Interfaces and 96k

[uphillstudios]

Currently I track at 44.1. I'm ready to move into tracking at 96k. While doing research I've found that my 003 rack is limiting me to it's eight factory pres at the 96k sample rate.

So I have two questions...

1. Is there a work-around that I don't have to use any of the pres on my 003 (since I don't anyways) and just use my Digimax at 96k?
2. What other interfaces are there out there that I should look into that can handle 16 channels of 96k and that also has really usable pres? I'm not ready to go to HD financially yet.

[YYR123]

Focusrite Saffire 56

8 mic pre's along with SMUX ADAT for 16 channel at 96

It's pretty nice - b/c you get the zero latency mix for the live tracking also

[nst7]

Yes, check out the Focusrite. The Digimax won't give you 96k through the 003, because it 's limited by Adat to 48k on the 003.

[YYR123]

And of course the motu units are really cool and you can pick up a 24 channel unit (PCI) with DSP in the box and LLM pretty cheap - I've seen them on Craigslist for under 500

[uphillstudios]

Thanks for the info guys.

How do you feel about this as a work around??? And tell me if I don't have my info straight.

Use the line outs from the DigiMax and go to the direct in on the 003+ Di/Line inputs (therefore bypassing the pres). Set the whole system to 96k via the Big Ben. Does that make logical sense???

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by uphillstudios

Thanks for the info guys.

How do you feel about this as a work around??? And tell me if I don't have my info straight.

Use the line outs from the DigiMax and go to the direct in on the 003+ Di/Line inputs (therefore bypassing the pres). Set the whole system to 96k via the Big Ben. Does that make logical sense???

It would make sense but for one thing. You CAN'T bypass the preamps on the 003+. All you can do is go in Line level and skip a gain stage, but you still use the preamps and the 003 converters. My suggestion(given how 96K will tax your computer): spend some time working at 48K(and always at 24 bit) and perfect your acoustics, your techniques and improve your preamps and mics). We don't know what you have for mics(so there might be huge improvement possible), The DigiMax resides in the "plain, clean&quiet" category, so some "character" preamps could make a big difference(API, Neve, UA....). If you record in an untreated room, you might net big improvements with bass traps and diffusion/absorption. Food for thought

BTW, the 003 does allow for 96K on the SPDIF input and the API A2D would be a great choice for that...