replacing a Digidesign rack+ 003, suggestions

[Matt Darcy]

I'm looking at building a second recording setup for a different location, I currently use a Digidesign rack+ 003.

Before I start looking for a second rack+ 003, I thought I'd get some seasoned advice for a modern replacement.

Requirements

a.) 8 in - the same as the rack+ 003 - good pre's
b.) 8 individual controls for the 8 in
c.) ability to hook in additional in e.g.: currently I use an octepre le via adat/lightpipe to give me another 8 in

best possible connector to mac eg: firewire 400/800/thunderbolt direct.

what would be a good direct swap out ?

[albee1952]

For firewire, MOTU, RME and Focusrite Saffire each have something that covers what the 003 does quite nicely. Going Thunderbolt gives a few fewer options, but they are still good options(Focusrite Clarett range, MOTU and UA Apollo(lots more $$) are all solid choices).

Be aware that most of these 3rd party interfaces MIGHT require you to use that company's routing/monitor utility, which may have some effect on how you work. Buying a used 003 is probably the cheapest option

[Matt Darcy]

thanks for the response, maybe I'm being slow here, but I don't see any of these device with 8 inputs and pre's like the rack+ 003 - and certainly none with 8 input controls (1 per input) like the rack+ 003 ?

[albee1952]

You're not looking very hard

http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/8pre
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/896mk3
http://us.focusrite.com/firewire-aud...saffire-pro-40
http://us.focusrite.com/firewire-aud...uid-saffire-56
http://us.focusrite.com/clarett-rang...tt-8pre(coming soon)
http://www.rme-audio.de/en/products/fireface_802.php
http://www.rme-audio.de/en/products/fireface_800.php

Now the RME boxes only have 4 mic preamps, but I don't see this as bad(consider the same regarding the 003rack non + version). The stock preamps on many of these boxes are fairly neutral or bland, so why buy 8 of them when its so easy to include 4 external preamps with more "character". I'm thinking along the lines of API 3124, Focusrite ISA428, Vintech 473. For me, having at least a few "great" preamps is more important, but YMMV)

[VRW]

It´s all in albee´s list already but I´m still gonna post some details.

This brand new Focusrite Clarett Series seems to be pretty cool stuff.
True Thunderbolt (latency 1ms!), ISA mic preamps, ADAT, SPDIF etc.
So this one seems to be great for the price.
http://www.gak.co.uk/en/focusrite-cl...terface/110813
http://uk.focusrite.com/clarett-range#clarett-8pre
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Clarett8Pre

This is the top of the line model, still affordable for what it will offer imo
http://www.gak.co.uk/en/focusrite-cl...terface/110814
http://uk.focusrite.com/clarett-range#clarett-8prex
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Clarett8PreX

I think these will finally beat every version of 003s by far, even the modded ones.

If being on a budget the Saffire Pro 40 is always great value for the money and
used successfully with Pro Tools 11 by countless users out there. Additionally
it´s been told to offer much better sonic quality than all the original 003s.
On both, converters as well as preamps.
http://www.gak.co.uk/en/focusrite-saffire-pro-40/21402
http://uk.focusrite.com/firewire-aud...saffire-pro-40
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SaffPro40

In the upper price range (if being on a Mac) I also would recommend the new
Apogee Ensemble (8 preamps, high end converters, true Thunderbolt etc.)
http://www.gak.co.uk/en/apogee-ensem...erface-/105158
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/ensemble
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EnsembleTB

All in all those new Focusrites may be the best bet probably (value for the money).


Cheers, VRW



Mac Mini i7Quad, 16GB Ram, MBP Mid 2012 2,5GHz i5, 16GB Ram, Mac OSX 10.10.3 Yosemite, Apogee Quartet+Duet 2
Genelec Active, Yamaha NS10, Pro Tools 11.3.1, Logic 10.1.1, Waves, MCDSP, Duende Native, HOFA, IK Multimedia, NI etc.

[Cowboy Bob]

The Clarett 8Pre X looks mighty interesting to me.

Perhaps instead of HD|N upgrade? We'll see.

[Matt Darcy]

went for the Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt and Octopre mk II connected via light pipe - 16 XLR inputs and some jack and spdif goodness, big upgrade to connecting via thunderbolt, so I'm really keen to see how this works out, on paper should be a huge upgrade from my rack 003

[VRW]

Originally Posted by Matt Darcy

on paper should be a huge upgrade from my rack 003

Oh yes!!
You will be impressed.
Congratulations and lots of fun!