Advice on 128 channels between rigs (Madi)

[dru0013]

Hi, I'm hoping one of you clever Post people might be able to help with this...

My question is, what's the minimum amount of hardware I'd need to play 128 channels digitally from one Mac running PTHD to another Mac running PTHD?

Here's a little more detail - I think this might be a bit confusing and I'm trying not to go into the reasons why I want to do this, so apologies if it doesn't make sense!

I have a HDX card in one Mac (let's call it the mixer), with a 16/16 analog i/o and a 2nd Mac (the sequencer) with an SSL MadiXtreme sending 32 i/o to the HDX rig via a Madi Hd. That's all I can send, as I'm running PT natively on the SSL rig.

I want to send 128 channels between them and worked out I could do it with 2 HDX cards in the sequencer Mac (ditching the SSL card) going via a Madi HD for each card, into 2 HDX cards in the mixer Mac (plus the existing HDX and 16 i/o for monitoring).

Except on reflection, I think I'd need 2 Madi HDs between each card plus something like the RME Madi Bridge or SSL X8 inbetween each of those, which would be crazy expensive. 5 HDX cards, 4 Madi HDs, 2 Madi Bridges and the 16 i/o!

So, to try to clarify, is there a simpler way to get 128 digital channels from one PT rig to another, or would I just have to buy a lot of hardware?

Many thanks.

[georgia]

the question is how many tracks at any given time? if it truly 128 in real time, you need two MADI IO units that allows for 64 tracks out, and two for the receiving protools rig. (the limit for the MADI spec is 64 channels)

you can look into 3rd party MADI but I don't think anyone has a "safely" function MADI IO for the new Protools systems, other than AVID. the nice thing about Euphonix IOs that I owner was that I could purchase INPUT MADI units separate from OUTPUT MADI units which , in your case would save money.

For an AVID solution you'll need 4 AVID HD MADI devices and simply directly connected them together via coaxial or optical. MADI OUT to MADI IN.

Protools unit 1 sends out to 2 HD MADI units sending 1-64 on HD MADI unit 1 and 65-128 channels on HD MADI unit 2 via 2 coaxial cables to Protools Unit 2 which receives 1-64 on its HD MADI unit 1 and 65-128 on HD MADI unit 2. You don't need a bridge or anything else in between. Just make sure the 4 units are utilizing the same clock/sync source, and cross connect the OUT to the IN...

cheers
geo

[dru0013]

Thanks very much for clarifying that, Georgia.

So I was half right, I will need 4 Madi HDs, but not the Bridges, which is a little less painful. It's still a very expensive way to get some numbers from one Mac to another, though!

Cheers.