DAC 2 (which will also act as a monitor controller and headphone amp etc.) At the moment I'm using a lowly Echo Audiofire 12 for all my ADC and DAC. I already own the analogue outboard.
Questions:
1) As far as I understand it, professional DACs and ADCs do not connect directly to PCs. How do I get the audio file out of the PC and into the two DACs? And then back from the ADC into the PC? I am guessing I'll need some kind of a PCI card with at least two digital outs and one digital in. Any recommendations?
2) With this set up, will I easily be able to switch between the original file and the file after it has been through the analogue outboard, ADC and back into the PC? I.e. how do I easily switch between "before" and "after" versions on my monitors? I currently do this in my interface's software mixer. Could the Grace act as this switch? Will it require a hardware solution?
3) I could save a bit by going with a Benchamark DAC-1 instead of the Grace M903, what say you?
I know what I want to be able to achieve, just not the logistics of how to achieve it. I want a minimal high quality signal chain, involving analogue and digital stages, with the ability to easily switch between before and after in real time. It sounds so simple!
Big thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to help me out with some of these basic concepts!