Do you want to mixdown into the computer or transfer all of the recorded tracks into the computer and then mix them down on the computer?

I think you would like mixing in the computer a lot more. You have more options, more control, more everything.

According to the specs, you can import and export the wav files via SCSI. So, you could record into the yamaha, then transfer the recorded files over to the computer via SCSI and then load them into your DAW, whatever you choose and mix it all down.

I'm guessing your Mac doesn't have SCSI but you may be able to use some sort of SCSI-to-USB or Firewire adapter/cable.

What you don't really want to do is record everything into the Yamaha, then mix down or transfer the recorded material through another interface (like the mbox) into the computer. It would work, but you are adding additional conversions and noise to the process when you don't really need to.

[quote=pr0gr4m]

I think you would like mixing in the computer a lot more. You have more options, more control, more everything.
quote]

i agree with progr4m- i used to record using a Roland vs-1880. from the day i got my first DAW setup and protools (6.4) till now I have not touched it once. in fact, it now functions as a shelf, or a spare fader/transport button provider when i pop one off elsewhere. worst part is i spent $2k on something that i could barely get $200 for today.

plus you can grow with your DAW by upgrading it and/or pc componets vs. the hard disk recororder, which becomes obselete with each passing day. in contrast to my roland, i have been able to use and improve/tweakthe same pc for the last 7 years, by increasing the ram, hard disk, audio card etc...(although it's time for a new one soon)

not to mention all the "shift/control/function keys that bring up the various limited menus in a hard disk recorder are now clickable with a mouse and are extremely easy to navigate on a pc screen

Thank you pr0gr4m and song4gabriel. You've already made me think about this in a new way. I was considering recording everything in the Yamaha, then mixing down through an mbox or something, but it sounds like I should rethink that.

If I do shelve the Yamaha, guess I should try to go for a better audio interface with more inputs and preamps. Not sure how well I can do in the $400 ballpark though.

Thanks for the input!

Just know with a Digidesign M-Box 2, it comes with its own pair of microphone preamps and you can feed an auxiliary SPDIF 2 track Bitstream, in it the same time for a total of 4 tracks of record simultaneously. A good reason to purchase broken DAT machines for peanuts. It gives you a second analog to digital & digital to analog converter. And you get ProTools LE.

That's the way I do it
Ms. Remy Ann David

Thanks for the information and ideas on the SPDIF 2 and broken DAT machines, RemyRAD!. Great ideas.

Mark

RemyRAD wrote: Just know with a Digidesign M-Box 2, it comes with its own pair of microphone preamps and you can feed an auxiliary SPDIF 2 track Bitstream, in it the same time for a total of 4 tracks of record simultaneously. A good reason to purchase broken DAT machines for peanuts. It gives you a second analog to digital & digital to analog converter. And you get ProTools LE.

That's the way I do it
Ms. Remy Ann David

also-craigslist ads are very flush with last years models of interfaces. any search through "musical instruments" should result in a few of these. if you can save up another couple hundred bucks you can pick up a good firewire interface which (depending on the model) may have up to 8 preamps.

some to check out:
digi002 (4 preamps i thknk)
digi001 (2 preamps- a steal at about 100-120 bucks)
macki onyx (4 preamps)

RemyRAD wrote: Just know with a Digidesign M-Box 2, it comes with its own pair of microphone preamps and you can feed an auxiliary SPDIF 2 track Bitstream, in it the same time for a total of 4 tracks of record simultaneously. A good reason to purchase broken DAT machines for peanuts. It gives you a second analog to digital & digital to analog converter. And you get ProTools LE.

DAT machines did not have S/PDIF outputs, either optical or coax.

If you went for a Digi00x interface (they have an optical ADAT lightpipe port), you could use an old DAT machine as an additional 8-channel 16 or 20-bit A-D and D-A converter.

Incorrect. I have a DAT machine sitting in my storage that has both S/PDIF coax and AES/EBU. I would say it is safe to assume most professional level DAT machines had at least one of these.

TheJackAttack wrote: Incorrect. I have a DAT machine sitting in my storage that has both S/PDIF coax and AES/EBU. I would say it is safe to assume most professional level DAT machines had at least one of these.

I stand corrected. It was late and I misread ADAT for DAT.