Keep the sync when transferring tracks into PC via audiocards?? Pls help

[Papoola]

I am on shopping for an audiocard to enable me in importing 16 tracks recordings (made on hardware multitrack) via the SPDIF IN optical. I realized that only the medium/high price audiocards offer both SPDIF and MIDI I/O.
My multitrack recorder can export via the SPDIF and offer MIDI out for MMC or MTC sync.

How can I then import all the 16 tracks inside the PC software sequencer mantaing everything in the right sync ??
Shall i not be worried because it would be easy to re-sync them with the software sequencer or will it be a mess ??

I read in some place that sync would be possible in some audiocards via the SPDIF IN.
Is it true??
Any helpful tip how to avoid the purchase of an expensive audiocard and just using the SPDIF ????
Tks a lot

 

[rjt]

(I have not used SPDIF, but lightpipe to transfer my digital data, so if this doesn't apply to spdif, I hope a more knowledgable member will correct me)

If you sync 2 ways, you should end up with all of your audio tracks together. To get a good data transfer, you must sync to a sample rate accurate method. This includes word clock, adat sync etc. On my system, you can sync to the adat lightpipe "source" so I am not sure if you can with spdif. You must sync the digital because the two clock sources WILL begin to drift (sooner or later) which will cause pops and clicks in your recording. Many pieces of gear (digital mixer, computer readouts from soundcards or programs) will let you know if sync has been established.

To make sure that your tracks are in the right place, you can sync to midi time code or midi clock. I am not sure why, but when I was struggling with this, many replies indicated midi time code was better, so that is what I use. One source should be the master (ie generating the time code) the other the slave (responding to code). There are usually a bunch of settings to play with, from setting midi send receive channel, whether you free wheel or trigger etc. After you get it set up correctly, you will be able to set up the slave to either record or transmit, then hit start on the master and voila, the digital "transfer" begins at the same time.

As a quick aside, it takes a second or two for the slave and master to sync. It works best if there is a bit of empty space at the beginning of the file.

Good luck!