Multiple SPDIF inputs...?

[GordonFreeman]

I have a problem.

I need to connect several stereo digital outputs (laptop, other computer, Apogee Mini-me) to my main DAW computer.

Even if I get Pro Tools with ADAT (like a 003), the question would be the same. How to I connect several stereo pairs of SPDIF to an 8 channel AES/EBU?

What kind of converters are there for that?

PS: what about connecting them all to an SPDIF in only (like with a switch box to select which output is being used)?

[sw rec]

ADAT, while optical, is NOT s/pdif protocol.
The switcher would work. Check out Z systems for a spdif switcher. Not cheap....

[GordonFreeman]

Originally Posted by sw rec

ADAT, while optical, is NOT s/pdif protocol.
The switcher would work. Check out Z systems for a spdif switcher. Not cheap....

Thanks for the quick reply sw rec.

Why not cheap? It's just a stupid box to select an SPDIF input... WTF

OK I checked it out, it's WAAYYY too overkill for this application. So what are my options? Just use analog inputs? my laptop has noisy line out, the mini-me needs to sync through spdif, and it's the only converter I have. This gets more and more ridiculous everyday. Didn't they invent SPDIF 20 years ago to avoid signal deterioration? And now I'm back to 0?

How come when it's analog, any cheap mixer will do, but if I want to connect several digitals, there's a huge issue? lol

[sw rec]

I have a Digital Detangler with 4 aes/4 spdif that I'm not using anymore......

[albee1952]

Given what you listed, I would patch the Mini-Me to the 003 SPDIF connections. The laptop: I would run a mini TRS to dual mono quarter inch and patch into the AUX inputs of the 003(hit the Aux to Mon button to hear the laptop). Any other digital device will need another path. If you get a Presonus Central Station(which I use) it has optical and RAC SPDIF inputs. I feed RCA from my 003(in case I want to skip the 003 D>A) and I run optical from my computer so I can monitor all computer audio(handy for mastering in Wavelab or listening to iTunes).

[GordonFreeman]

Originally Posted by albee1952

The laptop: I would run a mini TRS to dual mono quarter inch and patch into the AUX inputs of the 003(hit the Aux to Mon button to hear the laptop).

Yeah that's what I'm doing already. The macbook pro's line out sucks - too much noise. I can hear the speakers RF frequency when I move my mouse pointer. Even with the MBox 2 monitor volume all the way down, and balanced cables going to the speakers.

Originally Posted by albee1952

If you get a Presonus Central Station(which I use) it has optical and RAC SPDIF inputs. I feed RCA from my 003(in case I want to skip the 003 D>A) and I run optical from my computer so I can monitor all computer audio(handy for mastering in Wavelab or listening to iTunes).

$500? I'll think about it when I'm rich. Thanks! :)