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AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 5:16 am
by katano
Hi all,
As I'm preparing my studio and myself getting a Xite-1 as soon as possible, the following questions pops up for me:
- Today I'm using the SPDIF IN on my scope pro to connect my dbx 376 tube preamp digitally. Fortunately, the dbx 376 also has AES/EBU, so my question is: is the xlr cable for aes/ebu just a standard xlr mic cable? is there anything else I have to pay attention to with aes/ebu?
- I'm also using the SPDIF OUT, which is connected to my KRK Ergo Room Correction System Monitor Controller (which is ace and also uses sharcs btw

) Xite-1 has no SPDIF, has it? Is there any converter from AES/EBU to SPDIF like an adapter or cable or something? It would be a real loss if I couldn't hook it up digitally...
Thanks and Cheers
Roman
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 5:26 am
by netguyjoel
Make sure to buy an AES/EBU cable...not just a mic cable. 110-Ohm coax cable, is what you're looking for..
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 5:47 am
by katano
thanks netguyjoel,
and what about my second question?
cheers
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 5:55 am
by netguyjoel
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 5:59 am
by netguyjoel
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 6:30 am
by katano
oh noes...

i hate these little converters, doesn't matter for what... but if it's the only way to go, then so it is. anyone successfully using one of those?
thanks anyway

Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:26 am
by Fluxpod
You just need a cable that fits both connectors if its around 1,5 meters.No converter needed.I never needed a converter between various aes/ebu-s/pdif devices on short cable runs.
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:45 am
by garyb
the protocol is identical. the difference is that AES/EBU is balanced and +4, SP/DIF is unbalanced and -20. you don't need a converter usually, but it's a good idea just for level matching...
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:56 am
by katano
thanks guys,
I just want to be sure, i read somewhere that the voltage is different and that the aes signal could damage the gear with spdif in worst case. unfortunately i'm not able to find that article anymore. any comments on that?
cheers
Roman
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 10:59 am
by Fluxpod
katano wrote:thanks guys,
I just want to be sure, i read somewhere that the voltage is different and that the aes signal could damage the gear with spdif in worst case. unfortunately i'm not able to find that article anymore. any comments on that?
cheers
Roman
I never heard of that.And i really doubt that this could happen.The voltage is different but that shouldnt matter at all on short runs with propper cables.It works or it doesnt.These converters are only nesassary when doing longer runs IMO (or going toslink>coax).
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 11:02 am
by garyb
well the signal is WAY hotter, so it's possible for AES/EBU to damage SP/DIF gear, but not automatic. i'd say it's an outside possibility. there are converter boxes that aren't too expensive, like this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... _Link.html
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 11:08 am
by netguyjoel
now 2 of us have recomended the same thing...Garyb is right...the signal is WAY hotter..
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 11:15 am
by garyb
goodness! i'll have to get sharper...
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:24 am
by katano
Hey guys,
as some of you may have noticed, finally I was able to get myself a Scope Xite-1
Now back to the topic again. There are two ways for me to hook up my monitoring rig, which one would you recommend and why?
1. Analog with AD/DA conversion back and forth
2. Digital with an AES/EBU to SP/DIF conversion
Thanks,
Roman
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:35 am
by netguyjoel
The only difference between AES/EBU & SPDIF is the signal strength...like -10 vs +4...

So staying within the digital realm (if ones monitors supports digital ins) is all ways best imho...
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:36 am
by katano
netguyjoel wrote:The only difference between AES/EBU & SPDIF is the signal strength...like -10 vs +4...

yep, but that's not what i asked for

Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:37 am
by netguyjoel
netguyjoel wrote:The only difference between AES/EBU & SPDIF is the signal strength...like -10 vs +4...

So staying within the digital realm (if ones monitors supports digital ins) is all ways best imho...
sorry....edited the post...
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:38 am
by katano
hehe, thanks
that's what i thought, but i'm still not sure about those hosa converters...
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:41 am
by katano
btw. I've got no digital inputs on my monitors...
Re: AES/EBU to SPDIF?
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 5:45 am
by netguyjoel
There are others brands out there...It will take some searching, though...
Like these
http://www.mercenary.com/neditr.html
http://www.musiciansnews.com/recording/ ... rter.shtml
All in all...the fewer steps, connectors, converters etc etc will serve best...