r/protools • u/Excellent_Garden_636 • 11d ago

interface Looking for a new Board/Interface

Hi! First time poster, long time reader - I'm looking for a suggestion for a 24-32 channel board/interface that works with current Pro Tools (2026.4) and Mac OS (Tahoe). I run a small studio for recording bands and would love to move to a board instead of what I have currently (Tascam US 16x08). Would love to have phantom control on every channel if possible, and the ability to record in at least 96k (seems really hard anything that runs past 48k for less than $3k). The best cheap option would be great. I've been looking for the past week and just keep running into walls lol. Even something on the older side that I can get to communicate with current Pro Tools would be great. Thanks!

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u/namedotnumber666 11d ago

I would go for a used s3 and an interface or a Digico s21 which has 48io on usb, 24 preamps and osc control

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u/snoutliz 8d ago edited 8d ago

I use two S21s a ton for live and live tracking and would highly reccomend the S series preamps and DiGiCo's UB MADI workflow. I use them often with PT, OBS and a variety of Audinate devices and can verify compatability and smooth operation as well as a pretty nice clear and detailed sound for both the preamps and converters.

As a PT return the S21 is very flexible and as mentioned in other comments you can add on plenty of A168 stageboxes as Dante IO expansions (a single Dante card will add 64IO to the console 24x12 local IO). Thing is cost, S21 is just under 11K and the Dante card is another 2200.

I considered this as a studio/portable live flow but ultimately settled on a used Antelope MP32/Orion 32 'silverface' NOS bundle as the foundation for a portable live/remote recording rig I found on GC used for 2k. Pair with an ol grey Furman headphone distro and you're ready to rock 😎

Regarding UA vs anything else - skip the UA. If you really want the DSP plugins just get a few used satellites or whatever. I really feel they're not worth the cost - the audient is gonna be a just as good.