SPDIF vs. Analog ins

Hey ya

What's everyone's opinion on using the SPDIF vs. the analog ins on whatever MPC they have?

SPDIF Input isn't able to overdrive and doesn't color the sound = not for me.

peace

Technically, you can get a little creative with using digital inputs on an mpc. If you have your system routed in a manner that allows you to send a feed of your material via digital out for example, along w/ added vst effects or whatever, you'll start to see a whole lot of potential.

Experiment with it and see.

^^^^ +1

depends on the source. If I am going with records I go analog in. If I am sampling my synths, or using a mic I will go SPDIF and avoid the additional conversion

I sample digital off the MBP all the time just cuz how quick it is.

Most MacBook Pro's have digital inputs and outputs built into them.

get a mini-toslink adapter and a cable and plug dat biyotch in the headphone out and ur golden

I tended to use spdif on my 1k because 4 tracks analog isn't really that much quicker than 2 tracks. I always thought it sounded cleaner. On my 2000xl, I use analog because 8 outs are advantagous. I find that the slight amount of character it has also comes with an extra conversion that takes a bit away. I have a M-Audio delta 1010lt so it isn't an amazing soundcard. I do feel like it is easy to get the sound back with minor equing anyway.

until very recently i had my mpc 2500 digital in conected to a motu 828mk2 - this way i wanted to avoid further da-ad conversions since all my inputs are going through the ad conversion into the motu - but it seems that some of the input thru functions in the akai os 1.24 are not functioning correct. sampling from the digital in is no problem, but if i wanted to use the input thru and then route through effects there is no sound. so now i´m back to all analog in and all analog out of the mpc. this way the routing through the fx works.

peace jo

I have the 3000 (digital in only in the 3K) and I do notice- like was mentioned above- that the Digi in is more 'truer' and the analog ins add a bit more 'character'- maybe even 'softening' the sound up a bit. I do like the fact that they can both stay simultaneously hooked up thus reducing unplugging & re-plugging all the time.

And I have a 30 foot coaxial cable- and I find that (despite common wisdom against using coaxial cables of this length) that there is absolutely no quality loss, pops or clicks when using it- meaning you can have a digital device (CD,TT) far away from the MP and still bag quality-AND...

Although there's no denying that high quality TRS cables are better for signal (Monster, Mogami vs. cheapo no name) I have found that when it comes to coaxial cable there is no diff in signal quality. Someone was trying to tell me once that the Monster coaxial cable carried a better signal, and while I can say that the Monster would be more durable- when it comes to coaxial I have found that the signal is the same whether using Monster or Hosa. Sh!t with a 30 foot Hosa coaxial you can damn near make a run into a whole 'nother room- love it.

^^^
Whatever you're using as far as digital coax cabling is concerned, is rated @ 75 ohms right?

^^^^^^ I'm claiming ignorance, but the ones I'm using work just fine. I know I have a Hosa brand one, and a few others that I got at Guitar Center- packages are long gone- no marking on the cable itself.

Higher Hat wrote:I'm claiming ignorance, but the ones I'm using work just fine. I know I have a Hosa brand one, and a few others that I got at Guitar Center- packages are long gone- no marking on the cable itself.

You good. I know there's been katz that will say "what's the difference, it's nothing but a rca cable" and then wonder why their music be sounding sh!tty with the pops and what not, that's why I brought it up.

An RCA can work- but that's like using a piece of Saran wrap for a condom.

Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format baby!

DukeNewport wrote:...
Most MacBook Pro's have digital inputs and outputs built into them.

get a mini-toslink adapter and a cable and plug dat biyotch in the headphone out and ur golden

it's not just the pros, the regular macbook has digital as well. although mine says line in, not headphone, for the digital connection.

i really like the idea of using the digital. but so far have just been using usb (i have a 1k) to transfer files back and forwards.
i don't track my beats out, just resample each track and drag into logic. with the digital i could skip the resample step.