G5 Optical Input To Record Audio, G5 optical in from digital desk Options

[steej]

I'm about to replace my Power Mac with a shiny new G5. I've got a Roland VM-3100 digital desk which my synths are plugged into, which has digital I/O which I believe I can connect up to the optical I/O of the G5.

I'll only ever want to record one (mono) or two (stereo) tracks at once into Digital Performer. I had looked at the various MOTU audio interfaces, but I'm wondering if there is much need if I can just go straight into the G5's optical in.

Anybody tried recording via the G5 optical in? Am I compromising audio quality in doing so, or is it all down to the A/D quality of the mixer?

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Stee J.

[rickenbacker]

Mmm, I'd say yes, it's all down to the A/D quality of the mixer. The MOTU 828 does a nice job.

[steej]

I've just picked up a copy of January's Sound on Sound, which contains a review of the G5. It mentions the optical S/PDIF, and that if you have digital devices and only require stereo I/O that a seperate interface might not be necessary.

The VM-3100 is the desk I'll be using anyway, so in my case there seems no point in using the analogue out from the desk only to convert it back in an interface, when I can keep it all in the digital domain.

[dmrkh]

Hey Stee J.,
Anything new to report? How did the optical i/o respond to your efforts?

[steej]

Not got the G5 yet dmrkh, could be a month or 2 before I take the plunge. I'm about to decorate/soundproof my spare room first, then I intend getting the new kit.