Advice for expaning inputs on HD rig

[albee1952]

Hey all, I work on an HD 3 rig that has a standard 192IO with the 8 analog IO. I want to expand the system to 24 inputs and wondered, rather than spend money on an 8 channel card for the 192, AND buy another interface(can't afford the HDio right now), What do you recommend as a high quality 16 input device that I can use on this HD system, in conjunction with the old 192(so I end up with 24 analog inputs)? All insight appreciated

[albee1952]

Nobody? Come on folks, somebody MUST be using something besides the usual 192, 96 or HD boxes. What about the Lynx aurora or anything from Apogee? The new HD IO is $5K for 16x16, so I am shopping for a cheaper solution that maintains good quality

[Loudyman]

Hi albee,
I'll try to give you some ideas to reduce cost but note that I don't have any of this converters

First, do you need the D/A too ?

Because there is the Digital HD I/O which is cheaper than the 16x16 I/O, and you could use it with the converters of your preamps (if they have).



Or when I was searching some months ago (before choosing the 192 I/O), I've read and heard good things about these ones :

- Mytek Digital 8X192 ADDA + Pro Tools HD DIO Card Bundle $3145 (was on top of my list) it has a dedicated monitor controller, but like every 3rd party converters, you must be careful of its own latency

- Lynx Aurora, if I remember well, it mimic the 192 I/O latency (which is a good point) and seems to sound really good

- SSL Alpha link MADI-AX, 24 I/O to ADAT ???? .... $2549 worth seeing, if we can use 8 ADAT from the bay and 8 ADAT from the enclosure of the 192 at the same time, I've never tried, can we ?

I'll repost if I find more,
Hope that helps,
Loudy.

[albee1952]

Thanks for the insight. The setup will use a C24 for 16 mic preamps and we will have some externals for the "money" channels. So far, from my searching, it looks like a used 192 with an extra A/D card might be the cheapest route that maintains the quality we now have. The Mytek and SSL options are totally new to me. Good point on the latency match as that will matter for headphone feeds.

[Loudyman]

Sorry for the confusion, I don't know if it's true, but it seems that the 192 I/O alone can't process simultaneously more than 16 channels (I didn't know) :http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=268429

[ProTooler]

Hey Albee -
I just upgraded and I'm happy to report that my two 888/24's (in the legacy port) are showing up in my hardware setup. My first tests have shown that they do pass audio, no problem. I will be recording a live drum kit tomorrow and I'll let you know if I have any problems.

[albee1952]

Interesting choice. Not sure I could convince the money man to buy legacy parts. To Loudyman, yes, the 192(and 96) will only process 16 ins or outs, no matter how they are configured. Just as the OMNI will only allow 8 IO, despite its having a lightpipe input(which normally allows for 8 channels at 48K)

[BaileyBass]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Hey all, I work on an HD 3 rig that has a standard 192IO with the 8 analog IO. I want to expand the system to 24 inputs and wondered, rather than spend money on an 8 channel card for the 192, AND buy another interface(can't afford the HDio right now), What do you recommend as a high quality 16 input device that I can use on this HD system, in conjunction with the old 192(so I end up with 24 analog inputs)? All insight appreciated

You can snag a presonus D8 or Digimax.. and bump up 8 analog (plus 8 outputs with the Digimax) but you are restricted to 48k
Since you are using the c24 pres, I think this would work well for 8 of them.
The D8 and Digimax converters are pretty dang good for the $, in fact I did a shootout with my 192's, and 4 out of 5 could hear a difference, but could not decide which was "better"...

If you have more $ to spend.... go higher.
I have 2 loaded 192's, and still use the digimax for utility inputs, guitars. easy direct inputs. (the pres are as good as the c24)cue, headphone outs (when the 192's are tied up with h/w inserts). I have found that turning down the D8 pre's allows other pres to "breath freely" through the converters. I wish there was a complete preamp bypass.
And have used the D8 and Digimax for live recording... it rocks.,

In full disclosure.. I am an endorser, but that does not make them any worse

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by BaileyBass

You can snag a presonus D8 or Digimax.. and bump up 8 analog (plus 8 outputs with the Digimax) but you are restricted to 48k
Since you are using the c24 pres, I think this would work well for 8 of them.
The D8 and Digimax converters are pretty dang good for the $, in fact I did a shootout with my 192's, and 4 out of 5 could hear a difference, but could not decide which was "better"...

If you have more $ to spend.... go higher.
I have 2 loaded 192's, and still use the digimax for utility inputs, guitars. easy direct inputs. (the pres are as good as the c24)cue, headphone outs (when the 192's are tied up with h/w inserts). I have found that turning down the D8 pre's allows other pres to "breath freely" through the converters. I wish there was a complete preamp bypass.
And have used the D8 and Digimax for live recording... it rocks.,

In full disclosure.. I am an endorser, but that does not make them any worse

Appreciate the insight. I was aware of the digital path, but in the spirit of making it idiot-proof, I suspect going with a pair of 192's and an extra input card is the best way to go for this rig. The 16 preamps of the C24 will feed the loaded 192 and the second 192 will handle the external mic preamps for the "money" channels. He already has an Avalon and a Martek pre, so a few more externals will complete the package for 24 track recording. Thanks to all

[BaileyBass]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Appreciate the insight. I was aware of the digital path, but in the spirit of making it idiot-proof, I suspect going with a pair of 192's and an extra input card is the best way to go for this rig. The 16 preamps of the C24 will feed the loaded 192 and the second 192 will handle the external mic preamps for the "money" channels. He already has an Avalon and a Martek pre, so a few more externals will complete the package for 24 track recording. Thanks to all

Good way to go.. good luck. sb