[snezko]

Hi. New member here with new (second hand) ADAT player. I recorded 20
songs of 24 ADAT tracks in the mid 90s but until now haven't been able
to play them.

I would like to connect my ADAT to Cubase SX3 (windows XP) via my
Audigy Pro soundcard so I can copy all the tracks to Cubase for further
mixing / editing. I believe it is possible to transfer 8 tracks at a
time (all my songs are on 3 seperate ADAT tapes) via SPDIF. I have
bought an ordinary optical cable (as SPDIF cables are a bit hard to
find locally and the guy in the shop said he thought it was just the
same) and connected the digital out of the ADAT to the (optical)
digital in of the Audigy I/O box. Next I'm a bit stuck. I believe it is
necessary to select something in the Device Manager in Cubase, but it
is all Greek to me at the moment.

Any ideas (or alternative solutions for getting the ADAT tracks safely
into Cubase)?

[Mike Rivers]

snezko wrote:

I would like to connect my ADAT to Cubase SX3 (windows XP) via my
Audigy Pro soundcard so I can copy all the tracks to Cubase for further
mixing / editing. I believe it is possible to transfer 8 tracks at a
time (all my songs are on 3 seperate ADAT tapes) via SPDIF.

Well, you believe wrong. ADAT Optical uses the same kind of connectors
as S/PDIF optical that your Audigy card has, but the data protocol is
totally different. It simply won't work.

You can transfer two tracks at a time by connecting the analog outputs
of the ADAT to the analog inputs of the Audigy, but you'll have a very
tedious time getting the tracks lined up in Cubase. If you want to make
a digital transfer, you'll need an I/O card or interface for your
computer that supports the ADAT optical protocol.

You can go shopping, but if this is a one-shot deal (as it sounds like
from your brief description of the project) you might find it more cost
effective to find someone who is equipped to make the transfer from
ADAT to broadcast wave files on disk and pay to have it done.

[Richard Crowley]

"snezko" wrote ...
Hi. New member here with new (second hand) ADAT
player. I recorded 20 songs of 24 ADAT tracks in the
mid 90s but until now haven't been able to play them.

I would like to connect my ADAT to Cubase SX3 (windows
XP) via my Audigy Pro soundcard so I can copy all the tracks
to Cubase for further mixing / editing. I believe it is possible
to transfer 8 tracks at a time (all my songs are on 3 seperate
ADAT tapes) via SPDIF.

No. The "ADAT Light Pipe" interface uses the same physical
connector (and "cable") as SPDIF, but the logical protocols are
completely different and incompatible.
......
Any ideas (or alternative solutions for getting the
ADAT tracks safely into Cubase)?

You must use a sound card interface which explicitly
supports the 8-channel "ADAT Light Pipe" protocol.
Whether you go out and buy one, or just take your tapes
to a studio which is already equipped is a cost tradeoff
decision you will have to make for yourself.

[snezko]

Thanks for the reply Mike. I appreciate it immensely.

Don't know much about I/O cards, but would be prepared to buy one if it
can do the trick. Any I should particularly consider?

If I buy a proper SPDIF cable would it help me in any way. (the Audigy
has some kind of SPDIF in on the back - is this of any use)?


Mike Rivers wrote:
snezko wrote:

I would like to connect my ADAT to Cubase SX3 (windows XP) via my
Audigy Pro soundcard so I can copy all the tracks to Cubase for further
mixing / editing. I believe it is possible to transfer 8 tracks at a
time (all my songs are on 3 seperate ADAT tapes) via SPDIF.

Well, you believe wrong. ADAT Optical uses the same kind of connectors
as S/PDIF optical that your Audigy card has, but the data protocol is
totally different. It simply won't work.

You can transfer two tracks at a time by connecting the analog outputs
of the ADAT to the analog inputs of the Audigy, but you'll have a very
tedious time getting the tracks lined up in Cubase. If you want to make
a digital transfer, you'll need an I/O card or interface for your
computer that supports the ADAT optical protocol.

You can go shopping, but if this is a one-shot deal (as it sounds like
from your brief description of the project) you might find it more cost
effective to find someone who is equipped to make the transfer from
ADAT to broadcast wave files on disk and pay to have it done.

[snezko]

Thanks Richard.
Appreciate the help.
Would the EMU 1212 be the sort of card you mention?

