Looks like the dbx386 will be out of commission for the weekend...
So I have to break out the old Yamaha AD2K - this is an older, rack mount 20 bit A/D
I've been running two JB3s lately (four 16 bit tracks) using SPDIF to sync (so there is no drift in post) - I can produce one 16 bit source - but will have to truncate the other...
The Yamaha - despite being 20 bit - has a RCA/SPDIF out labeled "DAT/MD"
I am familiar with the truncation issue - so no need to rehash that...
I sort of feel I should truncate the Soundboard source - I would think the truncation artifacts would be less apparent in a tight, discrete source...vs a diffuse AUD source...
Also - will truncation screw up my clocks? Will my sources still be syncable? (instinct says yes)
I'd say truncate which ever source you plan on being lower in the mix. If it's going to be a 50/50 sort of mix then it's hard to say.
The typical audience noise in a show runs about 40db to 30db, allowing for less than 16 bits of headroom, if that helps.