ULN-8 Question

[ebulb]

Ive got a question about the ULN-8.. In one article i read it alluded to it being a standalone recording interface over firewire.. Do you always need a computer in the mix when you want to record or are you able to just plug into a firewire hard drive and record the inputs to raw tracks ?

I wouldnt assume it could do this at first but i know the firewire spec is capable of devices being connected and controlled without a computer and also the ULN-8 is a lot more expensive than many other deivces of a similar nature so it led me to wonder.. If its not an external standalone recorder also, what would you say is the main reason for its higher price tag ?

[rumleymusic]

Yes a computer is needed. A drive cannot interpret RAW PCM information without a codec. The ULN-8's "standalone" operation means it can be used without being connected to a computer via firewire, acting as a converter to be connected to another AES/EBU digital source.

[Silver Sonya]

Yes a computer is needed. And that computer must be a Mac.

It's an extraordinary system, I highly recommend it!

- c

[ebulb]

Cool, thanks..

Originally Posted by rumleymusic

A drive cannot interpret RAW PCM information without a codec.

I knew this would be the case but i thought maybe the ULN-8 may have had a processor onboard to offer a generic record facility to a hard drive.. Its not unfeasable that a unit like this could record its 8 inidivdual inputs as wav/aiff files over firewire without a computer.. I actually think its a feature that would be very handy for a portable device.

[david335]

If that was the case the device would be classified as a hard drive record not an interface.

[ebulb]

Originally Posted by david335

If that was the case the device would be classified as a hard drive record not an interface.

Not necessarily, It could still be classified as an interface if it had audio drivers and connected to a computer and had routing software like it does..

[willi1203]

IF it was.. it COULD be.........

[ebulb]

Ok, time for me to put this thread to bed.. thanks to those with helpful replies...

[Denis Goekdag]

It would be awesome if the ULN could write to a FW drive or CF card reader directly. Absolutely fabulous, really.

[Bflat]

A ULN8 does not record, but you can program your settings in advance and connect it to any compatible recorder and it will work without a computer connection.

In other words: You do still need an actual recorder, it just doesn't have to be a computer.

[Audiop]

The logical next step IMO for these type of interfaces is having a slot or two for SDHC/SDXC flash cards.

SDHC is available at low cost up to 32GB with a write speed of 30MB/s and SDXC is now on the market with increasing capacity pointing towards 2TB and 300MB/s. There are already 64GB cards available and also 60MB/s cards.

If my quick calculation is correct the fastest SDHC cards would manage 8 channels at 24/192 with margin.

Just raw tracking and no processing would be a piece of cake to implement.

That would be a dream converter for me. Eight channels in 1HE rack unit, DC input for battery operation, on board memory for tracking and SOTA transparent pre's and AD's.


/Peter

[NorseHorse]

+1.

Metric Halo has moved one step closer to this with their LIO-8: Premier Converter, Processor, Interface, but it still needs a computer.

And the JoeCo Black box writes to hard-drives.

The Zoom R16 can do 8-tracks to SD cards, but can't be rackmounted.

Someone, please make a 1-U A/D converter which writes to SD cards! Add decent metering and monitoring, syncing, and digital-in options, and you'll be golden...

I have blueprints if you want them.

Cheers.

[Dave Ferris]

Are all Acoustic music recordists (Jazz/Classical/Roots music) still happy with their ULN-8 ? I'm not talking from a portability standpoint as this would be for my studio. More from a sonic, ease of use, learning curve and reliability factor. The only Jazz recording I've heard with the ULN-8 sounded outstanding I thought.

I'm rethinking my console > hard disc recorder setup for recording Jazz piano and vocal.

I wonder if at this level if it's just a matter of working preference. Is the sound quality splitting hairs? Will a recorder like the Nagra VI always trump the computer?

Curious to hear from Acoustic Music recordists their feelings.

[fifthcircle]

I haven't used the Nagra, but I have used the ULN 8 quite a bit... In the end, I think it depends on what you like working with. At that level of sound, much of what you hear becomes preference and not so much an absolute. The ULN8 is a great sounding box and the software that comes with it is quite stable as a "bit bucket" which is great for live work. It has its drawbacks, but it is a good box.

My personal preference most of the time is preamps whose color is suited to the music and the microphone. That being said, I've had great recordings made with the ULN8 and there is something very nice about lugging a laptop and a single rack case. Sometimes I wish that I could deal with the ease of some of these good quality stand-alone recorders (Sound Devices, Nagra, etc...). Unfortunately, though, I cannot justify the cost as many of my gigs go beyond the capabilities of these small recorders.

--Ben