Help! Need a Lightpipe Audio Interface compatible w/ Pro Tools

[agz]

Hi Ladies and Germs,

I have a project coming up soon and I need to upgrade my 002R to 16 tracks by using an additional 8 channel lightpipe interface. I am running a Mac with PT 7.4 and change. Who of you are doing this and what interfaces are you using? I'm having trouble finding info on this, so I am open to suggestions. What's the gamut, cheap to expensive? Do you like what you've got? Also, I've got good preamps already, so I don't really need preamps, just quality A/D conversion.

Can you help a brotha out!

Aaron Zeller
New Orleans

[flommer]

There isn't much middle ground, unfortunately.

There are a couple real cheapies

Aphex

ADA8000

Then there is a group in the $600 -$1000 range, but they all include Preamps that you can't necessarily bypass..

Many say this one is a good value: 2626 and it appears to allow you to bypass the pres...

Then it seems you jump right in to the big bucks converters like Rosetta800 or Lynx Aurora 8

[Obsidian Dragon]

Originally Posted by agz

and I need to upgrade my 002R to 16 tracks by using an additional 8 channel lightpipe interface.

Protools already can have 48 tracks (more if you get one of the toolkits). By "tracks" did you mean inputs? If so, see flommer's reply above. If you really meant tracks, go back and read the manual to see how to use the 48 tracks you have.

[agz]

I'm old school. I meant a like a 16 track machine, AKA capability for 16 channels of simultaneous recording- i.e.- yes inputs is what I meant.

[KRAFT]

You might try to find a MOTU 2408 unit if you don't need the pre-amps. They should be cheap on Ebay and seem to work forever. Although it has pre amps check out one of the Presonus Digimax units.

[Eric Seaberg]

Does Focusrite still make the OctoPre? I had one of those with the optional A/D card and it was AWESOME! It does have line inputs on a Dsub connection that will bypass the pres if you need to, but the pres sound real good for the price.

The original OctoPre with A/D card will run around $1200. I just noticed they have an OctoPre MkII with built-in ADAT output that Sweetwater sells for $500.

[tamasdragon]

Yeah, octopre is still in production. Personally I do not like them, but still, it is an option. It is cheap, even with the a-d card, which has adat.

TD

[albee1952]

There is a brand new OctoPre just out that is worth a look. I think the Presonus D8 is the best bargain.

[agz]

Great suggestions! Thanks everyone!

[Darney]

Originally Posted by agz

Hi Ladies and Germs,

I have a project coming up soon and I need to upgrade my 002R to 16 tracks by using an additional 8 channel lightpipe interface. I am running a Mac with PT 7.4 and change. Who of you are doing this and what interfaces are you using? I'm having trouble finding info on this, so I am open to suggestions. What's the gamut, cheap to expensive? Do you like what you've got?

Aaron Zeller
New Orleans

Often overlooked are the SMPro Audio preamp/converters. They're inexpensive, flexible, transparent, and look great in the rack. http://www.smproaudio.com/produkte/p...rstaerker.html

I've been using one for years and it's been great, both in terms of sound quality and reliability.