we'll run the numers, see what we can come up with...

[fluffy_kitty]

tell me if i'm spewing crap here. i am speaking metaphorically, of course.

i think i want a liquid mix unit for mixing, but i'm pretty sure focusrite is playing games. i really hate games. take a look at these channel counts, with and without the optional expansion card, and tell me if i'm missing something...

Channel Counts:

• 44.1kHz/48kHz: 32 channels mono, (16 stereo) unexpanded. No change with expansion card - we'll consider 32 tracks to be the limit for the technology, though i have nothing really to base this off of.
  
• 88.2/96kHz: 8 channels mono, (4 stereo) unexpanded. Expansion card provides 16 mono / 8 stereo - if the data pushed is limited to the equivalent of 32 tracks @ 44k, shouldn't running twice the quality (88k) only cut your available tracks in half? 32 tracks @ 44k = 16 tracks @ 88k, right? then why do i need an expansion card to do the same amount of work it should already be doing?
  
• 176.4/192kHz: 2 channels mono, (1 stereo) unexpanded. Expansion card provides 8 mono / 4 stereo - pretty much the same thing going on here.
  

i hate artificial limitations. there's no reason for that! i'm paying for hardware and software. i want to get the most out of each. there is no reason i should settle for governing of my hardware because they want to play games.

once again, if they have a good reason for this, fine. otherwise, i'm burning down their building.

edit: apparently in addition to playing stupid games with their products, they've also overpriced them. seriously, this thing can't be worth 800 bucks and 250 extra to unlock what you've already paid for. no thank you. i will bounce tracks, i will buy another computer before i fall for this. stupid stupid focusrite.