How does SPDIF work?

[ScienceOne]

Can i connect a digital mixer and record many tracks at once using a SPDIF in? Or does it only do one track of audio at a time? How would you connect something like a digital mixer that would have many tracks of audio coming out of it to a computer? I want to be able to record all my drum mics separately so i can mix later in my program (cubase sx). I was just thinking about getting a delta 1010 so that i can do the separate track thing, but motorized faders, etc, are enticing. thanks.

 

[Hawking]

S/PDIF only transmits 2 tracks at a time (left and right). To do multiple (more than 2) tracks at once, you'll need an interface like the ADAT optical interface that can transfer 8 tracks at a time.

If you want real faders and knobs to play with, perhaps there's another method besides a digital mixer. You can use a controller (usually plugged into a MIDI port) to control your recording software. The music never leaves the computer, the controller simply gives something else to put your hands on besides your mouse.

Here's an example.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/ps/products/hardware/houston/index.php?sid=0