New system : hardware insert question.

[IVcrane]

Most of my new HDN setup is arriving today consisting of:

1) Slate Pro Audio Fox Quadtone 2ch pre
2) HD IO 8x8x8 via HDN thunderbolt to MBP
3) Dangerous Music D-box
4) Kemper Profiler via Spdif

My question is in regards to hooking up external hardware, such as an 1176 compressor.

In the past with my 002 I would use an input and output assigned to it. With the new setup, the inputs into the HD IO are via a DB25/XLR snake. The HD IO output goes to the sum input of the d-box via a DB25/DB25 snake. With a DB25 out of the HD IO => DB25 into the d-box, going off my previous setup I'm not sure how to direct an output to the 1176.

I purchased cables based off of Dangerous Music's diagram, which I've attached. However in order to setup external i/o it seems to me that I purchased the wrong cable, i.e. DB25/DB25.

Is the only hardware insert solution to replace the DB25/DB25 with a DB25/XLR out of the HD IO attaching the XLR to another DB25/XLR from the D-Box and then losing inputs to the d-box for every piece of external hardware I add? Or to add 8ch via optical and use its i/o and conversion?

[Drew Mazurek]

Short answer:

If you plan to use all 8 outputs for the D Box AND want to do Hardware Inserts, then you need more I/O.

[IVcrane]

Would an alternative be to put the inserted hardware between the d-box sum out and the HD IO input? Then I just feed through the d-box only the channels I want effected. I guess this way I would have to hook it up and disconnect as needed, a hassle but possible workaround...

I don't use a lot of external hardware, but for things like drums I've often run one channel out at a time through the 1176 and then record it back into Pro Tools. Other than that I usually keep things ITB... The summing is going to be something new to me, but a lot of people recommended the d-box for monitoring and insisted that the summing made a significant difference.

[IVcrane]

guess I should have gotten the HD IO 16x16

[nst7]

It may not be too late to change the order, especially if you don't open or unseal the HD IO box.

You also have the option of buying the expansion cards, thereby making it into a 16x16, but that's a more expensive way to do it.

[Drew Mazurek]

Originally Posted by IVcrane

Would an alternative be to put the inserted hardware between the d-box sum out and the HD IO input?

That would only work if it was a buss compressor and you wanted to compress your whole mix after it's been summed.

Just reread your post... yeah, that would work for printing things through the 1176 but it's a hassle as you say.

I'd say it depends on how "future proof" you want the setup to be. Are you planning on adding more outboard? If you can change to the 16x16, maybe it's a good move as NST7 said.

[IVcrane]

My plan was to add a UA 4-710d via optical adat in the near future. That would give me an additional 4pre and 4 additional I/O.

My current thoughts, as for outboard gear, are that I would like to have an 1176 available for printing tracks, and a SSL XLogic G Series Compressor for final mix back into Pro Tools.

Is there a way to put both into the return from the d-box to pro-tools and put them in and out of the chain as needs be without plugging and unplugging cables? I'm not very familiar with patchbays, but would assume there must be a solution in that scenario.

Alternatively, I could leave the SSL in the chain that way, as that is what it is intended for, and use the 1176 through the 5-8 inputs of the 4-710d via adat connection. I know the 4-710d's AD conversion is not as good as the HD IO, but I have heard that it is still of very good quality.

[albee1952]

YOu are going to need to go with DB25 to breakouts(either TRS or XLR). No logical way around it unless you can forgo the hardware inserts

[Bill Denton]

And it would probably be worth your time and your money to go ahead and set up a patchbay...