Avid HD IO possibilities help please!

[Jazzdall]

I currently have an HD1 rig with the Digi96 and 192 digital interfaces and I want to phase digi out completely. I am going to be upgrading/"downgrading" (depending on how you look at it) to Native with the Avid interfaces + an 8 core Mac Pro.
All I want is 32 inputs and 8 outputs- I will never need more than that for what I use this system for. In the rare cases I do 32 channel recordings (Jazz bands), I never need to do monitor mixes, so I simply need the 2 channels (analogue or S/PDIF into the central station) so that I can hear in the booth. Otherwise, everything else I do is rarely larger then 16 inputs plus 6 mixes.

Option One: (I don't think this is possible, but it would be amazing if it was)
Purchase an Avid HD 16x16 analog, remove 1 D/A (output card), and add an A/D (input card) for 24 analogue inputs, 8 digital inputs (via ADAT), and 8 analog outputs.

Option Two: (still don't think this is possible, but let me know if i am wrong)
Same as option one except not using the 8 analogue outputs and simply use the S/PDIF for stereo monitoring. Therefore 24 analogue inputs, 8 digital inputs (via ADAT), and 2 digital outputs.

Option Three: (Fairly certain this would "work")
Same as option two, except set my I/O so that 2 of the 8 channels of the ADAT inputs are analog outputs. Therefore 24 analogue inputs, 6 digital inputs and 2 analogue outputs.

Option Four:
Just get 2 HD IO 8x8x8 and waste a bunch of money on unused IO.

Obvioulsly, I have listed these options in order of preference, but I dont think the first two options would even work. (please tell me if I am wrong) In both options two and three I am fairily certain that when I am not using all 32 channels of inputs, I could set my IO to 24 inputs and 8 outputs for when I do need to send monitor mixes.

Avid lists the flexibility of their equipment in a confusing way for me understand. They say 16in and 16 out but then you can replace cards and use the the ADAT, S/PDIF, and AES/EBU. What I take from the website is that I COULD do 24 analogue inputs, 8 analogue outputs, 8 ADAT inputs, 2 S/PDIF inputs and 2 AES/EBU Inputs. That WOULD be wonderful but then that means AVID would be underselling theirselves.... I sadly doubt it. ---> Avid | HD I/O Features

Just so you are aware- my analogue pres are: API 8mx2, True 8, and Presonus M80. My Digital pres are: Macki Onyx 800R, and (2) Digimax LT's of which I want to phase out the two Digimax pres. I run a concert hall, we mostly record symphonic bands, choirs, symphonies (with spot mics and such). The Jazz band is worth miking each instrument. To fill up time we do voice overs, restoration projects, and some rock band type stuff. Recordings are kind of just an added benefit to the facility, it does not bring in much money. In 8 years this rig has been in service, this upgrade will likely cost as much as the recordings have made. If I can get by without another IO, I would like to save the money, and I know I can use the rack space for something else.

Basically, let me know which options are possible.

Thanks!

[psycho_monkey]

Each avid io can only do 16io, regardless of what option cards are installed. To get 24io you need 2 interfaces. There is no way round this.

Your cheapest option is to retain your 192, otherwise you need a 16x16 and an 8x8 minimum.

[electricsky]

Avid HD I/O'S analog are only 16 i/o analog max and you cannot replace an output card to put an input one.
From what i understood they are only 16 in + 16 out simultaneously.

[Jazzdall]

Why would they put on their website that the 16x16 IO Analog "can be customized by replacing a card, but not expanded" That to me says you can customize it from 32 Inputs x 0 Outputs or 0 Inputs x 32 outputs or in my case 24in x 8out ....

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by Jazzdall

Why would they put on their website that the 16x16 IO Analog "can be customized by replacing a card, but not expanded" That to me says you can customize it from 32 Inputs x 0 Outputs or 0 Inputs x 32 outputs or in my case 24in x 8out ....

I think you just misinterpreted that part. I don't think it says anywhere that you can have mo than 16 simultaneous inputs...and to me 16ins to 24ins is expanding!

At any rate, your issue remains, as do the limitations of the avid io.

[electricsky]

customized cause you can choose if you want an analog 16 or digital 16 ( they are the same except the cards and i think even teh 8x8x8 are te same, it reduces production costs if they all use the same chassis ).
not expanded , i'm not sure what they mean here , maybe that you can't have more than 16 in and 16 out as we are saying .

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by electricsky

customized cause you can choose if you want an analog 16 or digital 16 ( they are the same except the cards and i think even teh 8x8x8 are te same, it reduces production costs if they all use the same chassis ).
not expanded , i'm not sure what they mean here , maybe that you can't have more than 16 in and 16 out as we are saying .

There's no maybe about it. It's definite. I know PT rigs quite well! Look at the io page for your 192s. See how there's only 16 audio paths for all you io options? Same for the avid io.

[Nielzz12]

Why not try Pro Tools 10 (non-HD) with a SSL Aplhalink and an adat interface? Then you got 24 ins and outs.

[clonewar]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

Each avid io can only do 16io, regardless of what option cards are installed. To get 24io you need 2 interfaces. There is no way round this.

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but it came up when I was searching for info on this.

So this means that with an Avid HD I/O 16x16 analog, if you use, for example, the AES I/O to patch an external digital unit you'll lose two analog I/O's?

[cananball]

Originally Posted by clonewar

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but it came up when I was searching for info on this.

So this means that with an Avid HD I/O 16x16 analog, if you use, for example, the AES I/O to patch an external digital unit you'll lose two analog I/O's?

I think yes. 16 analog or digital in any combination. My omni only has 8 i/o even less connectivity than my old 003. other than that it is awesome.

Sent from my DROIDX using Gearslutz App

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by clonewar

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but it came up when I was searching for info on this.

So this means that with an Avid HD I/O 16x16 analog, if you use, for example, the AES I/O to patch an external digital unit you'll lose two analog I/O's?

Exactly.

[Sofa King]

Originally Posted by clonewar

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but it came up when I was searching for info on this.

So this means that with an Avid HD I/O 16x16 analog, if you use, for example, the AES I/O to patch an external digital unit you'll lose two analog I/O's?

Kinda...
On the inputs, yes, 16 is all you get.
On the outs you can add the stereo pair [ spdif, aes, etc] to any one pair of the analog paths.

[clonewar]

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by Sofa King

Kinda...
On the inputs, yes, 16 is all you get.
On the outs you can add the stereo pair [ spdif, aes, etc] to any one pair of the analog paths.

Do you mean that a stereo pair of digital outs can mirror an analog pair, or will it be two extra outputs that could be dedicated to another D/A converter?

[AllBread]

Originally Posted by clonewar

Thanks guys.



Do you mean that a stereo pair of digital outs can mirror an analog pair, or will it be two extra outputs that could be dedicated to another D/A converter?

AES can only mirror two analog outs. There is no way to get 18 discrete outputs out of the Avid HD I/O 16x16.

[clonewar]

Originally Posted by AllBread

AES can only mirror two analog outs. There is no way to get 18 discrete outputs out of the Avid HD I/O 16x16.

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

[Sofa King]

Originally Posted by clonewar

Thanks guys.



Do you mean that a stereo pair of digital outs can mirror an analog pair, or will it be two extra outputs that could be dedicated to another D/A converter?

yes.
the the stereo dig out can mirrors any pair of analog channels.