Add Channels Through ADAT

[HilcrRWise]

We have a Yamaha 01V96 V2 mixing desk where we are getting close to using all existing channels (desk already has the MY8-AD24 8 x jack input add on card installed). I understand that it is possible to use the Behringer ADA-8000 Ultragain Pro to add an extra 8 XLR inputs through the desks ADAT connector. Are there any issues adding channels like this? Are there any other alternative products that do the same job that may be a better option (preferably something that has the mic inputs on the back)?

 

Thanks

[jamesperrett]

Focusrite Octopre and Audient ASP008 are two alternatives that I can think of. Presonus also do something like this although I can't remember the exact model number. There are also quite a few audio interfaces that can be set up to work as stand-alone preamps - certainly the Focusrite Saffire Pro range can.

 

Cheers

 

James.

[TomHoward]

We have an a pair of ADA8000s that we use for expansion primarily on an LS9, but that we have used with our 01V96 on occasion - as long as you're familiar with the patching on the 01V96 (which using the expansion card you no doubt will be) you shouldn't have any trouble setting it up at all - as well as the ADAT output you'll also have to connect either an ADAT input from the desk or the Wordclock BNC for clocking on the ADA8000 (assuming you'll slave it off the desk's clock).

 

Other than that the only drawback is that when paired with the LS9 the ADA8000 doesn't have recallable input gains - however with an 01V you won't have this discrepancy. It's usually worth trying to run your higher input level channels (DI'd keyboards, playback inputs etc) through the ADA8000 as the pre-amps are a bit noisy at high gain compared to the 01V's.

 

If you look at this topic there's a workaround for the mic inputs on the front - cutting some new notches in a right angled connector.

 

There are alternative pre-amps and ADAT convertors available but I don't think there's much else even close to the price point.

[cho_drummer]

The ADA 8000 is a good unit, with good converters, the pre's are a little suspect though, I'd record the less important things with them and you're limited to 48kHz with the ADA 8000.

[HilcrRWise]

Given my budget of £250 I have currently short listed these two products:

 

Behringer ADA-8000 (http://www.behringer.de/EN/Products/ADA8000.aspx) = £131.37

Presonus Digimax D8 (http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=48) = £239

 

Would there be any advantage in paying the extra for the Presonus (other than the inputs being on the back)?

[TomHoward]

I've no experience with the Presonus but let's suppose it's a slightly quieter unit than the Behringer, it's got metering on the front - but that's not really too important as you've got it on the desk anyway, although the Behringer is £100 cheaper - and it also gives you eight analogue outputs as well, which the Presonus doesn't. Depends if you have any need for those additional outputs and where you choose to spend your money.

[cho_drummer]

The behringer outputs are slightly annoying though as there's no direct monitoring, its all done via the ADAT in/out so you're potentially stuck with latency issues and you can'tjust use them as pre's if you ever wanted to.

[Bobbsy]

I suppose it depends on your work flow--I've had four ADA8000s for about 5 years now and never even thought about wanting direct monitoring. I use the ADAs as ins/outs for a DM1000 when working live and all my monitoring needs are done in the mixer.

 

The Behringers have performed well for me for live work. The two issues to consider are:

 

1. They are noticeably more noisy than the Presonus boxes, particularly when you have to crank the gain trim up. On my boxes, it's far from being a problem until I get into the upper 15% or so of the pot--lower than that it's never been a problem in a live situation--and, with the mics I use I rarely have to push the gain--the boxes were about 2 years old before a really low level source showed me the problem.

 

2. The front inputs (which is an issue you've already noticed.

 

On the plus side are all the extra outputs I now have which, in a theatre setting have been useful at times.

 

In my case I guess I "voted with my wallet" in that I bought the Behringers. For live use they've been fine and good workhorses--though I tend to keep the "money channels" on the mixer pre amps and use the Behringers for secondary sources and/or sources that come in at line level (keyboards, DI's etc.). If I was doing it again (even if I had unlimited funds) I'd probably still buy the Behringers for the outputs.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Bob

[TomHoward]

Given that the major down side to these Behringers is the noise of the pre-amps, I wonder if there's any weight to opening one up and swapping the op-amps for higher quality components?

[dan slv-tech]

had a similar predicament, went for the focusrite LE - £cheap as chips from DV247.com, and with current prices, not far from the cost of the ADA8000- and it has metering, Jacks on front, XLR on rear, all ADAT/WC on the rear.

 

 

 

dan

[cho_drummer]

Given that the major down side to these Behringers is the noise of the pre-amps, I wonder if there's any weight to opening one up and swapping the op-amps for higher quality components?

A mate of mine has done this. He thinks the converters are great, so just uses some better quality pre's he has.

[Rob_Beech]

The LE doesn't have ADAT as standard though. I have one WITH the ADAT card. Separate though at about £100.