Adat/spdif?

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jamest748

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Hi,

Been having trouble connecting my A/D Converter to my soundcard but wondered what the difference was bewtween ADAT and SPDIF?

My soundcard (Marian Marc x) has 8 channels of ADAT but my Apogee PSX 100 converter only connects to it when you select SPDIF. So what am I doing wrong? They are not complying with each other.

Cheers,
James.
 
S/PDIF is a 2-channel signal format while ADAT (Lightpipe) is an 8-channel format. Both use the same optical connection (and S/PDIF can use a coax cable connection). Both units can use either format, but since the preamp is 2-channel you don't really need ADAT.

Set both units to the same format. You will probably have to set the clock on the Marian to something like "external" or "optical input", making the Apogee the master.
 
On the front of the Apogee, the "Optical Out" selector must be set to ADAT. Your Marian must also be set to ADAT if it has that ability.

However, if the Apogee only has two analog inputs and outputs, then using ADAT won't offer any apparent advantage over S/PDIF.
 
Cheers chaps.

So the Apogee is the 'master'?

It has L and R Analog Inputs and I input the Neumann mic into my Avalon then with an XLR output that into the Analog L on the Apogee and use the optical ADAT/SPDIF to connect it to the soundcard.

But all I'm getting is crackling and popping and no clear connection input/output. I'll double check the soundcard settings and make sure the clock is set to the Apogee.
 
man..........you guys might as well be speaking a different language:( LOL.

I need to do some research on this subject.
 
Hi,

Ok I tried this out this morning and still no luck! :mad:

I've done what you've said but what's weird is that in the Soundcard settings I set Wordclock to ADAT input but when I open Sonar 8.5 it sets it back to default the Soundcard as Clockmaster. Can't figure it out, it's like it doesn't like the wordclock input from the ADAT of the Apogee.

Strange, I've set the Apogee to 44.1khz and ADAT Input/Output and DIG Sync for A/D and D/A oh and 24bit.

However, one thing I did notice was that my previous recordings in Sonar have been 16 bit. So...I converted them to 24 bit but still nothing!

Anyone local to me in Oxted, Surrey (UK!) wants to earn some money and fix this then I would be willing to pay!!!!
 
I don't have a manual for either unit but, after looking at the technical description of the Marian, it looks like the ADAT plug only accepts 48 kHz sample rate and 24 bit word length. The Apogee should be able to do this with only a few button presses.

Both units must be set to agree on these rates and the recording software should also be set as such. Most recording software will allow you to choose sample-rate and bit-depth (or word length) when creating a new session to begin recording.

Once they all agree it doesn't matter which unit is master as long as only one is set to master.
 
Last edited:
keithersgsx2003 said:
man..........you guys might as well be speaking a different language:( LOL.

I need to do some research on this subject.
Click to expand...

We are talking about different formats for digital signal and cabling. Different companies have developed different ways to transfer audio signal from one unit to another and at varied resolutions. Now-a-days many sound cards feature inputs for more than one type of digital input.

The original poster is trying to get two digital boxes to communicate with one another using the ADAT type connection.
 
Ok, cheers for that, I should have seen that before and realised the Marian only deals with one specific frequency.

I've only recently learnt about this stuff and I'm hooked! Learning a lot as I go along. I should have these units talking to each other sooner or later.

Thanks again, I'll post results on here.
 
Ok......just to update.....

For some reason, even when nothing's plugged into the Apogee, it is metering noise on the A/D section. Out of the 10 or so bars about 3/4 are metering. :confused:

So I plugged the monitors in and tried to hear what was coming through and it's just hiss. White noise.

But.......after taking the advice from here I've managed to get the output ADAT D/A working clearly :D but nothing for the input! :drunk:

I've won half the battle. The next step is working out how to get the inputs to work. When I set the soundcard to take the clock from the ADAT source, and hit apply it stays. Then when I open Sonar it defaults back to the soundcard being the wordclock master. Very strange. It just defaults back and I can't stop it!
 
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