running out of inputs... I need some help guys

[studiomood]

OK!

Things are starting to get well complicated for me as I am running out of inputs for my outboard equipment, as you may have guessed... this is the first time I'm running into this problem, and to be honest, I really DON'T know what to do...

I use a Prism Sound Orpheus as my interface, and I'm on the last input, which will be taken away by my next purchase of a Voyger.

SO what I am thinking, and please correct me if this is a horrible idea,

I shall expand the inputs buy grabbing a SSL x-patch which will give me another 8, obviously I wont be able to use all 16 at the same time as the Orpheous is limited to 8 analogue inputs/outputs, but I doubt I'll ever need to, also I imagine I'll be able to do all sorts of rad stuff like put the Voyger through the Culture Vulture and then through a SSL compressor all at the touch of a button?

It almost sounds all too good to be true, does anyone have any experience with the X-Patch? I'm not to familiar with it, and I'm not a seasoned pro when it comes to outboard.

Regards,

sm

[oldgearguy]

what is currently filling up the inputs?

If you're running synths in stereo, you might be able to go down to a mono output for some synths and gain more ins for other things.

[studiomood]

Originally Posted by oldgearguy

what is currently filling up the inputs?

If you're running synths in stereo, you might be able to go down to a mono output for some synths and gain more ins for other things.

No I don't really like the idea of doing that, as its mostly stereo processing gear taking up the inputs, Culture Vulture, Dynax 2, SSL G series (which I will only patch in manually for 2buss work). Then it's a Virus Ti2 which I won't be running in mono ever, and a Slim Phatty which is mono. Future purchases are a Voyger, and I'm considering a tempest or a prophet 8, just don't know which one yet.

I don't want hassle that's the thing, I like being able to work quickly and efficiently, without having to plug things in and out, it ruins the whole creative mojo in music I believe.

[WDM]

Originally Posted by studiomood

OK!

Things are starting to get well complicated for me as I am running out of inputs for my outboard equipment, as you may have guessed... this is the first time I'm running into this problem, and to be honest, I really DON'T know what to do...

I use a Prism Sound Orpheus as my interface, and I'm on the last input, which will be taken away by my next purchase of a Voyger.

SO what I am thinking, and please correct me if this is a horrible idea,

I shall expand the inputs buy grabbing a SSL x-patch which will give me another 8, obviously I wont be able to use all 16 at the same time as the Orpheous is limited to 8 analogue inputs/outputs, but I doubt I'll ever need to, also I imagine I'll be able to do all sorts of rad stuff like put the Voyger through the Culture Vulture and then through a SSL compressor all at the touch of a button?

It almost sounds all too good to be true, does anyone have any experience with the X-Patch? I'm not to familiar with it, and I'm not a seasoned pro when it comes to outboard.

Regards,

sm

I'd start with regular $100 patch bay to see how it fits to my workflow and save me a grand for other needs.

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by WDM

I'd start with regular $100 patch bay to see how it fits to my workflow and save me a grand for other needs.

this. a patchbay opens things up. i just replaced my two flip card style for much better patchbays. don't buy the $50.00 patchbays!

[studiomood]

You know all I was thinking was x-patch or another interface connected through spdif to the orpheous, I forgot about something so simple as a patch bay... Might be my best shot, cheap option too... Cheers mate.

[moneyforsluts]

I like to have all my inputs ready to record without having to unplug or use a seperate mixer. I recently ran into the same problem as you and purchased a Beringher ADA-8000. That gives you 8 more inputs and outputs through ADAT lightpipe. If you want a better quality A/D, Black Lion Audio offers an upgrade to the Op-amps to allow a cleaner A/D.

[studiomood]

Well if I was going to go all out and get the xpatch I won't scrimp on a patch bay.. Any recommendations on some top quality brands?

[studiomood]

Originally Posted by moneyforsluts

I like to have all my inputs ready to record without having to unplug or use a seperate mixer. I recently ran into the same problem as you and purchased a Beringher ADA-8000. That gives you 8 more inputs and outputs through ADAT lightpipe. If you want a better quality A/D, Black Lion Audio offers an upgrade to the Op-amps to allow a cleaner A/D.

I'm using an orpheous as my a/d so probably wouldn't go down the beringer route.

[WDM]

Originally Posted by studiomood

Well if I was going to go all out and get the xpatch I won't scrimp on a patch bay.. Any recommendations on some top quality brands?

