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View Full Version : Surround Sound on a FireWire 1814

Dajinn
06-17-2007, 05:46 PM
Okay here is the situation. I currently have 5 Behringer 2031A Self-Powered Reference Monitors and a Sony self-powered subwoofer. The Behringers accepts XLR or 1/4" TRS while the subwoofer is RCA. The FireWire 1814 has 4 Analog 1/4" outputs, 8 ADAT Lightpipe output, S/PDIF.

I know I can not connect everything without additional hardware since I only have 4 analog outputs, but is there any way to utilize the digital outputs along with some other type of hardware to get another 2 outputs? I would hate to sell this and downgrade to the 410 just for the outputs. For some reason it has 8 1/4" out where the more expensive 18/14 only has 4.

As for software, I currently use Pro Tools M-Powered and before anyone says something about needing HD for Surround, there is a plug-in available that allows you to do it in LE/M-Powered.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.
poorsod
06-18-2007, 06:25 AM
there is a plug-in available that allows you to do it in LE/M-Powered. Not convinced about that. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't get full surround-mixing capabilities.

is there any way to utilize the digital outputs along with some other type of hardware to get another 2 outputs? Most definitely. Called a Digital-Analog converter, or DAC, or just D/A. It'll lightpipe or SPDIF your audio in and output an analog signal for your speakers.
If you set up your routing in Pro correctly you'll get perfect results - perhaps even better quality than just using your sound card's D/As.
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minidac.php is the first example I found on our Great and Powerful Leader Google. I'm sure you could get cheaper ones than that.
itsplayed
06-18-2007, 06:42 AM
You can use a cheaper ADAT device for those extra outs with something like the behringer ADA8000. You will also gain 8 mic pre ins for that $200.
Dajinn
06-18-2007, 09:25 PM
Thank you both for your responses. After some research on the behringer ada8000 I have decided it would be the most cost effective and logical way to go. It will simply be for playback so while quality is a factor, it will not be detrimental. I will be mixing in a studio.

As for the surround sound plug in, check it out.

http://www.neyrinck.com/Pages/mix51.html