Richard Crowley wrote:
"snezko" wrote ...
Hi. New member here with new (second hand) ADAT
player. I recorded 20 songs of 24 ADAT tracks in the
mid 90s but until now haven't been able to play them.

I would like to connect my ADAT to Cubase SX3 (windows
XP) via my Audigy Pro soundcard so I can copy all the tracks
to Cubase for further mixing / editing. I believe it is possible
to transfer 8 tracks at a time (all my songs are on 3 seperate
ADAT tapes) via SPDIF.

No. The "ADAT Light Pipe" interface uses the same physical
connector (and "cable") as SPDIF, but the logical protocols are
completely different and incompatible.
.....
Any ideas (or alternative solutions for getting the
ADAT tracks safely into Cubase)?

You must use a sound card interface which explicitly
supports the 8-channel "ADAT Light Pipe" protocol.
Whether you go out and buy one, or just take your tapes
to a studio which is already equipped is a cost tradeoff
decision you will have to make for yourself.

[Mike Rivers]

snezko wrote:

Don't know much about I/O cards, but would be prepared to buy one if it
can do the trick. Any I should particularly consider?

It depends on your computer. If you have a PC with standard PCI I/O
slots, about the lowest cost ADAT interface card that's reliable and
stable (it's been around for years) is the Frontier Design Wavecenter
PCI: http://www.frontierdesign.com/Products/WaveCenterPCI

If you have a Mac, or a laptop, or otherwise can't use an internal card
(there are both internal and external versions of the Audigy so I don't
know what you have now) you'll probalby have to buy more than you need
(and spend more than you want). M-Audio has a couple of Firewire
interfaces that would work.
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=...bileinterfaces

If I buy a proper SPDIF cable would it help me in any way. (the Audigy
has some kind of SPDIF in on the back - is this of any use)?

No. The ADAT doesn't put out data in S/PDIF format. It's not about the
cable, it's about what the cable connects to on the computer end.

[Mike Rivers]

snezko wrote:
Would the EMU 1212 be the sort of card you mention?

That'll work.

[Lon]

Another option would be to sync the ADAT to Cubase using something like the
JL Cooper, and record as many tracks at a time as your inputs will allow.

"snezko" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi. New member here with new (second hand) ADAT player. I recorded 20
songs of 24 ADAT tracks in the mid 90s but until now haven't been able
to play them.

I would like to connect my ADAT to Cubase SX3 (windows XP) via my
Audigy Pro soundcard so I can copy all the tracks to Cubase for further
mixing / editing. I believe it is possible to transfer 8 tracks at a
time (all my songs are on 3 seperate ADAT tapes) via SPDIF. I have
bought an ordinary optical cable (as SPDIF cables are a bit hard to
find locally and the guy in the shop said he thought it was just the
same) and connected the digital out of the ADAT to the (optical)
digital in of the Audigy I/O box. Next I'm a bit stuck. I believe it is
necessary to select something in the Device Manager in Cubase, but it
is all Greek to me at the moment.

Any ideas (or alternative solutions for getting the ADAT tracks safely
into Cubase)?

[Raw-Tracks]

snezko wrote:
Hi. New member here with new (second hand) ADAT player. I recorded 20
songs of 24 ADAT tracks in the mid 90s but until now haven't been able
to play them.

You really ought to be looking at cards with both the Adat lightpipe and
the Adat Sync connector. The sync connector is the 9-pin connector that
is used to run multiple adats in sync and connect to the BRC. It will
make your life easier to sync the adat to your computer. It sounds like
you will be transferring one tape at a time. You will have a hard time
lining up each batch of 8 tracks in each 24 track song without the
proper sync.

The RME Hammerfall cards have this connector, so does the MOTU 2408. If
you can get a hold of 3 adat machines and a card that will allow 24
channels of adat input at a time (3 sets of lightpipe connectors), then
you don't necessarily have to worry about sync. In that case, you will
transfer all 24 tracks at once.

Where are you located? It really sounds like it would make more sense to
just take these tapes (or send them off) to a studio that can do the
transfer for you.

--
Eric

Practice Your Mixing Skills
Download Our Multi-Track Masters
www.Raw-Tracks.com
www.Mad-Host.com

[snezko]

Thanks for your answer Eric I appreciate the help.

