888 Legacy D/A solution vs. 192 or Alesis Ai3

[Glenn75]

I recently purchased the optional 8 input A/D card for my 192 i/o. So now I have 16 analog ins but only 8 analog outs. I want to run 16 outs for mixing and summing via my TL Audio tube trackers(16 channels). My dilema is that I really don't have the $2000 to spend on and extra 192 interface so I thought maybe I should just get a used 888 for much less $ and use it for the extra 8 D/A converters during mix down. An aditional upside is that I would also get an extra 8 inputs(albeit lower quality), bringing my recording side up to 24 ins. Is this a good idea? Will the 888's D/A OUTPUTS sound good enough to do my records justice? Should I just save until I can get an extra 192??? The other inexpensive solution to my problem would be to purchase an Alesis AI3, which has 8 i/o A/D/A via adat lightpipe. This unit is 24 bit but I am not sure about the sample rate that it is capable of. Does anyone know about, or use one of these units? How is it as a temporary fix? How good will it sound compared to an 888? I run alot of my sessions right now at 24/48k so that is the reason that the 888 might be acceptable if the analog output sound is pretty good. I am using my studio to record and mix rock, hip hop, electronic, some jazz, ect... but not a lot of solo violin or piano. So should that make a difference in my investment decision? Sorry for the long winded question, I really appreciate any and all help on the subject.

[scottgreiner]

I have a similar situation. The 192 blows doors off of those other converters you mentioned. Save your pennies. I should also mention that each 192 is capable of only 16 in and out - not 24.

[Shefi Yishai]

Hi Glenn

It is good to know that The 192i/o Legacy port will not accept the Legacy 888 but only the 888/24!

[Glenn75]

Thanks Shefi obviously that's what I was talking about.
Scott- 16 ins and outs including the Legacy port ins and outs?

[Touchwood Studios]

If you think you will ever record above 48K the legacy port is out. However the 888/24 will work stand alone connected to the AES ports. I would lean towards the 888/24 istead of the AI3. Neither one of them a really good but they are cheap.

[danickstr]

since you said you would be using them mainly as d to a this is an important distinction. we all listen to music every day on very bad d to a converters in the form of cd walkmen and home stereos. i have never heard even audiophiles (unless in the presence of a salesman at a boutique stereo shop) say "gee the converters are crappy on that sony receiver" so i think it would be fine. plugs are not working as well in 96k they tell me (please correct this if wrong...as if they wouldn't) so i think eight cheap outs would be prudent at this juncture.

[spinsong]

you could always replace the digital io card on the 192 with an analog output card. that way you would have the 16 in and 16 out analog. except that you would be stuck with an additional digital io card which I'm sure you can sell on ebay. I think that is the best solution for under 2 grand. plus you get 192 io quality instead of the other solutions you mentioned. in addition, you get to save rack space.

in response to the 16 io limit, yes the limit is 16 on a 192 io (by itself), but if you use the expansion or legacy port, that can be expanded to 32 io depending on the interfaces used, havent tried it with 2 888s though, i have a 1622 connected to mine

[Jakeman]

spinsong, the 192 I/O Guide states "The expansion bay is the only bay that allows for another card. The other three bays are hardwired for the appropriate card." So you can't swap the Digital I/O card for a D->A card. This would be nice but its not possible. Glen75, save up for another 192 would be my suggestion, though an option is getting a 96 I/O.

[spinsong]

yes, you're right.. I guess I should have read the 192 manual, the info is in the appendix, I thought that they were exchangable, but now I also realize that the software would probably also have to be rewritten for it to work (it takes two to tango)...anyway just adds to the point RTFM. however, in the light of things I would probably suggest a high end adat lightpipe solution..the alesis is good, but there are better solutions out there...the more you spend, the better the sound (obviously).. however IMHO I would have to go wiith jakeman on this one. Another 192 or 96 would probably be the best solution..it's a matter of preference, and money




BTW I've seen so many output and input cards on ebay, plus the digital 192 looks just like the 192 analog on the back (except for the cards),..that I guess I was thrown off...There probably was a way to interface those cards, but probably, digi later decided it wasn't to their best interest or it would get too complicated..oh well

[scottgreiner]

...There probably was a way to interface those cards, but probably, digi later decided it wasn't to their best interest or it would get too complicated..oh well

They'll sell twice as many 192's

You could always buy Apogee or something like it and go in the AES port for another 8 I/O.