Q: “Will the MOTU 828 audio interface pass subcode information, like track Ids through the S/PDIF port?”
A: Track IDs and other subcode info are stored in unused bits that are part of the digital stream that make up a S/PDIF signal. If you record or patch thru an S/PDIF signal via a MOTU interface, this subcode info will be included. However, if you alter the level of the S/PDIF signal, it changes the bits and this subcode info may be lost.
So, for example, let’s say you have a CD player with only optical S/PDIF out that you wish to transfer to a DAT machine with only Coax S/PDIF in, and you wish to retain the subcode data during this transfer. You can record the signal into your 828 via optical and play it back via Coax, but you must not alter the signal’s level while it’s in your recording application, or the subcode data (track IDs, etc) may be lost.
