Soundcards with Spdif Coaxial Connection

    Hello all


    I currently use a UR824 rack mount soundcard in my little studio. I have been looking at adding a few external pedals which will be mounted in the rack case, left on and activated by using the stomp button to turn on the Kemper loop.


    I reamp all of my guitar parts but as I understand the DI Out is also the Effects Send so when recording I would have to remove the loop connections to use the DI for reamping.


    Now I could use the Coaxial SPDIF connections on the Kemper but the UR824 only has the Optical Toslink connections and to be honest I don't want to spend a money on convertors and cables adding more complexity and points of failure to my system as it's quite streamlined.


    So my thoughts are, as I don't need all of the connections in the ur824, to sell the UR824 and buy a smaller unit that has the correct connections for the Kemper.


    I am looking for some recommendations on what soundcards you guys have had success with.


    Connections wise all I use now is a microphone, speakers, headphone out, kemper reamped.


    Any ideas in the £500 region.


    Cheers people


    Mike


    Save money. I'd say just get a coax to optical converter and be happy. There is little advantage in selling a unit with more inputs for one with less inputs just because the SPDIF is optical.

    Hi NightLight


    Strangely enough I was just looking at other quality soundcards like Apollo and RME and you are right it's quite a cost for less flexibility.


    In regard to convertor can anyone recommend a good quality convertor. For those who are using them can I ask 2 questions:.


    1) are they passive using or do they all require power?


    2) would I need 2 convertors, one for each side (input and output) or would I be able to get a single unit that will accommodate both connections.


    Cheers guys


    Mike

    There are units that have both input and output. Unfortunately, it seems they all require power. But an extra power socket is a small price to pay for being able to use SPDIF imho.


    I need to get a converter myself. Haven't been using the ports on my interface because they're optical.


    EDIT: Do make a note that the units that have both sides probably won't work as they output whatever comes on the input on both outputs. Not of much use to us.

    That's what I have found, I will need two and then the cables which is going to be expensive.


    I also looked at the additional UR series from Steinberg as they are integrate but none come with Coaxial SPDIF connections.


    If no one knows a good dual convertor unit at a decent cost then I may just put the FreqOut in front of the Kemper and then change it around when I am gigging.


    I do wish there was a few dedicated effects loops on the Kemper but it's a limitation I suppose I'll have to find a way around.


    If I find an answer I'll post it here and hopefully we can help each other find a solution.


    Thank you for your help.. Mike