SoundCraft M-series

[toadies]

Anyone know what the specs are on the A/D convertors of the M-Series mixers? I notice it has a Spdif out, which would elimate going A/D conversion back to computer using its A/D covertor, but instead i could use the mixing board convertor instead if its high quality.

Whats the specs, 24 bits? 44k clock, 48 clock? whats the db ratio? how ever they rate it on A/D convertors.

[Ted]

It's a 24-bit 44.1 kHz output, no dither. I haven't been able to find any specs particular to the A/D converter section, but they'd be fairly useless anyhow since it's married to the mixer.

It wouldn't actually "eliminate" any A/D conversion since it's not a digital mixer...it's basically just an A/D converter built into the mixer. It may or may not be an improvement depending on what kind of A/D converter you have on your soundcard...

-Ted

[toadies]

Married to the mixer? what do you mean.

I noticed it can be a A/D convertor for channel 1-2, which is neat.

I have the digi001. and thinking about getting the M12. which would give me 8 inputs plus 2 from the SPDIF.

I dunno. just thinking of the ideas in my head.

[SteveFortner]

As long as you're cool with the fact that, from that S/PDIF output, you'll be getting the 2-buss product of whatever mixing you do on the Soundcraft... in the analog domain.

I just got one, actually, and while it's not something you'd use in place of a real digital mixer, I already found a use for that S/PDIF output. A jazz combo wanted a "board tape" for a demo to send to a festival, and it would have been awkward using the venue's system. When I got the call, their live FOH guy had already set up, so I put separate mics on everything, ran into the M8, and digitally out to two-track.

This is the kind of thing the M8's digital output is best suited for. Buy it for the Ghost pres... the digital out is gravy you may occasionally use.

[Ted]

What I meant was exactly what Steve said...that the only thing you'll get out of the digital output is your two-track mix. I'd agree that the board's strongest point is its preamps, as well as the EQ...but the digital outs could come in handy at times.

-Ted