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christophertin

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 6, 2004
36
0
I just purchased a MacBook Pro dual 2.0, and I'm intrigued about the digital output. I understand that it has optical outputs and inputs....what I wonder is, how many channels can you get of each?

I'm a composer, and while my main machine is a G5 Dual 2.5, right now I have 8 PCs converted to Gigastudios to run all of my samples. I would LOVE to replace them all with Intel Mac Minis, and I'm wondering if I can configure them to output up to 8 channels of audio in ADAT format. Anyone have any ideas?

In an ideal world, I'd take a Mac Mini, run Windows XP on it, and then run Gigastudio on each one. Then I'd output all the audio from the built in optical port, and send it all to my MOTU 2408s on my G5.
 

Vaphoron

macrumors 6502
Aug 5, 2004
257
0
Maryland
They only output 2 channels of optical SPDIF, not ADAT. I'm a recording engineer myself and I would love it if I could hookup an 8 channel mic pre that outputs ADAT optical directly into a MacBook Pro. I haven't touched Giga in years because I didn't feel like buying a new PC to run it but one of these days I might get a Mini, load XP and give it a shot again.
 

howesey

macrumors 6502a
Dec 3, 2005
535
0
You can output any format you wish with the correct plugins. Apple has set the ability to output raw data. I'm yet to find one written for ADAT, however, I have managed to stream AC3, MPEG to name a few. It is not restricted to SPDIF.

You can network them via TCP/IP or firewire. Logic for example will make use of xgrid.
 

christophertin

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 6, 2004
36
0
Ah, drat. That's what I thought. Well, maybe they'll come out with an ADAT plugin at some point.

That, or I'm hoping that audio-over-LAN technology will be developed over the next year or two.
 

steve_hill4

macrumors 68000
May 15, 2005
1,856
0
NG9, England
I did actually think the optical out would enable you to have full 5.1 surround, (frantically looks around for optical cable to see what options change in system preferences).
 
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