audio interface

[sequentialsoftshock]

Should probably be mentioned that it "only" has 4 analog ins & 6 outs - the rest is made up of the S/PDIF, ADAT & MIDI ports. Still, powerful little package.

Ahh I see. This might sound stupid, but every interface seems to have more inputs, but only with an S/PDIF port. What exactly does one need to buy to use those extra two? I've never seen an S/PDIF interface..?

[Stab Frenzy]

Anything with S/PDIF ins and outs. MPCs, FX units, preamps and higher-end digital synths all have them. I use the S/PDIF IO on my interface to hook up a reverb unit.

[Ashe37]

Let's see... my M3 has S/PDIF. I think the Emu has AES/EBU... thats about it.

[Old Iron Giant]

me being a noob to music recording.
could someone explain to me the purpose of having several Outputs on one interface?

for example. the Motu ultralite MK3 has 14 Outputs, and only 10 inputs? :/ I don't understand what their used for.
maybe my setup is wrong, but I only use the two main outputs to my monitors, The firewire > PC to record, and find myself needing more line inputs for my gear.

please clue me in on this. lol
I see someone above me asked a similar question.
I don't mean to upset anyone if this is a dumb question to ask, but I'm really in the dark on this one.

[Stab Frenzy]

You should just get an interface with the right amount of ins and outs for your needs, and that will change depending on what you're doing.

When I'm doing location recording I might need 16 inputs and only two outputs, but if I'm mixing something down I might need more outputs so I can run things through external effects and/or an external mixer. When I play live I don't use any inputs, but I have outputs for various tracks, clock signals for the modular, effects sends etc.

[Old Iron Giant]

that makes sense.
thanks.