How do you go from adat to PC based recording with existing gear?

[enemyofthesun]

I wasnt sure where this thread should go so I put it here.

I curently own 3 adats and various fx units comps etc.....I also recently purchsed a RME Hammerfall card that supports 24 optical channels and I would to start recording to a pc BUT how can I do this and still use my board (with real faders) and the outboard gear I currently have.. I can get by with out the outboard fx but I really really cant see not using a true mixing board for mixdown.

My thoughts were to of course keep using all the preamps I have. Route them to a converter like a MOTU or something like it that in turn goes to the optical ins on the card.

After editing, tracking, etc. route back out the card through the motu and back to a real board for mixdown.

Is this the best way to do this?

 

[Track Rat]

That's pretty much what I'm doing. I have the ADATs and get them in and out of the computer with a MOTU 2408 mkII. With this setup I can either track to the ADATs or directly to the PC and when mixing if I want, I can send individual tracks or groups back to the console via the analog outputs or use tha ADATs as DA converters. With a hybrid system like this you can mix in the PC or on the console or a mixture of both.

 

[enemyofthesun]

on playback are you able to route from your pc through the adats back to the board? Reason Im asking is id like to sometimes use plug-in fx on certain tracks but at the same time be able to use fx from the boards sends on others. If so this sounds like a great setup.

 

[Track Rat]

Absolutly.In the computer (specificly what ever recording softwatre you're using) you assign a track to any ADAT channel and that's where it comes back. That's another point, if you have a PC then you'll have to buy a third party recording software. If you have a MACK, you can use software that comes with the MOTU (Digital Performer). Either platform rocks.

 

[enemyofthesun]

that sounds great. thanks for the help