Hi all:

I'm interested in getting this unit for my home studio: Lynx Aurora 8-USB | Sweetwater.com

However, there are some things that I don't understand. I don't see how I would connect my Avalon VT 737 SP to the Aurora 8. Are there some sort of breakout cables included that will allow for this? Or, do I have to by the breakout cables separately? 

I see that the product description says "All analog and digital connections use DB-25 connectors with industry standard pin-outs, which are compatible with off-the-shelf cables Lynx as well as from manufacturers such as ProCo, Hosa, and others," but I don't understand what that means.

If I need to buy separately the cables for analog In/Out and digital connectivity, can someone give me the link/s to where I can get these?

I appreciate any help?

Also, I was looking at the Lynx L22. Two Ins/Outs would work for me. Is the Lynx ad/da conversion on the L22 as good as the Lynx conversion of the Aurora? The unit with the best sound quality of these two interfaces is what is most important to me? 

Can somebody help me out here?

The other audio interface I'm considering to get is the MOTU HD192. I understand how to connect my outboard preamp to the HD192 and the MOTU to the PC, but I don't know which has the better quality ad/da conversion, the MOTU unit or the Lynx units?

Thanks in advanced for any input you can give me?

 
You'll need to buy DB25 to XLR breakout cables. Ask the sales rep to help you get just the right ones for the Lynx Aurora 8. At the very least you will need a cable assembly for analog in, and you'll most likely need another for analog out. You may want one for the two way AES digital I/O connector too.
 
 
 
best regards,
mike

LOL That was a fast reply. :)
 
Hiya Mike:
 
Thanks for the help! I bookmarked that Sweetwater page. I will search it soon.
 
Are there any gold DB25 to XLR cables? I certainly would want the best noise free signal flow, along the cables, that I can get.
 
Hey, by the way, I was reading at GearSlutz yesterday and came across a thread discussion started in 2011 about +4dBu and -10dBV. You made some informative posts on the subject. It was a good read. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Thomas,
 I've never used gold connectors so I don't have an opinion.
 
 +4/-10; I'm starting to realize the internet never forgets. :-S
 
 
best regards,
mike

Lynx sells their cables that go w/ their interfaces.  If you are spending $2000 on it, the $75 or so for 8 channels ain't so bad.  It is the cabling that always gets you, esp. at the lower end, when people forget to budget it. Lord knows how much I've spent on wire at the last minute.
 
You will need the cabling, and a patchbay if you have a lot of outboard and/or no mixing board.  Otherwise, you'll be reaching around behind a lot.  Your external preamp's line output will go directly into the Lynx hardware input.  I think (I've used the Lynx's but not set them up) it uses +4, but there may be a soft switch for -10.  There is a simple (as I recall) software router.
 
The lynx 22 was the original unit and uses the older PCI slot connections.  I think the actual conversion hardware has been upgraded since then, but I wouldn't swear to it under waterboarding.  I don't think it is significant, anyway, and the biggest impediment is the older slot it fits into.  They also have a 4X4 unit.  Both can be fitted w/ a 2 X ADAt smux daughter card (as can the auroras, but you have the USB card instead), for expansion.  Anyway, congratulations on the Lynx.  Whether the 22 or the Aurora, they are superior converters.  Plenty of Pros you hear on the radio etc. use them and they are probably the most cost-effective converters out there.  You won't have to worry about conversion for a long while.
 
@

"I think the actual conversion hardware has been upgraded since then, but I wouldn't swear to it under waterboarding."
 
LOL
 
Hi AT:
 
Thanks for the good info you posted, and it's good to see you around, again.
 
I have a Yahmaha MG124cx mixing console, but I don't use that with my home studio. I have no space on my desk for it. I use it with my DJ equipment (Numark DDS80 and QSC K12 Loudspeakers.) I know I'm gonna need a Headphones Amp Mixer/Monitor so I can monitor the Aurora with headphones and nearfield monitors. I'm looking at getting both of these Headphone Amp/Monitoring systems: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HeadAmp6Pro/
                                            http://www.nady.com/manuals/audio/hpa4.pdf
                                            http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/nady-hpa-4-headphone-amp
 
The Nady Headphone Amp Mixer is so I can send 4 separate mixes to the 4 vocalists. And the Art Headphones Amp is for monitoring the Aurora using nearfield monitors and headphones. Any suggestions are welcomed. 
 
I'm gonna go with the Aurora 8 USB. It's gonna take me two months to get it, though. Next month I'm getting the AKG C414 XLII, and the next two months I'll save $1000 each month and get the cables and patchbay and/or Headphones Amp/Monitor racks. And the month after that get the Aurora and probably a workstation desk I have my eye on.
 
Can you point me to a patchbay. I will be using not more than 4 inputs simultaneously for recording vocals. I would appreciate anything you can help me out with.
 
I appreciate you posting the good info.
 
Cya around. :)

Thomas,
 
good to hear from you.  Just glancing at your list, I'm not sure you need a patchbay.  As the name implies, it helps if you are patching things in and out a lot.  It seems that you have a system and set up that you are going w/ and that the lynx softmixer or SONAR would suffice if you are running the same set up 90% of the time.  I have a Cable Up 1/4" in/out that I've stripped out of using.  I've found it easier to have my hardware hard-wired right into my TC Konnekt's in/outs, since the first two channels in the patch bay went out.  I've got a channel strip that I use for most input, two preamps that have my stereo compressors inserted for stereo recording or mixing out/mastering, and another preamp w/ another comp inserted for a forth mic/DI (plus another preamp and the TCK's 4).  It is just simpler to skip the patch bay and spaghetti at this point since I never seemed to repatch.  I just have the TCK set up to in/out on the channels and use SONAR to output to those and their attendant hardware.  If I ever get a mixer again no doubt I'll use it.
 
My only other suggestion would be a TCK line Pilot (or whatever it is called - the silver knob).  A friend used one in his B studio and then moved it to the A when his SSL console went down for repairs.  He liked it fine instead, so it must work pretty damn well.  That would mean you'd use the ARt for a headphone controller for the control room directly and take the lynx stereo out to the TCK pilot.
 
@

Hi AT:
 
I think you mean this: http://www.amazon.com/TC-Electronic-Level-Pilot-Computer-Independent/dp/B001PGMNRG
                                     http://www.tcelectronic.com/level-pilot/ 
 
A good suggestion. It will enable me to have Independent volume control for my Headphones monitoring and my nearfield monitoring. I'll have to get two more cables but this will come in handy, as I wont have to get up to turn off my nearfield monitors or to turn down the volume of my nearfield's when I want to do solo headphones monitoring.
 
I'll be buying gear for my studio probably this whole year long. I'll post updates in this forum whenever I actually receive the new gear. Feb. 28, 2014 I should make the purchase for the AKG C414 XLII.
 
For the help, thanks @!

Glad that can help.  Let us know how things roll out - let us know what you think of the AKG.