WTB: 16 channels ad/da

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tmix

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Hey guys and gals!

I am on the hunt for 16 channels of good ad/da.
It needs to adat optical as the digital (to/from computer) I/O.

I have been looking at Lucid , RME/ Nuendo, Apogee and others along that line. I can't afford a lot so I am looking used for about $1200 total max.
If that don't work... I'll just save more...

Anyone know of something let me know.
I had actually considered using an Alesis HD24xr as a front end, but the fan noise in the control room is a deal killer for me.

Thanks,
Tom
 
Do you really need the 16 channels of D/A part (are you console mixing or mixing in the box?)? Really evaluate your setup and decide, because it could really open up your options. The Presonus DigimaxFS (2 of them) is going to be the unit to fit your budget for 16 both ways.
 
yep

Yeah,
I've thought long and hard about mixing outside the box and don't want to right now. But I need to be able to track AND monitor 16 channels at once.
Since I am using a bunch of stand alone pres that only have a singular out and I don't have a way to split the outputs to run 1 into the a/d converters and copy into the monitor board, the easiest fix I know is to monitor off the d/a side.

If I was tracking through my console , I would only need the a/d converters.
Come to think of it, I track 8 channels though the console (drums) so I need 16 ins but only 8 outs.
 
Maybe you should still consider a digital 24 track recorder and just replace the fan's with better quieter ones.
 
Tom,

X is on to something here. That Topaz you have into a HD24 would be an awesome option... come to think of it, that's my setup. I still mix in the box most of the time, but being able to do 24 tracks on my board is also a nice option. I bet you could find one for your $1200 budget on the used market.
 
You don't know how much I have agonized over pulling the trigger on the HD24xr.

My problem is I track a LOT in the control room. Right now it is dead quiet in the room, if I have some fan making noise I am going to pull my (little bit) of hair out.
I dont want to have to put the HD24 in the equipment room and port 48 cables though the wall!
I can live with running (6) optical cables.
I guess that is why I was basically going for the same set up as what I have [ (3) delta 1010s + Lucid 9624 I/O] only taking a step up in quality. (at least as far as the Deltas go)
 
Tom,

I'd have to say that unless you're recording mouse farts or maybe ant burps, I don't think the HD24 would be noticable. I've done a fair amount of mandolin and acoustic guitar in my control room with zero problems with the HD24... now my squeeky chair is quite another story all together.

I'd say find someone who has one close to you (how far are you form Los Angeles?) and go take a look.

N
 
Nate,
You know, I really do need to just find someone local to the Dallas / Fort Worth area (sorry I'm not close to you) and see one for myself. I think going to the local music store probably won't tell me much because of how noisy it is in the store.

Other than that,I continue my quest for 16 channels of converters.
 
I'll be interested to see what you end up with. Though everytime I think about replacing my HD24XR with converters and going straight to my PC's hard drive, I'm told that for the cost of 16 converters that are comparable to the ones on the HD24, I'd be looking at spending more thn what the HD24 cost in the first place...

I'm really tempted to buy a used Firepod (around $300) just to see if I can really tell that big of a difference between it and the HD24...
 
Nate,
From my research The only converters that are as good or better around the range of the hd24xr would be some thing like a couple of rme / nuendo adi-8s ( used about $600-700 per 8 channels) or some lucid 8824s (if you can find them: about $800 - 900 per 8 channels ) then you get into the apogee ad-16 and da-16 where you will pay around $3000 for 16 channels of ad-da, or possible a lynx aurora 16 for about 3k!
You can go a little less in quality like a Creamware ultra ad16 for around $900 for 16 channels brand new, or buy all of my Delta1010s (3 of them!) for about $750! (just kidding... sort of)

Anyway you get the idea, sometimes converter upgrades are way over rated, because room conditions (acoustics) , mics, preamps, and mic placement improvements would make a lot more of an impact than converter upgrades.

With my new studio and the wonderful sounding (to me) rooms I have (as well as a nice modest mic / preamp selection) the converters may be my best upgrade or maybe even more important should be my monitors. Maybe I am not hearing the quality I really have due to my speakers (The original Alesis monitor ones passives).

Off for more.... thinking......(my brain hurts)
 
tmix said:
...sometimes converter upgrades are way over rated, because room conditions (acoustics) , mics, preamps, and mic placement improvements would make a lot more of an impact than converter upgrades.
Click to expand...

Very true. My bass traps were without a doubt the biggest improvement I've made in my recording since I upgraded from my first 4-track.

It's not as sexy to talk about rigid fiberglass as it is to talk about bit-depth and so forth, but I'd say that 90% of the "which XXX should I buy?" posts here should be redirected to the "do you have bass traps?" section. :)
 
tmix said:
Nate,
From my research The only converters that are as good or better around the range of the hd24xr would be some thing like a couple of rme / nuendo adi-8s ( used about $600-700 per 8 channels) or some lucid 8824s (if you can find them: about $800 - 900 per 8 channels )
Click to expand...

I'll tell ya - I have a Lucid ADA 8824 and I love them. Of course, you have to be content to work at 48khz or less, but they rock.

And I think $900 is a little low. I doubt I'd t sell them that cheap.
 
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