Hmmm, there are various ways to use this machine, the issue is really on what you intend to use. For instance, on a console with 24+ channels you'll often have the option to send audio to a bus/group. You'll at least find a 4 to 8, it varies. What you can do then is route all 8 out from the mpc+ other input in mixdown to the mixer and select a bus/group for each instrument i.e. drums are send to bus1/group1, bass to bus2/group2. Mostly with busses/groups on 24+ consoles will have a dedicated fader section on the console to mix n blend those 4/8 bus/group chnls. Now,with this function you should have bus/group outputs which you would use to feed an RD8 and record it. The RD8 has a built in small version BRC and can sync to all conditions. It not really a thing to worry about, the machine seems solve the lack of proper connections.
This setup as described is just one, we have one setup here, a a Fostex D90+D160, that;s hooked up to Fostex VC8 which A/D - D/A, which is then linked to the RME HDSP. A complete ADAT port are 2 connectors for fibre optic wires, In and Out. Through one adat cable go 8 chnls. The RME support 3 adat ports and the D90+D160 will give a setup of 24 chnl multitracking. Now the Fostex wil serve different purposes, as converters or as a recorder, but it's all in the same setup, the only flexible routing we have in there are the patchbays where all synths in and out, dynamics in, out, side chain and key inserts, fx in out are connected to a rigg of patchbays. As a converter, we record to pc and not to the HD set. The HD set we use for the converters only, signals goes enroute to rme which records all the channels. After record all recorded audio goes by logic out to the console for mixdown. If we use the HD it's actualy a non destructive approach to a recording of a session. You can fairly say that the HD recorder wont ever fail on you, a pc no matter who well build and setup will. With certain customers you will exclude the possibilty of a an error during a succesfull recording, time is expsensive money. I think in that perspective it describes a hd recorder's biggest benefit when bought.
However, I think that the clerk is trying to sell you something you dont really need since HD is a luxury item in a budget or non band environment. I think what you need is a something that has enough I/O for your hardware as an interface to your pc to record on with possibly an LC to control the software interface. Such a whole setup wil cost you dearly though when compared to the cost of the RD8. However, to come back at the first however, I conclude that this product wasnt really popular since a simple search on google gave barely any info. Meaning... He's gitting rid of his so called NOS crap he couldnt possibly sell with profit unless he finds a noob ( no offence ).
I dont know what your budget is but assume you're using a pc. For a mac I'd say the MOTU 24I/O as best buy for amount of quality converters or better but so expensive HD192, no comment. For PC there are a lot of options and depending on how much gear you intend to use you can decide what amount of I/O you need. 16 might be appropiate for you, that leaves at least 7 chnls ( 8+1mic) for whatever you feel to insert. Look into a second hand Creamware A16 A/D converter and possibly a pulsar to go along. Something bit more expsensive ( read new ) are the new Onyx mixers by mackie. They're Analog, the Onyx 1220 comes with 4 mic pre's, 3 band eq with sweep on mid on 4 mic/line inputs. There are 4 stereo strips with 3 band eq. 2 aux send to paired returns to all channels and master section. The outputs are stereo par 1/4 balanced , 1 pair xlr balanced, balanced 1 tape I/O, phones, direct Inserts and......etc etce etc but.....
On expansion it has ..... Firewire....
something no one has done so far, but this solves the external 12/16 chnl A/D cv problem. Just fire it away into the pc. Master/monitor section has an optional monitor input from the pc for talkback, which is actualy pretty cool for such a budget console but makes an adequate tool in any bedroom or even small time studio for a fairly cheap price I guess. You'll have to look it up hehe.
Sum more info from the site.
For those who record and produce music on computers, we’ve given Onyx mixers another “world’s first” – an optional user-installable 24-bit/96kHz FireWire I/O card with the ability to send up to 16 individual channels of high-quality digital audio direct to any FireWire-equipped computer (Windows XP or Mac OSX.3 or later). The FireWire card also sends a Left/Right stereo “quick mix” to the computer, with a level trim control that boosts or cuts the mix by ±10 dB as it is sent to the card — again letting you set levels independently for the live L/R mix and the recorded tracks.
Better still, the FireWire interface returns two channels of audio from the computer to the mixer, letting you monitor your computer through the control room/phones matrix (pictured at left). So with FireWire, Onyx mixers can record everything from live gigs to studio sessions, with higher quality and lower latency than many dedicated computer audio interfaces. (In fact, an Onyx 1640 mixer with FireWire rivals the specifications and performance of dedicated studio A/D converters costing more than the entire Onyx 1640 mixer. Not to mention giving you waaaay more channels and flexibility.
k, this post took like 6 big ones of skunk mix, some nasty feeding frenzy, beer, a whole lot of sport, some back to back spinning, all this during typing like 3 hours or so. This is by far my longest post ever hhehehe
