Simple Audio Interface with TOSlink Spdif input?

[james090]

I use a Windows 10 PC as a 'recorder' and a Mac for sounds and sequences.

Almost harking back to the old simple days of a Synth/sampler and a tape machine!
I've always found this very quick to work, without rendering audio, dropping into projects etc.

So.. I use an Edirol UA-25ex on the Windows PC as its soundcard, 2in 2out with MIDI, works perfectly on W10, but importantly, it has the Optical Spdif TOSlink in/out.
I then connect a single digital cable from the iMac output headphone which doubles up as digital stream straight into the PC to record 'on the fly' in moments of inspiration.
I only ever need a stereo 2 track recording each time, and it doesn't introduce noise (as its digital) and theres no 2nd soundcard to think about upgrades/drivers etc as its done via the built-in Optical out.

The downside is that the Edirol, doesn't allow you to monitor the playback of your project whilst recording a S/pdif input over the top? Really annoying, but you have a switch to either record OR playback.

So basically can anyone recommend a TOSlink Optical Soundcard (2in 2out?) for Windows that would allow me to record and monitor in digital to build up a live recording project in audio in the PC?

Its obviously all fine in analog, but i think the headphone on a Mac in analog starts to introduce noise floor etc. Unless I get a 2nd Soundcard for the Mac? and plug them both in together?

I am just trying to find a simple way around this, unless I am not thinking straight and theres a simpler solution that i've completely missed?

The Spdif way has always worked great, knowing its digital.. but once say, you record a piano on track one in audio, you can;t then audition this playing back, and overdub a 2nd track as s/pdif is engaged on the Edirol

Thanks

[resistorman]

This device allows you to plug two computers together using usb. I use the 4+. I will say the configuration options are deep, complex, and sometimes confusing, but in your case you could probably bypass the mixer part of the app and just use the patch bay.

https://www.iconnectivity.com/products/ ... audio2plus

[ef37a]

https://www.businessdirect.bt.com/produ ... gIphfD_BwE

If you mean an actual PCIe sound card with optical S/PDIF the above looks likely. Scan carry a more expensive Creative PCIe card.

If you mean a USB interface with optical digital inputs these are rare, even co-ax RCA S/PDIF is less common on budget AIs than it was, going the way of MIDI ports.

There is an M-Audio interface that is a clone of the discontinued Alesis i02 Express and that has S/PDIF for about £70, RCA but the converters to optical are only about £15 and work fine.

Dave.

[james090]

It was a USB audio interface that i was looking for as im talking about a laptop here.

My other thought with TOSlink Spdif was either the Audient ID14 or ID22?
I just dont know if they monitor and record from SPDIF for overdubs at the same time?

[Forum Admin]

...Audient ID14 or ID22?
I just dont know if they monitor and record from SPDIF for overdubs at the same time?

Send Audient support an email and ask? (After all, they have a vested interest potentially in finding you a solution that involves their kit.)