Alesis HD24

[TonyB]

As far as the MOTU 24 I/O is concerned, I own one but never used in an on-site situation. Only in the studio. I've never had to go more than between 14 or 15 simultaneous inputs in the studio (96khz), but had no problems with the DAW taking what the MOTU through at it.

As garageband said, on-site you may not get near 24 simultaneous inputs.

If you decide to go the MOTU - DAW route, it should work for you, unless you are recording each and every instrument individually in the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

[technobreath]

Appreciate the input!

Garageband talks about needing just the stereo mix outputs for recording live situations, im sure that was a joke - if it wasn't, i'll take it as one either way :P

OK here's the deal. I own a DAW studio myself, a small one, and that is what I'm used to work with, so that is what I will be comfortable with, that is why I initially want a DAW system, not a stand alone system.

This setup is going to be staionary in a worship house, and no laptop is ever gonna "get access" to this system. Hehe. It's gonna be a powerfull stationary computer with as much ram, cpu available, and some decent spaced HDs. So since I've worked with some DAW systems before, I know of the limitations regarding cpu and ram when it comes to processing the tracks. The sound system is all new and expensive, every major component is high end QsC, so in comparison to this a new computer will be relativly cheap, so there's no question about it, a powerfull stationary computer is going in this system. Laptops will probably be used for presentation purposes on screen, but no more than that.

So eventually the recordings will be mixed and mastered in Cubase on this computer, so don't worry about not getting the computer I need - I will design a computer that fits the need of the recording system we choose ...

I can clearly see the positive sides of using a HD24 machine with fireport, since it's dead stable, always work - unlike a computer... no question I like equipment that is simple to use and is there for you when u need it.

I don't say I'll be using 24 tracks at once all the time, but for a full band with stereo recordings on certain instruments like ac.piano and synths and a full drum-kit, three or four vocals, and in addition maybe a choir. These are some of the things I will face, so I need a system that is able to record all this if I need it. So I am sure about the 24 tracks, nothing less. The system will also be used to record band in a non live situation, more like a studio but without the facilities, just in the main concert room. you know what I mean.

So the deal is - I already have the allen & heath 40 channel mixer, I will buy a powerfull enough PC stationary, no laptop in here please, and I AM going to use cubase for editing, mixing and mastering afterwards.

Based on the reliability and simplicity of the HD24 I will consider buying it, but it is important that it will be easy and fast to transfer the projects to the DAW computer afterwards, and that the HD24 organize the files in a way that isn't too hard to work with and reorganize in cubase.

Based on my positive experiences with a DAW only system - I use my system every day - and the fact that I'm gonna get a powerful enough computer anyway - I would not really hesitate to go the DAW only way with a motu 24 i/o with PCI, as long as someone can tell me it's good for what I need it to do.

I am fully aware that 24 track recording may seem overkill to some of you, and I really appreciate the advices and tips and all that, but I had decided to go the 24 track route, and I have decided to use a DAW for post production) so the question is really wich way to go, standalone HD24 for the recording, or a DAW - cubase, and a motu 24 i/o or similar systems.

One more thing, how is the monitoring capabilities with these alternatives? Will I be able to listen to a stereo mix from the motu 24 i/o at the same time as I record 24 tracks? and can I do monitoring with the hd24? If it seems like I don't really know how the alesis hd24 work, it is probably true hehe.

thanks for any input

TB

[richiebee]

There is no two track monitoring on the HD24. Not even a headphone socket. The only way to monitor is to feed the 24 ouputs back into your mixer.

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by technobreath

One more thing, how is the monitoring capabilities with these alternatives? Will I be able to listen to a stereo mix from the motu 24 i/o at the same time as I record 24 tracks? and can I do monitoring with the hd24? If it seems like I don't really know how the alesis hd24 work, it is probably true hehe.

thanks for any input

TB

MOTU 24 I/O has a mixer called Cue Mixer that I use all time for monitoring. So yes, it does. I couldn't live without it for full-band live recordings.

