Expanding an interface for more inputs

[rggillespie]

I've made a mistake and haven't got enough inputs into my new UA Apollo twin. I want to have all my mics set up and ready for immediate use, I use 2 inputs for vocals and my other 2 set up for recording my guitars. Can I get something to my expand the interfaces two inputs to four? It would save unplugging back and forth hassle and help me streamline and speed up the recording process. Your thoughts much appreciated, maybe it's just a question of selling the twin and getting a 4 inputs interface?

[adrian_k]

You can add a separate preamp unit, up to 8 channels, and connect via ADAT to the Apollo.

[ef37a]

The Apollo Twin is obviously a very high quality interface and so an ADAT unit should perhaps be chosen with that in mind?
However, IMHO it depends rather on what extra sources you intend to add,if just a synth or two or drum mics then the Behringer unit might be all you need?

(Yeah, I KNOW I am going to get into trouble for this!)

Dave.

[Wonks]

I don’t know if it’s applicable to Win as well as Mac, but UA say you can connect up to six UA interfaces via Thunderbolt using their UA Connect software. So it looks like you have the option of adding another Apollo twin interface if you don’t want to go ADAT.

[ef37a]

I don’t know if it’s applicable to Win as well as Mac, but UA say you can connect up to six UA interfaces via Thunderbolt using their UA Connect software. So it looks like you have the option of adding another Apollo twin interface if you don’t want to go ADAT.

Good point Wonks. I know some TB interfaces sport two ports to allow daisy-chaining, bit mean not to do so on a small interface that costs well over £800?

Dave.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Can I get something to my expand the interfaces two inputs to four?

Yes, easily.

The Twin has a Toslink optical input port which can be configured as either S/PDIF (2 channel) or ADAT (8 channel).

So just decide how many extra inputs you want and but a suitable preamp to match.

Bear in mind that whatever you choose, it will have to act as the clock reference for the whole system because the Twin doesn't have a clock output to control an external converter.

If you just want two more inputs, look for a dual channel preamp with an S/PDIF output. I dont know what your budget is, but options range from the ART digital MPA II, to the Neve 1073dpx, and lots in between.

However, the chances are that you will need more than four channels at some point... and so I'd be inclined to go for an ADAT preamp.

Perhaps a good compromise might be a lovely Focusrite ISA 428 with optional digital card, which will provide four extra mic preamps via ADAT, with four more line inputs should you wish to expand further later.

Another good option would be the Audient ASP800 or 880 — 8 extra high quality mic preamps via ADAT

[Matt Houghton]

Your options are (1) to sell your interface and buy one with more I/O; (2) add a preamp with S/PDIF output, (3) add an ADAT-equipped preamp; or (4) if it's just to have more sources permanently hooked up but you're only recording one or two channels simultaneously, add a patchbay or mixer to your setup, and use those to route different signals to your interface.

In your situation, I'd probably opt for (1) or (3).

[ef37a]

Your options are (1) to sell your interface and buy one with more I/O; (2) add a preamp with S/PDIF output, (3) add an ADAT-equipped preamp; or (4) if it's just to have more sources permanently hooked up but you're only recording one or two channels simultaneously, add a patchbay or mixer to your setup, and use those to route different signals to your interface.

In your situation, I'd probably opt for (1) or (3).

Oh dear Matt! You have used the 'M' word in genteel company. Stand by for some flack.

Dave.

[tacitus]

I bought an iD14 with the thought I’d add an ASP800 or similar for more inputs (some of you might remember my hand-wringing about that a while back). Cash dried up first, though, so to get two extra mics up I dug out my dbx 386 and a co-ax to optical converter and was running 4 mikes with no hassle at all.

If I’d bought the iD44 in the first place, I’d have had up to 8 inputs without needing anything else I don’t already have. Check the specs! (I didn’t twig the iD44 needing two optical ins to get up to 20 inputs).

[rggillespie]

Plenty to ponder and read up on here, I’ve been on a mission to simplify my guitars, pedals, amp and recording set up so it’s quick and simple. I’m aiming to have everything to hand ready to record instantly. With that in mind I was moving on somethings which might sort out this problem. I have a cranborne ec2, would that work as the pre amp option? Not sure if it has an external clock though, I’ll get the manual out. I’m looking spdif or adat being mentioned. I also have an spl gainstation, it hadn’t crossed my mind but maybe one of the two would be an option?

[Hugh Robjohns]

The EC2 is a great preamp, but doesn't have a digital output.

The SPL Gainstation had an optional digital output module. If yours is fitted with that you have a partial solution already....but it was single channel...

[James Perrett]

Do you still have your old Fireface? If so, you could use it in standalone mode to give you extra line inputs although, given the previous problem you've posted about, I guess you would only get one extra working mic input.

[tea for two]

(3) add an ADAT-equipped preamp;

To the OP Focusrite Clarett + 8 pre would do this, in addition to Audient ASP800 already mentioned.
I'm a fan of Focusrite Clarett sound.

I have a cranborne ec2, would that work as the pre amp option?

I looked into the EC range for myself. EC2 would only work as an analogue front to your Apollo meaning you couldn't use the inputs of the Apollo you'd have to bypass them to use your EC2 inputs so you'd still end up with 2 inputs not 4.

[rggillespie]

The rme has been moved on as part of my clearout James, more fool me! So I can link the gainstation to the Apollo to get an extra channel, that’s a start at least. It has the advantage of being compact too. I’m very taken with the Apollo ease of use so maybe eventually I’ll sell the twin and get a four channel version. What I’ve learnt from this is it’s always a good idea to have options on your interface. I’ve started recording with a mate so two headphone sockets would be handy too. It never ends!

