S/PDIF format and ADAT Lightpipe?

Question

Level 1

9 points

S/PDIF format and ADAT Lightpipe?

Looking to confirm some information I've gotten along the way. Currently running the below listed MacBook Pro, and of course have the iLife GarageBand 3.

In order to utilize this in the future, I've done some searching as to what I need as an interface to get the sounds into the computer. Ultimately, my goal is to have the capability of recording a band live onto more than a stereo track. I've seen the firewire devices that will let you do this (ie m-audio firewire 1814) but I don't have a preamp, and have heard a preamp would be needed between mics and the converter to get the signal hot enough.

The other option someone had told me about, and this is where I get to my subject name, is if my computer has an optical input, it's possible to use something such as the m-audio octane preamp, and run the ADAT light-pipe output to the computer. I know the computer has the combined input (1/8" and optical), but is it also equipped to be able to "understand" the ADAT input, and then resolve the seperate tracks coming from the ADAT to seperate tracks within Garage Band?

Oh, and correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is garage band can take a max of eight simultaneous inputs.

Any input would be helpful.

Derek P

Mac Book Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 11, 2006 10:16 AM

Reply

Answer 1

nwguitar Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 13, 2006 1:41 PM in response to nwguitar

Self-bump, and found a remotely similar thread to what I was thinking about. Big difference is sounds like this person was using a device with a cable/electrical rather than optical digital output.

This is the thread I'm referring to.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1872976&#1872976

Maybe somebody will know the answer to my question, but I'll keep digging and if I come up with an answer first, will post back.

Derek P

Reply

Answer 2

yomammy

Level 1

0 points

Dec 7, 2006 7:30 PM in response to nwguitar

hi
did you find out anything about the lightpipe? i've got a yamaha aw2816 with a waves card that has adat lightpipe out. sure would be nice to be able to go straight from the card to the macbook pro in.

but doesn't look like it'll be that easy. do you know if there's a possibility of using cakewalk or another program without an interface, or exactly what will be required to get into the macbook pro via lightpipe?

thanks

bill zorn

Reply

Answer 3

nwguitar Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 23, 2007 12:34 PM in response to yomammy

Wow, I'd given up on this topic...and I'm guessing you already have your answer.

Long and the short of it is the ADAT lightpipe does not go directly to the computer as I was hoping. Found that out looking through the forum. They do offer converters that you can plug into the PC-card slot, but I think they run up toward the $200 range.

Mac Book Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Reply

Answer 4

Jan 24, 2007 1:26 AM in response to nwguitar

The 1814 has two types of digital output: the ADAT multi-channel one which won't be recognized by your computer: and a couple of coax and optical ones which carry 2-channel (you should set these to 'PCM'): the optical one should work directly into your computer (though since I believe your Mac has a combined optical/3.5mm line in socket you will need a converter or lead from TOSlink to this type of plug).

Reply