Getting to 16 Ins
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Getting to 16 Ins
I currently use a MOTU 896HD as my primary audio interface, which gives me 8 analog ins. I'm looking to add another 8 channels, and trying to determine the best way to go.
I need to stay with Firewire because I use a laptop occasionally. I don't record at high sample rates. Usually I'm at 24-bit/44.1K. I may go to 48K, but not likely to be higher than that. Here are my options as I see it:
1. Add another 896HD.
2. Add an 8-channel preamp that has ADAT outs which I could send to the ADAT ins on the 896HD. Maybe the Presonus Digimax96K? Focusrite OctoPre? Mackie Onyx 800R?
(Whatever I decide, I'll also be adding a Big Ben to keep things in sync.)
So, given my wish list, what do you think is the best way to go? Also, for people using Firewire, do you have any problems running 16 channels simultaneously? I know my computer can handle it, but I'm not sure about the Firewire bus. Anyone have any direct experience with multiple 896HD's?
I need to stay with Firewire because I use a laptop occasionally. I don't record at high sample rates. Usually I'm at 24-bit/44.1K. I may go to 48K, but not likely to be higher than that. Here are my options as I see it:
1. Add another 896HD.
2. Add an 8-channel preamp that has ADAT outs which I could send to the ADAT ins on the 896HD. Maybe the Presonus Digimax96K? Focusrite OctoPre? Mackie Onyx 800R?
(Whatever I decide, I'll also be adding a Big Ben to keep things in sync.)
So, given my wish list, what do you think is the best way to go? Also, for people using Firewire, do you have any problems running 16 channels simultaneously? I know my computer can handle it, but I'm not sure about the Firewire bus. Anyone have any direct experience with multiple 896HD's?
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Re: Getting to 16 Ins
John Jeffers wrote: Also, for people using Firewire, do you have any problems running 16 channels simultaneously? I know my computer can handle it, but I'm not sure about the Firewire bus. Anyone have any direct experience with multiple 896HD's?
i run (2) metric halo MIOs for 16 inputs/outputs plus an additional 2.5 porta drive that has all my samples on it, all via FW, and have not had any probs. i would never put this much stuff on the FW buss if the devices were bus-powered but since i'm powering w AC it's no prob.
chances are, the limiting factor will be your drive speed/health and CPU limit. the FW bus is a bigger pipe than what most 2.5" drives can handle. i'd estimate that you could quadruple your FW activity and still not have probs on the FW bus if all else is healthy.
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I think you should go with another 8 ch mic pre like the presounous or the mackie. Mostly because I would like to hear those compared to the 896HD. I compared the 896's pres to the mackie pres in the 8 bus console (vlz?) and the mackies were way nicer, fuller lows. The motu's were bright and brittle.
Hey pscottm, what daw are you using with your metric halo converters??
Hey pscottm, what daw are you using with your metric halo converters??
"What a wonerful smell you've discovered"
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nothing's wrong with them. but, they'd certainly be considered "mid level"John Jeffers wrote:Joel, what's wrong with the 896's converters? Not trying to be confrontational, I would really like to know what I'm missing.
and, MOTU converters can definitely be improved with an apogee clock.
The Presonus, Focusrite and Mackie would all be a step down from your MOTU box.
They also all include mic preamps. It's not clear from your post whether you need the preamps or not.
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Sorry for not being clear. I don't need preamps as I have some good ones (UA 2108, Great River MP-2NV, Sytek MPX-4a), and right now I'm bypassing the preamps on the 896. Still, it's nice to have the option if I want to do some location recording with minimal equipment.
That's one reason I was considering a multi-channel pre w/ADAT, so I could at least have 8 decent pres in addition to the ones on the 896. But from what I'm hearing, all the options I'm considering are a step down from (or at least aren't better than) the pres in the 896.
That's one reason I was considering a multi-channel pre w/ADAT, so I could at least have 8 decent pres in addition to the ones on the 896. But from what I'm hearing, all the options I'm considering are a step down from (or at least aren't better than) the pres in the 896.
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