Fast Track Ultra S/PDIF Coax Out to Audient iD14 S/PDIF Digital In

[mike.porter]

My new Mac (long story short) won't work with my old M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. So I got this new Audient box and am pretty happy with it so far.

Before I put the Fast Track out to pasture, here's the (possibly ridiculous) question. Can I go S/PDIF Coax Out from the Fast Track to the Audient iD14 S/PDIF Digital In if I get one of these (or something similar) converter boxes?

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2947

(I would do this to get a lot more mic/instrument lines in to my DAW, as the iD14 only has a few.)

I could buy it and try it, but any thoughts on it welcome before I do that. Thanks.

[Southsidemusic]

This is only My opinion but seeing that the M-Audio interface is a quite old and daunty. well ya know and the ID14 is quite a step up I would scrap the M-Audio and get a analog rack for more in and outs as the M Audio is not very nice sounding either.

It has run its course and should be taken out back and shot

Your idea might work but I wouldn't spend any more cash to get it working and put that money towards a better solution. IMNSHO of course.

[JoelG]

I don't think the FTU can run standalone, so you'd at least have to connect it via USB to your computer. The FTU also only has coax SPDIF out, the Audient optical SPDIF in, so you'd have to get some kind of adapter. And in the end you'd only end up with an additional 2 channels.

I don't think I'd spend the time/money/effort on it.

That said, the optical input on the Audient is ADAT, so it would allow an extra 8 channels. Depending on budget, you could get something like a Behringer ADA8000/ADA8200 or better.

Joel

[mike.porter]

My thinking was that I could get an additional 8 channels out of the FTU, since that's how many inputs it can handle at once. Do I have that incorrect (whether it runs standalone aside)?

Regardless, I think you and the gentleman from Sweden are correct that it's not worth the effort. And it would probably just highlight to me how much better the Audient is.

Thanks guys.

[JoelG]

SPDIF is only going to give you two channels output. If the FTU had ADAT, then you'd get 8 channels.

Joel

[Southsidemusic]

Originally Posted by JoelG

SPDIF is only going to give you two channels output. If the FTU had ADAT, then you'd get 8 channels.

Joel

+1

Was just typing that but Joels typing skillz was quicker

[mike.porter]

Well there you go--my ignorance is on full display!

Thanks again guys.