Computer Audio Recording Tips

[ronmac]

Harmony Central writer Craig Anderton has written a short article on how to select an audio interface for your computer recording needs. I thought it may be helpful for some of the members here, based on past questions and comments.

http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/tips/how_to_buy_an_interface/

[dberch]

Great article, Ron!  I have to admit, the digital options (s/pdif, ADAT, etc) still confuse the heck out of me and I haven't taken the time to do the amount of research needed for me to understand.  My audio interface is an m-Audio Duo, which supports s/pdif, but I'm clueless as to how to use it or whether my recordings would benefit from using it.

David

[ronmac]

David,

SPDIF is a two channel audio interface that uses what looks like a single rca style jack as a send (out) and another one as a return (in). This format is commonly used on DAT tape decks and some effects units. It is a great way to digitally connect an external effects unit to your audio card without a lot of additional load on your computer system.

ADAT is an 8 channel audio interface that uses a light beam streamed through an optic fibre cable (this is why the format is also known as "lightpipe"). The standard was developed by Alesis to stream digital signals to the ADAT recorders. It is commonlt found on digital mixers, interface cards, etc. My setup uses this format to send the signal from my digital mixer (Yamaha 01V) to my sound card (MOTU 2408MK3).

Not to confuse matters any more, but.... some SPDIF devices also use an optical cable that looks identical to the ones used in ADAT, but they are not compatible formats.