S/PDIF cable question

  • Thread starter Thread starter AlChuck
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AlChuck

AlChuck

Well-known member
I have a Sound Blaster Live! and a Delta 66 in my PC and I would like to send the MIDI synth output through the S/PDIF output on the SB and into the S/PDIF input on the Delta 66 and see if it sounds any cleaner when I record it to an audio track that way than it does when I record it onto one of the SB Live's own audio channels directly. Trouble is the S/PDIF out jack on the SB is a minijack. Does anyone know if there any cables available for this (S/PDIF 1/8" minijack to RCA jack), or will one of those little standard plug adapters work OK for this purpose?

-AlChuck
 
The S/PDIF is on a mini jack??? You might want to re-check that. I've never seen on on anything but an RCA or optical (TOSlink). As far as cabling goes, 75 ohm video cable with RCAs.
 
Yup, it's a minijack -- just got down on my hands and knees and stuck a Walkman headphone plug it to see. But here's how the picture in the SB Live manual labels the sucker:

Digital Out jack: Front and Rear SPDIF output channels for connection to external digital audio devices, such as a Digital Audio Tape (DAT) or MiniDisc recorder via a Digital Output Module (available separately) or to FourPointSurround Digital

Sounds to me like it's really a jack for some form of surround sound speakers and needs some optional dohickey to break it down into standard S/PDIF. Creative has something that they charge $60 for. Sigh. I thought I could avoid buying anything extra but a cable or adapter.

-AlChuck
 
The Full Monty

Alchuck-
I got the sblive top of the line - which includes the output card in question. Takes up another card slot and hooks up to the main card with a ribbon cable. It has the rca S/PDIF in and out and some other goofy jacks. It is the moodiest card I have ever owned - like the old awe 16 better. Currently I am running midi thru what the heck ever it is that came stock in my pc.
 
Post Script

It was called the "SBLive Platinum" as I recall. About 200 dollhairs. Somebody correct me if I am wrong but the digital i/o is for audio only - no midi.
 
bballjones,

You mean that you can't route the MIDI synth to the S/PDIF output anyway? That seems strange -- I would think all the stuff you can route to the analog outs you could also route to the digital outs.

-AlChuck
 
S/PDIF is digital, but not in the generic sense

Although digital audio and MIDI are both digital formats, S/PDIF is just a coding/transmission scheme for digital audio, not digital data in general. Sure- all the audio that can be routed to the analog outs can be redirected through the A/D converters to any digital output port physically present. But MIDI is a different signal.
 
drstawl,

I'm not talking about the MIDI data (Note On, etc.) -- I'm talking about the audio stream playing the MIDI notes off the synth hardware on the SB card -- it's just more audio at that point...

-AlChuck
 
c7sus,

Anyway, wouldn't it be easier to just copy the wav file into whatever software you're using and skip taking it through audio outs and ins?
Click to expand...

That's just the point .. it's not a WAV file until I can digitize the MIDI tracks. In order to do this I have to record it.
 
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