Yea, you need to define a strategy at this point.
Because, it's the first time you hit that problem, but it's not the last

Do you want a top quality recording path with limited ins and some nice hardware preamps, comps, which are patchable or you want to have more (cheaper) ins, get all your gear connected at once and just use it as it is?

In any case this thing will get you started: Neutrik 48-Point TRS Patchbay: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

[moneyforsluts]

The Beringer sounds really good if you send it to be modified by Black Lion, but to each his own, you can get another Orpheous if you want and connect it to your main one through ADAT if that's what you want.

I'm personally not really crazy about using patchbays for anything but effect routing, I like to be able to record each instrument simultaniously at any given time with no unplugging or mixing.

[Meow]

Originally Posted by studiomood

I'm using an orpheous as my a/d so probably wouldn't go down the beringer route.

Why not? My brother says that Ada-800 is really good and he uses Burl and Mytek converters where he works. I think if you're using the digital connection it would be fine!

It will definitely be what I buy if I end up needing more inputs!

[studiomood]

Originally Posted by moneyforsluts

I'm personally not really crazy about using patchbays for anything but effect routing, I like to be able to record each instrument simultaniously at any given time with no unplugging or mixing.

Yeah this is the only thing that makes me hesitate from buying a patch bay... Using an expanding option via the optical/spdif connection may be another idea, but the orpheous only records 8 inpts at a time so your still limited to that.. the only joy of the patch bay or even x patch idea is that I can quickly select chains to track my instruments.. Otherwise it will be a slight pain...

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by WDM

In any case this thing will get you started: Neutrik 48-Point TRS Patchbay: Shop Pro Audio & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

that patchbay is crap. Neutrik has slipped.

[WDM]

Originally Posted by blinky909

that patchbay is crap. Neutrik has slipped.

I have two right now and I didn't notice any problems. If it's gonna be a problem I'll upgrade it ... $200 is not a leg or kidney.

[blinky909]

Originally Posted by WDM

I have two right now and I didn't notice any problems. If it's gonna be a problem I'll upgrade it ... $200 is not a leg or kidney.

give it some time, they will start to degrade. ask me how i know.

[WDM]

Originally Posted by blinky909

give it some time, they will start to degrade. ask me how i know.

Haha, I guess I know how

Yea, I mean everything starts to degrade at some point. I bought the previous patch bay like 10 years ago. Last year I realized that I need more patch bays, and I bought 2 Neutriks. It was a step up of what I had before, (the previous cost was like $70 or so). But I still use it to patch my synths for CV etc.

If you patching your gear like 10 times every day, may be it's not gonna be reliable. but for OP usage and me it's fine I guess.

[zerocrossing]

Originally Posted by studiomood

OK!

Things are starting to get well complicated for me as I am running out of inputs for my outboard equipment, as you may have guessed... this is the first time I'm running into this problem, and to be honest, I really DON'T know what to do...

I use a Prism Sound Orpheus as my interface, and I'm on the last input, which will be taken away by my next purchase of a Voyger.

SO what I am thinking, and please correct me if this is a horrible idea,

I shall expand the inputs buy grabbing a SSL x-patch which will give me another 8, obviously I wont be able to use all 16 at the same time as the Orpheous is limited to 8 analogue inputs/outputs, but I doubt I'll ever need to, also I imagine I'll be able to do all sorts of rad stuff like put the Voyger through the Culture Vulture and then through a SSL compressor all at the touch of a button?

It almost sounds all too good to be true, does anyone have any experience with the X-Patch? I'm not to familiar with it, and I'm not a seasoned pro when it comes to outboard.

Regards,

sm

Easy peasy, buy another Orpheus.

Orpheus Operation Manual

[Demokid]

I wish I had more space to house a large 24 or 32 channel mixer console but I don’t. Instead I use three 96-point bantam patchbay’s to connect everything to my A&H WZ3 14/4/2.

[studiomood]

Originally Posted by zerocrossing

Easy peasy, buy another Orpheus.

Orpheus Operation Manual

Too expensive and a bit OTT.

[studiomood]

You know I'm actually surprised no one has commented yet that they are using the x-patch. I thought it would be a really popular piece.

[Mardi Gras]

surprised prism aren't making their own ADAT interfaces to extend their orpheus

[mike vee]

just get a Lynx Aurora 8 and hook it to ADAT of prism