Advice needed: upgrade from 8 to 16 channel computer recording

[Giganova]

hi --

I am currently working with the Roland VM3100Pro audio interface, which features nice 24bit effects, etc. Since I have outgrown the 8 channel in/out coz I have a lot of outboard gear, I needed to upgrade to 16 channel computer recording. Here are my options:

1) I could get another Roland VM3100Pro + RPC soundcard to get 16 simultaneous in/outs to my computer (running Logic 5.5). The VM3100Pro, however, only supports 44.1 kHz and I'm not sure if I should upgrade to a full-blown 96kHz system [will labels laugh at me if I submit 44.1kHz/24bit demos??]. Getting another VM3100Pro, on the other hand, would be the most cost-effective solution (<$700), and even if one breaks I could still produce while the other one is getting repaired.

2) 16 channel (digital?) mixer plus audio interface (such as the MOTU 2408 mkiii plus 24i/o). Here's my question: If I get a 16 channel mixer, I needed to have 16 output channel, right? Most mixers I have seen only have ONE stereo out. How does that work??

Thanxxx for your advice!

 

[jake-owa]

I have the Roland VM3100 as well and I like it. I don't think the 16 bit thing is a real problem but you might want to upgrade anyway. I don't know what mixers you have seen but most larger mixers offer direct outs, buss outs and/or aux outs in addition to stereo outputs.

 

[pipelineaudio]

if you ahve a TDIF campatiable format , it would be very to beat the SOundscape Mixtreme card for 16 channels of recording.

 

[Giganova]

hi jake-owa,

I agree that the VM3100Pro is a great piece of gear! The only thing that bothers me (apart from the 8 ins/out) is the fact that it only supports 44.1 kHz, while it said 96kHz in big letters on the box when I bought it (and supports up to 24bit; the VM3100 supports only 16, as you said).

I had a look at the Behringer UB 1832 Fx mixer, for instance, which has 18 ins, but only one stereo out, so I was wondering.

 

[Giganova]

good idea, pipelineaudio! I'll have a look at it.