tlw
The number of channels recordable at the same time from USB mixers varies deending on the mixer in question,

Another option to a hardware mixer is something like an RME UFX plus one or two 8-channel ADAT units. That would give you up to 28 input channels, depending on sampling rate. RME's Totalmix software looks and feels like a multi-channel mixer because that's what it is. All faders and eq etc. can be accessed without menu diving.

For a good analogue or digital mixer that has analogue "feel" SSL are worth a look.

Thanks but that looks crazy expensive.

AT
USB 1 could barely handle stereo.  But USB2 can handle 16-24 realistically, and USB3 can do that and more with less latency.  So USB ain't the bottle neck.
 

 
I see. USB3 would be the way to go then.
 

AT
Some "USB" mixers simply send the mixer output to the USB output so you can capture that stereo mix to your computer - great for documenting rehearsals and recording shows but lacking when it comes to multitrack recording.  Other mixers can replace your interface and deliver 8-16+ tracks in and out of your computer.  That is more what you are looking for, if I'm interpreting your question right.  And a mixer can help if you are doing multitrack recording often.  Setting up mics and sending and bussing signals and headphone mixes is easier with the right board.  But  higher quality is usually available by buying a board and interface separately, although it can be cheaper to buy an all in one.  But there are compromises at the lowest end, such as USB 1 and other restraints that only become apparent once you start using that board.
 

 
But are there mixers that can make me record 24 tracks at the same time in Sonar? I mean, do they exist at all?
Am i asking something crazy? Unheard of? I just want a full band all mic'ed up to be able to record all tracks at the same time. I can't be the only person who wants this?
 

AT
 
If you are using an octatrack you can simply add an analog board in front of it.  The roland has perfectly acceptable sound and you can get most of the benefits of a hardware board by simply finding one with direct outs and use that with the octocapture.

Sounds great but wouldn't i need 3 Octa Captures then?
 

tlw
Just a thought, but another way of interfacing a multi-channel interface and a mixer is using Mackie’s trick of partially inserting TR jacks into the channel inserts so they tap the insert signal without interrupting it so the mixer channel is still available for setting up the monitor/foldback mix.

You do lose the ability to eq or use channel dynamics on the sends to the interface using that method though.

 
Thanks but i probably won't go down that road.
 

tlw
I agree with AT about replacing an existing interface for one with poorer convertors or poorer quality supporting circuitry being less than the ideal road to go down.

 
Sure, but my Octa Capture surely can't record 24 tracks either. So that still wouldn't be a solution.
 
I really appreciate the help but i'm just a little amazed that there is no simple answer like "Yeah, that and that mixer can easily do that". I truly thought i simply missed an option but i guess it's not that easy.

Cactus Music
There is a thread about the Soundcraft 
 
You'll see the OP gave up because the multitrack USB output was about half the level he desired. 
I still like the features of that board over the similar Presonus studio live series. But for me it would be a live mixer first not a studio interface. Those 2 are Analog boards with USB multi channel interfaces. From there you get into digital boards which are better but not for everyone. Many require an iPad to run, I kind of want the physical faders to be there. 
The one I was looking at for the studio because I felt the audio drivers would be a higher quality was a Motu interface. Either that of RME. You'll want to upgrade from the Roland if your going to have clients coming in.. I wouldn't trust one after the numerous threads with issues with drivers. 

I'll go through that thread. Thanks!
 
Yeah, i don't mind upgrading from that Roland DI. I just still don't know to what.

Personally I would ask the question, would 16 tracks suffice, and if the answer was "yes" then just get another O-C.

Downside would be you would still need another interface to give you the " hands on" level of control over over the mixing controls.

A while back, when I first delved into multi-tracking I installed an RME card which had ADAT light pipe and I also splashed out on a Berhinger 16 channel MIDI mixer so, as others have mentioned here, that is certainly an option to consider.

I gave up on that setup when the band I was in kinda fell apart and I gave up on music for a time. When I got back into it I decided that I wanted to go laptop based and I gave the mixer to a nephew.

Good luck in your quest though and I sincerely hope you suss this out and get down to some serious tracking

There are lots of mixers that record. Fewer that have 24 inputs. Some smaller units can be expanded to 24.

I have a Tascam 2488. When I slave my RME to the Tascam via SPIDF and the Audient to the RME that gives me 24 concurrent tracks six of which cannot be mixed to the mains.

This link looks like something I'd try if it weren't for the gear I own.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/F8

You can use up to three RME UCX units or UFX units together. In the case of UFX units I think that gets you to 72 in/out.

synkrotron
Personally I would ask the question, would 16 tracks suffice, and if the answer was "yes" then just get another O-C.

Downside would be you would still need another interface to give you the " hands on" level of control over over the mixing controls.

A while back, when I first delved into multi-tracking I installed an RME card which had ADAT light pipe and I also splashed out on a Berhinger 16 channel MIDI mixer so, as others have mentioned here, that is certainly an option to consider.

I gave up on that setup when the band I was in kinda fell apart and I gave up on music for a time. When I got back into it I decided that I wanted to go laptop based and I gave the mixer to a nephew.

Good luck in your quest though and I sincerely hope you suss this out and get down to some serious tracking

Yeah, i might go that route for now until i figure out a better option. 16 tracks certainly isn't bad to start with.
 
Any idea if a "normal" computer will handle 16 tracks at once? I7 with 16 gigs. Is 16 channels a lot for a DAW or like no problem at all?

gswitz
There are lots of mixers that record. Fewer that have 24 inputs. Some smaller units can be expanded to 24.

I have a Tascam 2488. When I slave my RME to the Tascam via SPIDF and the Audient to the RME that gives me 24 concurrent tracks six of which cannot be mixed to the mains.

This link looks like something I'd try if it weren't for the gear I own.



You can use up to three RME UCX units or UFX units together. In the case of UFX units I think that gets you to 72 in/out.

Great, i will check this out. Thanks!

Ok, did some more browsing.
 
Let's say i buy this:
 
Tascam-us20x20 (had to remove the link, spam fiilter)
 
Would i simply be able to connect an analog mixer to it and the Tascam re-routes the 20 channels to Sonar, ready for recording?

The UFX+ has MADI for 94/94 channels.
 
You have to plug in other MADI compatible units, but it gives you a single input for up to 94 channels to the computer (USB3 or firebolt - I mean thunderbolt).
 
Me, I don't want the trouble to set up that many mics. Who does?
 
Someone would have to pay me.
 
:-)
 
You can hook up external compliant mixers to the RME units. Idk about the tascam 20x20.
 
That said, while RME UCX supports a mixer, I haven't met or hear of anyone using an external mixer. The closest is people who get good with the RME Remote Controls. For the most part, we all do it in the computer or on the iPad.
 
RME's iPad solution doesn't wander. You are tethered and not wireless. I don't know of any effort to enable untethered wireless wandering from RME units. When I say tethered, I mean you have an actual USB cord connecting the iPad to the UFX/UCX.