Please can anyone help? I am recordng my band with my MACOS X G4 using Logic 7 Express Audio only and no MIDI.
With Tascam FW-1804 using Core Audio and I can only use 8 audio inputs. In Tascam manual says you can have 18 inputs that include 4 XLR INPUTS,4 LINE INPUTS,2 MIDI INPUTS & 8 ADAT INPUTS ALL makes 18 inputs.
My Question now is How can i get to use all the 18 audio inputs and not use midi and Adat input since I dont have Adat machine and since am not using Midi?
I have a big band to record live and we are using my Mackie Console Mixer 24 trck 8 buss so i realy to use the 18 inputs or more.
Thank you.
Orlando from Ghana Africa.

Hi Orlando,

I hope I can help. I just downloaded the Tascam manual and had a look. Okay, you've got 8 ins no problem. Now, to get any more you have to start using more hardware.

Firstly, the SPDIF. (You were calling it MIDI in you post, but I'm pretty certain you meant SPDIF.) To take advantage of this input, you need a device that takes in analog signal and outputs a SPDIF digital signal which can then be plugged into your Tascam. There are a number of devices that will do this. Check the specs of most popular hardware FX (reverbs... etc.) and you'll notice that many of them have SPDIF out as an option. (I use my Lexicon MPX 100 for this all the time. And it would work maybe the best for you because it has a strong pre-amp built right into the input.) Another piece of gear that will do this conversion for you is a sampler. Many akai samplers have this option. (Personally I have the MPC2000xl and the S3000xl and both of these do what you need.)

Secondly, to get your other 8 channels of ADAT happening, you again need another piece of gear. Many popular computer audio interfaces (such as the MOTU stuff or the Presonus Firestation--what I have) have a 'stand-alone' mode so that they can act solely as a analog to digital signal coverter for ADAT output to another device (ie your Tascam). Another option would be to find an old ADAT machine. This can do the conversion as well (and it will sound great!).

That's the long and short of it all wrapped up. You're going to have to either make do with 8 inputs or go and find someone with some of that gear that they are willing to lend you. Good luck to you! If I was in Ghana, I would lend you my Firestation AND my MPX-100. But I'm not.

Best of luck!

-J

Be aware that LE7 supports 12 channels of I/O at the same time.