Digi 16 Track Setup

[GonzoWithTheWind]

Hi everyone,

Long time reader; first time poster... anyway

I'll try to keep this short and concise. I am a fairly young sound engineer and I am looking into setting up a portable recording unit capable of 16 tracks. Basically, I have a rough idea, but I'm looking for any flaws in my plan or suggestions on how to improve it (with budget in mind).

For i/o I plan on buying a digi 003 rack. I'll use a litttle mackie mixer or equivalent for the last 4 inputs (will eventually upgrade to nicer, more specialised pres). I want to add another 8 channels using a cheaper set of multi pres (maybe something by Presonus or maybe motu). This is where Im a little unsure. Can I hook up third party hardware via adat to a 003? Along with a power conditioner, I'll throw it all in a portable rack and get a dedicated laptop to run it. Sound okay so far?

I'm also a little unsure about this... I was planning on getting a snake to go from the direct outs on the live mixer and into my pres. I know I will be left with the live mixers gain settings, but will it include their eq or any other settings from their board? Could I use an XLR splitter snake or something along those lines to get signal straight from the mics?

I'm also planning on using this same rack in my home studio.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks

PS. Im pretty set on Digi because I know the software so well, but I'm fairly open minded about it if there's a solid case for it.

[s.d.finley]

Yes, you can use any 3rd party adat interface with PTLE. Presonus has that one unit that has 8 preamps in a 1 rack unit space. There are other options too. The main issue would be resolving clock. When tracking thru the adat ports, clock PT off of whatever interface you are inputing via adat. Some 3rd party interface's will only want to be the master, and some will work in slave mode. Just do you research before you buy!


Oh.... and welcome to Gear Slutz!!!

[liquidtension47]

Originally Posted by GonzoWithTheWind

Can I hook up third party hardware via adat to a 003? Along with a power conditioner, I'll throw it all in a portable rack and get a dedicated laptop to run it.

Yes, you can. I have a 003+ that works excellent with a prosonus digimax. 16 i/o right there that is acceptable.

This is the case that you absolutely need. I have one and its is freaking awesome for a portable rig.



its an skb rack thats built like a tank. just search "skb rack computer" in google.

the 003+ is nice cause you have the 4 extra pres, and also if you want to upgrade to a lunchbox or something you can bypass the pres using the line ins, giving you 4 more options to that also.

hope that helped.

[bishopthomas]

Originally Posted by GonzoWithTheWind

I'm also a little unsure about this... I was planning on getting a snake to go from the direct outs on the live mixer and into my pres. I know I will be left with the live mixers gain settings, but will it include their eq or any other settings from their board? Could I use an XLR splitter snake or something along those lines to get signal straight from the mics?

You don't want to run direct outs into another set of preamps. Better to go line in. Depending on the console you will get the EQ, inserts, and/or the fader movements from the direct outs. The XLR splitter snake is exactly what you need.

[bee]

Originally Posted by liquidtension47

Yes, you can. I have a 003+ that works excellent with a prosonus digimax. 16 i/o right there that is acceptable.

This is the case that you absolutely need. I have one and its is freaking awesome for a portable rig.



its an skb rack thats built like a tank. just search "skb rack computer" in google.

the 003+ is nice cause you have the 4 extra pres, and also if you want to upgrade to a lunchbox or something you can bypass the pres using the line ins, giving you 4 more options to that also.

hope that helped.

Man, that SKB rack is nice!