Recording to two PT HD systems

[eytan]

Hi,

I want to record the 48 channels from Stage Rack to two ProTools recording systems (for backup). Is there some way to do this with 2 x HDx cards? Is there another way to do this?

[TwoPort]

If you're thinking about drive problems, a RAID drive setup would increase data safety and cost much less than another HD system. If one drive dies the others take over... I do this in all my office servers. But the ultimate would be a mirror system. The big question even with a mirror system would be whether an error in one PT system propogates an error that takes the other one down with it.

[eytan]

Thanks TwoPort,

This is for a certain project for which I have access to two PT recording systems and I also have two HDx cards. I want to know whether there is a way to split the digital signal (first 48 inputs) into two HDx cards, each card would then feed a different PT recording system.

Another idea I had is - if I configure the Venue to a 96 ch system - then I will patch the first 48 inputs to channels 1-48 AND to 49-96. Would I then be able to record channels 49-96 (which have the same signal as ch 1-48) through the second HDx card?

[StrobeAlific]

Another idea I had is - if I configure the Venue to a 96 ch system - then I will patch the first 48 inputs to channels 1-48 AND to 49-96. Would I then be able to record channels 49-96 (which have the same signal as ch 1-48) through the second HDx card?

That should work. I have 96 pres and the HDx2...so unless there is some extra sync issue (which there shouldn't be since you will get sync from the Venue) it should work.

That's my theoretic two cents.

[eytan]

I just checked the HDx Option Guide. According to the "D-Show Signal Routing for HDx Recording" the pickoff point of the HDx card is before the D-Show patchbay. In that case I will not be able to split inputs 1-48 to two HDx cards.

Another possibility I am thinking of is doing a physical split inside the FOH rack. My idea is taken from the analog world, I don't know if it works digitally. Here it is - in a standard 96 ch VENUE to PT recording the first HDx card is connected to the first DSP card (with a small ribbon cable). The second HDx card is connected to the second DSP card. Maybe I could manufacture a ribbon cable that will take the digital signal from DSP1 card to both HDx cards? This is similar to the buss cables in analog consoles. Is that possible? I have manufactured such a (much larger) cable for my Crest analog console.

Sheldon / Steve ???? do you have the answer?

[BradLyons]

May I ask, WHY you need to do this?

[TwoPort]

"Known Issues
* Pro Tools does not support RAID technology. Please do not activate this feature on any Pro Tools recording drives."

-- Well looks like RAID might be a bad idea after all. Sorry for the erroneous post..

[eytan]

Thank you all,

Your replies are very helpful.