Looking to record music from digital recorder to iMac

Hi

Am looking to record music from a digital multi-track recorder to an iMac (likely onto audacity)... the iMac is "Core i5" 2.7 21.5-Inch (Late 2013). The only digital out on the recorder is a coaxial (S/PDIF RCA). The connections on the iMac are shown in pic.


Can either the thunderbolt or usb ports be assigned as audio inputs on the mac?

Can a coax to usb/thunderbolt cable be had?

Are cables such as these generally bidirectional?


Side note: I've been able to do just that on my older mac (iMac "Core 2 Duo" 3.06 21.5-Inch Aluminum (Late 2009)) because it featured an 'audio in/optical digital audio port).


New iMacs have nothing but usb-c connects... can these work as assigned digital audio in ports?


I hope my question is specific & to the point.

thx in advance


iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 26, 2025 12:36 PM

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Feb 27, 2025 11:49 AM in response to BDAqua

Thx BDA, but 2 things here...


Firstly, i'm not looking for a DAC, as I don't want to convert to analog.

Secondly, the devices you suggested are directional in the wrong direction.


As, stated in the op, "Am looking to record music from a digital multi-track recorder to an iMac (likely onto audacity)"... in that direction... the multitrack is my interface, but does't connect to the mac directly... the only digital out is a coaxial (S/PDIF RCA) for audio signal.


I hope this helps to clarify.



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Feb 27, 2025 1:21 PM in response to amdun

Can either the thunderbolt or usb ports be assigned as audio inputs on the mac?

They are not "audio inputs." They are general purpose digital communication ports. But you can use them to connect USB or Thunderbolt audio devices to your Mac such as a DAW, a mixer that has USB or Thunderbolt, an audio interface, etc.

Can a coax to usb/thunderbolt cable be had?

There is no such cable

Are cables such as these generally bidirectional?

USB & Thunderbolt cables are bidirectional.



Look for a SPDIF(Toslink) to USB converter. There are many.


Here is one example: Hifime SPDIF Optical to USB converter

I have never used it, so I can't comment on its performance.


It would have been best to identify your "digital multi-track recorder " in your first post.

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Feb 27, 2025 2:07 PM in response to MartinR

So sorry... the recorder is a Tascam 2488MKII Digital Portastudio https://tascam.com/us/product/2488mkii?srsltid=AfmBOoqOKJsi1ttMc10qBCJamXMqtf-ecyTGgeIo__LWCWo-7uqpfos6 ... it's going on 20 yrs old but works fine, but it is a stand-alone recorder... it as digital in & out coaxial (S/PDIF RCA), analog rca outs, but I would prefer to keep things digital if possible... there is a usb on the rear (for backup of data, settings & the like to a computer). So i'm sure there are more modern options, but I have a number of recordings that i'd like to get on the mac.


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Looking to record music from digital recorder to iMac

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