H9000 used as an audio interface and effects processor simultaneously?

[yumyum1667]

New user H9000 user here.  I bought new about 18 months ago, but I am finally getting around to installing in the new room.
My primary use for the H9000 will be as an effects processor with my analog console (SSL 4k).

The H9000 will be normalled to the 4 mono sends and stereo returns to the console patchbay.  I plan to use the H9000 analog Dsub connectors to connect to the patchbay.

Will the H9000 allow me to use the stereo analog in + digital AES Out as a audio interface simultaneously with the 4 channel stereo effects?  I have heard good things about the converters with the H9000 and it would be great if it can do dual duty.

Workflow would be as follows while the H9000 4 channel stereo effects also used simultaneously:

Console master buss Out – – > stereo analog input H9000
– – > H9000 AES stereo out – – > DAW (via Lynx AES PCie card)

 

 

[Puppeteer]

Yes, this is easy to acheive.  If you don’t want FX on the stereo input, just wire it directly to the AES output.

Set the Digital Audio Mode to AES XLR

Next, in the Direct I/O window connect Analog 1 and 2 to AES3/XLR 1 and 2.

You could also do the routing in an FX buss if you wanted to, but this is the simplest way to do it.

[yumyum1667]

Thank you for the reply.

So that I am clear….I can use the A/D converter (stereo XLR inputs) to AES out simultaneously with the 4 analog stereo effects processors (dusub)?

[tbskoglund]

You can use any of the I/O on the H9000 simultaneously, but the XLR inputs are shared with channels 1-2 on the analog DSUB input.

You could use analog channels 1-2 > AES output, while also using analog channels 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 with the patchbay.

Or, you may find an alternative solution. Can you provide some more details about your setup? Which console exactly are you using? And the PCie card uses the AES/EBU DSUB connector?

[yumyum1667]

This will work based on your feedback.  I will just only be able to use 3 stereo effect returns as opposed to 4 from the H9000.

My setup will be as follows now based on your response:

SSL 4000 console Mix Buss Out – – > Eventide H9000 Stereo In 1/2 (L/R) – -> H9000 AES 1/2 (L/R) – -> DAW print computer (Mac Mini – w/PCie card)

Aux Sends –

SSL 4000 console – -Aux Send 1 (mono) – – > Eventide H3000

Aux Send 2 (mono) – – > Eventide H9000

Aux Send 3 (mono) – – > Eventide H9000

Aux Send 4 (mono) – – > Eventide H9000

 

SSL 4000 console – -Aux Returns 1/2 (stereo) – – > Eventide H3000

Aux Returns 3/4 (stereo) – – > Eventide H9000

Aux Returns 5/6 (stereo) – – > Eventide H9000

Aux Returns 7/8 (stereo) – – > Eventide H9000

 

Note, I am running a separate multitrack rig (Mac Studio – Pro Tools) with 56 I/O to the SSL console.  This is independent of my print rig (Mac Mini – Reaper) which is where I want to utilize the 2 channels of the Eventide converters which I hear are excellent.

 

[yumyum1667]

Follow up on this after more research.

From reading the H9000 with the Optional cards can act as a digital bridge between various digital protocols?

I have 2 independent sets of converters that ideally would pass signal digitally through the Eventide as a bridge.  I see optional cards are limited to 32 channels at 96k.  This would work for me.

Converter set 1:  Antelope Orion 4:  64 analog I/O to the console.  Will primarily use for D/A.  Thunderbolt to Mac Studio port connection.  Madi digital connection.  Orion can transmit both analog and digital simultaneously.  (Mac Studio).

Converter set 2:  IZ Radar Ultranquist:  16 I/O analog to the “print” mix tracks/rig.  Dante connection only.  (Mac Mini).

Is it possible to pass the converter digital signals back and forth through the H9000 bridge?

 

[tbskoglund]

Yes, this is possible. Any of the I/O can be patched together either directly, or with DSP processing using the FX Chains. You can use both expansion cards simultaneously.

[Puppeteer]

I’m pretty certain that this is supported, but I don’t have any option cards yet, so can’t confirm by experience.  There’s nothing in the manual that says that digital bridging is not supported, and I think that this type of digital conversion is one of the features of the H9000.

[yumyum1667]

Ok thanks for the feedback.

This is certainly good news.

If I can get both the Dante (Radar) and Madi converters (Orions) to pass signal back and forth between the console and the 2 computers I am in business.

I can see why the H9000 is a powerful hub and more than a FX processor.  This will keep me from adding yet another converter box  I just install the expansion cards and go

 

[cyborgssc]

Yes, direct I/O connections between different I/O cards is supported and works quite well. I have 2 Dante and 1 MADI card in my H9000. I have 24 I/O of MADI converters hooked to it, and one of the Dante cards is setup to make that I/O available on my Dante network. The other Dante card is used as send/returns for the effect algorithms.

What it cannot do is any sample rate conversion, so you’ll need to pick a clock master and a sample rate for everything to adhere to. This is somewhat of a pain since some H9000 algorithms can only run at 48K, but my entire studio runs at 96K at all times. It would be fantastic if the H9K could run internally at 48 and the Dante card(s) would SRC that to 96, but they are not capable of that. Eventide has suggested that they will upgrade all algorithms to operate at 96K, but no time frame has been given for that.

Finally – consider that if you use the H9000 as a hub/format converter, then it is critical path for your workflow. Anything goes wrong with the unit, and your workflow is broken. I keep my primary I/O separate from the H9000 for this reason – I can still mix and print even if the H9000 is turned off. The MADI I/O I mentioned above is not the I/O that feeds my mixing console.

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