Looking To Expand, Pro Fire2626? ?

[toolgirl]

Originally I just wanted a few extra tracks so I could record a few more inputs of Drums.
Once I started asking questions and looking around G.C. Sam Ash.
I started getting all these ideas of expanding from $299 to $499 Now $699...

So I want to hear it from the real Engineers, not just the sales people who leave out info because they wanna sell me what the have in stock.. so they can make quick money... and this not a slant at all GC SA just my exp. at 1 store
After going to 3 music stores I'm putting the pieces together and think i could make my studio a little better..
But I'm still confused from fast talk ...

is the M- AUDIO Pro Fire 2626 sound better than my 003 Rack+ ??

I was told to use the 2626 as a master and make the 003 Rack+ be the slave....

That way I could record at 24/192

Is that true?

Would I want to do that?

Would I run into more issues with latency, and CPU space?
Also would i be using lots of hard drive space and ending up with hugh session files?

I'm averaging 40 tracks per sessions with lots of plugins mostly live instruments,
traditional rock music with songs about 3 1/2 minutes long

I use pro tools LE 003 Rack +
With imac and a laci 1TB external drive

Please feel free to voice comments and ideas
I look forward to hearing from you,
I really want to advance in this way to make my studio a more versatile place...

thanks :)

[spicemix]

It's a good way to expand the system, but it won't let you run at 192KHz and I would use the 003 as master clock since the 2626 has JetPLL. You will only be able to run it standalone at 44.1 or 48KHz into the 003, using a lightpipe cable. You could sync the 2626 to the 003 using either a second lightpipe (going the other way) or a BNC wordclock cable.

For your specific needs I would sell the 003 and get a Mackie Onyx 1640i with Pro Tools M-Powered.

[se.audio]

depending on you budget... the cheapest of all options woulf be behringer ADA800 (8preamps connected to the 003 via lightpipe... prob will cost less than $200)

[toolgirl]

Originally Posted by spicemix

It's a good way to expand the system, but it won't let you run at 192KHz and I would use the 003 as master clock since the 2626 has JetPLL. You will only be able to run it standalone at 44.1 or 48KHz into the 003, using a lightpipe cable. You could sync the 2626 to the 003 using either a second lightpipe (going the other way) or a BNC wordclock cable.

For your specific needs I would sell the 003 and get a Mackie Onyx 1640i with Pro Tools M-Powered.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salesman Said the m-AUDIO rep. said that you can run at 192, by making the 2626 the master, also can run at 96, or 48/44.1
and that the mic pres and clock were better way better then 003?

thanks i will talk to them about that...

[barstool719]

Originally Posted by toolgirl

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salesman Said the m-AUDIO rep. said that you can run at 192, by making the 2626 the master, also can run at 96, or 48/44.1
and that the mic pres and clock were better way better then 003?

thanks i will talk to them about that...

if you connect it by ADAT you can only use 41 or 48k as an external clock source.

the presonus digimax D8 is probably one of the better lesser expensive 8ch ADAT preamps. personally i think it sounds better than the 2626, and is $200 cheaper.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DigiMaxD8/

you could get the 2626 and use it with mpowered and have 18 inputs right away, but one of the catches with mpowered is that you can't use the video toolkit.... don't know if that's an issue for you. if you're already using LE, don't take a step backwards.

[mindnoise]

The real problem is:
while any ProFire lets you record with 192kHz, ProTools does not.

The limit is 96kHz for all LE and M-Powered Software. So you cannot even
edit your recordings in PT without converting down.

best

[albee1952]

Yes, the salesman is wrong(big surprise). To clarify, the 2626 MAY be capable of recording at 192, that is with M-Powered and no other interface. As long as the 003 is part of the system(which you need to run LE), the 003 allows for up to 96K recording on 10 channels(8 analog and 2 via SPDIF). The lightpipe port is only capable of 44.1 and 48K. Solid suggestions above for a few lightpipe units that would expand your input count, so the real question is: is 192K something you NEED, or something a salesman TOLD you you need? There are many of us running commercial studios that rarely work above 48K. Good mics, preamps and recording techniques can make great recordings at 48K(and 192K doesn't make up for the lack thereof). Food for thought. BTW, I am working on a pair of projects right now for a charting artist and they are both at 48K.

[toolgirl]

[QUOTE=barstool719;1487351]if you connect it by ADAT you can only use 41 or 48k as an external clock source.

the presonus digimax D8 is probably one of the better lesser expensive 8ch ADAT preamps. personally i think it sounds better than the 2626, and is $200 cheaper.
the catches with mpowered is that you can't use the video toolkit.... don't know if that's an issue for you. if you're already using LE, don't take a step backwards.[QUOTE=barstool

Thanks So Much..
what other way would i run the 2626 besides lite pipe?


I was told the mic pres. in the 2626 were way better
(Award Winning Octane) ...

The 2626 is an interface so i could run another daw if i wanted to right?
is that the case for digimax D8...

can i use the 003 rack + the run other daws?


cheers!

[mindnoise]

1. what other way would i run the 2626 besides lite pipe?


2. I was told the mic pres. in the 2626 were way better
(Award Winning Octane) ...

3. The 2626 is an interface so i could run another daw if i wanted to right?
is that the case for digimax D8...

4. can i use the 003 rack + the run other daws?


cheers!

1. only S/PDIF, which leaves you with just 2 Channels.
2. don´t beleive what youre told ESPECIALLY if it´s Guitar Center.
3. you can run the 2626 with any DAW.
The DIGIMAX is just a DI Box for converting signals to ADAT.
4. this is highly disrecommended. digidesign hardware is only good with ProTools. Their CoreAudioDriver really sucks.

best

[albee1952]

I can't answer all, but what I CAN tell you is, the D8 is ONLY a lightpipe add-on(which is why its inexpensive) but does work great for that. The 2626 will work by itself with Pro Tools M-Powered(not sure about other DAW programs but I expect it does). The Firestudio(I am selling one) will work for either a lightpipe add-on for the 003, or by itself with other DAW programs. As for the "award winning preamps"....what award is that? I don't recall anyone touting the Octane preamps as exceptional on any level(but I have heard the 2626 has better than average converters). I'll let others comment on the 003 with other programs, but if it were me, and I wanted to use another program, I would not choose a DIGI interface at all. There are several options for non-Pro Tools IO. BTW, I AM running the 003 and LE and am quite happy with it.