Question about Mackie Onyx 800R and connectivity

[nutrino]

(Originally posted in the Studio Gear section. Thought I might get more replies here)

Hello everybody! Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I just need to ask before I go out and spend too much money Ok...I am interested in the Mackie Onyx 800R http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/800R/
as a front-end to my DAW. Anybody have any experience with the Onyx? I also will be getting a new sound card. I was looking at the Emu 1212M
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1212M/
I am still a newb in this category, so I just need to know the best way these would connect. s/pdif? I'm going to need to multitrack (like 6 drum mics). Would that preamp/soundcard config work for simultanious recording, or do I need a soundcard with more inputs? Once I figure this out, I want to add a Mackie control universal. If anybody could give me any feedback and/or suggestions, I will be forever in your debt. Thank you all!

I have an AthlonXP 2800 1.25ghz running Nuendo. Works great!

-Nick

[dcwave]

Make sure sweetwater or anyone else for that matter actually has them. Only the small Onyx mixers are shipping as of today. You might want to check the Mackie forums for more information.

The EMU stuff has had good reviews from people who use it. There is a user group on yahoo. Do a yahoo search for the emu user group.

I am curious as to your choice of using Nuendo over say Sonar or Cubase for that matter. Are you doing sound for games, video or just composition or home demos? The type of production you do should be a determining factor when choosing a sound card.

For example:
2 Delta 1010s with some mic pres (mixer such as Alesis32 - about $300 on ebay) can provide a very flexible solution.
16 channels of input, one stereo pair for main monitors, 5.1 surround, and 4 pair of headphone outs (to a headphone mixer).

[nutrino]

Hey, thanks for the reply! I'll be sure to find out when they're actually shipping. I'm sure they'll be out by the time I'm ready to buy one. I'll look into the Yahoo groups too. I was doing some research and came across this soundcard
http://www.lynxone.com/aes16.html
How do you think it would pair up with the 800R? I like it because of the matching 24/192 and I can expand on top of it. I just don't know the card and preamp is going to connect. Do you think that the 800R will have similar cabling, because the back panel http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM04/Content/Mackie/PR/Onyx-800R-rear-lg.jpg
only shows a thing that looks like a parallel out on a computer or something. Will it have an adapter like the sound card does to connect the two? Sorry if that's a dumb question :p
I use Nuendo because I plan on using video (music videos) for my band, ect., and I just like the interface. I've used CubaseSX and Sonar before, and I just like how Nuendo feels. I can just get around easily.
Thank you for your wisdom. I really appreciate it!

-Nick

[gdoubleyou]

Actually saw a prototype at the local GC, Greg Mackie brought it in himself. (Mackie is abut 10 miles down the road.)

It has an optional firewire card, for computer connection, and for cascading additional mixers. You don't need a soundcard to use it.

The 25 pin connectors are for analog post gain, pre insert outputs. Don't think it has SPDIF.

:cool:

[nutrino]

Nice! That's good to know. I wonder why they don't say anything about the firewire card on their website about it. Did you get to hear the prototype, or did they just show it off??

Thanks! :D

-Nick

[gdoubleyou]

It was just a show and tell about their new products.

It's not a control surface.

I'm taking a hard look at the Yamaha 01X, as a replacement for my TM-D1000 digital mixer. Looks to be a better value.

:cool:

[dcwave]

I saw the firewire listed on the Onxy mixer but not the 800r.
There is also quite the thread at mackie.com forums about the reason the direct outs and firewire are post gain, pre insert, pre eq. several people canceled orders because of this.


Originally posted by nutrino
Nice! That's good to know. I wonder why they don't say anything about the firewire card on their website about it. Did you get to hear the prototype, or did they just show it off??

Thanks! :D

-Nick

[nutrino]

Greetings! During my research, I came across this nice little device
http://aardvark-pro.com/products/q10/
Anybody know anything about them? If I were to get one, I wouldn't need to buy an additional sound card, right?? Also, what is the quality difference between 24/192 and 24/96? I'm sure 24/96 is great.
Thank you all for your replies. I appreciate it...

-Nick