How to add more inputs with Control 24

[vesanie]

This is the situation. We have a Control 24 with a the digi rack 002. Currently we have Pro Tools 8. We want to expand the ability to record more than 8 tracks simultaneously.

Can I buy two 003 racks to have the capability of 16 channels or do I have to upgrade to HD?

[getz76]

Thread.

[getz76]

You can get 18 I/O with the 002 Rack.

8 analog inputs
8 ADAT inputs
2 SPDIF inputs

[vesanie]

We are using a MAC not a PC.

And it's not the same situation, if there's not a possibility to use two racks at least I want to know if someone knows another way.

[getz76]

It is the same situation as in you cannot use more than one interface at a time.

[vesanie]

What the people at the studio want is 16 analog inputs...

They are saying that this "can" be done with the Presonus and frankly I've never done such connections. Some other people have told me that I would have to upgrade to HD.

This for me is unknown territory...

[getz76]

See my answer above.

Short answer:

1. Buy this
2. Buy this
3. Take the ADAT out of #1 and put it into the ADAT in of the 002

[vesanie]

Thanks.

Considering that this is made by Focusrite I should assume it's better thant the Presonus they are asking for??

[getz76]

Not in particular. In that price range, they all sound pretty similar.

I have a pair of the Focusrite Octopre units (platinum). They sound fine. Very clean. Sterile. Low noise. Pretty similar to most other decently designed solid-state class A preamps.

[Dism]

There are certainly a few options out there, but essentially what you are looking for is an 8 channel pre with ADAT out. This can be anything from say an OctoPre, or even full digital mixer like a DM-3200. Personally, I use an old 03D, and it does the trick. It's really more of a preference thing, like anything else. The best thing to do is get a hold of a few different pre's to find out which suits your needs. As long as it has ADAT out, you should be fine. Just be sure to sync it as Optical in PT preferences, otherwise you will get clicks and pops if it isn't synced properly.