Transition to Multitrack

[hannaent]

Hey all you slutz!

I am thinking about making a transition to a mobile multitrack system for classical recording.

My current setup is as follows:

Alesis Masterlink
Lavry Blue A/D Converter (2 channels)
Earthworks 1022 Mic Pre
Earthworks QTC-1 (QTC40 now)

I feel that I have a fairly high quality 2 channel setup here. It's rock solid and has never failed me. I am just unsure of what system to move to next, without breaking the bank. I also want to run 24/96 on all channels.

My preference would be to avoid using a DAW for Live Recording reasons, but I'm not sure that is possible.

Editing on the recorder is not important to me. I would just like to dump the raw audio files into Samplitude and do my final work there.

At first the Alesis 24-track recorder looked interesting. Unfortunately I would need to purchase an ADAT to AES converter if I want to keep using my Lavry converters. Also, after looking at the user manual, there doesn't seem to be a way to run both digital and analog inputs at the same time. Maybe I'm missing something. There is no headphone output for monitoring the mix, so I guess I would need a mixer as well. Also to get the data off the box, I would need a firewire interface for the removable hard drives. The laundry list goes on and on.

There is also the Fostex D2424LV, but I think it may have some of the same issues. No headphone jack for monitoring. No built in AES, but it looks like it is an addon option. Unfortunately if I put in the AES card, I dont think there will be a slot available for the Ethernet Card option. I guess external ADAT to AES will still be necessary.

Any suggestions for a standalone recorder that would allow me to keep using my A/D, have integrated monitoring & headphone jack, as well as add more 24/96 channels of recording, or should I make the transition to a DAW?

The Motu 8 pre coupled with an external ADAT to AES converter looked like a quick and dirty way to get more channels. Plus thats only 2U's of space in my mobile rack. I will have to buy a laptop though :(.

Help me out guys.

[Jim vanBergen]

I have a couple of Earthworks 1024 preamps, and often use the second (1/4") output to drive a backup/secondary machine. Why not feed one machine with one set of outputs, and the multitrack with the other? Monitor on the masterlink. Unless you buy more preamps, you can't record more than 2 channels, right...or am I missing something in how you wish to proceed?

[treymonfauntre]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

I have a couple of Earthworks 1024 preamps, and often use the second (1/4") output to drive a backup/secondary machine. Why not feed one machine with one set of outputs, and the multitrack with the other? Monitor on the masterlink. Unless you buy more preamps, you can't record more than 2 channels, right...or am I missing something in how you wish to proceed?

"transition to multitrack"

[Jim vanBergen]

Okay, so I'm being obtuse- thanks for the pointer.

So keep Lavry as your conversion of choice, buy more preamps, and either find a format converter, or go to a different recorder- like the Radar. Does Alesis offer NO OTHER digital format? if so, that's kind of sad...I have Tascam and Mackie hard disk recorders and three digital formats are supported plus analog. I can tell you that there are several manuacturers who make great sounding ADAT conversion (Apogee being my personal favorite.)

Hope this helps.

Jim

[hannaent]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Okay, so I'm being obtuse- thanks for the pointer.

So keep Lavry as your conversion of choice, buy more preamps, and either find a format converter, or go to a different recorder- like the Radar. Does Alesis offer NO OTHER digital format? if so, that's kind of sad...I have Tascam and Mackie hard disk recorders and three digital formats are supported plus analog. I can tell you that there are several manuacturers who make great sounding ADAT conversion (Apogee being my personal favorite.)

Hope this helps.

Jim

At one time, I was looking at a Mackie recorder. However they seem to have stopped production of their 24 track HD recorders. They seem to have made a move to focus on the Firewire/DAW Market. I think Tascam has stopped producing the MX2424. I could be wrong. What is their new one, the X48? Lot's of delays on that one. Also probably above my price range.

I guess I'm causing myself issues by clinging to my Lavry Blue Converters. They were just such a drastic improvement to the Alesis Masterlink A/D. Unfortunately ADAT seems to be much more common than AES/EBU.

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by hannaent

I guess I'm causing myself issues by clinging to my Lavry Blue Converters. They were just such a drastic improvement to the Alesis Masterlink A/D. Unfortunately ADAT seems to be much more common than AES/EBU.

Nah, I completey agree with you. My UA2192 converters are a HUGE difference from the Masterlink's convererters, I completely agree with you.

The problem I think, with the hard disk recorder issue, is that most companies recognize that in GENERAL people want to use THEIR computers and save $$. Unlike the remote world, where we want dedicated, robust machines.

jim

[David Rick]

I understand your reluctance to depend on a DAW for "only one chance" gigs. But a lot of classical folks (me included) are recording direct to HD with Samplitude / Sequoia, and it really does save a lot of time that I used to spend waiting for transfers.

What got me over the hump was running a dedicated backup recorder in parallel, at least for critical tracks. For years it was a Tascam DTRS machine (with a Prism bit-splitter I got four 24-bit tracks, or two dual-wire at 96k). This year I finally swapped it out for a Sound Devices 744t, which gives me four safety tracks at full resolution.

Since you're an experienced two-track guy, I'm betting you could continue placing your main pair so you could deliver a credible stereo product if the other channels went down. That means you can use your Masterlink as a backup machine. Just split the main pair feed to both the DAW and the Masterlink.

Now you can upgrade your rig like this:

• add more Lavry A/D channels
• add more good preamp channels (maybe in the Lavry frame if there's room)
• add a RME or Lynx AES interface to your DAW
• add more mics

Voila! You're in the multitrack recording business, and nothing got wasted.

David L Rick
Seventh String Recording