With unbalanced RCA vinyl input, I would use the separate inputs 3 and 4 with two unbalanced RCA-to-TRS adapters into the RME Babyface Pro FS. So no Y-connector needed.
I actually thought you were going to be the one to pipe in with “and here is how you do vinyl in to an RME Babyface Pro FS to BACCH4Mac!”. I have done similar using an RME Fireface 802 FS with separate left-right channel balanced input through the RME 802 FS to Acourate Convolver on a PC. So I had plenty of inputs to choose from on the RME to set up separate inputs from the microphones in RME TotalMix FX.
If you have a balanced phono preamp and a BabyFace Pro FS, then you could go separate left-right channel input using the same XLR inputs used with the microphones. The trick there would be to save separate workspaces in RME TotalMix FX for when using mics to make new BACCH filters and for when using the XLR inputs for vinyl playback.
PS: I generally advise keeping backups of the RME TotalMix FX workspace on the PC/Mac. Has saved me many times when I went too far wrong in alternative set-up explorations. I am not a pro. I am an amateur hack… who can contact RME locally auf Deutsch for help when needed!
Thanks @Carousel! To-date, I’ve only been using digital sources in my BACCH4Mac setup; I’ve had analog on my to-do list for awhile. My phono pre (Rega Aura) has both balanced and unbalanced outputs. I’ve been using the balanced outputs with my BHK preamp. I plan to use the unbalanced outputs to integrate with the Babyface and preserve the ability to choose whether to listen with BACCH in the chain.
Having Edgar do the heavy lifting on the BACCH installation is a mixed blessing. Obviously, he is a brilliant man who knows his product inside and out and the installation call won’t end until everything is operating perfectly. For me, there is a downside though in that I’m not as comfortable/familiar with that part of my system as I am with the rest. Having no traditional manual and not benefiting from lessons learned by doing the installation myself is unfortunate. I understand the purpose behind the screenshots memorializing the proper settings for future reference should something go awry but it makes me reluctant to experiment. I think I can get over this by some focused self study on the Babyface device and the associated apps. It sounds like you come into this already familiar with RME devices. Thanks for your valued input
I asked Edgar for a manual for my BACCH-SP and he provided me with a link to a very extensive manual. It would surprise me if there isn’t one for BACCH4MAC.
Then be surprised: “Unlike our BACCH-SP hardware processor, which has a detailed written manual, our software-based product, BACCH4Mac, does not have one as it would be impractical to write a manual that covers all possible configurations (OS settings, players, streaming protocols, drivers, input and output parameters, etc.) encountered in computer-based audio systems.”
I can kinda understand that actually!
RME does have a really good series of videos in English though… and NOT in German.
Ah, you’ve just reminded me that this is something I’ve read about, but not on this forum. I’ve recently been looking at solving some bass issues and kind of gave up; I found the the aesthetic impact of the size and shape of most bass traps to be distasteful.
I had an interesting experience last night. I rotated my two diffuser boxes and attached same sized absorption panels to the backs. Then I made a new filter. The filter it made looked clean and a bit different to what I am used to seeing. Listening to it I heard a much narrower soundstage with more depth. To me it seemed like the midrange was lessened as well as the soundstage. I didn’t really care for it. I switched to my favorite filter and had an Ahhhhhh moment, But I kept switching back to the new filter to try and get used to it and discover what it does. The jury is still out. The panels I bought may not be the last panels I try.
At the moment though I am tempted to rotate back to the diffusers and remake the filter. I am sad that I can only store 7 filters. I want the ability to make as many as I like and add notes to tell what the situation was when I made them, and comments about the sound I get with them.
Those side panels look more like absorbers rather than reflectors/diffusers. I’m sure Edgar knows what works best for BACCH, but as my system gets better, I use more diffusers, not absorbers. You can file this in the circular bin.
I found absorbers helpful at first reflection but I believe their effectiveness is a function of distance. My back wall reflection distance is short and I ended up going back to diffusion after absorption lessened 3D affect from behind . Crowd from live recording no longer could be heard behind me only in front. . I suppose timing as to when diffuser reflections react to your ears and effectiveness of DSP filters makes everyone’s preferences different.
My first reflection point is closer than yours. May try on absorber and one diffuser so your getting half the diffusion or absorbing? As a compromise comparison. I don’t recall my soundstage narrowing and my diffuser plates are now in my bedroom on front wall screwed down.
The point that I so poorly was trying to convey was that better systems often require less attention to room treatment. I believe that we were in agreement that more accurate components and speakers often solve, to some degree, what initially is deemed a room issue. The room problems still exist but seem less apparent. I am interested why a BACCH system, which may yield an image that is most true to the source, requires increased absorption. It simply may be that it takes the room further out of the question and less the processings do it’s thing. I guess the “why” is not relevant if it works. I will now dismiss myself from this unnecessary tangent.
