Carbon - Simultaneous Analog I/O?

[Marsdy]

Hi all

How many simultaneous analog inputs are available with Carbon? I see there are 8 XLR mic inputs and 8 line inputs on D-Sub on the back panel but are these available simultaneously giving a total of 16 analog ins? I’m guessing not but the Avid site isn’t very clear on this!

[dominicperry]

Eight. Only 8.

There are only 8 A/D convertors per Carbon.
There are only 8 A/D convertors per Carbon Pre.

Dominic

[Marsdy]

Originally Posted by dominicperry

Eight. Only 8.

There are only 8 A/D convertors per Carbon.
There are only 8 A/D convertors per Carbon Pre.

Dominic

Thanks Dominic!

[K Roche]

Originally Posted by Marsdy

Hi all

How many simultaneous analog inputs are available with Carbon? I see there are 8 XLR mic inputs and 8 line inputs on D-Sub on the back panel but are these available simultaneously giving a total of 16 analog ins? I’m guessing not but the Avid site isn’t very clear on this!

Simultaneously NO.
To clarify a bit further, you can have 16 analog channels physically connected 8 XLR and 8 D-Sub at the same time But as Dominic said, there are only 8 converters ---so only any combination of 8 total will work simultaneously
And note the XLR inputs will override the D-Sub connections when there is a cable connected to the XLR's

Now I only have 8 analog connections--- So I use the first 4 XLR inputs for my mic's and I use the last 4 via D-Sub for my two stereo Hardware FX units

You may know this but if not --- be aware If you are using outboard Hardware units,, you likely do not want them to be going thru the Carbon Pre amps... So you need to go into the Hardware Set Up menu to make sure the appropriate "Line Bypass" are selected.

Note below I have line 1 & 2 bypassed because that is my AEA mic pre I use for my ribbon mics
Then 3 & 4 are on for my Condenser mics plugged directly into the Carbon
and 5-8 are bypassed for my hardware FX units

[Marsdy]

Originally Posted by K Roche

Simultaneously NO.
To clarify a bit further, you can have 16 analog channels physically connected 8 XLR and 8 D-Sub at the same time But as Dominic said, there are only 8 converters ---so only any combination of 8 total will work simultaneously
And note the XLR inputs will override the D-Sub connections when there is a cable connected to the XLR's

Now I only have 8 analog connections--- So I use the first 4 XLR inputs for my mic's and I use the last 4 via D-Sub for my two stereo Hardware FX units

You may know this but if not --- be aware If you are using outboard Hardware units,, you likely do not want them to be going thru the Carbon Pre amps... So you need to go into the Hardware Set Up menu to make sure the appropriate "Line Bypass" are selected.

Note below I have line 1 & 2 bypassed because that is my AEA mic pre I use for my ribbon mics
Then 3 & 4 are on for my Condenser mics plugged directly into the Carbon
and 5-8 are bypassed for my hardware FX units

Thanks Kev that’s useful info. 👍

[trimix]

Originally Posted by K Roche

Simultaneously NO.
To clarify a bit further, you can have 16 analog channels physically connected 8 XLR and 8 D-Sub at the same time But as Dominic said, there are only 8 converters ---so only any combination of 8 total will work simultaneously
And note the XLR inputs will override the D-Sub connections when there is a cable connected to the XLR's

Now I only have 8 analog connections--- So I use the first 4 XLR inputs for my mic's and I use the last 4 via D-Sub for my two stereo Hardware FX units

You may know this but if not --- be aware If you are using outboard Hardware units,, you likely do not want them to be going thru the Carbon Pre amps... So you need to go into the Hardware Set Up menu to make sure the appropriate "Line Bypass" are selected.

Note below I have line 1 & 2 bypassed because that is my AEA mic pre I use for my ribbon mics
Then 3 & 4 are on for my Condenser mics plugged directly into the Carbon
and 5-8 are bypassed for my hardware FX units

I always use mic inputs 5-8 first due to their adjustable impedance, kinda funny that you've done exactly the opposite. With the new Pre unit, I'm kinda annoyed by the replication of that design decision, so you've got adjustable impedance on 5-8 and 13-16 only. #keepingitrandom.

[K Roche]

Originally Posted by trimix

I always use mic inputs 5-8 first due to their adjustable impedance, kinda funny that you've done exactly the opposite. With the new Pre unit, I'm kinda annoyed by the replication of that design decision, so you've got adjustable impedance on 5-8 and 13-16 only. #keepingitrandom.

Good catch -- Yes I don't remember if I tried using the different impedance option and did not hear much difference with my mic's,,,,, or if because when I used to use an A Designs MP2A as my mic pre that had impedance adj. I did not hear much difference and just hadn't thought about it ?
In any case I am glad you mentioned it... I may just do some more experimentation someday when I am bored

[QuacksMeUp]

If you are using outboard Hardware units,, you likely do not want them to be going thru the Carbon Pre amps... So you need to go into the Hardware Set Up menu to make sure the appropriate "Line In Gain" is bypassed.

Didn't know that one! Using a Shelford Channel into Carbon channel 1... and was confused why I had to select MIC as my input setting (instead of LINE). Gonna try the bypass and see what I get.

Would it matter if the input cable uses XLR or TRS? (i.e. Does Carbon assume Mic level because I'm using XLR? Would it assume Line level with a TRS input?)

[dominicperry]

From the manual:
“ Mic/Line Inputs XLR/TRS Combo Jacks 1–8

Both the XLR/TRS combo jacks and DB25 inputs can be used for simultaneous connection of mic and line cables to the same input channel. This allows mic and line inputs to be switched without cable re-patching. 1/4-inch connections to the combo jacks always use the Line input, while XLR connections always use the Mic input. If a 1/4-inch connection is made to a combo jack, that connection takes precedence over the DB25 connection for that channel input.”

[albee1952]

Great info above. If you asked because you need more outputs, the lightpipe outs can handle that nicely(and cheaply if you work at 48K). The Behringer ADA8200 is not far from $200 and actually sounds quite good(plenty good for music). It can also give you 8 more preamps, but my favorite lightpipe preamp is the Midas XL-48(amazing on drums)