using S/PDIF toslink to transfer sound from Macbook to imac

steved · Post by **steved** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:23 pm

This is probably not the wisest thing to do - but I'm trying to make use of existing gear rather than forking out for new.

I have ....

an emagic a 6/2 usb external soundcard which has coaxial S/PDIF in/ out connectors.

a Macbook and imac which both have mini 3.5 mm S/PDIF Toslink sockets

I want to route the sound out from the Macbook into the imac - ( using the Macbook as a virtual instrument host ... )

I'm presuming the S/PDIF coaxial and S/PDIF Toslink are incompatible - so I can't take a S/PDIF line out from the Macbook into the S/PDIF socket of the a6/2.

Options appear to be
1. 3.5 mm S/PDIF Toslink direct from Macbook to Imac, which is connected to the a6/2 by usb.

Actually .... that seems to be the only option.

Would this work ??
What about latency ?
Are there any better methods ?
Does it make sense sonically ?

any advice would be welcome
thanks

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:50 pm

SPDIF in both cases is 100% identical, except for the physical form factor. you need a box that converts optical to coax and vice versa, maybe Sales Dude McBoob can help you find one.

latency is negligible.

steved · Post by **steved** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:01 pm

thanks . I honestly thought you were having a laugh with the 'sales dude mcboob' ... just my paranoia - I had to google it to check.

If I go direct from the macbook to the imac - I wouldn't need to use a converter. I imagine they are a bit pricey ...

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:16 pm

you kinda lost me on which had what... it's Monday. re-reading it, yeah just do optical from one computer to the other.

a converter should be cheap, I can't imagine parts for one costing more than $5 including the case. to convert light to electricity you just need a photocell, to go the other way around you just need an LED.

a one way converter for $20
http://www.svideo.com/toslinkcoax1.html

salesdude thought the same about his name, he now also goes by 'Hidden Driveways'. he works for a toy store (music gear) and sees a LOT of what's out there.

steved · Post by **steved** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:23 pm

This is why I like this forum so much. Thanks for the info and the 'link' ( 'scuse the pun ... ]

Now where's those fingerless gloves gone - it's bloody freezing here

Cheers !

supamonsta · Post by **supamonsta** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:09 pm

a Macbook and imac which both have mini 3.5 mm S/PDIF Toslink socket

what is this macbook, a macbook pro isn't it?

because if my macbook (non pro) has optical out... that would be great for me...

LeifonMars · Post by **LeifonMars** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:53 pm

monstrejumo wrote:
a Macbook and imac which both have mini 3.5 mm S/PDIF Toslink socket
what is this macbook, a macbook pro isn't it?

because if my macbook (non pro) has optical out... that would be great for me...

It has. Check the manual.

supamonsta · Post by **supamonsta** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:24 pm

I don't have the manual because it's a downloaded cracked mac

I'll check it, thanks !

LeifonMars · Post by **LeifonMars** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:02 pm

monstrejumo wrote:I don't have the manual because it's a downloaded cracked mac

I'll check it, thanks !

Well, in that case

headphone out is also optical out, and line in is... you guessed it...also optical in. Macs are cool, huh.

supamonsta · Post by **supamonsta** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:31 am

Indeed that's really cool.

just went to apple site to check where this is mentionned, but that spec isn't obvious, apple doesn't put it on the general specs (you've got to push forward in the technical specifications to see it), altough they should because that's a great one!

anyway thanks, your topic didn't mean to, but it gave me a great solution to one of my present big questions (topic "2-macbooks-ultralite-KORE2-live-workstation setup"..)

cheers