multi-track recorder or laptop?

[lalune]

I am in the market for a new mobile multi-track recorder.

The one I have now, a Fostex D824, is still working fine, but I've ran into two problems:
1. Sometimes I need more than 8 tracks.
2. The only way to get my recorded files on my computer is to put them first on a iomega jaz drive, via an SCSI interface.
My Jaz drive is starting to show signs of old age, and it's a hassle anyway.

I record anything from rock/pop bands to classical music.
I have some good preamps (amek, chandler, manley) and a decent converter (RME adi8).
Someone suggested to me: "Just get a laptop with a good soundcard"

Do you think that's a good idea?
What do you use as mobile recorder?

[SoundWeavers]

I use a MacBook Pro with either ProTools LE or Logic Pro as the DAW (digital tape). No hiccups whatsoever.

[NoKi]

Hi,

why don't you use an ADAT interface for transfering the audio data to the PC or even better copy the files directly? There is a nice filesystem driver for Linux (called FDMSFS) to readout the FDMS3 HDs. It only takes some minutes to copy the recordings (works great for me having Ubuntu in a virtual machine).

But ok, it's still a heavy machine with only 8 tracks...

Nils

[huub]

I'd go for a mac laptop any day....
If your recordings are mission critical though (that is, if someone is paying for them) you need a backup whether you use a laptop or dedicated recorder...

RME interfaces are very reliable in my experience..

[lalune]

Originally Posted by NoKi

why don't you use an ADAT interface for transfering the audio data to the PC or even better copy the files directly?

Hi Nils,

Can you tell me exactly what that means? (I'm more sound engineer than IT-expert )
I agree that my life will be much easier if I can connect my recorder directly to my PC.
When I bought the Fostex, about 10 years ago, the only way to transfer data was with this SCSI interface and the JAZ drive.
At least that's what the dealer told me...

My computer, also ageing, is running windows 98, has this SCSI card and an RME HDSP card which I connect to a RME Multiface.
The Multiface has indeed an ADAT input.
Can I connect the Fostex there directly while running Ubuntu, or do I need "an ADAT interface"?
Ubuntu is an operating system, can I still run my Cubase under Windows98?
At start-up, can I choose which OS I want to run?
Sorry for these newbie questions, but as I said I'm just a sound engineer...

Thanks, Adrian

[lalune]

Hi Huub,

A laptop seems very flexible, but could be overkill for my needs.
I am about to construct my own studio and plan to do most of my recordings there.
Because I enjoy mobile recording, I will keep on doing that on the side.

If I can solve this data transfer problem I just keep the Fostex for now, although it's bulky.
If I can't, well, than I need another solution and a laptop may be the way to go.

Cheers Adrian

[NoKi]

Originally Posted by lalune

My computer, also ageing, is running windows 98, has this SCSI card and an RME HDSP card which I connect to a RME Multiface.
The Multiface has indeed an ADAT input.
Can I connect the Fostex there directly while running Ubuntu, or do I need "an ADAT interface"?
Ubuntu is an operating system, can I still run my Cubase under Windows98?
At start-up, can I choose which OS I want to run?
Sorry for these newbie questions, but as I said I'm just a sound engineer...
Thanks, Adrian

Yes, you can connect the d824 to the multiface with an optical cable. Just play the program you would like to transfer and record the output digitally with the multiface (set input to adat, clock slave). This does not change the data you recorded in any way. The only disadvantage is that it will take some time as the transfer is in realtime (for 88.1/96 kHz in half realtime). You don't need to switch to Linux, just use your Cubase or RME Digicheck.

The other way is more more complicated but much faster. You have to install Linux e.g Ubuntu (runs also on older systems) and install the FDMS driver. After this you can pull out the harddisk tray from your Fostex and plug it directly to your computer (I use an IDE to USB adapter for this). The best is to install the same drive bay on both the computer and the Fostex. After booting Linux and starting the driver your d824 HD will appear as a drive with folders (these are the programs) and wav files (the recorded tracks). You now only need to copy these wavs to your computers harddrive (which is very fast). Please google for "fdmsfs" for more information.

BTW, with the adi-8 and the multiface you already have a decent recording setup. You only need a cardbus HDSP card to connect the multiface to a notebook.

Nils

[Gerax]

Hi there

I say it depends on what target of work you are planning to do.
I use both, laptop and HD recorder, as a professional I couldn't do it any other way . This way I have my redundant backup and instant copy of the files. I split the signal at the preamps, and use the dual ADAT outs on the onboard ADCs to go to both recorders.
A laptop can be very flexible in that it can accomplish several other tasks. Mac or PC you have to keep the machine well maintained. I use a Dell PC with PTLMP and a M-Audio Lightbridge ADAT interface; works great.
OTOH a dedicated HD recorder only does one thing, but it's so stupidly simple that it's almost bullet proof. The Alesis HD24 gets a lot of votes on this forum. I used it and it's a good machine, but I purchased a Mackie SDR2496 some 7 years ago and it served me flawlessy going to hell and back. Still works like it should. If you look on the used market it can be found for a reasonable price.

