As a foolproof way of recording and playing up to 64 channels of 24bit/96khz audio for live shows the Blackbox Recorder seems like a no brainer. No computer freeze/crash to worry about just connect and go. There are many different I/O options to suit your needs and it uses FAT32 7200rpm USB2 drives that are easily obtained at various locations:
"The BLACKBOX RECORDER is the first dedicated large-scale multi-channel recorder for audio acquisition and capturing live performance. Unlike many other devices, it doesn’t double as a studio recorder or a cut-down workstation - there are no plug-ins or effects to modify the captured sound. Quite simply, what you hear is what you get!
Available in both analogue and digital variants, the BlackBox Recorder family offers a choice of professional interfaces to any live mixing console. The recorder can capture up to 24 channels of 24Bit/96kHz audio in Broadcast WAV (BWAV) format. For large scale recordings, multiple units can be linked together."
General Specifications
Sample Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHzBit depths: 16bit; 24bitDisk interface: USB2Format: FAT32File type: Broadcast WAV (BWAV)Media: USB2 hard disk (7200rpm recommended),
USB2 flash drive - 200x minimum (except for MADI and DANTE systems which have more demanding data rates), SHDC (Class 10 with suitable adapter except MADI and DANTE)Monitoring: 1 x 1/4” TRS jack socket, headphone mix/soloPhysical: 19” rack mounted 1UDimensions: (425mm x 150mm x 44mm)Weight: < 2.4kg | Control and Synchronisation
MIDI: 1 x 5-pin DIN (open loop) – MIDI time
code (MTC) and MIDI machine control (MMC) protocolLTC: 1 x 1/4” TRS jack socket: Frame rates supported: 30fps, 29.97drop fps, 29.97non-drop fps, 25fps, 24fps, 23.98fpsMachine control: 1 x 9-pin D, SONY PII protocolAudio clock synchronisation: 2 x RCA sockets AES3 / SPDIF Format, also used for communications to slave unitsFootswitch: momentary switch on ring of LTC TRS socketKeyboard: 1 x mini DIN PS2 connector, Standard 102 keyPower: 9v – 16V dc (< 25W). 2.1mm dc inlet. PSU supplied |
Analogue Inputs:
Levels: -10dBu / +4dBu switchable
Max input level: +22dBu = 0dBFS A-D conversion: 24bit, 96kHz 106dB S/N, 96dB THD+N (typical A-weighted) | Analogue Outputs:
Levels: -10dBu / +4dBu switchable
Max output level: +22dBu = 0dBFS D-A conversion: 24bit, 96kHz 106dB S/N, 94dB THD+N (typical A-weighted) |
BBR1U
Unbalanced i/o via 3 x 25way D-sub connectors (3 x ¼" TRS multicore looms supplied – TASCAM analogue format). Designed to plug across the insert points on a standard analogue console
|  Loop through outputs available on ch 17-24 on ¼" TRS jack sockets for connection to outboard equipment |
BBR1B
Balanced i/o via 6 x 25way D-sub connectors. Lower row – inputs; Upper row – outputs. (TASCAM analogue format, cable looms not supplied)
|  No loop through outputs. Power: 30W PSU supplied. Other connectors as BBR1U |
BBR1A
Lightpipe i/o via 3 x TOSLINK inputs and 3 x TOSLINK outputs (24 channels @ 48k, 12 channels @ 96k). Word clock input on BNC. Unbalanced analogue as BBR1U (cable looms not supplied)
|  Loop through outputs as BBR1U available on analogue i/o only. Other connectors as BBR1U |
BBR1D
AES3 (2003) i/o via 3 x 25way D-sub connectors – upper row. (Yamaha format pin out standard). Word clock input on BNC. Unbalanced analogue as BBR1U (cable looms not supplied)
|  Loop through outputs as BBR1U available on analogue i/o only. Power: 30W PSU supplied. Other connectors as BBR1U |
BBR64-MADI
MADI coax (BNC) in and out. MADI optical in and out. Wordclock in or out (switchable BNC).
8 x balanced analogue inputs on 25w D-type (Tascam format) |  No loop through outputs. Power: 20W on 4pin mini XLR - universal PSU supplied. Other connectors as BBR1U |
BBR-DANTE
Standard DANTE Ethernet connection on RJ45 connector. Wordclock in or out (switchable BNC).
8 x balanced analogue inputs on 25w D-type (Tascam format) |  No loop through outputs. Power: 20W on 4pin mini XLR - universal PSU supplied. Other connectors as BBR1U |
