Interface(s) necessary to simultaneously record 24-ish tracks?

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24tracks

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Let's assume I can get my DAW and other such stuff worked out and compatible.

I feel like I'm overlooking something, so I'll do my best to describe this, and you can tell me if I'm being too ambiguous or something:

I'd like to be able to record 23 or 24 input tracks at once, all of which are coming from XLR/mics.

I see lots of interfaces that claim lots of audio inputs, but when you get down to it, there's usually no more than 4 mic inputs (even Apogee).

Is it unheard of to record that many at once? Is that why there are so few interfaces with many mic inputs? Is that running up against some hardware/processing power limitation that I'm not aware of?

If it helps your brain, you can assume I'm using a decked out Mac, with Logic Studio or some such.

If I'm not crazy, which interface(s) should I look at to get on my way to recording so many XLRs at once? I've heard the Apogee stuff is tops, and quality *is* a concern.
 
You'll find many interfaces with 8 mic preamps built in. Daisy-chain three of them via ADAT (or firewire, though I'd suggest the former would be better) and you've got your 24 tracks.

There are also loads of 8 channel preamps w/ built-in AD converters that can be used to expand over ADAT.

Alternatively you could get some interfaces / converters without any preamps (Motu make the 24i/o, or there are some good 8 channel offerings), again chain them using ADAT, then hook them up to outboard preamps or a mixer.
 
I'd look into the MOTU stuff, something like the 2408 or 24I/O. You'll need a mixer or something for mic pres. I have a 2408, and haven't had any issues with it. Pricey, but nice...
 
Thanks so much for the quick answers!

But I see that my question was probably naive.

I'm assuming that I can plug my mics into an interface, and start recording into my software.

How do I know when I should be using a mic pre-amp rather than going directly into the interface?

Are there any specific resources I could check out, that explain the chain of equipment from instrument/mic to software, if indeed more is required?
 
In any situation, you'll have the following basic chain to get from a mic to the computer...

MIC -> preamp -> AD converter -> something to 'interface' the digital signal with computer -> COMPUTER


A interface will generally include all three of these elements... the preamps, the converters (including DA converters for outputs) and a means of interfacing these converters with the computer over USB or firewire.

MIC -> [interface] -> COMPUTER

But you can also split this chain out in any number of combinations and variations.

You could have external mic preamps running into seperate converters which then run into the digital inputs of a good soundcard (i.e. one of the RME offerings).

Instead of the soundcard you could have something like the M-audio Profire Lightbrdge, which interfaces 3 banks of ADAT i/o (24 channels in total) over firewire.

You could do the same thing but have the preamps and converters combined into one unit, such as the Presonus Digimax FS.

Or you could have a combination of several different things. Maybe a Motu 896mk3 (a very good 8 input firewire interface) with two Motu 8Pre units attached via ADAT.
 
microphones require something called a 'pre-amp' prior to the A/D converter (interface). A number of converters include some type of mic pre-amp typically ranging in number from 2 to eight.

There are different approaches and issues with achieving recording with 24 simultaneous mics but while it requires some cash outlay it is not particularly difficult.

For live shows when I base recording on PC (as opposed to dedicated HD recorder) I typically use ADAT to diasy chain and while 18 tracks is common, for live shows I try to minimize track count but have successfully recorded up to 36 tracks.

But as initial answers suggest there are a lot of options, lot's of different brands, and gear. What will work best for you is dependent, to an extent, on gear you already have and what the specific goals are

the easiest plug and play is dedicated Hard disk recorder patched from a 24+ channel mixer.
 
Guys, thanks so much for the information!

I know that I definitely want to do the mixing/recording via software like Logic or similar, tho' I'm just starting to pick out the gear, and so just trying to figure out my options.

I have more questions about daisy chaining via ADAT, but I suppose that's a question I can pose separately, or directly to a vendor.

Thanks again!
 
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