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To anyone who may be able to help...

I never used ADAT 8 track when it was popular, what, 15 years ago? I
was wondering how recordings made on the Alesis XT20 (or other
available ADATs) would be transferred to a pc laptop (I'm on xp,
pentium III). It looks like the Adat has a digital optical out in the
form of a rectangular Toslink. Would that run to a digital in on some
type of laptop adapter I could get? And then how would that transfer
be initiated?

I'm trying to find a way to use older multitrack devices that are more
basic than those around today, without having to use the computer,
with the caveat that I would still like to have a decent quality
recording that would transfer to my computer for mixdown to CD.

Any advice would be appreciated. I've also considered using a Sony
minidisc multitrack recorder but they record at a compressed codec of
128 kbps and the units only have unbalanced RCA outs, so I'd have to
rerecord everything with another D/A to A/D conversion to get it to
CD. However, maybe that wouldn't be too bad conceptually (128 kbps is
about 10% of what linear PCM mode at 44.1 mHz/16 bit requires), with a
decent mastering. Anybody want to ridicule me for thinking it's
possible? :*) I record ambient drum and bass type music, and today's
multitrack options seem to interfere with the composition process.

thanks again. Lou