Vintage analog / analogue desk to digital domain. My Plan.

[bloodbubble]

I'm not far off becoming the owner of an old/vintage analog 24 channel mixing desk, I do not think I can afford something like an Aurora 16 channel device and even if I could I would still be 8 channels off my possible 24.
So after reading up on the subject for a day and to get the desk into my current digital domain on a budget - this is a plan Ive come up with.

It involves me purchasing something like two Beringer ADA8000 units and something like a Motu 828MK3.. hopefully second hand!!

So heres my plan....

An unbalanced connection from the desks channel strip's insert point takes the line-level signal to one of the line-level inputs on one of two BERINGER ADA8000 units.

The ADA8000 channel's mic pre is bypassed since the signal is coming in via the line-level input rather than the mic input.

The ADA8000 channel's analogue-to-digital converter samples the signal and converts to a 24-bit digital value.

The sample values from all 16 Beringer ADA8000 channels (two units) are combined and sent via two short fibre-optic cable into the two ADAT inputs on the back of a MOTU 828mk3 or similar??

The 828mk3 combines the 16 channels coming in via the ADAT inputs with the output of its own 8 ADCs and sends the 24 channels to my PC via Firewire 400 (or USB as the case may be on a different unit).


How does this sound?, is there another better way for similar money spent?

Thanks

[G-Sun]

Originally Posted by bloodbubble

An unbalanced connection from the desks channel strip's insert point takes the line-level signal to one of the line-level inputs on one of two BERINGER ADA8000 units.

Unbalanced is not recommended. Gives you lower signal-to-noise ratio. Could work for you though.

The ADA8000 channel's mic pre is bypassed since the signal is coming in via the line-level input rather than the mic input.

Mic pre is not bypassed, just a pad kicking in. But that's not a big problem.

What desk are you going to buy?
Do you need 16ch in?

[G-Sun]

How about a
PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 ?

Then adding some nice vintage preamps later.

[bloodbubble]

yeah Ive looked at those, don't think I would get one for under a £1000.00 quid though.

Im on a budget hence the inclusion of the two beringer units in my plan, the desk is in a private sale a few miles away, the price is good it has 24 channel inputs... these kinda desks dont come up at this price so close to home very often.
Im thinking such a desk would be for life and that appeals to me.

[Panic]

Keep in mind that an old analog desk is going to need regular maintenance and will most likely have issues when you get it. You might see if you can get some technical support included in the deal, since the seller is pretty close.

[Win Conway]

Sounds like an expensive way to go to me
If you don't like the mic pres in the ada8000 (Why ?, they have been used on a hell of a lot of recordings and you don't even notice haha)

Get the MOTU or an RME Raydat or something and just buy Focusrite Octopres, the mic pres on those are very nice

[G-Sun]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Focusrite-Saf...item5aeaa3ac4d
Done

[bloodbubble]

hey guys thanks for replies.

The old desk has been well maintained and I have a friend who can do the maintenance and repairs, so I'm fairly confident about that problem, its also going as are many old analogue desks now for very little money, if I don't get this one Id still be tempted to go after another

as for the other replies I'm fairly confused

Originally Posted by gpunk_w

Sounds like an expensive way to go to me
If you don't like the mic pres in the ada8000 (Why ?, they have been used on a hell of a lot of recordings and you don't even notice haha)

Get the MOTU or an RME Raydat or something and just buy Focusrite Octopres, the mic pres on those are very nice

Is it an expensive way to go?, how so? I thought Id chosen a fairly cheap way to get the analogue desk into digital, its not that I dont like the ADA800 pres, the units are well priced and a good way to get 16 inputs... i thought

The Motu and at least 2 Octopres? thats an option yes...wouldnt be able to afford the desk after buying that but I guess thats what you are suggesting.. it would be more expensive for me to go that route and I wouldn't have a/the desk

Originally Posted by G-Sun

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Focusrite-Saf...item5aeaa3ac4d
Done

Yes its a lovely unit, but how is one of these 'done' for me?





I really am looking for a suitable way to get 24 channels of an analogue desk to a digital medium without spending a fortune... I know its possible, as I think my plan would work.. but thats really what my question was about
__________________

[G-Sun]

Originally Posted by bloodbubble

I really am looking for a suitable way to get 24 channels of an analogue desk to a digital medium without spending a fortune... I know its possible, as I think my plan would work.. but thats really what my question was about
__________________

Ok, sorry
http://tweakheadz.com/audio_interfac...ison_chart.htm

Tha Sapphire 40 is close but is basically 18in.

Yes, maybe the MOTU 2408mk3 is your best shot.

[James HE]

You could look for a few old ADAT's for conversion. This option would be even cheaper than the behringer units.

They take up a lot of space though.

[ivansc]

i use an rme 9652 hdsp with a focusrite Octopre LE and a Behri ada8000.
Got this lot when my A&H large format desk developed a fault that was too expensive to justify fixing and I finally sold my hard disk recorders and went ITB
Works just fine for me even without a mixer.
Frankly with that setup, all you would need is a couple of character preamps if you need them and maybe an inexpensive monitor controller such as the MPatch like I use.

This setup would also give you a potential 16 outs if your MOTU supports ADAT outs as well.

Hard to beat at project/home studio level.

[bloodbubble]

thanks again guys!!! invaluable stuff
3 very useful replies!
thats opened up new ideas in my struggling brain.. very much appreciated

[ivansc]

Originally Posted by bloodbubble

thanks again guys!!! invaluable stuff
3 very useful replies!
thats opened up new ideas in my struggling brain.. very much appreciated

If you are ever out Cambridge/Huntingdon way pop in and have a look at my setup.

[bloodbubble]

Originally Posted by ivansc

If you are ever out Cambridge/Huntingdon way pop in and have a look at my setup.

Hey Im gigging in Cambridge sat night !


Sorry for delay.. I passed up on the desk I was originally going for it was a yamaha M1532... a really nice desk and I kinda wish I had bought it but I was concerned about the maintenance I would have to do it, I then found a silly sized DDA desk on Ebay, put in a bid but didnt win.
Ive finally picked up an Allen and Heath Saber Mk1, recapped, serviced and fitted with Burr Brown preamps. I have yet to set it up and purchase the other bits I need.
Thanks again for all the advice folks!

[planetnine]

Originally Posted by ivansc

If you are ever out Cambridge/Huntingdon way pop in and have a look at my setup.

Didn't realise you were that close Ivan.

I drive along the A14 fairly often...


>