How can i connect a digi 002 pro tools interface to a mixing board and external mic preamps?

I’m a bit confused; isn’t the presonus an A/D converter in itself? How many simultaneous inputs are you trying to get here? How many mics are you trying to get going at the same time?

That will determine the connectivity. Why are you using the mixer? For monitoring? Submixing? Are you using ProTools for your DAW or another app?

As you already know the 002 has 4 switchable mic/line preamps, 4 additional line ins, and the ability for 8 more channels via the ADAT lightpipe. If connecting via lightpipe, you need to set the software to read the presonus as the optical, and as the sync master. Do you know how to set that part up?

Lastly, the mixer? Why are you adding a mixer? Would it be for input fader control during tracking? My recommendation off the top is to maintain as simple a signal path from your Mic Preamps to your front end (the 002) as possible; any mixer you add in-line is going to add line noise (albeit a minimal amount, it adds up over many tracks and overdubs).

Describe your setup and goals for tracking and we’ll see what we can suggest for your signal chain solution.

hey thanks for the input.

My set up is this right now.
Digi 002 as my interface, with the presonus digimax for additional eight mic pres.connected via lightpipe. This all goes through a firewire hub that connects a LACIE external firewire drive. However since that drive only has a one firewire port and so does the macbook. I have a firewire hub where the drive is plugged into as well as the digi 002 and then a firewire cable out to my macbook with 2 GB ram. everything is being done in the box. I have no outboard gear as of yet.

I guess what i am trying to figure out is… Is there a better way to connect the presonus Digimax besides the adat lightpipe. like would going direct in result in a better signal, because frankly the pres are not sounding as good as some other things(maybe because i have not masted eq’ing yet who knows).

For example i have friend who is using one of the korg 16 track digital all in one recorders and the drums and guitar sound so much fatter. I have used the same drum mic set up, and everything. And his stuff just sounds more full. The tracking i have done has a very flat sound to it. Even when i am attempt to compress the snare kick. and limit the guitars, my friends korg just sounds better and was a lot cheaper, so there is were some frustration lies.

The mixer honestly would be so that i could control the levels coming in and maybe even eq some of the signal with the board instead of using the “in the box” plug ins which just seem extremely difficult… high shelf low shelf and all that.

Eventually i would like to record using a mixer onto tape 1/2 inch eight track or 2 inch. and then just dump everything into protools for editing or mixing. but for now until i learn more about the basics this is the situation. Also the mastering of the signal path in pro tools is a science project in itself so even when I have some outboard gear connecting it to the digi 002 and routing the signal out of protool to the units and back seems perplexing. It seems in would be alot easier with a stand alone mixer.

Does that make sense..?
thanks again.. for the input

Yes-you make a good point-unless you’re willing to go full-pro on “Pro“Tools, you are limited by their design to the input split and sound quality mismatch that goes with it.

Maybe consider using Logic Express for a front end DAW; you can easily export from Logic to ProTools via OMF (Open Media Framework) export; this may enable you to chain one or more of your presonus decks for tracking, then importing the session work into ProTools for edit/mixdown. Frankly, if you invest in the Logic Studio (pro version), you can take advantage of some better plug-ins out of the box by Apple…however, one stumbling block you’re bound to run into on the post side is your MacBook-not very powerful beyond basic tracking and ‘light’ mixdown.

Awwww…Audio! The high price for admission! As for your existing system, perhaps look into Logic Express for basic tracking.

IM CONFUSED ABOUT HEARING AND SYNCING VIA LIGHTPIPE. WHAT DO I DO? HOW DO I SET THE I/O ON THE DIGI 002/PRO TOOLS 8? THE LIGHTPIPE IS DETECTED BUT I DONT HEAR A THING. WHAT SHOULD BE THE MASTER? IS IT THE DIGI 002 OR IS IT THE LIGHTPIPE DEVICE? WHAT SHOULD BE THE SYNC? I DONT UNDERSTAND AND IM PRETTY SURE I HAVE IT HOOKED CORRECTLY FROM MY ROLNAD VM-3100 PRO

Setup Menu: Setup/Hardware, make sure the sync is set to OPTICAL, not internal. make sure that both your PT session and the device you’re hooking up to the 002 are set to the same bit depth and sample rate, or else you’ll hear the digital clicking (pops).

Remember only one device can “drive” the system, that device should be set to sync “internal” Usually, when hooking up to a 002, the 002 is the slave, and the device is the master (clock). So the Roland should be set to sync mode: Internal, and the 002 set to Optical