2408 or Alesis 24HD or...

[Jack Hammer]

I have been using a single MOTU 2408 with and anaologue 24 tack board. This provides 8 simultaneous anaolgue ins and outs that I can use. If I want more tracks, I would need to expand the 2408. I can get two more 2408 expander modules for about $1,300.00 and I would then have my 24 tracks.Or, I could simply get something like the Alesis HD24 and there would be my 24 tracks. I suppose the big difference would be that in Digital Performer, I would still only have 8 tracks at a time if I got he Alesis. I would have to record to the HD24 and then mix to Digital Performer and then mix down to whatever from Digital Performer.

Does anyone have an opinion on this. Would I be better off with 24 tracks of audio on Digital Performer. After all, with DP, I have as many midi tracks as I could want which, when linked up with the Alesis, would be quite a powerful system.

If you can think of other pros and cons, please share them with me.

 

[Track Rat]

Hi Jack
You might be a little confused on the MOTU stuff. If you're just looking for analog ins and outs for a computer, the 2408 wouldn't be what I would have in mind. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a kickass unit (I have one) but its strong point besides 8 analog ins and outs is the 24 ADAT channels in and out, 24 TDIF (Tascam) channels in and out, plus the S/PDIF in and out. That's why I have one, to get my ADATs in and out of the computer and also 8 more gozintas and gozoutas. A 2408mkII coupled with the Alesis HD24 is my next stop. 24 tracks that can be tranfered in and out of the computer. If you want just a multi channel A/D/A conversion for a DAW, the MOTU 1296 might be what you had in mind. Twelve analog ins and outs and with the single PCI card, you could add two additional units giving you 36 tracks.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Thanks Track Rat

No, actually I was not confused though the thread may not have read exactly as I wanted. That was exactly my question, though I was aware of the other ins and outs of the digital type on the 2408 from which I could get 24 tracks without any additional units, I was unsure if, in the end, I was not just better off with the expander 2408s for the additional analogue ins and outs. I could then, down the road, have up to 72 tracks of digital ins and outs for extensive diital tracking when and if the system expands to that level. I thought this to be somewhat of a reasonable way to look at things becuase adding the HD24 is, or seems, redundant. There would be 24 tracks available on the HD24 and 24 on the 2408 but would I have 24 analogue ins and outs. If I do, however, get the HD24, I assume I will be able to access 24 ins and outs via the HD24 through the 2408. That then would obviously be the most efficient solution. But, again, here is a question that I have thought about. If one does have 24 racks of stand alone hard disc recording, the computer would not necessarily be used for recording audio tracks. In such a set up, how would one go about tracking. I think if we explored tracking options, it would solidify for me what the set-up should be and why. Frankly, having read your first thread back, I am certainly interested in the 24 track Alesis recorder.

So...tracking options, what would they be and why would you select one method over another?

 

[Track Rat]

The combination of having the stability and intuitive recording platform of the HD24 coupled with the editing capabilities of the computer is awsome. What has worked best for me is tracking to ADATs, moving it into the computer to "tweak" things and then transfer it all back to the ADATs to mix thru my analog desk to two track. Replacing the ADATs with the HD24 will remove tape from the equasion but still keeps me in the zone I've been working in. This REALLY works for me. YMMV.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Convinced

Yeah, tis makes great sense. I am running Digital Performer through a Mac G4 and one 2408. This all runs through a Mackie 24-8. Even with a somewhat fast mac 733 mhz (but only 256 RAM) as the track count and plug in use increase, I start to get freezes and such. It would make great sense to use the DP as a midi sequencer, the plug ins on any tracks I want to use plug ins for when I move them to DP through the 2408 and, I will have 24 vailable tracks for tracking on the Alesis. Eventually, I suppose I could still add another 2408 or two and have many tracking and tweaking options, and, yes I will upgrade with some more RAM as well. Actually, I wouldn't need any other 2408s if the digital ins and outs were available on the one I have.

I just did a project on a new composition yesterday. Though I really have more than 8 tracks, for all intents and purposes, the system works cmfortable with 8 tracks. After that I have to bundle tracks together which causes a slight reduction in control and, at times I get some feedback loops that are undesirable though these are usually from inattentiveness,

I am now excited about the possibility of the HD24 so, I will have to pay down my credit cards and put that sucker up on one of them. I am definitely going to go for it.

BTW, the Alesis of Mackie since they both make a 24 track hard disc recorder for about 2k. What do you think?

 

[Jack Hammer]

BTW curious

By the way, what do you use for mixing down to two track. At this point, I have a HHB CD burner that I could use for this purpose, however, I am convinced that this is not the best for mix down purposes. I believe this is becuase of the dithering though I am not completely sure if this is correct or if it is even a factor.

 

[Track Rat]

For the longest time, I mixed down to a Sony DAT. Lately, Ive been mixing back to my computer at 24 bit/ 44.1KHz but I have another old computer laying around the house that I'm contemplating putting a 24/96 card into for mixing down to.
As far as Mackie vs Alesis, it's a judgement call. For me, it's a no brainer. I have a BRC that will plug right into to HD24 and of course the MOTU is ready to go as well.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Yes but

I too have another computer, an old one that could be called into seervice. But...even if i use a set up as you describe, won't I eventually have to dither to 16 bit for CD burning?

 

[Track Rat]

Yes, you'll have to re-sample to 44.1 and dither to 16 bits, but while the two track is at the higher resolution, if you choose to do any tweaking such as EQing or compression with software, it'll do a much better job of it. When you have your two track "mastered", then you re-sample/dither down to 16/44.1 to burn youself a CD.