alesis hd 24 interested buyer

[jb42371]

I'm interested, but have little info. i'm gonna do single track at a time recording. i don't plan on using a computer for much recording at the moment.

1) can i just use the hd 24 and a mixer to record?

2) do i need 2 different mixers for playback/record?

3) digital or analog mixer?

4) do i need a 24 mixing board? or can i use a smaller board?

5) what gear is essential to make the most out of this unit?

6) can i just mix down to a cd-burner, or is this a foolish attempt?

any help please, i know i'm a bit lost here, thx.

[deepwater]

Originally Posted by jb42371

I'm interested, but have little info. i'm gonna do single track at a time recording. i don't plan on using a computer for much recording at the moment.

1) can i just use the hd 24 and a mixer to record?

2) do i need 2 different mixers for playback/record?

3) digital or analog mixer?

4) do i need a 24 mixing board? or can i use a smaller board?

5) what gear is essential to make the most out of this unit?

6) can i just mix down to a cd-burner, or is this a foolish attempt?

any help please, i know i'm a bit lost here, thx.

Here are the answer to your questions -

1)Yes, however you will need effects and compressors, etc..

2)No, You can use the same mixer if has enough ins and outs.

3) Digital.. I use a DDX3216 with the ADAT cards. This works great and you have all the ins and outs you need. Plus you have one board compression and effects for each channel

4) You need a least 24 in and out.

5) A digital mixer like the DDX3216, I few nice pres and Fireport to dump the into a DAW for editing/mixing. I use a Soundcraft M8 for tracking which give me 8 very nic pres and I mix on my DDX3216 and DAW

6) You need to mix trought a mixer adding effects, eq, and compression then to CD.

You can get some thing like the Soundcraft M8 and track 8 tracks at a time which is about all you will need to do. Then use the Alesis Fireport and dump everything into a DAW for mixing and editing.

[jb42371]

thanks for the info!

do you have the alesis HD24XR? i've read that is the way to go. i like the affordable DDX3216, but what about this comment, "The only thing I can think of that I would change with this unit is a future version with 96K or higher sampling frequencies. This mixer sounds incredibly good now, but I can't imagine what it would sound like with a higher sampling rate."

i guess other mixers are a bit much for a 24 size mixer, i don't even know if they have the higher sampling rate?

all i know personally, is that i want to slowly build up a more serious home studio, w/o much computer involvement, although i might change my mind, but for now.......

i can't resist getting the HD24XR orver a regular HD24 with what i've read.

alesis HD24 is the best i've read, is there any other brand that matches it?

thx for your help, or anybody else that has an opinion, thx.

[deepwater]

I bought my HD24 before the XDR version came out. Remember when you burn to CD you will only have 44k so the fact that the DDX3216 is only 44k is no problem. The DDX3216 is a great board to use with the HD24. You have automation and you can start, stop. amd record from the DDX3216. Another nice tool to get in the future is an Alesis BRC which will allow you to remotly arm each track. Like I said just get you a nice pre or something like the Soundcraft M8. The Beheinger pres are usable but not the best in the world. The m-audio DMP3 is a good clean pre and the Joemeek 3Q is nice.

[jb42371]

ok, thx for more info, you are a great help!

so what if i decide to record tracks at home and then take them to a real studio for post production? should i get the XR? or is the regular HD24 good enough. I want to do my best recording possible, but you have more experience than i at the moment, so i'm gonna keep asking away, untill i know what the heck to do. thx for your help bro!

[chris-from-ky]

Hey jb,'
I too have a ddx/hd24 setup. The hd24 (if I am right about this) is 96k capable if you only use 12 of the 24 tracks. The XR is 96k capable on all 24. Don't quote me on that.

Next, If I had it to do all over again, i'd get something like a behringer mx2442 and with the extra cash, I'd buy the best preamp I could afford and the best mic I could afford. You said you'd only be recording 1 track at a time. Get one great signal chain and it won't matter a great deal when it's time to mix down.