[mindundermatter]

I still think it's just a 24-track tape machine. Get yourself an Alesis Masterlink to go with it and you're good to go.

[garageband]

For monitoring, use the headphone jack off the board. All you really care about is making sure you have signal and a good level. I believe there is adequate metering to direct that. You are not worried about mixing or what the aggregate sounds like at this point.

[brightshine]

I use the HD24 with a Yamaha 01v96 didgital mixer. Works flawlessly. I then mix down to an Alesis Masterlink. The plus to this is the ease of use. I record mostly live shows for the group I work with. The negative is not having automation for mixdown. So, my next investment will be a Mac and Cubebase. The live shows get recorded on the HD24 which will be transfered into Cubase. The Yamaha digital mixer will control the Cubase software and give me faders to control the mixdown and Cubebase has automation to remember the mixes. The HD24 is an analog style recorder with limited editing. It has worked with no problems for going on two years now. Tascam makes similar style recorders. All my research pointed to the HD24. I would highly recomend it.

[technobreath]

how is monitoring with the HD24 then? As I tried to explain, my thought was to steal the signal from direct outs on the mixer, and feed nothing back to it, other than a stereo track for monitoring and playback from computer. I agree on the point that monitoring live may seem a little hmm... not neccesary, but it all comes down to the habits I guess.

One other thing about the habits. I guess there will always be people who like different ways of doing things - you gotta understand I have never worked with a tape based studio and stand alone machines, I have participated in a record myself recorded in such studio once about 15 years ago now with a brass band, but as long as I have worked with recording myself (hobby must be said - not for a living - I'm electrician for a living) I have used DAWs, so that is where I'm gonna go, question is just how reasonable it would be of me to use the HD24 as a interface between the mixers direct-outs and Cubase. I can clearly see that there is less to worry about and less to have the eyes on during record with a HD24, but is it really that simple, and is it something I should buy if I'm gonna build a DAW anyway?

Someone here mentioned cue-mixer. What is it? A software controlled mixer implemented in the motu hardware somehow? What I need is to connect the mixer to the interface via the direct outs, and feed just a stereo signal back to the mixer for playback purposes without physical doing any connection changes. Monitoring of the audio that the interface "see" would be great also, just because I'm a control freak . You say it's just to look at the meters wich both HD24 and 24 i/o has got, but I'd like to listen to it... Single track monitoring is of course being accomplished from the Allen&Heath itself.

So any thoughts?

[brightshine]

You have answered your own questions. A DAW is what you are comfortable with. How many hours did it take you to learn the software? If you are using this system in a house of worship will you be the only one versed in using this system? That is the only issue I would be concerned about. Who runs the system if you are gone? I come from the tape based systems. The HD24 is very easy to use. Will you be giving classes on the use of Cubase?

I would think about what it is you are trying to record- Worship service and sermons for archival purpose??? Simple two track digital recorder would suffice. But you want to do "studio" recording also...then use Cubase.
What if you leave the church?

[technobreath]

If we were the kind of church that just needed recording of sermons, yeah, a soundblaster and a PentiumII PC would be just fine As said before, it's more complicated than that.

It aint much difference in plain recording with a daw like cubase or with a tape style machines... You start the program and load the proper "template" file prepared before and hit record. Everyone not afraid of the computer can do this. When it comes to editing yeah, it takes hours to learn, but the editing and mastering part the HD24 can't help me with too much anyway...

For more complicated recordings, edit, mixdown and mastering we have people besides me who either knows how or can learn how to . If I leave - not my problem anymore :P hehe.

The thing I would like to know is - is it worth buying a HD24 over a motu 24i/o to get the easiest possible way to record 24 tracks. I'm gonna use the daw for everything else than the recording anyway if I go for the HD24. I can see the point in the things you say about thinking about who's gonna use it and what is gonna be recorded, but that is no problems in our chuch, as we have several capable people.

how is the HD24 to set up - adjusting gain and stuff?