lightpipe = 8 channels = 8 tracks?

[jrsmith]

I want some sort of interface that will allow me to have 16 inputs all on seperate tracks... What I am looking at buying is one of the leading firewire based interfaces/control surfaces that also has a lightpipe input. From what I've read lightpipe adds 8 channels (for example if I used a digimax lt).. Does this mean 8 more tracks or just 8 more channels that would be a submix? I've looked all over and haven't found anything that answers my question..
Thanks,
Jack

 

[dcwave]

M-Audio 1814 = 8 analog in, 8 adat in, 2 spdif in - all descrete, hence the "18".
The 14 = 4 analog out, 8 adat out, 2 spdif all descrete.

Most interfaces with adat offer an additonal 8 descrete i/o.

 

[Track Rat]

ADAT is either 8 tracks at 24 bits up to 48kHz sampling rate or 4 tracks 24 bits at 96 kHz.

 

[jrsmith]

Ok...so how does this sound TASCAM FW1884 and Digimax LT for the other 8 Tracks?...

 

[crankz1]

Sounds good.

 

[bileshake]

I guess this would be a good place for my question. Would it be possible to use an adat 8tk machine as the interface to feed the lightpipe on your 1814? I know you can blow money on things like the m-audio octane but I think it would be a very cost effective start to use an adat till everything gets rolling.
I'm not highjacking your thread, this is just someting I've been pondering and I thought you might be interested too.

 

[Track Rat]

Yes, you can use use an ADAT along with a computer interface that accepts ADAT lightpipe. You'd still need seperate mic preamps as the ADAT would only give you line input to Lightpipe conversion (and Lightpipe to analog line level).

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

A 20-bit ADAT is about the cheapest way to do that, actually, provided you already have a mixer for the 8 pres you need.

Cool thing is that ADAT's still work as convertors when their transports and heads are screwed up. You can sometimes get a really cheap set of convertors that way. For the price you can't beat it.

-Chris

 

[booyah14]

Yea I have an 002 rack and am looking for an easy way to add more inputs. It doesn't seem like a ton of people do this though, not really sure the reason? Maybe it's more a live application to do this?

 

[jonnyc]

Yea I have an 002 rack and am looking for an easy way to add more inputs. It doesn't seem like a ton of people do this though, not really sure the reason? Maybe it's more a live application to do this?

Every person I know that has a 002r uses the adat. Great way to get 8 simaltaneous channels. I know people with behringer ada8000's, digimax lt's, m-audio octanes, I'm saving for the focusrite isa428. I'd say most people that use 8 plus inputs and are working with an interface that has adat uses one of the lightpipe 8 channel pre's.

 

[reshp1]

I would be one of those people. (M-Audio Octane)

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Yea I have an 002 rack and am looking for an easy way to add more inputs. It doesn't seem like a ton of people do this though, not really sure the reason? Maybe it's more a live application to do this?

Well, its more expensive to use all the i/o. If you don't need more than 4 pres and 4 line inputs why go to the extra expense of adding the 10 digital channels to your system?

It is very useful live or recording drums and anything else at the same time in any situation. Some folks also like to bypass Digi's pres and convertors with their own.

-Chris

 

[booyah14]

How do you like the octane? I have heard people that absolutely love it and say they will always use it then I have heard some people that say it's ok.

 

[reshp1]

How do you like the octane? I have heard people that absolutely love it and say they will always use it then I have heard some people that say it's ok.

I like it a lot. There is a definite smoothness compared to tracking through the 002R preamps and convertors. The HI-Z input is very nice too. Great bass sound going direct into it. The gain's a little on the weak side but for most mics/sources it's fine, and it's dead quiet even cranked all the way up, unlike some pre's that claim 70dB of gain, but you can't use the last 25% of the dial.