Firewire Spdif in/out options ??

[Klarky]

Hellow all first time poster,

I'm trying to get my digital setup underway for a while now My next hurdle in the puzzle is that i want to use my lexicon MX300 as an external FX so I now need spdif in/out. My setup so far - Im using a HP 1.7 dual core downgraded to XP with a 2x 6 pin firewire port card for my alsesis multimix 16and Midi routed through usb.
The multimix has spdif out only, so Ive been looking at some firewire devices which have 2 firewire ports and Spdifs in/outs etc. Does this mean that I can run both using one firewire port as a through, or act like trying to daisy chain units together?
The other way would be to just utilize to 2 firewire ports i have for each device but this would lead me back to having seperate sound cards configurations in the DAW software.
Probably the right solution would be to get a presonus firestation or motu and just leave the multimix in the gig bag but i cant afford one of those yet.

Any ideas be great.
Cheers.

 

[TetraFish]

I've got a presonus firestudio and the extra firewire connection is for daisy chaining extra units. Also, you cant use multiple ASIO drivers in a DAW (as far as I know anyway).

Cant you just use the aux sends and returns on your mixer to connect to the MX300 and do everything analog?

 

[clong89]

If you would like to continue using alesis products I would suggest looking into the Alesis io26. It has eight mic/1/4" inputs, 16 ADAT in, SPDIF in and out, 16 MIDI in/out, RCA out, 2 headphones out and 8 line outs. A lot packed into a small bundle. There are many horror stories about compatibility issues for the firewire card. I myself have had my share of problems, but I have had more success than failure so would consider this a WIN when you look at the price.

Clong

 

[TimOBrien]

asio = 1 device driver at one time, so you cant just put another firewire box on there.

Converting s/pdif to analog requires a digital>analog converter (essentially another interface)
so yes your best path is to buy an interface like a Motu828mkIII that has s/pdif on it
and sell off your current mixer. On the plus side, you'd be stepping up.

 

[Klarky]

Thanks for your replies,

Yes alesis firewire products are plagued with problems when i got the mixer i couldn't use it cause at the time there were no drivers for vista that worked. I think when alesis develop their driver software they do it with no other application on the computer ? I struggled for ages with the usual drop outs and gitters on vista but managed to get it stable by turning lots of devices off, when really the OS should be showing conflicts. Now ive figured out how to install a preloaded vista lap with xp , hoping my system will now soar, and for now is running good and as ive seen on another system the multimix work almost flawless on XP.

The noticeable problem i am seeing is resource requirements in all the new gear, software and operating systems, its just crazy and i cant just go out and buy a new computer with 15gig of RAM (but that another post).

My two mistakes were 1. buying a HP laptop with vista. 2. the multimix. but im stuck with for a while yet. In concept firewire mixers are a brilliant sound card solution but they all seem now to have connectivity limitations, and operational issues alesis probably the worst. So when i do get to buying another interface it wont be an alesis product, nor will i buy a HP. Alot of HP laptops have and inherit missing earth when connected to a docking station I discovered this through an initial earth hum which i fixed buy cutting my earth pin off . HP know about it but at the time couldn't fix it or for a couple of models to come because of R&D costs.....

With regard to analog routing my mx300 the ASIO doesn't give you access to the AUX sends, so you'd have to bounce tracks as apposed to a plugin or assigned fx channel. Having the MX300 as a external fx serves to save resources as a good reverb plugin can be hungry.

I guess ill just have to save my pennies for a motu or presonus of the likes.

Cheers

 

[PDP]

Quick point of interest. Most Firewire interfaces want a card with TI chipset. You can have alot of problems using other chipsets. Always do your research with all this stuff (before you buy) to make sure its all happy workin together.

 

[Klarky]

I made sure my card was a 6 pin TI when I set it up, 4pin will also truncate the signal and not work.

 

[dgatwood]

I made sure my card was a 6 pin TI when I set it up, 4pin will also truncate the signal and not work.

No, it won't. The 4-pin and 6-pin FireWire standards are identical in terms of the signal. The only difference between the two is that 4-pin FireWire does not provide power.

 

[TimOBrien]

Exactly. I've been using a 6pin-to-4pin cable on my Motu828mkII for years...