On Fri, 2004-03-26 at 06:26, Kent, Gary wrote: > Hi: > Last nite I read that article in SosPubs about Linux. Most > folks in that article seemed to be using the RME HDSP 9652. I have been > looking at the MultiFace for awhile, but am starting to feel that the > best option would be to sink my money into some of the preamp/ADAT > optical out outboard gear that is starting to come on the scene such as > the M-Audio Octane, Tango24, or Behringher ADA8000 that feature lots of > preamps w/ ADAT optical outputs, and just using the HDSP9652 as a really > nice signal router into my Linux box. Would anyone be willing to share > with me the pros and cons of this approach? Sure. I tried exactly this card in exactly this configuration. the HDSP9652 was a hardware ADAT router between 3 things - A Pro Tools box, a GigaStudio box and an Alesis AI-3. When it worked it was wonderful for pure Alsa. It didn't always work though. It was broken for probably 8 of the 12 months I had it installed. Watch out for firmware revision levels and be EXTRA careful if you need to dual-boot as the RME Windows drivers and the Linux Alsa drivers *may* require different firmware. Even when it worked ALL OSS audio through Alsa emulation caused horrible loud glitches with the AI-3. I *think* that is because the HDSP9652 Alsa driver wasn't properly handling muting when it changes the clock frequency on the card, and probably made worse by the fact the the AI-3 runs at 48K natively. Anyway, that was horrid with my studio monitors turned on... I eventually gave up, moved the card to the Windows box running GigaStudio and gave Linux a nice safe AP2496. Unfortunately this limits the utility of Linux for me in real-time work, but it's great for file processing and other non-real-time things like running Jamin. > Up until now I have been thinking about sinking all of my money > into the MultiFace or a really high-priced audio card with minimal > outboard. Now I'm starting to think just the opposite that just using a > bare minimum optical card w/ decent converters and putting my money into > outboard would maybe be the best way. Any good advice on this, and if > so, any other cards I should consider? I think your strategy is great, really. Just be sure you're getting the right ADAT card and that it is well supported, both now and into the future. BTW - watch out for the ADA8000. Many reports of bad channels. Check out your specific unit at the store and make very sure everything is in working order. I know someone who got 3 of them and they were all bad. Too bad...the review in TapeOp on that little guy was great for an instrument converter, but I don't have time to waste. Think about something better on the D/A side for your main stereo output. (If you have the money...) :-( > > > Thanks very much, > > gk >
