I want a HD24 for XMAS! is that so wrong?

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bileshake

bileshake

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I used a IZ Radar24 machine (WOW) in a studio that was tracking my music. I am now inspired to build my home studio towards a stable dedicated machine. I'm interested in the HD24 for value. I'm not interested in midi, Virtual instruments or VST plugins.
I want a machine to record 24 tracks of good quality audio without being interupted by the usual computer ailings. I only need probably 12 to 14 tracks at a time, but that's still way more than all these cheesy little desktop machines can handle. ;p
I'm not planning on spending a fortune since I still need a board and some monitors. but this machine seems to be what I need?

Is there any major complaints? I like what mackie was doin with the VGA out, but there'squite a price difference.
 
I LOVE mine. I use it with a MOTU 2408 mkII so I can edit in the computer. VERY powerful setup.
 
Track - does that give you any more features vs. just transferring via Firewire? How does having the MOTU in addition to the HD24 benefit your system?
 
hey, if you dont want to spend that much $$, chech out an old adat. Its like a baby hd24, but uses tape.
 
Old tape adats....wouldnt recommend them in any scenario...
 
Scinx said:
Track - does that give you any more features vs. just transferring via Firewire? How does having the MOTU in addition to the HD24 benefit your system?
Click to expand...
i am curious about this too
 
Adding a Motu allows you to actually record your tracks straight into your DAW as you are recording, rather than dumping later. If you set it up on the input side, you can change which track you are recording to on the HD24 without changing channels or cables. With the Motu, you can also setup some inouts as aux sends thorugh the MOTU and HD24 for analog style mixing as well. I use an HD recorder in conjunction with an RME 9652. I find it FAR superior to just the HD recorder (which in and of itself is really cool as well).
 
When I'm tracking a band, I track to the HD24 just like one normally would. Punch ins and all that stuff are fast and intuitive and it's VERY stable. I've never had to "fight it" during a session like the little mind fucks one incounters tracking to computer based systems. When all tracking is done I transfer all tracks into the computer in real time through the MOTU via Lightpipe. I've used FTP transfers but believe it or not, I prefere the real time transfer so I can listen to it and take notes on any issues that need "tweaking". Basicly it's being re-recorded to Cakewalk9 (call me a Luddite, I bought it years ago, it does exactly what I want it to so I've never saw the need to upgraded it) for editing purposes. Once it's in the computer I can edit my little hearts desire and when it comes time to mix, I use the MOTU/HD24 as a 24 track sound card and mix through my analog console. I absolutely LOVE this as I can use hardware compressors, processors and reverbs along side their DirectX plugin counterparts in real time with a certain amount of automation (volume changes/ducking, pans and mutes of channels) and get the bennifit of analog summing over the not so good digtal summing. To my ears, it just sounds better. I should also mention the HD24 and the MOTU are both clocked externally with a Lucid GenX6 which makes the whole rig sound better in my not so humble opinion. I think this hybrid system operates better than either would alone.
 

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The clocking certainly will help the sound quality. There is nothing wrong with what you are doing. As long as it works for you. If I was still using a program like Cakewalk 9, I might still use the same technique you are. However, I am using Nuendo 2 and I absolutely love it. Once I really learned the program I had no troubles with "little quirks". The other resaon it ould be more difficult for me to do it the way you have been doing it is that I constantly go over 24 tracks. By mixdown I can generally condense to 24 tracks for analog summing through my console, but I am seriously considering adding another HD and soundcard to get 48 tracks. It's just the way I prefer to do things. Not that the way you have been doing it is wrong in the least.
 
Track Rat said:
When all tracking is done I transfer all tracks into the computer in real time through the MOTU via Lightpipe
Click to expand...
If you have 18 tracks recorded onto the HD24, do you choose 8 to send via the lightpipe, then send another 8, then send the remaining two? If Im not mistaken, you can transfer 8 channels via the lightpipe to the MOTU, correct?

Second, when you mix analog, are you using the D/A converters on the card or the HD24? How exactly are you going from the computer back to the board? And do you record the final mix down on the HD24

Your solution may be exactly what I am looking for...this is a great thread! I think you are doing exactly what Ive wanted to do.
 
There are three banks of ADAT I/O (3 Lightpipe ins and 3 Lightpipe outs)connectivity between the MOTU 2408 and the HD24. So it's in essence a 24 channel 24 bit 48k soundcard when used with CAkewalk, or any softaware for that matter. As far as final mix, I'm playing back from Cakewalk 24 tracks (or more with bussing) back through the MOTU which assigns software tracks via Lightpipe back to the HD24 which is now functioning as a 24 channel D/A converter to 24 channels of my analog console. I have the Left/Right mains patched to MOTU Analog inputs and mix to a new track in Cakewalk. It works like a champ. The only thing I'd like to change is to add a second computer with a high zoot 96k stereo Gozinta/Gozouta for mix down but for now what I have works well enough for rock & roll.
 
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