Digital I/O same as Analog?

[soundchaser59]

I know it's not the same thing, but....

I just realized (while recabling my entire studio) that I have a newer fx box that has spdif in and out jacks on it.

I've never used digital I/O on an fx unit before. Is it the same - just from a function/mechanical point of view - as using the analog in/out jacks?

I have spdif jacks on my sound card. Does this mean I can connect the spdif jacks together and I can use this fx box as an outboard fx unit from within my computer mixes?? Can it be that simple??

[Farview]

Originally Posted by soundchaser59

I've never used digital I/O on an fx unit before. Is it the same - just from a function/mechanical point of view - as using the analog in/out jacks?

Yes, it's just another option.

Originally Posted by soundchaser59

I have spdif jacks on my sound card. Does this mean I can connect the spdif jacks together and I can use this fx box as an outboard fx unit from within my computer mixes?? Can it be that simple??

cubase SX3 will let you do that, but it will also let you do that with analog I/O as well.

The big downside to using spdif on the FX boxes is the fact that you normally can't change the sample rate of the box. In order to use it, your session would have to be the same sample rate that the fx box is.

[soundchaser59]

Here is what the TC web site says about sample rate:

Digital Input and Output:

Connector RCA Phono (S/PDIF)

Formats S/PDIF (24 bit), EIAJ CP-340, IEC 958

Sample Rates 44.1 kHz. (48 kHz only @ Digital Input)


That last line bothers me. Does that mean I have to run my computer mix at 48khz in order to send anything to the TC M300???

EDIT: I just found an online manual (slightly different than the one that came with the unit) that says the M300 spdif input can lock to either 44.1 or 48k signals. Fair enough.

[NL5]

As far as using analog vs spidf, there are two advantages to using spidf. One, the signal stays 100% in tact - no extra a/d d/a conversion. Two, it saves you from using a set of your converters ins and outs.

I have used a rumour and and eclipse as a "hardware plugin" in Cubase via Spidf, and it works FANTASTIC. I also use a bunch of analog gear, but I have to patch it in at each mixdown.......