spdif question

If Im using a Mackie interface as my MAIN sound card on my computer, and I have an Spdif connection on my computer, if I plug something into the Spdif, will everything I have plugged through my mixer not sound anymore and i'll have to switch the default sound device to spdif?

or will i still be able to plug something into the Spdif and have both it and my mixer playing all at the same time?

(my mixer doesnt have spdif on it, so i have to use the one built into my computer tower)

DPM wrote:If Im using a Mackie interface as my MAIN sound card on my computer, and I have an Spdif connection on my computer, if I plug something into the Spdif, will everything I have plugged through my mixer not sound anymore and i'll have to switch the default sound device to spdif?

or will i still be able to plug something into the Spdif and have both it and my mixer playing all at the same time?

(my mixer doesnt have spdif on it, so i have to use the one built into my computer tower)

Thats how I understand it. You got:

1. A Mackie audio interface connected to your computer
2. A audiocard (PCI or the onboard sound) in your computer and this has SPDIF
3. A Mixer connected to the Mackie interface
4. A device like a CD player or something else with a SPDIF that you want to connect to the PC.

Its not always possible to use 2 soundcards. It depends on the driver and the componets itself. So you just have to try it by yourself. If its possible to rec/play on both soundcards in your DAW via analog Ins/outs it should also be possible to use the digital (SPDIF)

peace