[James Perrett]

I’ve started recording with a mate so two headphone sockets would be handy too. It never ends!

That's where having a headphone amp like the Behringer HA400 comes in handy. I have a couple kicking around here for various duties.

[tea for two]

I’ve started recording with a mate so two headphone sockets would be handy too.
I’m very taken with the Apollo ease of use

Arturia Audiofuse Studio could be just the ticket to hook up to your Apollo.
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/ar ... use-studio
Dual headphone outs. ADAT out. 4ins on the front, more ins on the rear.
Sam's review
"I liked the AudioFuse Studio a lot .... I think that adding an AudioFuse 8Pre as an ADAT expander would give you a killer setup for many band and location recording duties."

[rggillespie]

Thanks tea for two for the suggestion, the twin seems to have an optical in connection on the back I’m not sure if that’s an adat connection? I’ll have a trawl through the manual today and read that review. Thanks for the heads up on the headphone amp James something like that looks a possibility to me. I’m finding having a studio reassessment and big clearout really helpful. Having less choice makes it quicker to get going I’m finding.

[Arpangel]

I don’t know if it’s applicable to Win as well as Mac, but UA say you can connect up to six UA interfaces via Thunderbolt using their UA Connect software. So it looks like you have the option of adding another Apollo twin interface if you don’t want to go ADAT.

Good point Wonks. I know some TB interfaces sport two ports to allow daisy-chaining, bit mean not to do so on a small interface that costs well over £800?

Dave.

That’s what I was thinking
It’s a bit like chalk and cheese, but I’d just add a Berry ADAT interface.

[djangodeadman]

I don’t know if it’s applicable to Win as well as Mac, but UA say you can connect up to six UA interfaces via Thunderbolt using their UA Connect software. So it looks like you have the option of adding another Apollo twin interface if you don’t want to go ADAT.

Good point Wonks. I know some TB interfaces sport two ports to allow daisy-chaining, bit mean not to do so on a small interface that costs well over £800?

Dave.

You can only use one of the desktop Apollos as part of your (up to) six units. However, you could add a rackmount Apollo to your Twin, although this is obviously an expensive option. The rackmount units have two TB ports and the Twin becomes the last unit in the TB chain. I believe the Twin can then be used as a monitor controller for the entire system.

[Matt Houghton]

To the OP Focusrite Clarett + 8 pre would do this, in addition to Audient ASP800 already mentioned.
I'm a fan of Focusrite Clarett sound.

Yeah, me too.

If keeping the UA, the Clarett + Octopre would be a shade less expensive as an expander than the 8 Pre.

[ef37a]

I don’t know if it’s applicable to Win as well as Mac, but UA say you can connect up to six UA interfaces via Thunderbolt using their UA Connect software. So it looks like you have the option of adding another Apollo twin interface if you don’t want to go ADAT.

Good point Wonks. I know some TB interfaces sport two ports to allow daisy-chaining, bit mean not to do so on a small interface that costs well over £800?

Dave.

You can only use one of the desktop Apollos as part of your (up to) six units. However, you could add a rackmount Apollo to your Twin, although this is obviously an expensive option. The rackmount units have two TB ports and the Twin becomes the last unit in the TB chain. I believe the Twin can then be used as a monitor controller for the entire system.

Are you saying that you can only expand an Apollo Thunderbolt interface with another Apollo interface? If so that smacks to me of the old,bad practice of insisting on only an in house power supply or going back to unique mic connectors!

Dave.

[Wonks]

UAD only using Thunderbolt daisy-chaining. Any other maker’s interface via ADAT. Which is actually better on Windows than other manufacturers.

[Drew Stephenson]

Audient SP8 might do the job for the OP at a very reasonable price.

[Johnsy]

Are you saying that you can only expand an Apollo Thunderbolt interface with another Apollo interface? If so that smacks to me of the old,bad practice of insisting on only an in house power supply or going back to unique mic connectors!

It's not that you can't daisy chain TB AIs from different manufacturers, but if you do, each of them will have its own driver. That in itself isn't a problem per se; the issue is that you can (on Windows) only select one of these devices in your audio application, i.e., you can only use one of them at a time.

If the devices in a TB daisy chain come from the same manufacturer (and the same device family), then they can be glued together at the driver level (on Windows, a single driver spawns and manages multiple 'Device Objects'). Most AI manufacturers have offered this kind of aggregation for a long time, and it's no different on TB (in fact, TB devices/drivers are basically just PCIe devices/drivers anyway).

[ef37a]

Are you saying that you can only expand an Apollo Thunderbolt interface with another Apollo interface? If so that smacks to me of the old,bad practice of insisting on only an in house power supply or going back to unique mic connectors!

It's not that you can't daisy chain TB AIs from different manufacturers, but if you do, each of them will have its own driver. That in itself isn't a problem; the issue is that you can (on Windows) only select one of these devices in your audio application, i.e., you can only use one of them at a time.

If the devices in a TB daisy chain come from the same manufacturer (and the same device family), then they can be glued together at the driver level (on Windows, a single driver spawns and manages multiple 'Device Objects'). Most AI manufacturers have offered this kind of aggregation for a long time, and it's no different on TB (in fact, TB drivers are basically just PCIe drivers anyway).

The thot plickens! Are you therefore saying Jonny that if I have two identical USB interfaces, say another M4*, I can plug them into two USB ports and get 8 channels? If so 'they' have kept that bloody quiet!

*Maybe on a USB 3.0 hub? Because I find my M4 is not fussy about hubs.

Dave.