Need some knowledge
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Posted on May 07, 2008 04:29 am
boedonaldson
Sir SM57
Member Since: Jan 29, 2008
Ok I just bought a RME Fireface 800. What is ADAT Inouts/Outputs and what devices use these and what are those devices functions? Also the SPDIF inputs/outputs....are they just RCA outputs or do they serve another purpose, some devices that use these would also be helpful. And lastly, what do timecode and word in/outs do. What devices uses these and what kinda cable do you need?
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May 07, 2008 08:17 am the ADAT is an 8 channel "pipeline" that carries a digital signal....some popular digital mixing boards, HD recorders, and other computer interfaces use it...developed by Alesis...SPDIF is a two channel (usually stereo) digital connection developed by sony/phillips (sp?). spdif is great for sending a final mix to another recording device (like an outboard cd burner) since you signal remains digital, there is no signal loss when sending a mix to a final destination. i've used RCA cables for spdif and you really shouldn't as they have much higher resistance than cables designed to handle a digital signal.
the timecode "wordclock" is used for syncing multiple digital interfaces together so everything stops, starts, and records at the same time...usually you'll have one device set as a 'master' and the others will be 'slaves' and follow the master time.
you prolly won't need to use any of these until you get more outboard digital gear with the same ins and outs. just kind of a handy feature to have when you need it.
hope that helps
wyd
May 12, 2008 03:38 am Ok so if I get a digital mixing board I can ultimately add more inputs/channels to my fireface by using the ADAT input/outputs. It has two so that should be technically 16 extra in/outs.
Im having trouble understanding the SPDIF though. Usually a signal with those type of RCA style inputs have Red and White (i.e left and right) inputs. With this though it is a single white one for in and a single red one for out. How does that work? Is the digital signal already stereo and then is converted so that is why you only need one input? Do some mixers have SPDIF and therefore giving me more channel? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Boe
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
May 12, 2008 10:16 pm to add to WYD post about the ADAT , you can also connect digital Pre amps (m-adio octaine, Presonus digimax) to add 8 more channels to you're set up. as for SPDIF, it just looks like a rca jack, you can send a 5.1 mix from that one out put if you were so inclined.
May 12, 2008 10:26 pm spdif can do 5.1? i was completely unaware of that, i always assumed it was stereo. nice.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 13, 2008 10:14 pm Be careful though as not all S/PDIF connections are capable of doing 5.1 surround. They must be specified as able to do that in order for it to work. It depends on the audio card. Phillips had one that sent 5.1 down a S/PDIF connection but it was designed just for that.
