To 896HD or Not To 896HD?

[Dwetmaster]

I already have one and I'm looking into expanding my number of input. I read a lot of post about user having problem to sync 2 896HD together. they usually end up buying a pair of RME.

I like my 896 but should I just get a 8pre and connect it adat? or is it worth it to get another 896. Are the pres of the 896 are respected at least a bit in the professionnal business or should get outboard pres?

[Dwetmaster]

bump...

[Fibes]

If you are happy with the 896HD pres then so be it.

I run a shop with lots of great outboard and have a dual 896HD rig for remote stuff and although i don't love the pres as much as my APIs, Neves etc. they work fine for many applications.

Except for initial setup, i've never had a problem getting the 896HDs together.

The only trick is that you need to link them via AES if you want to monitor through cue mix.

As per the 8pre is concerned, i hate light pipe and everything it involves.

[Dwetmaster]

As per the 8pre is concerned, i hate light pipe and everything it involves.

Thanks for the reply but may I ask a bit of precision regarding your hatred of lightpipe?

Anyone else for or against 8pre or a second 896HD?

[Musca]

Hi, I have a 896HD too, and I am thinking on expanding to 16 analong inputs buy using one of those 1u pieces that provides 8 amps with adat out, and i was thinkin of the focusrite octopre, or the mackie onyx r800. Both units have realy good amps, but i would do more research on de converters. Anyway, thats another way of expandig inputs with the 896HD.

[Fibes]

As per the 8pre is concerned, i hate light pipe and everything it involves.

Thanks for the reply but may I ask a bit of precision regarding your hatred of lightpipe?

Um, many years using it and dealing with pops, clicks, drop outs and all manner of clocking issues.

That and the limited bandwidth, limited durabilty and distance for the cables...

I guess you just had to be there.

[edwardb]

"The only trick is that you need to link them via AES if you want to monitor through cue mix."

Fibes...when you link the 896hd via aes do you still use the firewire hub link on the 896hd ?

What configuration are you using to link dual 896hd via aes (hardware/software settings) ...
I would like to try it and see what results i get....
If you would be so kind as to give me an idea of how you are set up i would greatly appreciate it.
Currently i have dual 896hd synced via the firewire at the back of the 896hd itself. Sync is pretty solid but it does drop out from time to time for no apparent reason...

motu drivers 3.6.7.3..win xp pro sp1...sonar 6 producer edition

[Fibes]

"The only trick is that you need to link them via AES if you want to monitor through cue mix."

Fibes...when you link the 896hd via aes do you still use the firewire hub link on the 896hd ?

What configuration are you using to link dual 896hd via aes (hardware/software settings) ...
I would like to try it and see what results i get....
If you would be so kind as to give me an idea of how you are set up i would greatly appreciate it.
Currently i have dual 896hd synced via the firewire at the back of the 896hd itself. Sync is pretty solid but it does drop out from time to time for no apparent reason...

motu drivers 3.6.7.3..win xp pro sp1...sonar 6 producer edition

Check your PM.

The AES link is mainly for monitoring purposes not clock.

Wordclock would be best via a good external clock.

And no, I'm not a big fan of external clocks on my PCI424 studio rig, just the firewire 896hds.