Metric Halo Mobile I/O Question

[uh2k]

i've searched the forums and web for info on metric halo gear and found a wealth of info here - but was wondering if anyone with experience with this gear can tell me specifically:

1) what configuration of the various units are you using relative to different models offered (ie. with the DSP or not? is it worth extra $?) and

2) what actual software are you running with this unit for location recording?

i currently use mx2424 primarily for choral and orchestra recordings on location and do realtime rough mix on location and then sweetened mix (if needed) in studio. I now have a new mac powerbook am looking at how to incorporate it into gigs - but having tried it with lame mbox for my first try - and having it crash on me - i'm spooked! and i realized i'm a little clueless with the current state of location recording and use of laptops. i have next gig in about 2 weeks and i wouldn't mind running dual systems and trying something new. budget for new gear is ~$2000

thanks for any input!

[Larry Elliott]

I have been using the 2882 for about 4 years for exactly the same type of recording projects as you are doing. I have the DSP version but very rarely have used any of that. The built in recording app is great for live work. Although lately I have been trying Boom Recorder so I can get time stamped BWav files.

The only down side is that the preamps in the 2882 do not have sufficient gain for choral and orchestral recording so an external unit is needed.

Back in the studio the 2882 becomes DA for monitoring and input device for the main workstation.

All in all a great device.

[uh2k]

cool - thanks for info!

[Dale]

I have the ULN 2 bought it 3 years ago and had it upgraded to the dsp model last year.

works great recording choral / acoustic music with earthworks qtc 1 mp.
the dsp processing is excellent, parallel compression is easy.
setup powerbook for on location work, partitioned HD, tweaked OS
no problems doing 3-5 hrs 96/24.

[uh2k]

i think i'll give it a whirl!
thanks again

[sonare]

My "small rig" is a titanium powerbook G4 (1GB ram/ 500 mHz) 2882 (no DSP) and 8-channel Broadhurst Gardens micpre.

Fabulous, rock-solid, bulletproof, and true pro-build quality (and tech support) are the things than come to mind when I think about it. Definitely one of the best professional investments I have ever made. The ADC sounds great also.

You will not regret your purchase!

RE software-- I record using the beta Console which writes up to 8 channels. I can do a real-time mix to 2 channels for the Microtrack backup, but you are only writing mono BWFs during recording.

The only negative is that you are creating a new folder with channel files for each new take. I also learned early on to simply record your material to your internal HD-- no problems with adequate disc space.

Rich

[Larry Elliott]

Rich
Do you fine any issues recording to local drive rather than external?
Also does the DAV have a multi voltage power supply?

You might want to try Boom Recorder. Although this is designed mainly for film location work, it does produce time stamped BWAV Polyphonic files. I have used it for the last two jobs and find it great.

Thanks
Larry Elliott

[sonare]

Originally Posted by Larry Elliott

Rich
Do you fine any issues recording to local drive rather than external?
Also does the DAV have a multi voltage power supply?

I was prepared to use external FW but a long-time user advised against it. He pointed out that the bus speed was higher than the FW bus. This seemed strange as my prior experience was with Sequoia on a XP box that everyone warned against writing to the same drive as the OS. And the guy who advised against the external has recorded many tracks of 24/96 with no problems.

That simply doesn't seem to be an issue-- the only burp I have had in 2 years was when the laptop did not load the driver. Simply unplugging and re-plugging the FW fixed that. The problem was sorted out by a phone call from BJ, responding to an SOS phone call after business hours. Talk abut support!

Not needing to use separate software is a big plus.


The MH website says this about powering: DC power system for wall, FireWire bus, and battery operation world-wide.

Rich

[sonare]

I just now realized you were asking about the DAV PS-- the transformer can handle 110 ot 220 but requires changing an internal jumper.

RIch