Stable interfaces - beyond 18 tracks

[jslevin]

I have a sick feeling that this has been discussed a lot before, but I need to get the latest scoop on this subject.

We occasionally do some location recording, but it's been quite a while since we were called upon to do anything that couldn't be handled within the 18-input limit of most interfaces -- including our Metric-Halo 2882, of which we think very highly. Over the next six months, however, we're probably going to be pushed beyond 18 inputs to record some large ensembles. I know of many ways to put together a 24-track DAW, and we'll probably run a redundant HD recorder regardless, I'm just wondering what the most stable and cost-effective way is to go with this.

We have access to a second 2882, so we could just do that. The downside is that we could not monitor more than 18 inputs simultaneously in our comfortable MIO software interface, but rather only in the DAW software, and of course we'd be daisy-chaining two Firewire devices to do it. Another option is to get an interface that handles 26+ inputs, but would any of them specifically be more stable than just running two 2882 devices? Here are the ones I know of:

• RME Fireface 800
• Alesis io|26
• Presonus Firestudio
• M-Audio Profire 2626
• Mackie Onyx 1200F

Are there others?

How rock-solid stable are any of these with Logic and/or DP, when recording up to 24 tracks?

I am not terribly worried about their conversion quality, as I know we'll have great conversion on the first 16 and great clocking throughout, and any of these should sound fine for the last eight when well clocked. I am a little curious about the usability of some of the preamps.

I greatly appreciate any input that anyone can provide on any of these. Should we just not worry and use two 2882 devices?

JSL

[taturana]

i would guess the fireface would be the most stable and the most useful pres, most likely the best one. the mackie's pres are nice but drivers weren't really good last time i heard.

motu traveller? that's would be another option especially if you have other pres..

[mh_bj]

You can do this with the your 2x 2882s. Bus digitally between the two boxes for low-latency monitoring across multiple boxes. If you have 2d on the boxes it is easier, but you can do it with legacy boxes as well...

[mh_bj]

Oh yeah -- running two boxes on one bus is not a problem.

[edwinhurwitz]

I'll second BJ. I run 24 channels regularly with 2 2882s. It's very stable. I use AES/EBU to monitor the second 2882 and it's flawless. With the 2d cards, it all shows up on one mixer, so it's basically seamless. I also make in ear mixes for the band in the 2d mixer. The drums are all on the second 2882 and I send a mix from the first 2882 back to the second via adat, so he can have his own separate mix.

I have also found that Digital Performer 5.13 has very little latency and will do its own aggregate device setup (the core audio version is terrible) and makes a great way to monitor the inputs. I did this for my old drummer, who used a Behringer BCF2000 to make his own mixes.

Bottom line, I don't think a couple 2882s is going to tax your system at all.

Edwin
PS I record to an eSATA drive via an express34 card.

[jslevin]

So ... we ran 31 channels off two 2882 interfaces a few weeks ago. We had one 2d and one legacy model, so it took a little time to figure out how to handle the configuration in terms of drivers, firmware, mix windows, etc. But everything worked beautifully.

The concert was John Hollenbeck's big band, live at the Painted Bride Art Center. I'll post more details of our setup, and hopefully photos and even clips, when I get the chance.

JSL

[Remoteness]

Very cool.

[rmx16]

Originally Posted by jslevin

So ... we ran 31 channels off two 2882 interfaces a few weeks ago. We had one 2d and one legacy model, so it took a little time to figure out how to handle the configuration in terms of drivers, firmware, mix windows, etc. But everything worked beautifully.

The concert was John Hollenbeck's big band, live at the Painted Bride Art Center. I'll post more details of our setup, and hopefully photos and even clips, when I get the chance.

JSL

J
That room is freakin tiny. How did you do it...

[jslevin]

Originally Posted by rmx16

That room is freakin tiny. How did you do it...

Are we talking about the same room?

13-piece horn section essentially took up one half of the stage, stage left, but it wasn't at all cramped. The stage-right half had drums, piano, bass, a vocalist and an extensive percussion setup in back. Plenty of space.

We brought along 20 channels of outboard preamps, but the good quality of the 2882 preamps really came in handy on this recording. We ran the mics for 4 trumpets + 4 trombones straight into the inputs of one of the 2882's, and it all sounds great.

JSL

[rmx16]

Originally Posted by jslevin

Are we talking about the same room?

13-piece horn section essentially took up one half of the stage, stage left, but it wasn't at all cramped. The stage-right half had drums, piano, bass, a vocalist and an extensive percussion setup in back. Plenty of space.

We brought along 20 channels of outboard preamps, but the good quality of the 2882 preamps really came in handy on this recording. We ran the mics for 4 trumpets + 4 trombones straight into the inputs of one of the 2882's, and it all sounds great.

JSL

Sorry dude, i get the Painted Bride and the Kyber Pass mixed up

Peace