multichannel monitoring from non-linear edit

I posted this in the Aja Kona 2 forum but no replies. As it is largely an audio issue I thought I would try here.

I am trying to set up my Kona 2 non-linear edit system to monitor 5.1 stems out of FCP that are not ac3 encoded. We produce 90 second shorts that screen digitally in our IMAX theater. Our audio post guy mixes in 5.1. When he delivers the mix to us, he delivers as 6 individual, unencoded .aiff stems. I then lay those into Final Cut Pro.

I can assign these six audio channels to come out of my capture card as AES. They would be on 3 xlrs-- each xlr has two aes audio channels-- (1+2, 3+4, 5+6).

I've already got a full 5.1 set of makie 824 studio monitors and a large subwoofer. Using this system, I would love to monitor those stems in 5.1 out of fcp to see generally how they sound before the show goes out for encoding.

So, how do I get from the 3 aes xlrs out of the video card to 6 channel analog into my monitors, while also providing volume control? Esentially, what I am really looking for is a minimum 6 channel D/A with volume control that won't break the bank. Ideas?

Another alternative I thought about is using my AJA IO 8 channel analog out, for those familar with this device. The sync might be a little bit out if I am watching video through k2 and audio through io, but will it work? And can I control analog audio out volume of IO through either IO control panel or mac os volume control?

Any ideas much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff




Production Coordinator
New England Aquarium
Boston, MA

Production Coordinator
New England Aquarium
Boston, MA