AES/EBU XLR!! SPDIF

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cemhot
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by cemhot »

Hi folks,
I read several posts of the SPDIF-proplems. But can anybody give me a hint to get my Emu-sampler (E4x) working with the Luna? The Emu has 2 XLR ( 1 in, 1 out), and can send AES/EBU and SPDIF. And also my question is, which combination of software and modules seems to be the one which works.
I used a cable from XLR to chinch and a adapter to mini-plug. But that doesn´t work (the old cable, XLR to chinch worked with my old card). I thought maybe the adapter isn´t a good way. But before I start to try all combinations, I´d try to learn, if there is a possibility with XLR.
Thanks a lot, if anyone could help me. I´m really disappointed, that I can´t get it along to work.
Greets,
cemhot

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: cemhot on 2003-08-30 14:58 ]</font>
eliam
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Post by eliam »

The best would be to plug your emu digitally through spdif in both directions... That shouldn't be too complex I think... I never used the spdif plugs on my luna, so I don't know if there are any issues. You'd have to drag the spdif source and dest modules on your routing surface and send them wherever you want...
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astroman
Posts: 8455
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Post by astroman »

welcome cemshot,

I assume you don't have any signal at all.
Do you have the S/PDIF input/output modules in your project ? For testing just connect the in-module with some mixer channel, the out-module with some sound source.
Later you can connect them to the appropriate ASIO channels if needed.
You can check that a signal is present with the 'Samplerate Settings' dialog. The dot beenath S/PDIF should be light if the Luna picks up a signal from the sampler.

In my understanding of S/PDIF the sampler should be set to master and Pulsar to slave if you want to receive from the sampler.
For transmission this would be vice versa, but I'm not shure if EMU has some trick to avoid this constant switching of master clock. At least this would be the regular situation with a CD or digital tape.

If you have this situation the most simple way of handling the switch would be to have 2 versions of your basic SFP setup saved.
One with Luna as master when you transfer to the sampler, the other with the EMU as master when Luna receives.
When you load one of the setups the switch is automatically performed.

This said you should hear the sampler playing, even with the worst kind of cable.
BUT: if you used a regular cinch to XLR audio cable this doesn't match ad depending on the cable (or it's length) there are distortions or crackles in the sound, maybe not very obvious, but most certainly present.

What's needed is a 75 Ohm cable and I'm not shure if those are 'regular stuff' with XLR connectors.
You might use an XLR to cinch adapter and connect this to the Luna adapter by a video cable (those are 75 Ohm) or a professional S/PDIF certified cable. Or you have to custom build such a thing. It's annoying but not very difficult for someone familiar with a soldering iron.

On the other hand, if this reads to complicated you might still consider Luna's analog IOs. The converters ARE EXCELLENT, no need to worry about sound degradation.

cheers, and hope this puts you in the right direction, Tom
cemhot
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by cemhot »

Thank you Tom and Eliam for your replays.
My main problem at the moment is how to connect the 2 XLR (one is digital in in EMU, the other out) to the one mini-jack. I assume that i have to put the 2 contacts (XLR has 3, but only 2 have to be used, I learned) of each direction to 1 contact at the mini-jack. But I´m not sure. The have to be together then on the mini-plug. Do you know anything about the contacts the cable should have?
Thanks a lot again.
Tom: your version of my username is a great idea too;)) never thougt about that!
Greets
cemhot
eliam
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Post by eliam »

Your spdif out from your emu is a 3 pin plug? I wouldn't know how to make an adaptor between xlr and mini jack but I suppose it should not be that complicated... I think it's worth figuring out to avoid 2 converters and stay in the digital realm though...
cemhot
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2001 4:00 pm

Post by cemhot »

Yes, there are 3 pins, but as the Emu manual shos, only 2 are used.
But thanks to astroman!
Because one of my faults was that Ididn´t configure the modules right!
So It worked with my old cables. But since there are 2 adapters I use, I´m still looking forward for a new cable. Also the transfer from Luna to Emu doesn´t work well. There are a lot of corrupt sounds.
But thank you anyway so much. I was happy yesterday to see it will work in a way.
Greets,
cemhot
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