Another wild Pro Tools question

[peritus]

Digi 002r has 18 inputs:

4 pre's/lines

4 lines

8 adat

2 spdif



ProjectMix has (I will only list what applies to this question):

8 pre's

8 adat out

HUI control surface compatibility


So, here's the question:

8 mic's (TO) 8 ProjectMix pre's (TO) 8 ProjectMix adat out's (TO) 8 Digi 002r adat in's ?

Which would feed PT LE:

4 Digi 002r mic preamps / lines

4 Digi 002r lines (on which we would probably get a Focusrite ISA 428)

2 Digi 002r spidf (on which we have 2 samson c-valves, running stereo linked spdif)

8 Project Mix mic preamps / lines


In addition to the above, could I then use the ProjectMix as only a control surface?

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Rather than ask why I want to do such a thing... Please just let me know if it would work...

 

[bennychico11]

no, first off with Pro Tools LE you can only use one interface at a time. Now another software program...it might work to use multiple interfaces like that.

However, AFAIK, the Project Mix won't mirror it's inputs directly to the ADAT outs (I'm not familiar with any interface that does). In other words, the correct signal path for the Project Mix would be 8 mics-->8 pres-->COMPUTER via firewire-->software program--> (assigned channel outputs) -->ADAT outputs.
You need a program (Nuendo, Pro Tools, etc.) to route the signal back to the outputs...it doesn't go directly from input to output. The ADAT outs are looking to the computer for audio, not the analog inputs.

You're only going to get 18 inputs into LE at one time.

 

[peritus]

Understood... but...

The 18 input wasn't questioned....

Thanks for the quick reply..



Any thoughts on a HD-someday setup.... one as follows:

digi 002r (4 analog pre's)

command 8

focusrite isa 428 (4 analog mic pre's to digi 002r's 4 lines)

presonus digimaxFS to digi002r adat in (8 mic pre's)

2 samson c-valves chained (one spdif cable to digi 002r's spidf in)

 

[RAK]

Maybe I missed something, but why can't you just go
ProjectMix Mic Pres -> ProjectMix ADAT OUT -> 002 ADAT IN
and then select the 002 ADAT INs in ProTools?

 

[bennychico11]

Any thoughts on a HD-someday setup.... one as follows:

digi 002r (4 analog pre's)

command 8

focusrite isa 428 (4 analog mic pre's to digi 002r's 4 lines)

presonus digimaxFS to digi002r adat in (8 mic pre's)

2 samson c-valves chained (one spdif cable to digi 002r's spidf in)

yeah, all that should work fine together.

Maybe I missed something, but why can't you just go
ProjectMix Mic Pres -> ProjectMix ADAT OUT -> 002 ADAT IN
and then select the 002 ADAT INs in ProTools?

that's what I'm saying...it won't work
The ADAT outputs have to be assigned in the computer. The analog inputs don't just automatically convert to digital and go out the digital outputs. You need something in between to route it back out (ie. Pro Tools). Similarly, analog inputs 1-4 don't just route back out the analog outputs 1-4.
The ProjectMix is not a mixer....it's a control surface and audio interface.

 

[RAK]

yeah, all that should work fine together.



that's what I'm saying...it won't work
The ADAT outputs have to be assigned in the computer. The analog inputs don't just automatically convert to digital and go out the digital outputs. You need something in between to route it back out (ie. Pro Tools). Similarly, analog inputs 1-4 don't just route back out the analog outputs 1-4.
The ProjectMix is not a mixer....it's a control surface and audio interface.

Oh, I getcha. I'm not familiar with a ProjectMix. I just assumed you could route it seperately. I'm surprised it doesn't have it's own software control. I'm use to the MOTU 828mkII with the CueMix console which has internal routing outside of any software you are using (can also be software controlled, but with it's own software).

There's also the Behringer ADA8000 which routes its Analog Inputs directly to the ADAT Output

 

[peritus]

Don't suppose it would make much sense to use a Digidesign PRE with the Digi 002r?... Since you'd be "bypassing" the main 4 digi pre's.... Unless, of course, you had some kinda converter for the adat... Are any of the digidesign HD pieces able to be used as a standalone analog to adat?

The whole point is to be able to purchase and utilize as much of a basic hd system as possible... Without actually making the jump and buying the core/accel cards... That will have to wait until the money is there...

 

[RAK]

Don't suppose it would make much sense to use a Digidesign PRE with the Digi 002r?... Since you'd be "bypassing" the main 4 digi pre's.... Unless, of course, you had some kinda converter for the adat... Are any of the digidesign HD pieces able to be used as a standalone analog to adat?

The whole point is to be able to purchase and utilize as much of a basic hd system as possible... Without actually making the jump and buying the core/accel cards... That will have to wait until the money is there...

Why not just look into an 8 channel A/D converter like the Behringer ADA8000 or one of the higher end boxes like the Focusrite Octopre, for example, that are 8 analog Ins to ADAT Out? You can just add that on directly to the 002.

 

[peritus]

Why not just look into an 8 channel A/D converter like the Behringer ADA8000 or one of the higher end boxes like the Focusrite Octopre, for example, that are 8 analog Ins to ADAT Out? You can just add that on directly to the 002.

Quality, planning, and compatibility... Okay... So how bout Apogee, RME or Benchmark

 

[bennychico11]

Don't suppose it would make much sense to use a Digidesign PRE with the Digi 002r?... Since you'd be "bypassing" the main 4 digi pre's.... Unless, of course, you had some kinda converter for the adat... Are any of the digidesign HD pieces able to be used as a standalone analog to adat?

The whole point is to be able to purchase and utilize as much of a basic hd system as possible... Without actually making the jump and buying the core/accel cards... That will have to wait until the money is there...

You can use the Digi Pre if you wanted to...but there are other units out there that would be just as good or better. First off, no there's no digital outputs on the Digi Pre. Also, you still go through the same amplifiers the mic pres go into in channels 1-4...whether you have it set to mic or line.
That, and the Pre has DB25 analog outputs on it.

There are no standalone interfaces by Digi that convert analog to digital for standalone use. The 002 is the only interface that acts as a standalone mixer...but I don't think you can route to any of the digital outputs. All Digi interfaces send their digital signal out via firewire, USB or PCI(e)

Avoid thinking HD until you have the money to do so. Just stick with the 002 and add preamps (analog and analog->digital) as needed. You can get some great converters that will work with the 002 and be compatible with HD later.

 

[RAK]

Quality, planning, and compatibility... Okay... So how bout Apogee, RME or Benchmark

Never used any of those directly. I have the ADA8000, but obviously that's bottom of the barrell (but a great way to get what you need for dirt cheap). I have used the Focusrite OctoPre, and really anything from Focusrite is good in my opinion. I believe they made the mic pres in the original MBox. Apogee has a great repuation and I'm sure you can't go wrong with them as well. Not as familiar with RME or Benchmark, but I'm sure other people around here are.