how to get to 16 channels?
 

I'm thinking about making a move from my Apollo X16 to Carbon. My only hesitancy is that I need to get back to at least 16 channels at some point. So I'm wondering if something like the MOTU 16A would work connected via ADAT?

If not, what would I need to look for in a compatible unit?

Thanks.
Jim

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

Yes you can get 8 channels from Carbon mics/lines inputs and 8 more in SMUX on the 2 ports on Carbon (4+4) or 16 ADAT on the same ports (8+8) .I'm using Carbon with 16 channels at 96khz, works perfectly.

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

What unit are you using with your Carbon to get to 16 channels?

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

Any 8 channel lightpipe preamp will work at 44.1 and 48K. To get to 96K, the preamp needs SMUX capability(which uses 2 lightpipes, 4 channels each). If you work at 48K(like me), then you can get 24 inputs with 2 8 channel units. There are many options and here is what I recommend(having used many)
1-on a tight budget, the Behringer ADA8200 does a decent job($300?).
2-fat wallet, the Focusrite ISA-828(w/digital option card) is pretty classy($2K-ish).
3-best overall(especially for drums) is the Midas XL-48(under a grand).
Not sure if any of these has SMUX, but a visit to the relevant website will answer that quick enough

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

Albee, would I be able to use the MOTU 16A and get 16 line-ins (@44.1 or 48) and then have the 8 Carbon channels available for line-ins as well, for a total of 24 line-ins?

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

This should work as long as 16A supports 16 submixes (8 stereo submixes) through Cue Mix.

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

I picked up a Ferrofish Pulse 16 which adds 16 adat channels. Sounds great, 1 rackspace...has worked perfectly for me.

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

RME Octamic but any box with enough inputs and 2 ADAT out ports will work, there are different options with quality raising with price, well it should be...

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

Do you already own the MOTU? If not, I can't see it being a good option. It's intended to be an audio interface in its own right, not an add-on to another box.
If you're thinking of running multiple interfaces at the same time, it's not advisable.
If, instead, you're thinking of connecting the MOTU to the Carbon with ADAT, then you're paying for Thunderbolt and AVB functionality on the MOTU which you won't be using.
For the cost of the MOTU, you could get better mic pres and better AD/DA specs in a dedicated device, like the ones mentioned so far.
There's also:
Audient ASP800 and ASP880
RME Octamic and Octamic XTC
Focusrite Clarett Octopre and Scarlett Octopre
Neve 1073 OPX
..amongst others.

The things to check are:
Do you want mic pres (if not, the RME ADI8 is a good option)
Do you want to use just 44.1/48K or do you want to go to 96K - you need S/MUX support on the unit and you will only get 8 channels in/out of the Carbon rather than 16, (meaning a total of 16 channels from Carbon to computer, rather than 24).
Do you want 8 channels of line out on the extra device (some of the options listed are mic/line INPUTs only, and don't have any analogue outputs).

A final note - you can't stack Carbons like you can Apollos. One unit is the max. Avid have made no mention of changing this despite having a second Ethernet port on the box, and despite threads here discussing the possibility - no response whatsoever from Avid. So I would assume that a single box is the most you will ever be able to use. 24 input channels maximum, at 44.1/48K.

Dominic

Re: how to get to 16 channels?
 

;I am not a big fan of using a full-blown interface as an expander for another full-blown interface. The reason being all the extra software needed to make it work(yes, I have done it in the past). That's why I recommend devices that are built just for expansion purposes. You connect the lightpipe(s), set clocking correctly and add the IO on the Pro Tools IO grid and you're:o done