57Gregy
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Tell me about S/PDIF
My friend Ryan the drummer http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1322626 wants to get together and jam. He wants me to record it, so instead of breaking down my rig and hauling it 25 miles to his place, I borrowed an old laptop from my brother the programmer. It's an old XP machine so I loaded Music Creator Pro 24 on it and set it up. It records and plays back MIDI (entered in PRV and staff) and plays audio, but I haven't checked out it's recording capabilities yet. I noticed the laptop has 2 3.5 mm inputs labelled (with icons) headphone by 1 and microphone by the other, with S/PDIF between the 2 inputs. I'm assuming that with proper set up (I'm not sure how to do that), the 2 inputs are S/PDIF. Now, my Focusrite Saffire has S/PDIF (RCA). The questions are, and I think I already know the answers, would connecting the Saffire up to the machine yield better recordings than just using my Yamaha mixer connected to the line in? Is S/PDIF just audio, or would I need to also load the Focusrite drivers in the laptop? The computer is a Hewlett Packard Pavillion dv8000. It's a monster. It must weigh 15 pounds!
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2:43AM
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/23 20:43:54
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☄ Helpfulby 57Gregy 2017/08/24 19:18:16
I would avoid the S/PDIF connection as A)it seems like it's some proprietary connection into the laptop, B) figuring out the whole master vs. slave clock signal will be a hassle, and C) assuming the ADC's on the laptops inputs are decent, then audio quality will be comparable. Also, digital S/PDIF is only 2-channels, i.e. stereo.
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drewfx1
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/23 21:17:54
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☄ Helpfulby 57Gregy 2017/08/24 19:18:23
Generally it would be a spdif output that's shared with the headphone jack, not an input.
 In order, then, to discover the limit of deepest tones, it is necessary not only to produce very violent agitations in the air but to give these the form of simple pendular vibrations. - Hermann von Helmholtz, predicting the role of the electric bassist in 1877.
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57Gregy
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 02:37:09
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drewfx1
Generally it would be a spdif output that's shared with the headphone jack, not an input.
So, 1 is a stereo in and the other is out? 2:30AM, it's going to be 2 channels anyway, since the Saffire is 2 ins only, and I only have 2 mikes. The laptop recorded fine, although there was quite a bit of noise, either from the Yamaha mixer or the Conexant's ADCs. Or old cords. I could see it, but couldn't hear it, given my bad ears. Regardless, it's just going to be 2 guys pounding on instruments. I appreciate ya'll replying. It would probably be more trouble than it's worth, trying to set it up, for 2 guys in a garage. Thanks!
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soens
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 10:34:39
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☄ Helpfulby 57Gregy 2017/08/24 19:18:30
I have the 15" variant of this. The SPDIF is only output according to HP info. The mic input goes to the onboard soundcard. I'd stick with a USB interface for better quality.
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patm300e
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 11:08:44
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☄ Helpfulby 57Gregy 2017/08/24 19:18:37
I would lug the gear...Live jams are MUCH more fun and intuitive. You just never know what will happen.
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fret_man
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 14:41:09
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☄ Helpfulby 57Gregy 2017/08/24 19:18:47
I can verify what soens said above. The SPDIF is only for output. That's a real shame since you'll be stuck using the laptop's ADCs. But since this is only for recording a jam, it may be good enough. There will be lots of room noise, I imagine.
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57Gregy
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 15:09:41
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Thanks.
" I'd stick with a USB interface for better quality."
This is the original Saffire, as in Saf FireWire.
"I would lug the gear...Live jams are MUCH more fun and intuitive. You just never know what will happen."
I drive a Miata.
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Cactus Music
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 17:29:32
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Either that or pick up a Tascam DR 40, ( or Zoom?, ) it has 2 XLR's plus the on board condensers so 4 tracks. fits in your pocket, fast set up, records non stop forever! mark songs one button push, Will record MP3 or WAVE. You'll find once you own one you will use it a lot.
post edited by Cactus Music - 2017/08/25 14:10:52
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Joe_A
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 18:42:42
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Ditto on preferably not using spidf for recording...
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Joe_A
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 18:43:29
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Anything to record as much as possible during a live jam...
jambrose@cfl.rr.com Sonar Plat. Lifetime. Started in Sonar 4, each through 8.5.3PE. Scarlett 18i202nd gen., Edirol FA-101, M-Audio Firewire 410, AMD Phenom II 1045T six core processor, 8GB DDR3, AMD Radeon HD 6450, dual displays, 1.5 TB SATA HD, USB 2, Firewire 1394A, 1394B, 18/22 mixer, EV Q-66, Yamaha HS50M monitors, few guitars, Fender Cybertwin SE, Fender Cyber foot controller, Boss RC20-XL, misc pedals, etc. Win Home Prem 64 bit.
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fret_man
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/24 19:26:58
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I've found SPDIF, per se, to be fantastic for recording. I've had no issues with master/slave clocking. Use the Saffire's ADCs and pipe the bits into your computer. What's not to like about that? It's about as ideal as it gets. What am I missing here? Why all the bad vibe about SPDIF?
We've already established it's not usable in this particular case cuz SPDIF is only good for output. But, in general, I've found SPDIF to be a great transport for data.
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soens
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/25 06:11:56
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Nothing wrong with S/PDIF but his options don't include it here. The alts are direct into mic jack or USB for which I'd choose USB. Didn't realize (not having one) his interface was F/W only. If you're going to be doing this more often, you could do one of the following: 1. Get a F/W Xpress card2. Get a F/W to USB adapter 3. Get an S/PDIF to USB adapter 4. Get another interface with USB I have a MOTU audio express (F/W & USB) in great shape I'm not using anymore.
post edited by soens - 2017/08/25 06:36:14
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Cactus Music
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Re: Tell me about S/PDIF
2017/08/25 14:22:37
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I use SPDIF with my Yamaha 01v for years with out issues. Best if you leave Sonar as clock, most devices are automatic sync and will just ask you if that's OK so set up is very easy.
I would run the 01v directly to my audio interfaces SPDIF in/out ports. This gives me all those extra pre amps as well as the returned playback for cue mixes.
Many interfaces have SPDIF and they are included in in/out count. The Scarlett 6i6 they are the 5/6 in and out. On my Tascam they are 15/16 in and 5/6 out.
One downside to SPDIF that is possibly true of all interfaces, on both mine the SPDIF inputs do not appear in the direct monitoring. You won't hear them at the interface headphone jack. Not a problem for me as I do my monitoring with the mixer.
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