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How to replace Radias built AD/DA with other brand?
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:29 am
by KorgPlayer
Hello,
I know that it can sound strange, but I want to replace Radias built in AD/DA converters with other brand AD/DA converters.
As I don't have schematic of Radias first question is obviously - which one AD/DA can I use instead of Radias built in? What do I need to be aware of?
I know that Radias sounds great, really 10+, but I got some reliable info that those frequencies that I have a problem with (in higher registry) actually causes by Radias built in in AD/DA converters.
I would really appreciate if someone could give me point into the right direction.
Cheers!
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 3:49 pm
by axxim
Hi KP,
Even if I don't know (until now) how the Radias looks inside, it isn't that easy as you think, just like changing OpAmps with better quality on an anlog synth to improve the audio (which even could be no improvement depending on what is changed).
AD/DA converters are digital and even if there are diferent qualities and prices, the most important factors may be the sample frequency, bits of resolution, the surroundiong I/O filters, analog circuitry and the pcb layout itself. Actual digital audio devices usually use codecs, which contain several AD and DA converters, an audio matrix, eventually digital filters, compressors, limiters etc. To replace them with others, first you have to know which are inside the Radias, find out what sample rates, resolution, architecture, command set, registers, interface, etc. they have, then find a replacement that have the same or better characteristics and architecture, check if the entire requirements and specs that the Radias has will match, etc etc. Not to mention that probably you also will need to reprogram the software in your Radias.
Even if this could be made, it probably will be no improvement at all, because maybe your "problem" lies on the sound processing software itself due to being a discrete system (truncating, bit loss, rounding errors, etc.) which somewhere has its limitations like every thing.
If you happen to get some Radias schematics, please let me know!
Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 6:29 am
by KorgPlayer
axxim,
Yes you got a point there, really. It looks like to much hassle for unsure result. My imprerssion was that it should be easier than you described. The ideal solution of course would be to connect Radias sound directelly to PC DAW with USB. In that case it would be much easier to decide what is causing "limits" in sound.
But how much I heard, it is a mission impossible, thus some decoder or similar needs to be developed as Radias will then need to send digital, unprocessed, version of sound to computer.
But hey, maybe Korg is already working on Radias II-GEN
Anyway, thanks for your valuable input.
Cheers!