Can I buy a Z-link insert into my Pulsar 2? I'm looking at getting an A16 Ultra, however I wanted to keep everything in 24/96. Therefore becasue the Pulsar 2 DOESN'T have a Z-link I'm limited to 8 Channels (24/96) using Adat (s-mux). And there goes my 2 adat inputs. 8 inputs is hardly enough when tracking a full band.
So what's the best way to get 16 inputs (24/96) using a standard Pulsar 2? DON'T say use a mixer beause I want to TRACK at least 16 inputs then mix LATER.
With all that said, what about if I add a 8 channel Mic pre amp to the set up. What are my possiablitys?
Thanks,
WayneSim
Z-link, Adat, S-mux, Pulsar 2
Hi Wayne
There is a Z-link daughterboard available for the Pulsar 2 which (as far as I recall) is pretty affordable. Getting one of these bundled with your A16 is probably your quickest and most economical solution.
When I bought my A16 Ultra recently I was told there will be a card available for it "soon" that will enable S-MUX on all 16 channels. I've chosen to wait for that rather than go Z-link, but in your case it sounds like you want to keep your ADAT inputs free anyway.
As for the 8-channel preamp option, a decent one (ie. one that wouldn't defeat the purpose of recording at 96kHz) would cost you a lot more than an A16 + Z-link board, and you'd be sacrificing a great deal of potential control over your mix in the process.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Retro
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Retro on 2002-04-26 07:09 ]</font>
There is a Z-link daughterboard available for the Pulsar 2 which (as far as I recall) is pretty affordable. Getting one of these bundled with your A16 is probably your quickest and most economical solution.
When I bought my A16 Ultra recently I was told there will be a card available for it "soon" that will enable S-MUX on all 16 channels. I've chosen to wait for that rather than go Z-link, but in your case it sounds like you want to keep your ADAT inputs free anyway.
As for the 8-channel preamp option, a decent one (ie. one that wouldn't defeat the purpose of recording at 96kHz) would cost you a lot more than an A16 + Z-link board, and you'd be sacrificing a great deal of potential control over your mix in the process.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Retro
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Retro on 2002-04-26 07:09 ]</font>
Thanks for the advise Retro.On 2002-04-26 07:07, Retro wrote:
Hi Wayne
There is a Z-link daughterboard available for the Pulsar 2 which (as far as I recall) is pretty affordable. Getting one of these bundled with your A16 is probably your quickest and most economical solution.
When I bought my A16 Ultra recently I was told there will be a card available for it "soon" that will enable S-MUX on all 16 channels. I've chosen to wait for that rather than go Z-link, but in your case it sounds like you want to keep your ADAT inputs free anyway.
S-MUX on all 16 channels sounds good! But do you know when? Also do you know a rough price of it?
I was only thinking of keeping the Adat inputs free just in case. But if I can get 16 inputs through an A16 Ultra (24/96) that will be enough.
As far as Mic preamps go, I guess I'd plug them into the A16 Ultra. However I still haven't decided what Mic preamps to buy.
The Utimite thing would be if the A16 Ultra had a few GOOD Mic preamps inside it. Then the choice would be easy.
Unfortunately the dealers I spoke to don't seem to know when the ADAT card will be available or how much it will cost. I can say CW are pretty fair dinkum about it though because they even mention it in the A16 manual. Perhaps madmod (madmod@sonicconcepts.net) has some inside info on this.
The preamp question is always a toughie as it always ends up a very subjective decision. I certainly feel your pain because I'm looking for decent pre's at the moment too. IMHO, 4 x Avalon AD2022 dual pre's would be the ultimate solution if you have a spare $24000AU to spend! Back here on Earth though (:)) I recently heard that Focusrite have a new unit called the OctaPre. It's got eight mic pre's, the first two of which can be switched to perform as instrument DI's. Apparently there is a card available for it that gives it digital outs in S/P-DIF, AES-EBU and ADAT format. Intriguing possibilities there, and if the quality is up to scratch (not to mention the price) it might be just the beast we're looking for! I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but I know Focusrite's distributor here in Oz is Electric Factory. I'll be giving them a buzz soon...
Let me know how you go with your adventures.
Cheers,
Retro
The preamp question is always a toughie as it always ends up a very subjective decision. I certainly feel your pain because I'm looking for decent pre's at the moment too. IMHO, 4 x Avalon AD2022 dual pre's would be the ultimate solution if you have a spare $24000AU to spend! Back here on Earth though (:)) I recently heard that Focusrite have a new unit called the OctaPre. It's got eight mic pre's, the first two of which can be switched to perform as instrument DI's. Apparently there is a card available for it that gives it digital outs in S/P-DIF, AES-EBU and ADAT format. Intriguing possibilities there, and if the quality is up to scratch (not to mention the price) it might be just the beast we're looking for! I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, but I know Focusrite's distributor here in Oz is Electric Factory. I'll be giving them a buzz soon...
Let me know how you go with your adventures.
Cheers,
Retro
Yeah I heard about the Focusrite octo Pre SOUNDS GREAT but I think it's gonna cost heaps casue it's only just released. I might make some calls next week. Please post your findings also. But really I only wanted to spend $1500 AU and hoping to get about 4-8 mic pre's. I know that is a very average price for mic pre's. But I don't know. Maybe the HB 10 looks alright also. It depends how many GOOD quality mics I buy.
Anyways, Great to have Australians let alone Melbourne fellow pulsar people to talk to.
Anyways, Great to have Australians let alone Melbourne fellow pulsar people to talk to.
If you get a lunaII and Luna ADAT expansion board, you will get 2 Zlink connections so you can do 24/96 16 channels with your A16
and you will also get an extra ADAT port
an extra stereo analogue IO, an extra SPDIF IO and 3 more DSPs. Costs about twice as much as the Zlink expansion but much better value.
and you will also get an extra ADAT port
an extra stereo analogue IO, an extra SPDIF IO and 3 more DSPs. Costs about twice as much as the Zlink expansion but much better value.