How many analog inputs?

I've been using Pro-Tools HD for awhile now, and also use PT M-Powered for some smaller jobs... I have the 410, which is great, but it really only has 1 pair of analog and 1 pair of digital inputs, which, for all practical purposes, means I can only record 2 analog tracks at a time. I'm considering upgrading to a different M-Audio interface, but am curious as to what's the most amount of simultaneous analog inputs I can get with M Powered, and what limitations does the software create as well? From what I can tell, it looks like 8 is the magic number.. recording 8 analog inputs at one time. I don't see any M Powered interfaces that will do more than 8 analog channels at a time. Is anyone using PT M-Powered, a laptop, and getting more than 8 at at time?

I think that M-Powered software is limited to 32 tracks. The most versatile interface for M-Powered is probably going to be the Profire 2626. It has 8 mic pres and ADAT for expansion. So, you should be able to record at least 16 analog sources simultaneously, with another preamp with ADAT out. To be honest, without going to some huge HD rig, 8 inputs is about all you are going to get out of any interface whether it be from Digi, M-Audio, Presonus, etc. But most of these offer a unit with ADAT so that you can add other preamps and expand the track count. J

Thanks for your reply. Yes. the Profire 2626 looks like it could be the one. I am curious tho, would it be possible to use a 1814 to create an ADAT output, feed that into the Profire 2626, and record 16 channels at the same time then?

You could look into getting an M-Audio Profire Lightbridge. This would give you 32/32 ADAT I/O. You could hang as many analog devices as you wanted onto it, provided you have sufficient A/D conversion. There are a bunch of good 8 channel devices with analog front ends and ADAT lightpipe outs. Technically, I think M-Powered is supposed to be limited to 18x18 simultaneous I/O, but one early version was 'broken' and allowed 32x32 I/O. That was subsequently 'fixed' by digidesign..... Good luck

Thanks to everyone's response. This looks pretty much like I expected.... the ability to record 16 tracks at a time would be great. A combination of line and mic in's would most likely be what I'd need so that doesn't present a problem. Now.... has anyone actually recorded 16 tracks with M-Powered? Guess I need to check the specs to see what Digi says it's capable of... thanks again!