So, the problem of inputs rears its ugly head. With only one ADAT input, the previously preferred audio interface - the 1616m from EMU falls short in the digital girth department.
The scenario which might use the most channels is recording a drum kit in the dry room. Lets say at maximum, 8 channels of 24bit 192khz, for the sake of the best downsampling later in the train, probably to redbook audio. I can get a measly 2 channels of that spec into the 1616m.
This presents a problem. Do I use an alternative soundcard? The Lynx AES16e-SRC looks to be the best digital contender, with an even lower noise floor of 141 dB (this must be due to the pc's actual power supply). However, monitoring the results would be difficult without some form of DAC after a digital output.
A simple way around this may be to use the 1616m Audiodock without using the ASIO drivers. Two audio interfaces can be used simultaneously if they do not use the same access method. ASIO could be dedicated to the drum inputs, whereas the remaining inputs could be handled through WDM.
I'm largely unhappy with WDM taking even a portion of the load. It has a significantly higher latency and WDM audio drivers are known to provide inefficiency to recording situations. Whilst I would gain the ability to access the digital recording of the dry room using the Lynx, I would not be able to use the 1616m to do anything else other than be a monitor out. MIDI in/out, balanced XLR for guitar performances not applicable.
Somehow I feel there must be another solution.
