Using Ultralite S/PDIF with O2R

[masaski]

Hello all,

I've searched but couldn't find anything.

So I'm about to make the jump to 64 bit, and it means ditching my old RME Hammerfall adat lightpipe soundcard. BUT, every cloud has a silver lining and it means I can use my Ultra-lite hybrid mk3...

So, I use an old O2R desk just for monitoring/summing etc, and feed the mix from one of my soundcard into one of the channels when monitoring. This is no problem on the RME ADAT card and this leads me to my question...

I've connected the COAX s/pdif ins/outs on the back of my ultralite to the digital ins of the O2R and it seems to work just fine - but can COAX deal with DIGI in and out at the same time? Will there be any clocking issues etc?

Obvs it says in the manual that you have to change clock settings if you're recording input signal.

Anyone got any info on using a digi mixer with these connections?

Thanks!

[monkey man]

It'll only carry either the in or out signal (one cable for each).

There are no bandwidth issues. Used to run 'em in and out of a 2408 to and from an O2R years ago.

[masaski]

Thanks for the reply...

I'm monitoring from my DAW back into the desk from the Ultralite s/dif (through the digi in, into channel 19/20), then the Ultralite is also going to be receiving a digital feed s/pdif simultaneously (2 track out digital) from the mixer for synths/drum machines when I'm recording (obvs muting out the DAW feed).

It seems to work fine, but they're not meant to be used at the same time?

[monkey man]

Of course they are; as I said there's a cable for each stream and so there cannot be any bandwidth issues.

I did the same thing (monitor from the D2 or D3 input - I can't remember which).

One thing: I had HQ coax leads made up for me. They were super-thick and stiff, and although not mandatory, I never had a single issue with them.

EDIT: Oops! Yeah, you'll obviously have to mute the 19/20 inputs in order to avoid feedback. I remember using the D2 or D3 input (or something like that) instead of the 19/20 though and that could be why I never encountered a loop.

[masaski]

Hey, thanks again!

Yeah I'm going to get some HQ leads just to make sure.

There's an option to route the digi input to 19/20 so it can be controlled via the faders etc...i thought this would be better for monitoring as i can adjust the MOTU feed level independently.

I'm really unsure about going 64 bit cos i'm having to ditch the hammerfall card that I've worked with for the last 10 years!!!!! Those lovely ADAT ins and outs...but I neeeeed more memory!

I should just dive in right???

[monkey man]

Hey Masaski, I don't think the 64bit thing is relevant; it's got nothing to do with bit depths or sample rates of audio. If you're referring to DP's going that way, don't worry; it's the processing word-length the app uses, and is theoretically something we should never have to think about. The only (well, main) reason it's seen a good run on the forum is that it'll allow DP to address larger amounts of RAM - so much larger that none of us is ever likely to own this amount.

Your ADAT card/s of course sacrifice channels for higher-quality audio, but that's a different matter entirely; it's purely an audio transmission-bandwidth issue.

Smart move on the leads, man. Even if you ditch the O2R, I'd suggest you hang onto them; they're bound to come in handy at some point in the future as the protocol is ubiquitous, even on domestic units such as CD/DVD players.