Hey guys!
 
As I just cannot get the bl%%dy Octa-Capture to work right with the VS-700 I have started looking into the 2nd option of extending I/O of the VS-700R i.e. plugging an 8 channel AD converter into DIGITAL 2 IN + OUT of the VS-700.
 
I'd like to pick your brains on what unit might be suitable ... and hope to save myself some frustrating hours of messing about with gear that won't work.
 
A quick search gave me a few potential candidates
 
+ Focusrite Octopre MKII Dynamic
+ ART TubeOpto 8
+ Presonus DigiMax FS
+ RME OctaMic II
Any suggestions welcome!
 
What are you using to extend I/O ??
 
Rob

From your suggestion above I'd go with the focusrite dynamics.

You can also check stand alone converter like an 8 channels Lynx. Somethimes they go for "cheap" on ebay...

I would add the Aphex 188 remote pres http://www.ebay.com/itm/APHEX-188-8-Channel-Remote-Controlled-Mic-Preamplifier-/120922655116?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Amplifiers&hash=item1c278d498c 

Not 100% sure but probably you can save preamp setting like we do on the VS-700R

These have input transformers, are remote controllable and must sound pretty nice. Not too expensive either. There's also a black version which look awesome! That would be my choice!

FreeFlyBertl,
 
I am sorry you are having so many issues.
 
We have a Cakewalk V-Studio 700 Set and a Roland OCTA-CAPTURE. All units (Console, I/O and OCTA) have the latest firmware. Drivers are Version 2.0.1. VS-Expand works as expected for us. ASIO buffer size is set to 256.
 
At first, we could not get it to work, until we realized that not all firmware were up-to-date. the firmware update fixed everything for us. Of course, having the sync cable properly connected is as important.
 
Do the VS-700R and the OCTA-CAPTURE at least recognize each other and report VS-EXPAND: OK in the ASIO Control Panel? If not, I assume you have checked that the OCTA-CAPTURE VS-EXPAND configuration option is set appropriately.
 
If you really can't get it to work and want to go the external AD route, the Focusrite suggestion should work fine.
 
Good luck,
Sacha

Have you contacted support about the Octa-Capture ?

I have a Octopre MKII it works great I got it before the Octo-Capture release or I would have got that.

I'm using the Focusrite saffire 56 alongside the VS. Works great.

You're just not setting it up right, <-- the octacapture. I use a Motu 2408 Mk3 in standalone mode. Make sure you get the wordclock set right if you get a another unit. Make the V700R the master unit and slave the other unit to it. Use a BNC cable to link the units wordclock.

SachaD

We have a Cakewalk V-Studio 700 Set and a Roland OCTA-CAPTURE. All units (Console, I/O and OCTA) have the latest firmware. Drivers are Version 2.0.1. VS-Expand works as expected for us. ASIO buffer size is set to 256.
 
At first, we could not get it to work, until we realized that not all firmware were up-to-date. the firmware update fixed everything for us. Of course, having the sync cable properly connected is as important.
 
Do the VS-700R and the OCTA-CAPTURE at least recognize each other and report VS-EXPAND: OK in the ASIO Control Panel? If not, I assume you have checked that the OCTA-CAPTURE VS-EXPAND configuration option is set appropriately. 
 

Sacha,
 
I triple-checked everything (firmware, cables, set-up, sync source), even reinstalled drivers.  The units recognize each other (VS-EXPAND OK) but it still only works at buffer sizes of 1024 with massive latency.  I reckon it's my PC not being strong enough to handle that situation (which is a bit odd as just connecting the 2 units but NOT causing any harder traffic across the USB is already causing audio engine drop-outs i.e. the same Sonar project runs fine with each interface, but not when both are connected) ...
 
Anyway, I'm out there shopping for a bigger beast to crunch the numbers. Would you mind sharing the specs of your system?
 
Thanks
 
 

dahjah


I'm using the Focusrite saffire 56 alongside the VS. Works great.

That looks like an interesting alternative! How did you hook it all up, with the saffire 56 being a firewire interface? who is master, who is slave?

I have the VS as the master. Going adat out and in to the VS. You can see here with the probs i had at first and how I had some great help frpm peeps on here http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2632722 If I want the focusrite to be master it is easily done form within the preferences.

dahjah


I'm using the Focusrite saffire 56 alongside the VS. Works great.

Dahjah,
 
Thanks for pointing me to the saffire 56. That looks like a nice piece of equipment for the price it sells, but I still got some question which the manual doesn't answer. Maybe you find the time, I'd appreciate it.
 
Does it come with a standalone mode (without firewire connection)?
 
When connected via firewire and slaved to the VS, can I still use the mix control software to change pre amp levels, routing, head phone mixes, etc. and save settings like I can for the VS-700?
 
What do you think of that liquid channel concept? Do you use it a lot or is 'just another' software emulation moved to external DSP?