s/pdif
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Posted on May 14, 2005 01:17 pm
mccarty
eeeeeeemo.
Member Since: Oct 30, 2003
during my soundcard research i noted that the extra inputs of a delta 66 over the delta 44 are s/pdif. i understand that this allows you to transfer audio without it ever leaving a binary format.... what applications might this be useful for? is the average home studio owner likely to come across a need for it?
(if it helps, my soon to be studio will contain: pc with cubase se, delta 44 or 66, audio buddies, midisport 1x1 with a pcr50, pod xt)
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May 14, 2005 04:36 pm i've used s/pdif (Sony Phillips Digital Interface uhh something) in almost all of my digital recording experiance. in my current setup, i'm running my Soundblaster with WDM drivers as my 'computer speakers' and it has SPDIF out gooin' to my Aardvark (ASIO) so i can hear everything outta that card through my monitors...before that, we had a cheapo breakout box that accepted spdif in, so i hooked up my digital mixer (POS) to that, and now had a buncha preamps and line ins....still stereo though §=o( but yeah spdif is definately something good to have available to you (even if you're not using it now) but it's most cirtanly not necessary.....alotta good digital outboard gear (lexicon reverb's) use it so you don't hafta convert twice.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 15, 2005 04:28 pm People use drum machines that will have a digital out, thus removing the two conversions WYD spoke of.
Also, when using processors (i'm using a Boss GT-6) for guitar or voice, or bass, or what-have-you, they will probably offer a digital out. I'm thinking the POD XT will offer a digital out, and you may like the quality better, staying in the digital domain from processor to computer.
I haven't tried recording between the two to compare, but hope to soon.
May 16, 2005 03:49 am If you are or intending to use an analog to digital converter, then spdf is the way to go. the soundcard will aready do this conversion, but using an external one will provide better results. (Believe me it made a huge diff in my stuff) I would get the 66 even if you are not going to use an outboard converter. This will give you an easier upgrade option in the future if you do.
mccartyeeeeeeemo.Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003
May 16, 2005 11:18 am cheers for the advice guys!
i think i will stick with the delta 44 for now - i imagine the next upgrade i would make would be to the delta 1010, so i'll wait till then to get into pure digital!
May 16, 2005 11:20 am pjk, actually, the POD xt series offers a slew of I/O options, personally, it also has USB I/O which is super cool...
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 17, 2005 09:55 am i figured it did, just didn't know for sure. That USB sounds cool, i wish my gt-6 had that.
mccartyeeeeeeemo.Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003
May 17, 2005 03:10 pm i've just found a delta 66 online for £109.00 (...plus p&p)! thats less than the price of a 44 in most places!
so yeah, now this gives me an excuse to buy some new gear with digital I/O :)
mccartyeeeeeeemo.Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003
May 17, 2005 04:18 pm a couple of questions on the delta 66....
1. i only see 5 inputs? 4 analog on the breakout box and 1 digital on the card itself.... where is the sixth?
2. if i were to do the occasional recording with 6 mics (say.. on a drum kit), i take it that i would either need 2 preamps that have an A/D converter in them and a digital out, oooor i would need a seperate A/D converter between 2 of my preamps and the digital ins of the delta?
May 17, 2005 04:21 pm S/PDIF I/O are left and right in one jack...in some cases 5.1 (six channels) in one jack.
mccartyeeeeeeemo.Member
Since: Oct 30, 2003
May 17, 2005 04:45 pm aha, i see! how does cubase deal with that? would each input appear as inividually selectable?
ie in the input box on each channel would it appear as something like "delta digital L" and "delta digital R"?
