Which MOTU for live recording?

[darksotmoon]

Hi, I'm new to this site, I've been looking to pick up a MOTU unit. I do primarily Live sound, so I am looking for something that I can patch from my console direct outs and record 24 to 48 discrete audio tracks onto a PC. But which product is right? any sugestions?
I've been looking at the 24I/O, is that to much of a horse for me to ride, can I get this done with less technology. If I go to a store the salesman will sell the device d'jour. I want opinions of users.
I've got a Soudcraft GB4 console with all sorts of external processing. DBX 1066 compressors on each input. A full compliment of Ryder ready microphones. Just looking for something to take 24 to 48 inputs of fairly well prepaired audio, convert it for storage and then recall it later for mixdown.

Moon

[nick danger]

If you need 24 inputs, the 24i/o looks to be the smallest horse that will work for you. Or you could get a 2408mkIII, and add other ADAT devices to it to get up to the number of inputs you want.

[BradLyons]

Welcome to the forum. I design a lot of systems like the one you described, and then-some. When it comes to live recording via analog, I can't tell you how many MOTU 24I/O's I sell, some even have (2) or (3). In fact, a single PCI424 card can hold up to (4) units for a full 96-inputs. As long has you have a good computer with GOOD hard-drives, 96-tracks at a time is not an issue. Yes, I've tested this myself with no issues. While currently I use a Digidesign DShow Venue console directly to ProToolsHD for live recording, I used to use a 24I/O with a 2408mk3 for 32-channels.

[darksotmoon]

Thanks Paul and regnaD
Sounds like you have confirmed my reading of the literature.

Moon