I see a Probox in that picture.
If your intention is to use the D8B as a MIDI controller for your DAW via the Probox (and NOT as a digital Mixer - it’s either digital mixer (no Probox) or MIDI controller via Probox (no digital Mixer) - not both simultaneously), then you just need to connect the DB25 connector on the Probox to the D8B Console (not the rack), and the USB connector to your computer. In that case, the D8B’s rack unit would only supply power to the D8B console, and the Probox would interface with your computer.
That the BIOS settings are obviously wrong in this scenario, would not matter, for Probox use.
The Probox makes the D8B emulate either a Mackie Control Universal (8 faders+master fader) with two extenders (8 faders, each), or optionally, 3 Mackie HUI controllers (the Master Fader won’t do anything in that mode).
Then, in your DAW, you’d have 4 new MIDI ports, that you’d configure as follows:
Do NOT assign MIDI port 1 from the ProBox to anything!
DO assign these ports for the 3 sets of 8 faders in your DAW, wherever you configure MIDI Controllers in that app:
ProBox MIDI Port 4: Mackie Control Universal (aka Main Unit with Master Fader on the right)
ProBox MIDI Port 3: Mackie Control Extender 1 (aka Mackie Control Extender 1 - 8 faders in the middle)
ProBox MIDI Port 2: Mackie Control Extender 2 (aka Mackie Control Extender 2 - 8 faders on the left of the D8B)
After this, the Faders etc. on the D8B, should control the corresponding faders etc. in your DAW.
If you DO want to use the D8B as a digital mixer WITHOUT the Probox, then you need to fix the BIOS settings, first. “Resetting” the BIOS to “optimal settings” or whatever that’s called in the BIOS is wrong, and will not fix the problem.
You need to make exactly the settings described on this page, for every page in the D8B’s rack computer’s BIOS:
https://www.sonido-7.com/d8b/maintenance.htmlYou likely have the “old Motherboard” mentioned in the first post. The newer board usually has a faster processor.
With these settings in place, and a DB25 cable connected between the D8B and the rack unit (that has the pins connected 1-to-1… not all such cables do that… I can’t say if yours does or not), it “should” boot up, if nothing else is wrong with your D8B. But there’s a litany of other possible issues, that would also give an Error 43 (e.g. hard drive problems, etc.). Error 43 basically just means that there’s no successful communication between the rack computer and the console… which would also be the case if the Operating System doesn’t boot, or if there are any other odd issues that prevent communication).
Some of the meters on my D8B flash, too, when powering on… but mine otherwise works flawlessly. So, that in itself isn’t usually reason for concern.
If you add an external DB25 serial/parallel switch that has a 1-to-1 wiring (not all of them do that, either), then you could boot your D8B as a digital mixer, and when it’s done booting, flick the switch to use the Console with the Probox, instead. Often times, the D8B will still pass audio when switching like that, so you “sort of” can use the D8B as a digital mixer AND with the Probox at the same time… but from my experience, when switching back and forth with an external such switch, settings and levels on the D8B frequently get messed up. So, personally, I only use the D8B EITHER as a digital mixer OR as a controller with the Probox, per session. I do have a switch like that in my system, though, so I have a choice. Switching back and forth on the fly during a project often enough caused issues, though… so, I don’t recommend to try switching back and forth during an important project. But add a switch, and see for yourself (once the D8B boots fully, and can be used as a digital mixer).
Anyway, best of luck… if you only want to use the D8B as a MIDI Controller, you’re almost there, though. Just ignore the issues, connect the Probox to the DB25 on the console and USB on your computer, configure the MIDI ports in your DAW, and you’re done.
Oh, and the cards in the first pic you shared are this:
- DIO8 (TDIF/ADAT optical)
- The card with the two DB25 ports that says "digital" on top, is for 8x AES/EBU digital I/O (not TDIF)
- 2x Analog I/O
Best of luck!
I was fortunate enough to acquire two HDR's a few years back which I have been using in my home studio and the other to record at a hall. Ive just managed to buy a D8B which i should be getting in the next few days. It includes the yellow Probox as well which is a nice extra! there are a variety of output cards plus what looks like the Apogee clock card (not sure but it says Apogee). I cant see the effects cards clearly, though there appears to be at least one from the pics.
