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Hello everyone, this is my first post.

I've been home recording with Pro Tools 7 and a 002 board for a couple years now and I'm getting new stuff for my studio. I have most things picked out but there is something that is really confusing me...

Can I use a mixing board with Pro Tools 8 that isn't a DigiDesign one? For example a Tascam 2488neo or Tascam DM-3200? I really want a 24 or more track mixer but I'd rather not spend $9,000 on the new DigiDesign one...

Thanks for the help guys!
~Joe

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hueseph Mon, 04/05/2010 - 17:45

The 2488neo is a self contained multitrack recorder. There's no point to using it with ProTools.

The DM-3200 should directly interface to an HD Interface like a 192 io.

However, the short answer is(and you should know this by now), ProTools ONLY works with Digidesign(soon to be [[url=http://[/URL]="http://app.info.avi…"]AVID[/]="http://app.info.avi…"]AVID[/]) hardware. Do you absolutely need the 24 channels of simultaneous input? You can still do this with the 002 using an external Preamp(s) with ADAT. For mixing, it's just a matter of scrolling with the 002.

hueseph Mon, 04/05/2010 - 23:06

The DM-3200 should directly interface to an HD Interface like a 192 io.

That's what I said. The DM-3200 will interface directly with a 192 I/O. AFAIK the DB25 connectors on the DM-3200 are analog output so you will still need the 192 I/O interface(and the HD card of course).

From the page you linked:

Just connect your DAW interface, like Digidesign's 192 Digital I/O for Pro Tools(R), to one of the digital connections on the rear panel

If you want to use the control surface options of the mixer you need to also connect via firewire and the optional firewire interface card for the DM-3200. So in short yes you can use it with ProTools but not without a Digidesign interface.

*as you can see I had not yet read that the output is digital and not analog. Just to point out my own error.*

You could use the ADAT output of that mixer into your 002 but again you are still limited to the 16 channels of simultaneous I/O that the 002 is capable of. Not to mention that having two mixers is overkill. Do you absolutely need more than 16 channels of simultaneous I/O? Why not just get an ADAT enabled 8 channel preamp?

anonymous Tue, 04/06/2010 - 01:08

ahh, I see what you're saying. Well I guess I can try to find an old Control 24 for sale...

Could I possibly use 2 mixers at once? Like my 002 with a Project Mix I/O??
[[url=http://[/URL]="http://pro-audio.mu…"]Buy M-Audio ProjectMix I/O | Audio Interfaces & Convertors | Audio Interfaces | Musician's Friend[/]="http://pro-audio.mu…"]Buy M-Audio ProjectMix I/O | Audio Interfaces & Convertors | Audio Interfaces | Musician's Friend[/]

hueseph Tue, 04/06/2010 - 01:49

No you can't use two interfaces at once. Why don't you just get another preamp with ADAT output and continue using the 002? Regardless, you will be stuck with only 48 audio tracks and only 16 simultaneous channels to record. The 002 is not expandable except via the ADAT input. You can control more than eight faders just not at one time. Utilize the automation in ProTools LE.

Boswell Tue, 04/06/2010 - 07:54

The version of ProTools that you have is the "limited edition" (PTLE). It's not called "limited" for nothing. ProTools HD is the professional version, but still requires a Digidesign interface or I/O board.

You can get to 18 concurrent inputs with PTLE and the 002:

4 mic channels directly into the 002 XLR inputs
4 TRS line inputs that would need an external 4-channel pre-amp for use with microphones
8 channels of ADAT input that would need an 8-channel ADAT-output pre-amp
2 channels of S/PDIF that would need an S/PDIF-output preamp.

If you need more than 18 inputs, dump or sell your PTLE/002 and get a more flexible system. However, you could consider using a different interface and DAW to track and capture your audio, and then use PTLE for mixdown if you are wedded to it.

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