Which 24-track interface?

[The Red Bladder]

We decided yesterday that the 48-track Radar is just no longer providing fast enough turn-around and that we need a 24-IO interface that can be used together with any DAW and will be acceptable for any visiting engineers.

The ideal candidate would be extremely easy to use, be capable of stand-alone recording and export via USB-3 to an SSD caddy, or have such a caddy drive built in. It would also act as the IO for any installed or visiting PC or Mac.

We use a 60-frame desk and the IOs to and from the patchbay are on D-Subs. So we obviously do not need mic-pres or any gimmicks or toys built in.

With our move to being a film and TV studio, we no longer need 48 IOs, but we do need the ability to swap-out SSDs and give customers their recordings either that way or on their memory sticks.

What do the assembled cognoscenti recommend? I am open to suggestions at all levels of the market.

[Hugh Robjohns]

One of the Blackbox machines?

[The Red Bladder]

I couldn't remember their name - yes! Just the ticket! I'll give them a call.

I've just read your review here https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/jo ... x-recorder

Thanks!

[James Perrett]

I'd echo Hugh's suggestion for one of the JoeCo devices - the Blue Box range are the ones with audio interface functionality AFAIK.

The other alternative would be one of the RME interfaces with built in recording coupled with some of the Ferrofish (or similar high channel count) convertors. If you use the UFX+ you get a MADI connection which simplifies connections when using high channel counts.

[Humble Bee]

Perhaps one of these:

https://cymaticaudio.com/utrack24-productpage/

[fatbenelton]

Not stand alone, but the TB2 Presonus Quantum 4848 (32 I/O on Dsubs plus 16 Adat) is cheap enough that you may consider that and a stand alone device....apparently won a blind shoot out with Apogee, but whether it did or not it still sounds perfectly fine.

[ore_terra]

Not stand alone, but the TB2 Presonus Quantum 4848 (32 I/O on Dsubs plus 16 Adat) is cheap enough that you may consider that and a stand alone device....apparently won a blind shoot out with Apogee, but whether it did or not it still sounds perfectly fine.

I have one of those and like it very much… but it has no internal mixer that allows you to have it routed directly to an external device

[fatbenelton]

True but was thinking easy to integrate with the studio mixer for real routing as opposed to virtual.

[Arpangel]

https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/external-au ... gIR-vD_BwE

One of these, great sound, reliable, easy to use.

[The Red Bladder]

https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/external-au ... gIR-vD_BwE

One of these, great sound, reliable, easy to use.

I don't see any analogue inputs on that thing!

[Arpangel]

https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/external-au ... gIR-vD_BwE

One of these, great sound, reliable, easy to use.

I don't see any analogue inputs on that thing!

Oh dear! failed to notice that!

[Mixedup]

JoeCo BlueBox or BlackBox of some sort is probably is the closest thing to what you want, since it does computerless recording.

Cymatic is the affordable alternative. But it can't do individual track overdubs/punch ins etc. On the plus side, it has a MADI card option.

Surrely a computer can do the USB transfer though? I'm using an RME MADIFace USB with Ferrofish converters and very happy. You'd just need a suitable drive system... but USB would work. Some of the other MADIFace and equivalent options might appeal too — with Dante, AVB options etc, and with a couple of analogue I/O and headphone out built in. Might be a better option for visiting clients. Digiface USB would be cheaper if ADAT suits — 32 channels at base sample rates, 16 at x2 etc.

But... if you're happy with the RADAR converters/sound, there are ADAT/MADI options for that... just add an ADAT/MADI interface and you might have what you want already, no?