16 Channels of analog to Digital

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hotrodder

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ok, heres what I have...

I have a 16 channel analog mixing console that I want to take each channel and drop it on a windows based PC (AMD) all at the same time and have individual tracks for each of the 16 channels. But I don't want to brake the bank doing it. Used gear is fine.

Now I have been looking and have been told to Get (2) Alesis adat xt 20s and a MOTU 2408 mk2 and use that to bring the tracks into the PC. I have seen that MOTU interfaces don't play well with windows XP or AMD based systems. Is this true?

I also was thinking of using cubase because it seems like it plays well with allot of different interfaces. But you guys tell me what is the most bang for my buck. and what should I be looking at.

Thanks.
 
hotrodder said:
ok, heres what I have...

I have a 16 channel analog mixing console that I want to take each channel and drop it on a windows based PC (AMD) all at the same time and have individual tracks for each of the 16 channels. But I don't want to brake the bank doing it. Used gear is fine.

Now I have been looking and have been told to Get (2) Alesis adat xt 20s and a MOTU 2408 mk2 and use that to bring the tracks into the PC. I have seen that MOTU interfaces don't play well with windows XP or AMD based systems. Is this true?

I also was thinking of using cubase because it seems like it plays well with allot of different interfaces. But you guys tell me what is the most bang for my buck. and what should I be looking at.

Thanks.
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Why bother with the alesis? Check out m-audio delta 1010, or echo layla 3g. You could have two of either of those, or one 3g, with an 8 line to adat a/d converter.
 
Yea, don't bother with the old converters on DAT decks. You can buy two of the same interface and link them these days to get 16 line inputs. You could also look at the Behringer ADA8000 - I hear (from users, not experience), that they actually have decent converters, and since you would be running the output of each channel to the line inputs, not the mic pre's, you wouldn't have to worry about the shit pres that appear on everything Behringer.

Granted, then you get into the realm of quality control with behri products - it seems the ADA8000 is one of those rare items from that company that actually seem to hold up, but you might also want to look into some other interfaces that offer at the bare minimum, 8 mono line inputs.
 
yep, a pair of Delta 1010LTs would be under $300 if you look for them on the used market. You would need two PCI slots on your motherboard.

Behringer stuff scares me, but YMMV.
 
cusebassman said:
Yea, don't bother with the old converters on DAT decks. You can buy two of the same interface and link them these days to get 16 line inputs. You could also look at the Behringer ADA8000 - I hear (from users, not experience), that they actually have decent converters, and since you would be running the output of each channel to the line inputs, not the mic pre's, you wouldn't have to worry about the shit pres that appear on everything Behringer.

Granted, then you get into the realm of quality control with behri products - it seems the ADA8000 is one of those rare items from that company that actually seem to hold up, but you might also want to look into some other interfaces that offer at the bare minimum, 8 mono line inputs.
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Yeah, i was gonna suggest that, but decided against it, haha. But that'd be great with the 3g.
 
Hi_Flyer said:
yep, a pair of Delta 1010LTs would be under $300 if you look for them on the used market. You would need two PCI slots on your motherboard.

Behringer stuff scares me, but YMMV.
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I'd rather get the delta 1010, not the 1010 lt. To me it seems the better option...
 
Another option is to buy a single 8 channel interface, and do it in two passes, using synchronization. You didn't mention what was feeding the console, but if it's something that can either output a sync signal, or slave to one (MTC, SMPTE, etc), then you can record 8 channels at a time in 2 passes.
 
+ 1 to the Two Delta 1010LTs.

I have a 16 channel analog mixer, and do the exact same thing you are talking about. I have a 1010LT and a 1010. In hindsight I would just go with 2 1010LTs.

The 1010's cost 200 bucks more, and comparing both, I can't hear any difference at all. Yea, the 1010s are rackmountable and have balanced jacks. Not worth 200 bucks, IMO...

With a 1010LT, you just need an 8 channel RCA-1/4" snake for each 1010LT's inputs and you are there.
 
What kind of latency can I expect from the Delta 1010 or the 1010LT. Also if I go with two Delta 1010's do I still need to install two PCI cards? or can I daisy chain them.
 
pandamonk said:
I'd rather get the delta 1010, not the 1010 lt. To me it seems the better option...
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hmm... well at the price point of the 1010, I would just get a FW interface.

as far as latency on the 1010, I don't imagine it would be a problem. I don't have a 1010, but I have an M-Audio Delta 44, and the drivers are solid down to 64 samples. However I would imagine the stability of your system at such a low buffer size would depend on how powerful your PC is, no?

If you monitor through your front end mixer, why would latency be a problem? That's what I do, and latency is just never a concern.
 
what Firewire interface would you get? Im just looking at what options I have to me ...
 
Two delta 1010LTs (16 input channels of pretty clean audio) will run you $400-450 new, and it is every bit as good sound quality-wise as the firepod. With the firepod you are paying extra for preamps, which you already have in your board.
 
amra said:
Two delta 1010LTs (16 input channels of pretty clean audio) will run you $400-450 new, and it is every bit as good sound quality-wise as the firepod. With the firepod you are paying extra for preamps, which you already have in your board.
Click to expand...

I'm with you Amra.....I'd go this way, considering this post.:)
Superspit
 
amra said:
Two delta 1010LTs (16 input channels of pretty clean audio) will run you $400-450 new, and it is every bit as good sound quality-wise as the firepod. With the firepod you are paying extra for preamps, which you already have in your board.
Click to expand...

That's true but the deltas are not firewire
 
Bulls Hit said:
That's true but the deltas are not firewire
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I didn't see Firewire as a requirement...
+1 to the Delta 1010/LT, they've gone so far down in price and are great pieces of equipment. Never had a problem with either of mine.
 
You don't say what kind of console. You might consider a pair of MOTU 8Pre interfaces. You can cascade them pretty easily with ADAT, then you can use the console or not at your option.
 
It Does NOT NEED to be firewire I was just asking the general question, if it would be the better way to go.
 
Way I see it, Firewire's great if you want some kind of portability. If you don't, PCI will do.
 
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