Thoughts on ADAT expansion card?

Hey fam,i was wondering how you like that extra in your 4k.I'm thinkin' of getting one,my soundcard can record through 8-in ADAT at once,so would be cool.Let me know your opinions.Peace

I wish I had one, but prices are extortionate.

So dirty old analogue it is... for now.

But I so loathe the tangled mess of cables

no brainer


8 cables vs 1

sound is identical

Yeah,believe it or not i don't want another spaghetti-like machine haha,got plenty .I think i'm gonna cop it.

It is great for the reason of cables alone, plus, you get a perfect digital transfer. However, keep in mind that digital is not the "best" way, some people may actually prefer the coloration introduced by converting to analog and back in their interface (and adding a pre-amp or other processing on the way in). However, it certainly is the cleanest, fastest method to multitrack. Plus, you always have the 2 analog outs if you just want to process certain sounds/tracks.

Another disadvantage is that you cannot run ADAT in 96k, you are limited to 44k and 48k. Also, the wordclock port comes seperately on the SPDIF expansion, though you can also digital sync from the ADAT in. With the SPDIF option, you get 10 digital outs.

Prices are high unless you can score a used one. These days, if you wanted a few expansion options, its probably cheaper to buy a used, maxed out 4k and selling your own.

yeah its a pain I have been trying to score an 8 analogue outs board for around 100 notes but its impossible to find one.
gonna end up buying a z8 just to rip the 8outs from it
there a Z8d with the adat board in I believe.
But yeah looks cheaper to buy a maxed 4k and sell the old one.

g

You guys got me on some serious thoughts..gonn see how i end up with this one,i got a used ADAT board in my Ebay wantlist, at 200$ first time was posted..let's see.

I found an expanded z4 on ebay.

it had the sp/dif and the 8 analog card. also a fat library of akai cd-s on the hard drive. $499


I installed the sp/dif card in my mpc4000
sold the anolog out for @$180
sold the z4 with no cards $499

found a used adat card on ebay for $180. bought it right away, from a seller in japan



I suggest programming an e-bay search with the title "akai IB"
all of the the expansion boards start with the "ib" prefix.
with the search, any time some lists a board you will get an email/

be patient, and diligent and you will be rewarded.


I always have to have my beat machines fully expanded

True talk lord.Funny how,got all others MPs i own fully expanded and never gave that joy to my 4000,which btw is the center of my production.

great machine, why limit it's potential?

gimmie 8 outs and a bit of old fashioned input distortion on an analogue desk.

Thats heaven right there.
g

i'm a happy adat user... it saved me the time and trouble of having to fabricate 8 more cables!

shame that the format can't handle channels of 24/96 on our machines... but so far so good, since i don't have many 96k samples to begin with.

It's 44k, but does the adat out do 24 bit?

ADAT = 16, or 24 bit @ 44.1 or 48 khz you get to choose