Backup Recorder Setup Options

[d_fu]

I do B) with a stereo mixdown to a DAT as backup most of the time. For redundancy (in case of PC crash or other problems), I split the signal at the mic preamp (RME Octamic D), the digital ADAT signal goes to the PC, the analog line outs go to a line mixer, from there to the DAT. Will probably use another PC as backup for an upcoming recording. The Octamic has two ADAT outputs (for 96k/SMUX), which carry the same signal in 44/48k, so one can even split signals digitally, with no risk of a crash of one PC affecting the other.


Ummm... Ok, I'll admit it... The line mixer is a Behringer (RX 1602)... But I didn't only choose it because it was cheap. It was at the time of purchase the only affordable one I could find which would mix 8 mono inputs to stereo and provide a headphone output as well. It may not be great, but it gets the job done. Still haven't come across an alternative that will do the same. If you know one, let me know (19 inch, 1U).

I also have a similar setup with a Soundcraft Spirit Protracker (excellent preamp and mixer, mix goes to DAT) and an RME ADI-8, which sends ADAT to the PC.

In your case, maybe an external preamp/mixer would be a good option.


Daniel

[pkautzsch]

The weakest part comes last.
Mics: very reliable, as long as P48 from pre is there.
Pres: reliable enough.
AD: in my pres, so reliable enough.
computer: not reliable --> last part of the chain.
Backup HD recorder: not as reliable as pres, but well...

Thus I go from pres into HD recorder, and the recorder's outputs go into the computer.
Safer would be having an HD recorder with hardware patch between analog ins and outs, thus sort-of passively splitting the signal. My pre's converters are better than the HD's though, so this usually isn't an option.

[Infinite5ths]

Hey folks! Thanks for the input. This pretty much confirms what I thought.

It sounds like a Mackie 1202 VLZ (PRO) front end split immediately to the Yamaha and the backup is the safest way to go. The Mackie is about as simple and bulletproof as you can get...short of ultra-expensive preamps that cost more than my whole setup.


...'preciate the info. Any further comments are also welcome. I'll continue to check this thread.

[Biber]

for classical recordings (normally up to 8 mics) i go from the mics to the mixer (small midas venice) from there via direct outs to a hd24, and from there via adat-out to my laptop, second via groups and sends to an tascam da and also mixing the returns from the hd24 to stereo and to DAT.

so normally i look at my laptop as main recorder with a "digital copy" on the hd24, and backups are da38 and DAT.

at the moment my dat is broken, but i think a can live without that

The Octamic has two ADAT outputs (for 96k/SMUX), which carry the same signal in 44/48k, so one can even split signals digitally, with no risk of a crash of one PC affecting the other.

i also like that idea and an octamic d is on my wishlist (or perhaps two ) if i ever can afford that

[Gerax]

Hi

I think I'm doing the B option: I use the dual outputs in my preamps to go ADAT into my Mackie SDR2496 HD recorder and analog via DSub-25 to whatever number of Tascam DA88 or 78 recorders for backup. I'm planning to get another HD recorder just like the Mackie, because lugging 12 RUs of Tascam isn't convenient... I know the backup medium should be of different type than the main, but my SDR has been so reliable over the years that I'm confident enought get a second one for backups. I would hook it up to the second ADAT port on each preamp D I/O, and get the same exact signal I'm feeding the main one; From the analog outs of my m,ain recorder I go into a mixer and create a rough mix that gets also printed on CD for producer/musicians reference after show.
If you start considering what can go wrong, well...pretty much any piece of equipment can fail, so you should have a backup piece for everything starting from mics...which I think isn't a practical thing...so far I've been good with just the backup recorders, and to be honest I haven't had the need to use a backup untill now that I've said this

L.G.

[Jim vanBergen]

Historically my choices have been:

1) secondary output from mic pre (chooosing the right pre's becomes a BIG deal)
2) SPLIT! transformer output to backup machines, direct to main machines
3) use broadcast iso records as backups via Aux paths, groups, matrixes, and mults. This was I get isolated or group mixes of each element.

I don't put out backups mics for a backup recorder that I don't intend to use on the main recorder.