2 Mono SPDIF -> Stereo SPDIF

[deepwater]

Is there a box that takes to mono SPDIF and merges them to stereo? I have to M-Audio Tampas which are mono and I want to merge them into a stereo SPDIF signal.

[Blue Bear Sound]

There's no such thing as mono S/PDIF - S/PDIF is a 2-channel digital format.

[Scoob]

Originally Posted by Blue Bear Sound

There's no such thing as mono S/PDIF - S/PDIF is a 2-channel digital format.

however the specs for the tampa say mono so anyone got an answer to how he can combine them

[SonicAlbert]

Since the Tampas are single channel devices, they no doubt only use one side of the stereo SPDIF signal.

Roland makes a mixer called the M-1000 which accepts 4 SPDIF signals, mixes them, and then sends them to either digital SPDIF or analog outputs. Not sure about panning on this box though.

Another way to combine them would be in a DAW. So you'd need an interface with two SPDIF inputs. You'd take the Tampa outputs to two SPDIF inputs, and then route those two inputs to a couple tracks. While technically not combined, being dual mono, you'd at least have them side by side.

You could also *not* use the Tampa onboard converters, but instead use their analog outputs and then go to a stereo converter.

Perhaps Z-Systems makes a box that will combine the SPDIF signals. Might want to check that out. But it will be expensive if they do have a box that does it.

[deepwater]

My current interface like most only has 1 stereo spidif input. So I would like to combine the two mono into 1 stereo. Doesn't sound to hard.

[SonicAlbert]

It's probably not that hard, but there's such a limited need for it that there probably aren't going to be too many options available. Combining digital data streams is not like combining analog audio channels. With digital you need computer processing to do it.

There may be a really cool little box that does what you need, but I've never heard of it. Maybe someone else has. The suggestions I've made are going to be your most likely solutions I believe. And your best most simple bet is going to be to use the AD converters on your sound card, or pick up an external AD converter and go into them from the analog outs of the Tampas.

What M-Audio really should have done is have a facility so that you can stream the data from one Tampa through another, thereby creating your stereo data stream. But again, there would be such a limited need for it that it probably wouldn't be cost effective to develop it.

[deepwater]

I'm going to grab one of these -
http://www.americanmusical.com/item-...-ROLM1000.html

Roland M1000 - $289.00
# 10-channel digital line mixer in space-saving 1U chassis
# 4 stereo digital inputs (coaxial/optical) and stereo analog input (1/4" phone)
# USB port for mixing digital audio from a PC
# Superb 24-bit/96kHz sound quality and 56-bit processing throughout
# Professional Word Clock I/O and automatic sample rate conversion
# Coaxial and optical digital outputs, plus analog Master outputs (XLR) and Monitor output (1/4" phone)

This well be nice to have around the studio.

[SonicAlbert]

Wow, those M-1000's have really come down in price. I may have to consider one as well. I was interested before, but didn't want to spend the dough. At $289 they are a lot more worth it.

My only concern with the M-1000 in your situation is this: I'm assuming that each of your Tampas will be outputting the digital data on the same side of the stereo spread. In other words, the data will on the left or on the right for both units, unless you have a way to control that on the Tampa. The pictures of the M-1000 I've seen are kind of small, but I don't think I've seen a pan pot for each channel. So I'd be a little worried about both data streams ending up on the same side with no way to pan them to the other side. So you wouldn't be able to get them into your DAW as two separate streams.

[deepwater]

Glad you cought that

[RawDepth]

Originally Posted by deepwater

Is there a box that takes to mono SPDIF and merges them to stereo? I have to M-Audio Tampas which are mono and I want to merge them into a stereo SPDIF signal.

Just to let you know, digital combiners do exist. http://www.sonifex.co.uk/redbox/rbsp1_ld.shtml

[SonicAlbert]

Originally Posted by RawDepth

Just to let you know, digital combiners do exist. http://www.sonifex.co.uk/redbox/rbsp1_ld.shtml

I know about that box, but I don't believe it does what deepwater is talking about. It interfaces double sampling gear and allows 48k gear to work with 96k gear. Also, I don't think it addresses the issue of both Tampas outputting on the same side of the SPDIF signal. Maybe I read the product description wrong though.

[deepwater]

I think on of those "Flying Cow" converters will be the way to go. I'm sure its better then the Tampas converters or as good and I can use it for other pres.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/closeup/FlyingCow--Main

24 bit stereo AD/DA converters, delta-sigma w/128x oversampling
• Dynamic range of nearly 100dB (A-weighted)
• AES/EBU digital I/O on XLR connectors
• S/PDIF digital I/O on RCA connectors
• Balanced analog signals on XLR connectors
• Sample rate automatically locks to incoming digital data
• EXT mode allows "Word Clock" operation
• Half Rack space

[SonicAlbert]

deepwater, I think you are going in the right direction now. just a heck of a lot easier to pipe both Tampas into another converter.

Believe it or not, the ART DI/O 24/96k converter is pretty good. I use one myself on my aux sends and have no complaints. I think it's a bit cheaper than the Flying Cow.