Nuemann U87 microphone 2750.00
API 7600 channel strip 2750.00
HD24 recorder 1499.00
behringer MX2442 599.00
total: $7598.00

Do yourself a huge favor and fork out the dough on the most important pieces first. You won't look back like me...

Good luck to you,
Chris

[vwodwo22]

I also have the hd24/ddx3216 setup and i love it. One thing to consider is that the HD24 (to my understanding) regardless of the EC upgrade, can only record a maximum of 12 channels at 88.2/96 khz. If you have a digital mixer (with the optical outputs, the adt1616's in my case) you are able to record 12 channels at 96khz straight out of the box. If you go with an analog mixer, you will need the EC upgrade for the hd24 in order to do this. So to cut to the chase, you will only be able to record 12 channels @ 88.2/96 per hd24. You could get the EC upgrade if you want it, or, buy a digital mixer and possibly save you some money. Any any case. Good luck finding what you want.

Most of the information that i got for this article was on the HD24 FAQ, question numbers 52, 53, 54 .
http://www.alesis.com/products/hd24/...HD24%20FAQ.pdf

[jb42371]

thx for the help, my confidence on this is growing as i research!

i'm going to be doing mainly direct recording like electronic type sound, will this machine still be a desired piece of equipment for this type of recording??????

also being mostly direct, what mixer for this type of recording? i'm guessing obviously digital, but maybe an analog mixer would be good too?

anybody know or have experience with this, thx!

[vwodwo22]

Personally, like i mentioned earlier, i went for the behringer ddx3216 digital mixer. I actually bought it a month ago after alot of research. I thought it was best for the price. I bought it for recording both eletronic stuff and bands/instruments, as well as running live sound. Oh yeah, it has crazy routing posibilites. Up to 32 Direct outs (without effects), 32 channels outs (can upgrade to 32 analog if needed) 16 bus outs (with effects). When using in conjunction with the hd24 i use channels 1 - 16 for lines in/mics/, and channel 17-32 for listening. Oh yeah, alps faders. I was weary when i first bought it, but, i am more than extremely pleased. Platinum-records.com has some for $1000. i got mine on ebay for 800. Some people really like to rip on behringer stuff, but i have never had a problem with any of their products Alot of people like the yamaha 1v96 but i have never messed with them and cant say for sure (tend to be more pricy). Alot of people swear by mackie mixers but i am not a fan of theirs myself. I was initially going to get an analog mixer (behringer mx3242x) but after i read up on digital mixers they just seamed so much more practical for me by price and performance.
I would recommend going to several sights like behringer.com, mackie.com, zzsounds.com, musiciansfriend.com and downloading manuals to the mixers you are considering. First decide what you are wanting to use the mixer for(present and future). Second, read the manuals and compare prices. Also see how well other eqipment you have will connect and work with the mixers. One of the main reasons i got the ddx3216 was because it hooks up so easy to the hd24. 15 minutes and i was ready to go ( Im still working on syncing the clocks).
Oh yeah, and if you have any questions about what stuff is or what is better, feel free to ask. I am sure somebody will know the answer. I have had alot of questions answered here.
Cool Deal......happy hunting
Brad
PS. the hd24 is good for recording just about everything imaginable!

[wilkee]

Another thumbs up for the DDX3216. I have been using mine now for 18 months with the HD24 and not one problem with either. I use mine mostly for live recording so both get lugged around a lot in flight cases,so far so good.

[ProducerBigC]

The Hd24 is great. I use mine with a Yamaha o2r and I have nothing but good experiences with my system. This system and a decent computer when you might need to do extensive editing is as good as anything out there.

[jb42371]

anybody have any music samples or songs that they did with the HD24 and whatever set up you have on the net?

[Blue Bear Sound]

There's a number of clips at my studio website...... http://www.bluebearsound.com

All were done with the HD24..........