Working with DM4800 Expansions

[ivverah]

Could you please assist on how the expansion cards work on the dm4800, need to increase my analogue channels from 24 to 32 analogue channels.

 

[Jarno]

Could you please assist on how the expansion cards work on the dm4800, need to increase my analogue channels from 24 to 32 analogue channels.

Expansion cards are just additional inputs/outputs. They work exactly the same like any of built-in inputs/outputs (M/L, ASN SEND/RET, TDIF, ADAT, SPDIF/AES-EBU):
* You can route their inputs of them to channels.(or to different outputs with INPUT BYPASS)
* You can route any output source (DIRECT, AUX, BUSS, STEREO, INPUT BYPASS) to their outputs.

 

[ivverah]

Thanks, but need to know whether I need an external unit like a digital rack? I use the desk mainly in live sound and multitrack recording, so your info will help

 

[Gravity Jim]

The analog expansion card installs inside the DM, and no "digital rack" (whatever that may be) is required. You do need, I believe, a breakout cable with a single connector for the card on one end and eight analog input cables on the other. I don't think this cable ships with the card.... does it?

 

[Jarno]

Thanks, but need to know whether I need an external unit like a digital rack?

Then you should have asked this at your first post.

I don't think this cable ships with the card.... does it?

No it doesn't. But these breakout cables are widely available. Here's the first ones I found with Google:
XLR/male http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOSDTM80
XLR/fmale http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOSDTF80
TRS http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOSDTP80

And if you want to build your own, you can download pinout documentation from TASCAM: http://tascam.com/product/if-an-dm/downloads/

 

[ivverah]

Many thanks for the help, will work with that and update all.

 

[Will Miho]

If you want to increase input channels to 32 ins, you probably want an 8 channel micpre unit. An expansion card will give you more line or digital I/O maybe, but no trims and no micpre gain.
Cheap example, a Behringer ADA 8000 mic/line unit which has an 8 channel litepipe out. Gives you 8 more analog mic/line ins with gain control. Or a Metric Halo 2882, or something Presonus, etc...