Hope this helps

[rumleymusic]

Someone suggested to me: "Just get a laptop with a good soundcard"

I can't take any mater of fact statement like that seriously. Laptop is a fine way to go, but it takes some research if you are running Windows. Especially if you are trying to use it with a firewire interface.

Personally I use both. A laptop for the main recording, and a SD stereo flash recorder with a mix for a backup.

[mixedupsteve]

Originally Posted by lalune

Hi Huub,

A laptop seems very flexible, but could be overkill for my needs.
I am about to construct my own studio and plan to do most of my recordings there.
Because I enjoy mobile recording, I will keep on doing that on the side.

If I can solve this data transfer problem I just keep the Fostex for now, although it's bulky.
If I can't, well, than I need another solution and a laptop may be the way to go.

Cheers Adrian

If you do plan on doing it I would just make the jump now. I have a Macbook with firewire port and can do 24 tracks at a time with it.
Do you happen to know if the audio files on the Fostex are wave files? The reason I ask is if so you could get an EIDI to USB adapter cable and just drag and drop them onto your machine. You would have to take it out of it's caddy and connect it though.

ByteRunner.com Store Product Listing ISU-III-A

I've never used this BTW but it might be worth a try.

[lalune]

Originally Posted by NoKi

Yes, you can connect the d824 to the multiface with an optical cable. Just play the program you would like to transfer and record the output digitally with the multiface (set input to adat, clock slave). This does not change the data you recorded in any way. The only disadvantage is that it will take some time as the transfer is in realtime (for 88.1/96 kHz in half realtime). You don't need to switch to Linux, just use your Cubase or RME Digicheck.

The other way is more more complicated but much faster. You have to install Linux e.g Ubuntu (runs also on older systems) and install the FDMS driver. After this you can pull out the harddisk tray from your Fostex and plug it directly to your computer (I use an IDE to USB adapter for this). The best is to install the same drive bay on both the computer and the Fostex. After booting Linux and starting the driver your d824 HD will appear as a drive with folders (these are the programs) and wav files (the recorded tracks). You now only need to copy these wavs to your computers harddrive (which is very fast). Please google for "fdmsfs" for more information.
Nils

Thanks for this reply.
I'll look into both procedures.

I was under the impression that with the first one I would compromise my files because I re-record.
If this is not true, I don't have to set levels?

The second one looks more complicated, but will certainly be worth the trouble when I need to transfer large programs.
By

...I use an IDE to USB adapter for this...

, do you mean something like this?
I guess that the drive will receive power via this USB adapter.

[lalune]

Thanks guys for your comments.

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

If you do plan on doing it I would just make the jump now. I have a Macbook with firewire port and can do 24 tracks at a time with it.

At the moment I'ld like to invest my money in building my studio.
So if I can find a relatively cheap solution for transferring my files I'll choose that for now.

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

Do you happen to know if the audio files on the Fostex are wave files? The reason I ask is if so you could get an EIDI to USB adapter cable and just drag and drop them onto your machine. You would have to take it out of it's caddy and connect it though.

ByteRunner.com Store Product Listing ISU-III-A

I've never used this BTW but it might be worth a try.

I think this is what NoKi suggested with his IDE to USB adapter.
But he mentioned I should do the drag and drop under Linux.
Do you think this works under windows98 too?

By the way I do make back-ups.
I never go to bed before copying everything twice.

[NoKi]

Originally Posted by lalune

Thanks for this reply.
I was under the impression that with the first one I would compromise my files because I re-record.
If this is not true, I don't have to set levels?

Yes, right. AFAIK, using the ADAT input of the Multiface the driver does not allow for a level change. You will have the same samples on your computer as you have on the Fostex. You only have to keep in mind that due to the bandwidth limitation of the ADAT interface you have to transfer 88.1/96 kHz recordings at half speed. (set the program sample rate after recording to 44.1 or 48 kHz, transfer to your pc and then change the wav file header with e.g. "header inspector" to the original samplerate)

Originally Posted by lalune

Thanks for this reply.
The second one looks more complicated, but will certainly be worth the trouble when I need to transfer large programs.
By , do you mean something like this? I guess that the drive will receive power via this USB adapter.

Yes, more complicated, but only once :-) The USB adapter you posted would work, but you will not get power for the harddrive. There are also ones that include a power adapter also (easy to find on ebay, very cheap either). The problem is, that you have to unmount the HD everytime from the tray.
It is better you install the same mobile rack to both computer and fostex (like this). Then you can easily switch the HD from Fostex to PC. The installation of these racks is done in a few minutes. If you are lucky you can find the same rack the Fostex already has built in (like me :-). Maybe they can be ordered from Fostex directly, like the trays (the part number is: 8260 5240 00 Bay assy, HDD).

BTW, the author of the FDMS linux driver also works on a windows API, but I assume it will take some time to have a working solution.

Nils

[Daniel Stark]

Windows works very well these days. Macs are getting cheaper. There are a ton of good soundcards out there and new iphone remote apps.... A great time to get into laptop recording IMO.