MPC 2000XL - Digital In/Out (SPDIF) VS 8 OUTS

With my production, I have reached a point where I need to speed up workflow and ensure that my equipment is hooked up with the most flexible amount of routing options possible. At current I have a turntable with mixer, Akai MPC 2000XL (with 8 Outs and Digital In/Out), Akai MFC42, MOTU 828 MKII and Focusrite Mic Preamp as the main outboard equipments. My DAW is Nuendo.

My questions are as follows;-

1. What are the advantages of SPDIF (how many tracks can be sent out at once), and why would or wouldn't you use it over the 8 outs option?

2. If 8 outs is better option, then I know I'd need a patchbay to achieve what I speak of; any particular things I should be looking out for or avoiding?

All help and recommendations, as well as sources to add to the reading I have started will also be welcomed.


Peace & Blessings

why would you use a patch bay for your 8 outs?

mr_debauch wrote:why would you use a patch bay for your 8 outs?

patchbays make workflow faster if you need to plug and patch stuff in many differnt ways, it also helps with wear and tear.

@OP spdif is only 2 chls (stereo)

mr_debauch wrote:why would you use a patch bay for your 8 outs?

In order to set up various different routes for when i am sampling from vinyl, eg. from vinyl through MFC42 to MPC, or vinyl through MFC42 then into Nuendo and the various signal paths that can be created.

However, knowing the benefits/disadvantages you guys find with using SPDIF against the 8 outs; nad the varying feels either can give will enable me to balance up which is the better option moving forward.

1

Lampdog wrote:

simmer wrote:1. What are the advantages of SPDIF (how many tracks can be sent out at once), and why would or wouldn't you use it over the 8 outs option?

8 outs is 8 mono analog channels, 8 cables to run.

spdif is stereo 2 digital channels, less cables to run.

Thanks. So in laymans terms;-

If I have a Kick, Snare, Hi Hat, Sample, and Bass, and Synth (all in Stereo - 6 Stereo Tracks); when recording out, they will all do so simultaneously. Is there a maximum number of stereo tracks that can be set out in one batch.

well you can send out 8 different mono signals, but its best to pair them up in the mixer screen on the XL, so that they remain in stereo sound. like the kick to 1/2, and the snare to 3/4.

but you can also send 2 sounds to the same out, so if you hvae 2 different kick sounds and it doesnt matter if there on the same track in nuendo, then set both of those kicks to outs 1/2.

i see that your interface has ADAT Lightpipe input in the back.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=184030

if your interested in that preamp, it can also be used as a straight Analog-Digital converter. Plug the 8 outs of the XL into the back of the m-audio pre and then run a digital cable (TOSlink or watever their called) from the out of the pre to the in of your MOTU interface. then you got 8 more inputs comin from the pre, and your utilizing all your 8 outs

phono wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:why would you use a patch bay for your 8 outs?

patchbays make workflow faster if you need to plug and patch stuff in many differnt ways, it also helps with wear and tear.

@OP spdif is only 2 chls (stereo)

I know what patchbays are for... I was just curious what he was gonna do with it because he said he needs one to use 8 outs. typically people tend to run the 8 outs right into te mixer or interface.

SPDIF is only 2 channel (stereo) so you would have to pan 2 sounds if you really wanted to record 2 tracks at one time. The benefit is that you get the exact sound coming out the MPC going into your recorder.
8 outs will allow you to transfer 8 sounds to your recorder, but it won't be the exact sound..not that you'll really notice a difference.
But if your recording like most people do (record your 4/8/16 etc) bar, and copy/paste the rest, then recording via SPDIF won't take very long. But if your like me, and record your each sound for 4 minutes, then be prepared to be sitting for a while..

Get an analog mixing console such as the mackie cr1604 (I got mine for $200 CAD) and learn what a "sub-mix" is.....

If you are thinking about buying anything, run all the gear into an analog mixing console and record all tracks at once...You DO have 20-ins on the MOTU.....

If you have a dope preamp then use the analog outs. If you want identical audio to whats in the MPC go digital. I definitely reccomend SPDIF if you have a BS interface with cheesy preamps.

^^But hes got a solid interface...

Also listen to the one cat who mentioned ADAT...A good technique for adding another 8-ch of analog to digital conversion for cheap cheap....I saw an ADAT recorder (the tape deck on it didnt work) for $20 on ebay...

yea I know, I was just saying in general. In his case I would go right into the motu and call it a day.