Connection Confusion!

  • Thread starter Thread starter mkrps
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mkrps

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Okay, I'm reading through all these baords trying to learn as much as possible, but damn if I'm not really confused about all these different connections. Can someone explain to me the differences/pros/cons of ADAT, Toslink, MIDI, RBUS, TDIF and S/PDIF connections?! Is there a reason to use one over the others or are they essentially the same?
Also, I'm seeing suggestions for using "bus" outputs from mixers rather than the regular OUTs. What does the "bus" output do differently than the mixers main OUTs?
Am I confused or what?!
 
Mkrps.... frankly the reason you see so many different references to different connections is due to the broad range of gear. It all comes down to the sources of what you are sending your signal from and what it is going into. There is no set universal connection. Digital or analog each have different means of sending thier signal out. Weather or not you have a plain old stock soundcard as opposed to a digital audio interface in your computer... or even if you are not using a computer. All of that is going to determine whats connected to what and how. 20 years ago we used to have to screw two wires of an antenae into a tv to get a picture. Then the good old cable line with a coaxial connector... now theres digital TV. Well the same applies to the means for us to record. Some folks stick with good ol cassette recorders, some use ADAT (which is analog to digital) and still others go with midi or digital.

Browse through some of the specific forums here and a few things will get less fuzzy. The Analog forum will open up a few doors for you if you historically record with cassettes and want to learn about incorporating that with maybe a computer.

Do you have any particular way to record today? Are you looking to maybe jump in and try recording at home on the computer? Maybe there is a certain type of recording method that excites you and you are wondering what sort of gear to get? Are you a solo songwriter/performer or with a small band?

Dont be shy about asking questions, there many great dudes here, many with a wealth of expertice in selected areas. And all of us learn a little bit more from each other everyday.
Also, dont be afraid to drool over equiptment catalogs from dealers... read the descriptions of what certain items do or claim to do and then ask these boys some questions...
 
As Even said, there are many ways of sending a signal. Things like SPDIF and TDIF are digital signal routes, ADAT converts analog to digital (and back again), MIDI allows devices to relay "performance data" but does not actually send "sounds".

The reason the "bus" is used on mixing boards is to allow the most flexibility when routing a signal from point A to point B. As an example, you may route a signal to an effects unit (via a "bus") before the signal goes to the "main out".

It all seems like a lot, but it actually is not as hard to understand as it may seem (but to get good at it, now that is where the journey really begins).
 
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