Mbox 2 S/PDIF question. (aka "I swear I used the search function")

[Psylon]

All right...dumb question, maybe....

but I'm looking to record some of my DJ mixes directly to my Mbox 2. Currently, I'm mixing them on a Pioneer DJM-600. It has this lovely recording out on the back that's S/Pdif. As you can see, the Mbox 2 has an S/Pdif jack, which would be PERFECT, save for one minor problem...can you guess where this is going?

Okay, is it REALLY an "In/Out" jack? And if so, what the hell is the point of that? were people REALLY clamoring to record in Mono with cables used for their old VCR?

I could always use the TRS (1/4") cables, but that would mean constantly swapping things back there (I use those for other things. Mostly Guitar DI, in case you're wondering). I could use the XLR channels one and two for left/right mixes, But that seems a bit bulky, and a bit like overkill. I guess I'm sort of hoping that these are improperly labeled, and that what Digidesign REALLY meant was "Left/Right" and not "In/Out".

Any thoughts?

 

[RawDepth]

First of all, your Pioneer DJM-600 does not have S/PDif out. S/PDif is a type of digital signal. Those rca jacks are indeed left and right analog outs, not digital. (Those plugs are used for both types of signal now-a-days.)

However, you could still record if you routed them to the LINE (TRS) jacks on channels 1 and 2 of the Mbox. You would need two cables each with rca on one end and 1/4" mono on the other.

Digital S/PDif has two channels both combined in one cable. If you had a mixer with S/PDif out, it would only need one rca plug.

Hope this helps.

 

[AlanSwenson]

yeah the spdif on the mbox is for connecting to other gear that then connects to the things you are recording like a bunch of preamps or something not generally a straight digital audio signal. And like what the poster said above, you do not have spdif on your turntable.

 

[mattr]

Its been said already but hey, nothing like parroting the person before me

The connections on that Pioneer are unbalanced consumer-line-level analog RCA connections, not S/PDIF.

S/PDIF is a digital connection, hence why there is only one connector each for input and output... it carries the stereo audio in one digital signal.

 

[Psylon]

Sorry I haven't responded. Been having fun trying to get a 2nd monitor hooked up to my CPU. Good times.

At any rate, thank you for the information, one and all. It was informative and I'm going to use the TRS cable option, I think.

Now does anyone know where a good place to go to ask about computer stuff?