AudioMD,
For the past year, I've been successfully using the DA7 and one single DR16pro together via the ADAT 8in-16out board and two ADAT cards in the DA7. I presently don't use the OPTICAL out on the second ADAT card in the DA7. As a matter of fact, it is unusual when I use the the ADAT out on the first card because 99% of the time I track to the DR16pro via analog preamp, direct box, and/or compressor. Anyway, I suppose you could assign BUSSES or AUXs to the ADAT outs (on the DA7 of course) and route signals to external effects processors, etc. that support ADAT input. Of course, you would probably need to return the effect signals back to the DA7. Where is up to you.
Eventually (money premitting) I plan to add the AES/EBU card in the third slot on my DA7.
I'll use it to digitally loop additional effects processors (TC M3000, Intonator, etc.) and as a digital return from my PRO PODs for "reamping" at mixdown.
BTW - to all you Akai DR16Pro owners. Do you own/use (or have you tried) the RE32? If so, please tell me what's good/no-so-good about it. I'm dying to have the advanced XFADE/TRIM and visual waveform display it provides - not to mention not having to "reach" quite so far to access the transport/control keys.
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Brian
CreativeUnderground, Inc.