I am on the look out for a multi-preamp device which has USB or firewire for computer recording. I would also like to be able to use it with my AW4416.
The question is can multi preamp interfaces with multiple analogue OUTs route any input to any output.
Eg. Could I connect eight mics and have input1 going to output1, input2 going to output2, and so on?

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Jack of all trades, master of some.

Quote BigAl:

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I am on the look out for a multi-preamp device which has USB or firewire for computer recording. I would also like to be able to use it with my AW4416.
The question is can multi preamp interfaces with multiple analogue OUTs route any input to any output.
Eg. Could I connect eight mics and have input1 going to output1, input2 going to output2, and so on?

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Depends on the interface. Digitally this will often be possible e.g. RME interfaces are some of the most flexible with TotalMix. Are you wanting to record eight inputs via USB/firewire and continue to route them somewhere else as well?

No. It's to record more than 2 channels to the AW4416. I don't use a PC or Mac for recording, but may in the future. Looking for a flexible interface that can be used with both.
I thought most could do it.

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Jack of all trades, master of some.

Quote BigAl:

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Could I connect eight mics and have input1 going to output1, input2 going to output2, and so on?

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Yes, the Motu828's and the Saffire Pro 40's can do all of this with their mix software. I do something similar, on my Pro 40, for routing tracks from my DAW and the desk, to the outs of the Pro for headphone monitoring. It's all very clever, have a look at Focusrite's website.

Hi Al, I also use a AW4416. I use a Mackie Blackbird with it. Anything can be sent anywhere using a computer. It works as standalone but comes on as it was last used, you need to connect the computer to change the routing. The pre-amps are a massive up-grade from the AW4416's ones, I mean night and day different. It is also a simple unit to use compared to the RME one.

Thing is though, you would be far better off getting the adat board for the AW4416 as well - or use the adat input on the Y56K board. That way you get the full 8 channels via adat. If you have the Y56K board it can't derive word clock from it's adat input, but as the Mackie has seperate word clock connectors it's not a problem.

The older Saffire Pro-10 and Pro-26 have standalone modes where they can be used as octo-preamps. XLR in, balanced jack out; if the unit doesn't detect a computer on its Firewire, it maps ins to outs...


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planet nine
lincoln, uk.

Cheers guys.
I don't know if I could see me adding to the AW4416 (adat) - depending on how I get on if I start using a computer.
I still think it may frustrate me for tracking (maybe not for mixing).
The AW4416 preamps aren't great. The preamp in the TC Harmony G is even better than them, although I generally use my trusted Presonus MP20.
I do have my eye on one of the TC interfaces for two reasons - 1) Introduction to computer interface which has flexibility and 2) My mate works at Tannoy and can get a massive discount on TC gear.

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Jack of all trades, master of some.

Edited by BigAl (20/09/12 11:55 AM)

I understand you not wanting to spend on the AW4416 if you are about to migrate to a computer. Just for your info though, using the adat ins is painless. You just set up the patch in on the AW4416 input settings and recall whenever you want to, it feels no different to using the onboard analogue ins. You can also send 8 tracks at time in real time to a computer. Plus as a tracking device you have then got 24 available inputs. See the adat boards going for £80-£100 on ebay, the Y56K is harder to find and goes for more than an AW4416 sometimes!

oh I think I misunderstood you, you mean frustrated tracking on the computer, not the AW.

I also find I far prefer tracking on the AW, I guess it depends in the end on what the computer set-up is. For sure I prefer tracking with AW4416 to a basic computer set-up, esp several things at once, but also zero latency is nice. A more professional computer set-up is another story.

In case you can't tell I still love my AW4416 - it's nearly 10 years old now. How many computer/software upgrades has that saved me? I also have some unused new drives for it when they need replacing. Just in case I can't find a SCSCI cd drive etc. in 201??.

Edited by fletcher (20/09/12 01:44 PM)

Fletcher,

I think mine is 12 or 13 years old and still works fine, apart from the SCSI CROM. I think you can retro-fit an IDE one, but never looked into it.
It's a great machine and does me for what I record.
I thought the adat interfaces were still going for over 200 quid, so I'll have a look into ebay.
That would certainly make a difference to what interface I buy, although an adat 8 channel preamp (for example) could link into a TC interface into the computer if required.
It's also a good machine for moving around recording live sessions - simple to use.

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Jack of all trades, master of some.

After a wee browse, the Focusrite Saffire Pro40 looks like it could:-
1) Connect 8 mic OUTs to AW4416 balanced INs.
2) Connect to AW4416 adat card (if I get one).
3) Work as firewire computer interface.

Best of all worlds?

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Jack of all trades, master of some.

check it works without a computer attached - the Mackie does, can be useful when using with the AW4416. I also find the dedicated word clock connectors useful. I think you are working along the same idea I had, an interface that can work with the computer and also improve on the AW4416 functions. I think whichever one you get it should be fine. The Mackie Blackbird has been perfect for me for about 2 years now - wow where does time go!

If your cd drive has failed I have seen on ebay a combined 80gb hard-drive combined with cd drive, SCSI. It is esp. made for the AW4416 and connects to the external SCSI port. About £90.

You may be right about the adat board if you buy from ebay shops, but if you find a private auction it is usualy cheaper.

Glad I'm not the only one still using one of these. I have been starting to use the computer more, just readying myself for the day it conks out. Until then I keep using it. Funny thing is I have noticed quite a few people with their home recording set-ups based on the more usual computer system, well they seem to like recording around my place.......

I'd be interested in this for the same reasons. I think the SOS review mentioned the Saffire 40 doesnt work as a stand alone though?

ISTR seeing that Focusrite have fixed that, so that it *can* now be used stand-alone. Worth checking the manuals on their website though.

http://d3se566zfvnmhf.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/downloads/7240/us erguidesaffireprostandalone5.pdf

Now has stand alone mode, which is good because I didn't manage to get the Fireface I was after and I am considering a Pro 56 now, but the early SOS review almost stopped me as it mentioned it didn't have it.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Thanks Fletcher.
The AW4416 is a great machine to work with and the quality is still pretty good. It how you use it etc....
For a while I was using my Presonus MP20 preamp, into a TC M-One-XL (FX off), into the digital in on the AW4416 (maybe a tad compression depending on source). the TC unit also works very well as two AUX on the AW4416, again using the digital connectors and routing Aux 1 & 2 through the digital OUT.

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Jack of all trades, master of some.