Digidesign 192 I/O

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 3:51 pm

Hey, how do you connect preamps to 192 I/O's....I was looking at them online and they dont seem to have (analog/digital version) XLR or 1/4" outputs. Im thinking about buying a Protools HD system but I'd like to know how I would set it up first. Thanks.

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:16 pm

The 192 has DB25 for 8 analog and 8 digital input and output.
It also has 8 channel ADAT I/O
Plus 2 channel SPDIF Coax, 2 channel SPDIF Optical, and a stereo
digital XLR, on a seperate board.

Digidesign also sells DB25 to XLR or 1/4" snakes, and DB25 to XLR digital snakes.

Using a True systems P8, I use a DB25 to DB25.

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:45 pm

so its basically a 25 pin to 16 XLR snake thats needed? and the output side goes DB25 to DB25 to the HD card, right?

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:14 pm

The 192 has 3 DB25 connectors:
1 Analog out
1 Analog in
1 Digital in and out

You will need 3 snakes:

Analog input = 8 female XLR or 8 1/4" to DB25 (Tascam wiring)
Analog output = 8 male XLR or 8 1/4" to DB25 (Tascam wiring)
Digital I/O = 4 female and 4 male XLR to DB25 (AES/EBU wiring)

There is also an ADAT optical in and out.
Also an 8 channel TDIF I/O

Then theres a seperate board that has a single AES XLR, an SPDIF optical, and SPDIF coax I/O

What I meant earlier is that using a True Systems P8, I only need a DB25 to DB25 for analog in.

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:24 pm

Ok, im starting to follow, and that seems like a nice setup with the P8, but a bit out of my budget just now. Could you explain what the 3 snakes are for though. I mean, im not sure why i'd need an analog out when im sending the info to protools. I know I might be sounding retarded to you just now, but im just upgrading from LE and ive used HD in studios many times before, its just that ive never hooked anything up. Thanks for all your help!

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:24 pm

Quote:

im not sure why i'd need an analog out when im sending the info to protools

You're pulling my leg, right????

How the !#@% are you going to monitor your recordings???
How will you send headphone feeds?
Rolling Eyes

Ok this applies to everyone:

SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW..SIGNAL FLOW.....................................................
This is something I had to learn before I could touch the red button, I learned it 20 some odd years ago, using an analog console using analog outboard gear to analog tape.

The theory still applies in the digital world.

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:07 am

Yeah, thought about that after I wrote down my reply. Thanks man, you've been a real help. Any other poitners you might have for setting up an HD system would be cool.

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:48 am

I think you're really wasting your money? Your high-definition crap still gets dummied down to 44.1kHz/16-bit for CDs, MP3's and i-Pod. You want high-definition noise for low definition intellects? Then go for it. So what is high-definition about a distorted electric guitar anyhow? Get some better microphone preamplifier's and record 44.1 at 24-bit. OH! But that's low definition isn't it?? LOL

TVPostSound and I both have similar backgrounds and we both learned gain staging and signal flow. One of the most important aspects about recording. If you know that stuff, the crappiest equipment can sound "high-definition" if you know what you're doing, which you don't. Waste your money on some books maybe?

Limited edition psychiatrist
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:44 am

It wasnt called gain staging for me, it was "Bend my needles, and Ill bend your head"!!!!!

Hey, Im overkill too, my work is 48K 24Bit, and dither to 16bit for Avid editors to layback. But I use 192s for the better A/Ds!!!!

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:27 pm

Sorry if in some way I disturbed you with my query Remy, but I assure you im not fully ignorant. And I do respect your opinion because of the experience you have, yet I think you didn't get my question. At no point was I desiring to switch to HD for some magical placebo effect, but more for the same reasons TVPostSound had, the better converters, etc. Plus, an HD system is an investment, and a good one I believe, since iti is inevitable that sound will veer towards better quality demands in the near future as Hard Disk space continues to cease being a problem. It isnt long until handheld players have the ability to carry loads of Wav files or some form of lossless compression. My question was about hooking up the cables to the HD, Remy, not about desiring "hi-definition crap" as you so eloquently put it. But as always, your opinion is welcome and expected.

P.S. Thanks for your help TVPost. Another question though, is a PCIe card compatible with regular PCI? The PC I'd be hooking it up to has no PCIe slots and the HD2 says it uses one PCI for the core card and one PCIe for the accel card, or something of the sort. Thanks again man.

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:00 pm

Again, my apologies to you mercurix. Yes, I'm sure the newer units do have better sounding A2D converters but I don't think your investment is unfounded? Just like TVPostSound indicated, that 24 bits certainly gives most lousy video editors that extra margin of slop which I'm sure does not include TVPostSound ?

Regarding your other question, the answer is no, PCI express is not compatible with standard PCI cards. If the requirement is for a PCIe card, you cannot interchange with a PCI slot. It must be a PCIe enabled and included machine. If not, you are screwed. You might need to rethink this?

I do find a difference in converters but I don't believe it should be a determining factor. You may be looking to the future as we all are and although we have seen hybrid and hydrogen powered cars, try to purchase a hydrogen powered car. The technology is not yet really in place and although we have seen the future, we really haven't seen the future. I never let equipment technologies hold me back. My technique and experience rises above the equipment I use daily. I am not in want or need of finer converters as it will not make a difference in the quality of my recordings. That's right, it's the content, the emotion, the feel, the technique, the execution, not the equipment. The equipment is like your underwear. You may choose jockeys or boxers, either way it really doesn't affect your performance. I may choose to wear a brassiere but generally I don't. It doesn't affect my performance. I may be considered an overly practical engineer and so the reason for my peculiar attitude at times.

Currently jiggling
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:11 pm

Quote:

P.S. Thanks for your help TVPost. Another question though, is a PCIe card compatible with regular PCI? The PC I'd be hooking it up to has no PCIe slots and the HD2 says it uses one PCI for the core card and one PCIe for the accel card, or something of the sort. Thanks again man.

An HD2 is 2 cards, a Core Card, and an Accel card, either both PCI/PCIX or both PCIe, no combinations.
The PCIe versions use an Accel Core card, maybe thats what you heard.

There is no mixing of cards.

PCI/PCIX will not work in a PCI computer, and PCIe will not work in a PCI/PCIX computer.

Start lurking at the Digidesign forum:
duc.digidesign.com
Theres a LOT of reading to be had!!!!

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:23 pm

Mercurix

I have a 002R, MBox, and 192HD.
Mixing in all 3 is identical in quality (48K 24bit).

The reason I mostly use the 192 HD3, besides the better A/Ds is the "wow" factor with clients, higher track count, higher plugin count, and I get an obesene rental rate for it!!!!

On smaller mixes like Discovery/Food/Travel channel shows, I am just as comfortable, and have the same level of quality as the HD.

You state you have LE, but what hardware??? If you have a 002, there are a few 8 channel pres that use ADAT for outputs. You might just consider getting that and a few high dollar mics with that money.

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:27 am

Hey, TVPostSound

I have a 002 Rack and a Presonus Digimax LT hooked via optical. I also use some decent pres (Universal Audio LA-610, Vintech model 273) to cover the ones on the 002. I, like you, am also looking for the 'wow' factor for clients and the nicer converters, and also to reduce any latency issues. I read the combined PCI, PCIe thing on the digidesign website. I looked under HD2 specs and got confused at first, but I looked closer now and you're right, both cards have to be the same.

Another question, do you know what the difference is between blue cards and green cards? Is one the PCIe and the other the PCI? Thanks.

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:18 pm

Quote:

blue cards and green cards?

Hmm..... my green card allows me to stay in the US legally!!!!!

Honestly, I dont know.

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