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BenFranske · 6th December 2009

I'm looking for some suggestions for new multitrack recording equipment. This is complicated by the fact that I do a few events each year where I need to sync to video (on the plus side I control the video equipment as well so at least there are no fights about who's in charge!)

I've looked at a lot of options in the past few months and haven't found a real stand-out winner yet so I'm looking here for experience with this. A few general considerations:

Depending on the event mixdown might be in Pro Tools HD and it might be in Reaper, or even Ardour. The ability to get the file into any of these is a must, my preference is the device record in BWF.
I already have the ability to lock my word clock to house sync
I would like the ability to do either analog or digital inputs, but this isn't a deal breaker (more a convenience). If it's one or the other I would prefer the inputs be digital.
I would prefer audio chase video (LTC) but as I also control video I could reverse this if it simplified things
I need up to 48 channels for some events, this could grow in the future but 48 is a good target
Either computer based or stand-alone (assuming stable drivers on the computer based models, I've had some bad experience with some of these but like the flexibility)
It would be nice if the system could be purchased in pieces (see below) e.g. a 24 channel system working first and then expanding to 48 later on
Cost is always a consideration, but I'm interested in hearing whatever suggestions you have. If I can have a workable 24 channel system (or less) first and grow it that would be an ideal way to be cost aware but not cornered.

Some of the units I've looked at:

Alesis HD24 - The problems here are 1) the system is a little long in the tooth as far as design advances go 2) getting LTC into this is an advanture 3) no BWF support and no other good way to get timecode out on the recorded files that I can see

M-Audio ProFire Lightbridge - Only 36 inputs and cannot support multiple units.

M-Audio ProFire 2626 - I actually have one of these and really like it but cannot support enough inputs or multiple units.

MOTU 8pre - If only this had a word clock input! In theory clocking can come over ADAT but I've heard horror stories...

JoeCo BBR1-A or BBR1-D - I would really like to use a stack of these but they won't chase LTC/SMPTE. In theory this isn't a problem if the LTC is correctly read initially and everything is clocked together, does anyone have any experience in practice?

RME Products - I've looked at a lot of these including the MADI stuff and the Fireface stuff but these are a little less incremental and a little more expensive.

Thanks for your thoughts!

6th December 2009	#1
BenFranske Gear interested Joined: May 2008 Posts: 26 Thread Starter	Multitracking Equipment for Video I'm looking for some suggestions for new multitrack recording equipment. This is complicated by the fact that I do a few events each year where I need to sync to video (on the plus side I control the video equipment as well so at least there are no fights about who's in charge!) I've looked at a lot of options in the past few months and haven't found a real stand-out winner yet so I'm looking here for experience with this. A few general considerations: Depending on the event mixdown might be in Pro Tools HD and it might be in Reaper, or even Ardour. The ability to get the file into any of these is a must, my preference is the device record in BWF. I already have the ability to lock my word clock to house sync I would like the ability to do either analog or digital inputs, but this isn't a deal breaker (more a convenience). If it's one or the other I would prefer the inputs be digital. I would prefer audio chase video (LTC) but as I also control video I could reverse this if it simplified things I need up to 48 channels for some events, this could grow in the future but 48 is a good target Either computer based or stand-alone (assuming stable drivers on the computer based models, I've had some bad experience with some of these but like the flexibility) It would be nice if the system could be purchased in pieces (see below) e.g. a 24 channel system working first and then expanding to 48 later on Cost is always a consideration, but I'm interested in hearing whatever suggestions you have. If I can have a workable 24 channel system (or less) first and grow it that would be an ideal way to be cost aware but not cornered. Some of the units I've looked at: Alesis HD24 - The problems here are 1) the system is a little long in the tooth as far as design advances go 2) getting LTC into this is an advanture 3) no BWF support and no other good way to get timecode out on the recorded files that I can see M-Audio ProFire Lightbridge - Only 36 inputs and cannot support multiple units. M-Audio ProFire 2626 - I actually have one of these and really like it but cannot support enough inputs or multiple units. MOTU 8pre - If only this had a word clock input! In theory clocking can come over ADAT but I've heard horror stories... JoeCo BBR1-A or BBR1-D - I would really like to use a stack of these but they won't chase LTC/SMPTE. In theory this isn't a problem if the LTC is correctly read initially and everything is clocked together, does anyone have any experience in practice? RME Products - I've looked at a lot of these including the MADI stuff and the Fireface stuff but these are a little less incremental and a little more expensive. Thanks for your thoughts!