Question about firewire interfaces

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:53 am

Hi. I currently work with an M-audio 1010LT. Not high end I know. I would definitely like to have at least 16 channels of I/O into my DAW and have looked at many ways to achieve this. Motu seems to be the first thing that comes to mind in the PCI arena. There are also a lot of firewire interfaces with up to 8 channels like the presonus stuff and alesis. What I'm wanting to know is; If I buy an 8 channel firewire interface, can I increase my inputs by just daisy-chaining in another firwire interface? Such as two firpods or two alesis multimixes or two mackie onyx interfaces? THis is something I need to find out so I dont start down a road that ends up as a dead end. I can even see eventually wanting to have up to 24 or 32 channels available. Anyone have any ideas on this? Thanks in advance.

Edit: I should have mentioned that I use Cool Edit Pro, haha just kidding. Seriously though, I use Cubase SX3 for recording. I dont know really, how it handles this situation. I guess that, if I did daisy chain interfaces, they would have to be the exact same ones since you have to choose which audio drivers Cubase is using. I dont think you can choose two different ones.

Eric

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:16 am

There is the Lynx Aurora which is 16 channels of I/O in one device.

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 2:25 pm

Yes, the interfaces would have to be the same and the interfaces would have to support "daisy-chaining".

I know the firepod supports up to two firepods being daisy-chained together and the newer fire studio does not. not really sure about the other manufactures...a rule of thumb is "if they don't list is as one of the clearly marked features, it probably doesn't support it." as this would be a good selling point for any manufacturer and if they support it and don't list it, it must be crappy and full of bugs.

-Chris

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 10:48 pm

or you could just buy my mackie onyx 1640 with firewire installed, and be done with things. Very Happy

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:22 am

Jeremy wrote:

or you could just buy my mackie onyx 1640 with firewire installed, and be done with things. Very Happy

until you want to upgrade preamps ...

I use an Echo Audiofire12 - 12 channels in and 12 out - no preamps. They support daisy-chaining for several units. I'll be getting a second soon to replace my old 24 channel MOTU w/ PCI card.

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:58 am

The pres are great, and its not like you couldn't use an outboard unit if you didnt want to use the mackies which are great did I mention that?

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:55 pm

Thanks guys. You know Jeremy, the more I look at the mackie, the more I think it sounds like a great deal. I've already heard from many people here that the pres sound good and the literature says you can daisy chain two of them for a total of 32 channels into your daw. That sounds pretty cool. THe only thing that seems limiting is that it only has stereo outputs. Nothing for future surround support or anything. Still, it is the most promising thing I've seen so far. Thanks again.

Eric

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