I actually live in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I don't know of many studios in
the area that could have the necessary kit, so maybe sending the tapes
to a studio in the UK would be an answer. I will certainly use my ADAT
for recording vocals and guitars for any new tracks I'm doing so it
wasn't a wasted purchase as i got it for a nice price and it is in
great condition.

Yes I would be doing one tape at a time and I will certainly look at
the MOTU or the Hammerfall if they will do the job.

Raw-Tracks wrote:
snezko wrote:
Hi. New member here with new (second hand) ADAT player. I recorded 20
songs of 24 ADAT tracks in the mid 90s but until now haven't been able
to play them.

You really ought to be looking at cards with both the Adat lightpipe and
the Adat Sync connector. The sync connector is the 9-pin connector that
is used to run multiple adats in sync and connect to the BRC. It will
make your life easier to sync the adat to your computer. It sounds like
you will be transferring one tape at a time. You will have a hard time
lining up each batch of 8 tracks in each 24 track song without the
proper sync.

The RME Hammerfall cards have this connector, so does the MOTU 2408. If
you can get a hold of 3 adat machines and a card that will allow 24
channels of adat input at a time (3 sets of lightpipe connectors), then
you don't necessarily have to worry about sync. In that case, you will
transfer all 24 tracks at once.

Where are you located? It really sounds like it would make more sense to
just take these tapes (or send them off) to a studio that can do the
transfer for you.

--
Eric

Practice Your Mixing Skills
Download Our Multi-Track Masters
www.Raw-Tracks.com
www.Mad-Host.com

[snezko]

After reading all your helpful information I have found an RME DIGI9636
for the equivalent of about $200 US.

It seems to have everything that everyone has told me I will need.
Should I buy it?

Cheers Snezko


Raw-Tracks wrote:


You really ought to be looking at cards with both the Adat lightpipe and
the Adat Sync connector. The sync connector is the 9-pin connector that
is used to run multiple adats in sync and connect to the BRC. It will
make your life easier to sync the adat to your computer. It sounds like
you will be transferring one tape at a time. You will have a hard time
lining up each batch of 8 tracks in each 24 track song without the
proper sync.

The RME Hammerfall cards have this connector, so does the MOTU 2408. If
you can get a hold of 3 adat machines and a card that will allow 24
channels of adat input at a time (3 sets of lightpipe connectors), then
you don't necessarily have to worry about sync. In that case, you will
transfer all 24 tracks at once.

Where are you located? It really sounds like it would make more sense to
just take these tapes (or send them off) to a studio that can do the
transfer for you.

--
Eric

Practice Your Mixing Skills
Download Our Multi-Track Masters
www.Raw-Tracks.com
www.Mad-Host.com

[Mike Rivers]

snezko wrote:
After reading all your helpful information I have found an RME DIGI9636
for the equivalent of about $200 US.

That looks like an excellent choice, and at a reasonable price. Go for
it. Be sure to go to the RME web site (http://www.rme-audio.com) and
get the newest drivers and documentation for it. It's a discontinued
model, but RME is pretty good about continuing support.

[snezko]

Thanks Mike

You guys have all been so helpful. Don't know what I would have done
without you all.

Snezko

Mike Rivers wrote:
snezko wrote:
After reading all your helpful information I have found an RME DIGI9636
for the equivalent of about $200 US.

That looks like an excellent choice, and at a reasonable price. Go for
it. Be sure to go to the RME web site (http://www.rme-audio.com) and
get the newest drivers and documentation for it. It's a discontinued
model, but RME is pretty good about continuing support.

[Raw-Tracks]

snezko wrote:
After reading all your helpful information I have found an RME DIGI9636
for the equivalent of about $200 US.

That is exactly what I'm talking about. There is also a 96/52 system
that includes that same card and a daughter board that adds a third set
of ADAT i/o and word clock. That would allow you to transfer all 24 at
once, although it sounds like you only have access to one Adat machine,
so it probably won't help you then.

Beware that there are no analog ins or outs on that card. So, to monitor
playback, you will need to switch over to your Audigiy or usa a pair of
outputs on your ADAT set to input monitoring.

I had the 9652 version of that card for several years. Rock solid.

--
Eric

Practice Your Mixing Skills
Download Our Multi-Track Masters
www.Raw-Tracks.com
www.Mad-Host.com