SD card recorder with digital input

[Sam Spoons]

I've been thinking about my studio setup and considering options to keep it's current 'nod' back to analogue*. I like working with an analogue like paradigm and have a few bits of outboard that I like. Principally, in this case, an old TC Finaliser Plus which, to my ears, does nice things to my mixes. I could use it in an insert in the desk but my preferred method is to patch it between the desk output (via AES/EBU) and the monitors. I would like to record the digital output from the Finaliser to some kind of digital medium. My old HHB Burn-It and Tascam DA20 are both a bit long in the tooth so I'm thinking of buying an SD recorder of some kind. Ideally it should have a digital input (the Finaliser has AES/EBU or SP/DIF outputs) which the cheaper rack mount recorders don't have. So suggestions for either a stereo rack mount SD recorder** with digital input or a portable stereo or multitrack recorder with similar.

* I have a digital desk (X32C) and record to a computer DAW (Reaper) but mostly treat them in a 'old school' way, the mixer as a mixer and Reaper as a 'virtual tape recorder'.

** The rack mount SD recorders which have digital inputs cost £600+ which puts me not too far off Zoom F8 or even Sound Devices money but the F8 doesn't have a digital input, haven't looked at the SD yet TBH.

[Mike Stranks]

Any good...?

https://www.thomann.de/gb/tascam_ssr100.htm

Mike

[allebaug]

Perhaps over your budget - TASCAM SS-CDR250N

with ethernet, 24bit/96, and Dante card as an option.

[Sam Spoons]

Thanks chaps, the TASCAM SS-CDR250N is indeed a little rich for me. The SS-R100 only records 44/16 (or 48/16) and 24 bit recording would be nice to have.

[allebaug]

The Tascam SS-R250N model is less expensive at ~700.

Same specs (2-SD cards, ethernet, 24bit/96) as The CDR model including the Dante slot option. The specs are not obvious for why it's 200 less.

Ahhhh! The 200 gets you a CD-RW built-in!

[James Perrett]

Alesis Masterlink? Someone around here was trying to give one away recently

[Sam Spoons]

Thanks James but I need/(want) something with removable media, USB or SD, I already have a HHB Burn-It CD recorder, while that doesn't do 24 bit it will record red book CDs.

Basically what I'm trying to achieve is to integrate my TC Finaliser into my system entirely digitally. The X32 has a digital out but no digital input.

[James Perrett]

Here's a geek answer...

How about a Raspberry Pi with a digital audio card?

It would take a bit of setting up but you could probably program it to record a new file to a USB stick at the touch of a single button. Total cost for a Raspberry Pi starter kit and digital audio card should be under £100.

[Sam Spoons]

And I have a Raspberry Pi 3 already. Hmm... maybe

[Drew Stephenson]

Slightly surprised that there's no card available for the X32 that has a digital input.

[Sam Spoons]

There may be but, as it only has one expansion slot, it would have to have USB onboard too as the X32 is my multi-channel audio interface. I guess the sensible thing would be to patch the Finaliser into a couple of analogue auxes/inserts is just goes against the grain to do the extra DA/AD conversion...

[Sam Spoons]

Just an update as the Marrantz PMD570 thread jigged my memory. There is a PMD570 on ebay for £105 (actually there are 21 available, used and now being sold by Leicester Police). CF rather than SD but, hopefully with an adapter that might work. Only 44.1/48 (no problem) and 16bit (24 would be nice but at the price). Up-thread the cheapest reputable alternative was the Tascam SS-R100 at over £400 (and still only 44/48 and 16 bit). I know it's an old machine but can anybody give me another reason why one of these is not worth a punt.

FWIW I have a few CF cards to test and if it's faulty returns are accepted, I also have numerous SD cards and a couple SD-CF adapters.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Used-Marantz-Professional-PMD570-Solid-State-Recorder/402453549233?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[Mike Stranks]

Looks good... and the 'returns' option is a safety-net.

I've just spec'd one of these: https://www.solidstatesound.co.uk/denon_dn-300r.htm for an instal... but doesn't meet your requirements in some regards...

The 'police' option looks a good 'un!

[Sam Spoons]

If it had digital I/O that would be spot on but the hive mind and I couldn't find anything with digital and 24 bit recording at a price I was prepared to pay. I think I might give one of these a try.

[Rob Kirkwood]

Just an update as the Marrantz PMD570 thread jigged my memory. There is a PMD570 on ebay for £105 (actually there are 21 available, used and now being sold by Leicester Police). CF rather than SD...

If you do go this route give me a shout - I've got a number of 4GB & 8GB CF cards sitting in a box doing nothing these days (all genuine SanDisk Extreme 3).

Rob

[Sam Spoons]

will do, thanks