Ad16x Da16x Hd And Symphony?, Complicated set-ups Options

[Jim Hoyland]

I'm in the process of setting up a new ProTools rig which needs to be able to run alongside Logic. One of our existing studios uses an HD2 system with two 192s, but its never been very satisfactory for our Logic users as all our other studios use Digidesign CoreAudio and transfering into this studio involves switching every track to HTDM or DAE and a loss of all Plug-ins etc.

Our new rig will have HD2 cards connecting to Apogee AD16X and DA16X units fitted with the HD option. However, I spoke to an Apogee dude at the Sounds Expo yesterday who mentioned that it should be possible to fit the AD16X with HD and the DA16X with a Symphony interface. This should in theory allow us to have 16 channels for ProTools when its launched and 16 channels of Symphony CoreAudio for Logic when its needed.

I presume this is something to do with the Apogee advanced routing set-up, using the Digital IO to perform the DA for PT and the AD for Logic, but I must admit I'm a little foxed by the whole concept.

Has anyone else tried a similar set-up? Is it reasonably easy to use on a day-to-day basis? Most users of this studio will students who are not the most technically minded souls so ease of operation is key here.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!