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R/E/P => Mastering Dynamics => Topic started by: John Moran on June 24, 2011, 05:54:39 PM

Title: Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP
Post by: John Moran on June 24, 2011, 05:54:39 PM
Here's an interesting question for discussion.

There is a prominent acoustic designer who wants to put one of these boxes in the monitor path of what the owners of a newly built facility want to be a mastering room. He is also putting one into the monitor path of the companion recording studio.

This device and its companion software are supposed to be the current bees knees in taking care of acoustical issues and system tuning in a given room.  I'm not familiar with it aside from what's published.

Information on the Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP can be found here:
http://www.symetrix.co/products/symnet-open-architecture-dsp/symlink-digital-audio/8x8-dsp/ (http://www.symetrix.co/products/symnet-open-architecture-dsp/symlink-digital-audio/8x8-dsp/)

I have my thoughts about it but want to wait before making comment or judgment without some discussion, particularly as it applies to their proposed mastering space. They are interested in having me doing some work there.

Anyone here have any experience with one of these things in a studio environment, recording and/or mastering? I'll likely be hearing it sometime in early-mid July.
Title: Re: Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP
Post by: pmx on June 24, 2011, 06:31:16 PM
sure, it's kinda the same thing as putting in a Lake or XTA processor as speaker management. the way i'd do it is to keep it completely digital, and a a multi channel mastering grade d/a afterwards to feed each amp and speaker.

it's not seen very often in mastering because of the relative simple setups many prefer (with good reason), but it's very common in i.e. dolby stages and post houses.
Title: Re: Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP
Post by: John Moran on June 25, 2011, 09:34:05 AM
They are talking this box specifically.  Analog in /Analog out, 48k sampling.
Title: Re: Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP
Post by: Jerry Tubb on June 25, 2011, 10:44:48 AM
Seems like an odd idea to me John.

Putting anything artificial in the monitoring path.

Better done with acoustical treatment in the room.

Best, JT
Title: Re: Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP
Post by: John Moran on June 25, 2011, 06:04:56 PM
preachin' to the choir, Jerry.
Only thing between the monitor da output and the monitors here are stinky ole crookwood stepped resistor ladders.

It's kinda odd to me, I've expressed my reservations to the new studio manager who is an old pal but I'm not the one paying for it nor am I the designer, so...  :-X

The client is new at this but I'm somewhat puzzled that this is seen as a good thing by the designer. I can understand it on the recording studio side where they want to do everything from stereo to 5.1 to 7,1, but in mastering?

I'm biting my tongue until he's here to set things up and then I'll have a few questions and look forward to hearing the rationale from him. 

Title: Re: Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP
Post by: Jerry Tubb on June 26, 2011, 07:28:53 PM
I figured that you felt that way John.

Seems like anyone who thought about it clearly would agree.

Adding a potential coloration process to the monitor path is not a good idea,

Especially in mastering, where we're listening for minute detail.

Feel free to pass along my two cents to the designer.

Best, JT
Title: Re: Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP
Post by: mpdonahue on June 27, 2011, 09:59:47 AM
Hey John,
While I really wonder about the analog 48k thing, I've been amazed by some of the systems that I've heard that are using the Lake or DEQX digital speaker management. I know that Fran Manzella is using these with his new Gryphon speakers to good results. If it were me I would specify 96kHz operation at a minimum.
I've actually been dabbling with the DEQX on a project at home with a pair of homebrew ATC dual 12" style speakers. It is truly astounding the thing you can do to optimize a speaker in room.   
I too would think about decent converters feeding the power amps (of which there will be plenty I suspect). Since I've been doing mine on the cheap, I built a box of Hypex modules with 3x 400HG's and a 180 HG for each speaker. I have a stock passive crossover for comparison.

All the best, M
-Mark Donahue
Title: Re: Symetrix Symlink 8x8 DSP
Post by: John Moran on June 27, 2011, 12:21:04 PM
That's the thing; I and another pal shot the recording studio control room with a TEF and know what's going on in there in intimate detail. The other room was on the agenda but that has been put on hold. The big speaks in both rooms are ATC and, in correspondence with Ben Lilley at ATC UK, they were adivsed on how to tweak them from inside their dedicated amp and with the subs. Acoustics, electrical alignment and then an analog eq were his suggestions in that order as well as a couple of TEF measurements 1m on axis of the upper cabinets in different time windows to verify the isolated monitor performance for him. 

The designer has so far skipped all that and ordered the Symmetrix boxes installed for him to come do the laying on of hands sometime week after next. At this point I'm merely the interested observer watching how the kabuki theater is going to play out as an invited guest of the studio. I'm trying to keep an open mind and look forward to being entertained at the minimum.