Digital to Digital Audio interface

[sww1235]

Hello all

I have a question about digital audio interfaces. I am thinking about purchasing a LS9 16. I also have a 16 channel usb audio interface running audio in and out of a mac mini. I noticed that I can buy a digital card for the console that will let me send adat or the like directly into it, without passing through an analog stage first.

My question is, is there a interface that will let me go from usb to adat or another digital audio format directly without passing through an analog stage first.

Thank you

-Stephen-

 

[bishopthomas]

Why the LS9? There are a ton of other (IMO, more relevant) options out there that interface much easier with recording rigs. But to (kind of) answer your question, there are a ton of ADAT interfaces on the market. What you buy is completely dependent on your channel count (16 max?), requirements, and budget. I've used the Profire Lightbridge, but the RME Fireface is a really nice unit as well.

 

[lakota651]

Stephen, What interface do you currently have? How many channels from the computer are wanting to send? And; are you looking for the interface to provide any additional analogue I/O to the LS9-16, which can handle 32 channels?

I personally have an M-Audio Profire 2626, and have used it an LS9-32 to provided additional I/O for a show via ADAT.

 

[wolfman005]

Does the LS9 have FireWire capabilities? Never used it myself but I've read about it being used. Most Macs come with a built in FireWire port.

 

[Chris15]

Most older Macs come with a built in FireWire port.

... last I checked on most modern Macs, one needed to adapt with Thunderbolt to get a Firewire Port... (Or wired ethernet...)

 

[wolfman005]

Then I guess that idea is out. Can you tell I'm not really a Mac person?

 

[Chris15]

Were it me, I wouldn't be buying an LS9, but if I were, I'd buy a Dante card and just plug an ethernet cable into my preferred flavour of computer and install DVS and voila - 16x 16 channels given a Yamaha MY card...

It is my suspicion that unlike firewire or ADT, ethernet is likely to be slower to become obsolete and unsupported...

 

[sww1235]

Thanks for the feedback, I just used the ls9 as an example digital console. I just want to get 6 channels of audio into and out of a mac mini, with no AD/DA conversion. I have only used the LS9 and know about the digital input cards so that was my idea, but if you have any sugestions for rackmoutable consoles that will make this easier, i am open to suggestions.

I do not need any other analog inputs

 

[MrX]

If you don't mind Behringer, check out the X32-Rack or X32-core. Rack mounted consoles, with a built-in 32x32 USB audio interface. Doesn't get much simpler than that!

 

[AudioGreg]

why not the yamaha 01v96i? it has a USB interface built in

 

[sww1235]

@AudioGreg do you know if it will show up as a standard audio interface, or do i need to use it with specific software?

 

[AudioGreg]

it comes with Cubase AI (a lite version of Cubase) for both PC and MAC. There is a Steinbase driver that uses ASIO/win, Core Audio/mac, so any software that uses those standards should see it.

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/products/mixers/01v96i/

 

[sww1235]

I want to run audio into and out of skype, teamspeak, and mumble, on seperate channels on teh mixer, so I am going to route the audio internally using soundflower

 

[sww1235]

It would not let me edit my previous post, so here is an addition. I want to have the audio from those programs going into a digital console that is an equivelent size to the LS9-16.

 

[bishopthomas]

I will second the recommendation for the Behringer consoles. Firewire is built in so it's as simple as plugging it in to your computer.

 

[sww1235]

@bishopthomas unfortunately the mac mini that I will be using does not natively support firewire. Yes I know that i can use an adapter, but I wanted to have that port open for other uses.

 

[MrX]

Tap... Tap... Is this thing on?
As I said before, the Behringer's interface is USB which every computer has.

 

[bishopthomas]

Tap... Tap... Is this thing on?
As I said before, the Behringer's interface is USB which every computer has.

Right. It has both.

 

[MrX]

Right. It has both.

That seems to depend on which product you buy.
The X32-Rack for example shows only a USB connection, while some of the other versions show both.
The important thing is that the OP doesn't have to use the TB connection on the Mac Mini if he doesn't want.

In looking into this further, it's not entirely clear whether any of them come with FW connections anymore. Much of the literature says that the X32 line ship with the X-USB card installed.

 

[sww1235]

So what I am hearing is that I should just get a mixer that has a digital audio interface built in. I would prefer not to be locked into a particular mixer. So if I can change my question slightly, is there any audio interface that will go from a usb or other computer interface to a digital audio interface. That way I can go to any digital console I want, or even to a DA converter if I want.