MOTUnation.com

So, here's the scoop... I've been using an 896HD since its release and occasionally augmenting it with a friend's traveller when needing more simultaneous inputs. I pretty much never record a full band at 192k because during mixing it eats up my UAD-1 resources and CPU capacity too fast once I start dropping plugs in. I've decided that 96k is the sweet spot for my gear.

Thursday, I'm recording a 9 piece band (Git, Bass, Drums, 4 horns, Keys, Vox). Three of the players also sing backups and the keyboard player uses two keyboards (Hammond XK2 & some Alesis job). Being as I only record at 96k anyhow, I picked up an ultralight to augment my track count. This gets me up to 16. After using one track for each instrument and vocal, that leaves me with only two channels for drums... Pretty much unacceptable given the type of music. I can probably safely bus some stuff like backing vocals onto one track or borrow my friend's traveller again but I started thinking about it and I've got 8 channels of 96k inputs that I'm completely wasting.

4 Channels of 96k Adat input on the 896
2 Channels of AES/EBU input on the 896
2 Channels of S/PDIF input on the UltraLight

Is anybody here using affordable A/D converters to take advantage of these inputs on their gear? If so, what models and how's it working out? Most of the standalone converters I've seen that do 96k cost more than an additional Motu interface. Considering the fact that the Motu gear has to have a lot more onboard than just A/D converters, I would think I'd be able to pick something up for cheaper than a new interface. So far, I've been unable to track it down though.

The "inexpensive" unit would be the Behringer ADA8000. But you'll have to draw your own conclusions regarding the quality of the A/D inputs.

Yeah, I did see the Behringer Unit but it only does 48k and I have my doubts about the quality of the unit. I've found the sound quality of a lot of Behringer gear to be somewhat lacking to say the least...

That thing's not actually all that bad (IMHO, of course). I switched to one for my drum mics a couple years ago or something, and it's been fine. I'm sure it's not the finest pre/converter ever made, but it's probably way beyond what the name or price might imply. It had BNC clock input and user selectable clock modes that my AI-3 lacked (they're both chock full of Alesis chips, BTW).

When I first got it, I tried some A/B's with some other semi-pro junk out there (Alesis 12R going direct out to the 2408mk3, a Mackie 1604VLZ, a Symetrix 528 channel strip, and a Symetrix 202 with the Monte P. McGuire mods in it). To me, the 202 was the only thing that really stood out as "better" sounding, but that was sort of expected. They were also quite different sounding, so it may not have been the ideal one for everything. At the time, it was chained to an AT-4050, but my drum channels are usually that, an RE-20, a bunch of 57's, an AKG D-112, and an EV ND-408, and it's sounded good enough here with all those as well. It replaced an Alesis AI-3 and either the 1604VLZ or Studio12R, so it cut down on some mess.

I read up on it back then, out of curiosity, and there weren't any real "bad" comments about it in rec.audio.pro or anywhere. Only stuff I really remember was one or two who said it was a bit "darker" sounding than their other pre, and comments on it needing more gain for the pres (hasn't been a big deal here, except maybe the RE-20, IIRC). Would be interesting to see what they're saying now, but for the money it seems hard to go wrong with it. My AI-3 will be interfacing the 2408mk3 to miscellaneous analog stuff, for VST plug inserts in the control room, since it's replacement, so an extra 8 channels of AD/DA is always useful for that. I too am convinced that 48k is enough of a load for me. (...maybe next year)

Good luck on it!

George