Audio interfaces

[adam79]

I thought an ADAT had analogue micpres? Also, I wonder why there's only an optical in. That's too bad, cuz I have a KORG D16 unit that I sometimes connect to my MBox 2, via the S/PDIF in/out and sync those tracks to PT. That would be impossible w/ the Twin. I guess it comes down to how many inputs I need on average. I really like the idea of having those UA plugs as an option. So it's either just the Twin or the Saffire and $3-400 leftover for a mic and/or pair of monitors.

[YYR123]

Optical is an awesome feature for the twin.

There is a place in my town that rents interfaces. So you could get the twin and rent a nicer/same quality interface if/when you need more inputs

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by adam79

I thought an ADAT had analogue micpres? Also, I wonder why there's only an optical in.

Yes you could use that optical port to add additional inputs to the twin.

Keep in mind SPIDF is only one channel, so by giving you the adat they gave you more expandability.

Adat optical is 8channels up to 96khz sampling rate I believe

[Bill Denton]

Originally Posted by adam79

I thought an ADAT had analogue micpres? Also, I wonder why there's only an optical in. That's too bad, cuz I have a KORG D16 unit that I sometimes connect to my MBox 2, via the S/PDIF in/out and sync those tracks to PT. That would be impossible w/ the Twin. I guess it comes down to how many inputs I need on average. I really like the idea of having those UA plugs as an option. So it's either just the Twin or the Saffire and $3-400 leftover for a mic and/or pair of monitors.

Actually, it has one TOSLINK optical input.

The optical input can be configured as ADAT (Up to 8 channels, max 48 kHz sampling rate), or it can be configured as S/PDIF (Up to 2 channels, I'm old...it's 12:16 AM...I think the max sample rate is 96 kHz...you can verify this as uaudio.com. You can purchase an Optical to almost any S/PDIF connector adapter.

I don't know about the rest...

[Bill Denton]

Originally Posted by YYR123

Yes you could use that optical port to add additional inputs to the twin.

Keep in mind SPIDF is only one channel, so by giving you the adat they gave you more expandability.

Adat optical is 8channels up to 96khz sampling rate I believe

S/PDIF is two channels.

ADAT Optical is 8 channels, 48 kHz max sampling rate...unless you have two ADAT Optical connectors (on each device) that support SMUX, the you get 8 channels, 96 kHz max sampling rate, or 4 channels, 192 kHz max sampling rate IIRC...

[adam79]

Would I be able to connect my MBox 2 to the Twin via the optical in? If yes, is it also necessary for the software to be compatible w/ the MBox 2? I'm pretty sure it won't work w/ PT 11 on OS X 10.10. Btw, thanks for all the help.

[John_Toolbox]

Toslink connections can be used for….
ADAT: uses 1 toslink connection, for 8 channels of 44.1 or 48K
S/MUX: uses 2 toslink connections, for 8 channels of 88.2 or 96K
SPDIF Optical: uses 1 toslink connection, for 2 Channels of SPDIF format at either 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 186.4K, or 192K.

Not all interfaces with a toslink connector necessarily support all of these formats, so always read the specs before buying.

P.S. There is also a consumer grade 5.1 audio format that uses a toslink connection, but this is NOT compatible with the above mentioned pro audio SPDIF or ADAT formats.

[adam79]

As much as I want the Apollo Twin, two tracks just ain't enough, and I don't see myself being able to afford a ADAT anytime soon (especially after this interface purchase). My question is are there any 8 channel interfaces in the same price range as the Foscurite Saffire 40 that offer better quality/mic pres?

Thanks,
Adam

[YYR123]

How much is the Safire 40?

B/c with the advent of the Unity preamp from Universal Audio - that really is going to trump the sounds of most anything else. B/c you get impedance switching

Safire 56 has pre amp emulations- but so subtle that you couldn't hear it in the mix


An impedance switch like the twin, and Apollo would actually change the sound of the Mic

[adam79]

Originally Posted by YYR123

How much is the Safire 40?

B/c with the advent of the Unity preamp from Universal Audio - that really is going to trump the sounds of most anything else. B/c you get impedance switching

Safire 56 has pre amp emulations- but so subtle that you couldn't hear it in the mix


An impedance switch like the twin, and Apollo would actually change the sound of the Mic

Saffire 40 is $500, $400 if u get one that's been demoed in store. Do u know if that Unison technology just works w/ the Apollo micpres, or will it work with all the ADAT inputs as well? Like I was saying tho, only 2 inputs is really limiting. I won't even be able to record the drums properly w/ that.
When comparing something to the Saffire 40, I'd prob be willing to drop down to 4 mic pres if the quality is better. But having 8ch avail is really a plus w/ the 40, which has come highly recommended in this forum.