S/PDIF Help!!

[theSnaab]

Is anybody successfully recording into Audacity using the M-Audio Firewire Solo? Or from some other S/PDIF source?

Here's my problem...I'm trying to capture audio from a DAT recorder, using the S/PDIF output into a Firewire Solo, then into my Mac G4 and into Audacity. It won't work.

I test recorded a simple Microphone input through the Solo into Audacity, and that worked fine, so I know Audacity is taking the firewire audio stream. I also checked my Mac's Audio System Preferences, and I can see the levels coming into the computer from the DAT machine hooked up through S/PDIF, so I know my DAT hardware and cabling are good.

That seems to leave a setting problem of some kind. Anyone have any ideas?

I greatly appreciate any input. Thanks!!

[kozikowski]

You can start with DAT file specifications. 48000, 16-bit, Stereo.

Koz

[theSnaab]

Check and check...

I also have the Record Device set to 2-channel Stereo, since M-Audio says it sends everything as a stereo pair.

Any other ideas?

[kozikowski]

You know your Mac already speaks S/PDIF, right?

==========================
-- Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack)
-- Combined optical digital audio output/audio line out (minijack)
==========================

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=270640

Audacity has a history of not working right with M-Audio equipment because Audacity doesn't natively support ASIO drivers. ASIO keeps wanting to be paid for them.

Koz

[theSnaab]

S/PDIF through minijack? That's wild. I can't seem to find that input on my particular box, though.

Got the problem solved, however. The folks over at M-Audio came through with a fix, and I thought I'd share it here in case anyone else runs into this problem in the future:

In Audacity's System Preferences, under the Audio I/O tab, set both input and output devices to "Firewire Audio", and then (here's the trick) set number of audio channels to 4.

What Audacity does is take in everything that the M-Audio box gives it, which for the Firewire Solo is 2 analog channels and 2 digital channels. So capture your audio as if it were a 4-channel source (like DVCProHD, for example), then just delete the blank analog tracks!

It makes a certain amount of sense I guess, but I never would have figured this out on my own in a million years.

[rbelew]

S/PDIF through minijack? That's wild. I can't seem to find that input on my particular box, though.

Got the problem solved, however. The folks over at M-Audio came through with a fix, and I thought I'd share it here in case anyone else runs into this problem in the future:

In Audacity's System Preferences, under the Audio I/O tab, set both input and output devices to "Firewire Audio", and then (here's the trick) set number of audio channels to 4.

What Audacity does is take in everything that the M-Audio box gives it, which for the Firewire Solo is 2 analog channels and 2 digital channels. So capture your audio as if it were a 4-channel source (like DVCProHD, for example), then just delete the blank analog tracks!

It makes a certain amount of sense I guess, but I never would have figured this out on my own in a million years.

i am trying to make my M-audio FW410 work with audacity, and thought sure your 4-channel fix would work; not! Apple's input prefs see the device, recording level bounces, Audacity sees that the device has been selected for input, i've specified 4 channels, and specified it for output too as you suggest. but it never shows a signal when monitored?

(i should also note that GarageBand DOES successfully import from this device. so at present my workflow has me using GB to produce an AIF which i then import into Audacity.)

[kozikowski]

Did you set Audacity Preferences to 48000, 16-bit Stereo? Those are not Audacity normal settings. Restart Audacity after you change the settings. If you're not using DAT specifications, try 44100, 16-bit, Stereo.


Koz

[rbelew]

Did you set Audacity Preferences to 48000, 16-bit Stereo? Those are not Audacity normal settings. Restart Audacity after you change the settings. If you're not using DAT specifications, try 44100, 16-bit, Stereo.
Koz

thanks Koz, that did it!

sort of: i STILL do not see anything on the Audacity meter, and Monitoring has no effect. BUT: when i start recording, there is signal! (on the last two tracks, as described by theSnaab). why would that be?

[kozikowski]

I don't know that I can help you. Multi-Channel (over 2) in Audacity is the stuff of witchcraft, whisper campaigns, and Urban Legend. We urge people who actually got it to work to please post back and tell us in detail how they did it.

Are you sure you're feeding all four channels with sound? I think the metering and monitoring is aggressively two-channel and Audacity has no multi-channel playback talents at all.

That and only few file formats will handle multi-channel and many of them (Dolby Surround) require a license.

So what exactly were you planning on doing with your four channels if you get it to work?

Koz

[steve]

i STILL do not see anything on the Audacity meter,

The meters should be showing channels 1 and 2 (left and right of the analogue inputs).
I expect that eventually there will be provision for multi-channel metering for both input and output, but at present metering and playback are limited to 2 channels.