Expanding my analog inputs????

[itsme1234]

I am a little confused on how I can add inputs to my current audio interface. I dont really fully understand it but I think I can do this through my ADAT optical connectors. My questions are:

If I have a mixer with an adat optical connector and I connect it to my audio interface, when I record to my audio program will each track on my connected mixer be recorded to seperate tracks or are all te inputs on the mixer being recorded onto one track?

Is there any other way I can expand my inputs such as firewire?
If so what other ways and which is the best/more reliable way?

Can someone please help me understand this a little better. Thank you

 

[crankz1]

What interface do you currently have?
If it has ADAT optical (Lightpipe) .... then yes, that would be the easiest way to add 8 more channels of I/O.

 

[itsme1234]

I just bought Tascam FW-1082. Adat would be the best way to connect? Would the inputs remain on seperated tracks when recorded to the computer?
Thanks =)

 

[crankz1]

Yes they would.
If you enable the ADAT I/O in your interface's control panel .... you should see those additional I/O show up in your sequencer as selectable I/O (regardless of whether or not anything is physically connected to the ADAT ports).
I've never used a FW-1082 .... so I have no idea how it's drivers/control panel function.
HTH

-Ken

 

[itsme1234]

Very helpful...thank you crankz1! Can anyone recommend an 8 channel rack mount preamp with an ADAT optical I/O to expand my inputs? It can be in any price range? Anything suggestions would be helpful. Thanks =P

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

You can get an ADAT add on for the focusrite octopre giving you digital outs for each of the 8 channels or there's the behringer ADA800 on the cheaper end of the scale.

 

[crankz1]

This thread had a list started.