Korg Forums

Nealster · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Sweden

Hi everyone!

I'm looking into getting a new USB soundcard, and I'd like to use the digital in/out on my Kronos.

As I understand it, the kronos optical connection uses S/PDIF, but most sound cards seem to have coaxial connectors for S/PDIF, and optical connectors for ADAT. For example, I was looking at the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8, but it only accepts ADAT on the optical connector, not S/PDIF.

The Zoom U-44 has optical s/pdif in, but I'd like something with a couple of more inputs/outputs. You can add an extra module to add 2 more inputs to the U44, but it seems a bit fiddly.

I've seen some mentions here on the forum about using optical to coax converters - does that work well for you guys? Either way it would add an extra cost (and another point of failure), so it feels like I'd rather find a card that just works without extra stuff.

What do you guys use with the optical out on your Kronos? Any success stories?

Apologies if there have been similar topics already.
I'm using Cubase as my DAW, if it makes any difference.
Thanks in advance!
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M3 | Kronos | Radias | Wavestation | Cubase 9.5

SeedyLee · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2018 2:22 pm Post subject:

Any particular reason you can’t just use the USB audio on the Kronos?

Failing that, I believe the optical ports in both mOTU and RME interfaces are switchable between ADAT and SPDIF.
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Current Equipment:
Korg Kronos 2 88, Reface CS, Roland JV-1080, TE OP1, Moog Subsequent 37, Korg ARP Odyssey, Allen & Heath Zed 18, Adam F5, MOTU MIDI Express XT, Lexicon MX200 & MPX1, Yamaha QY700, Yamaha AW16G, Tascam DP008ex, Zoom H6, Organelle, Roland J6 & JU06A

Previous: Triton LE 61/Sampling/64MB/4GB SCSI, MS2000BR, Kronos 1 61, Monotribe, NanoKontrol, NanoKeys, Kaossilator II, Casio HT3000, Roland VP-03, Reface DX, Novation Mininova, MPC One

Nealster · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Sweden

Poseidon · Senior Member Joined: 08 Jul 2018 Posts: 373

number6uk · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 6:07 am Post subject:

I have a Focusrite 6i6 which has SPDIF but in RCA format. So I got one of these which works a treat...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tendak-Optical-Bi-directional-Converter-Splitter-Coaxial/dp/B0791YG1X4/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1532066184&sr=8-20&keywords=spdif+converter

That way you can get the interface with the features you want rather than being dictated by the SPDIF connection type.
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Neil

Korg Kronos 2 88, Prologue 16, Minilogue PG, Trinity Plus/SCSI/PBS, Moog Mother 32, DFAM and Subsequent 37 owner.

Nealster · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Sweden

number6uk · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 9:48 am Post subject:

I had the same reservations, but so far (it's been running like this for over 6 months now), I have not had any problems. I thought the converter was so cheap (I expected it to cost more) it was worth a try. Just use good quality SPDIF/TOSLINK cables. To be honest the cables cost more than the converter in the end as I patched it up for in and out at the same time and then controlled it with the in and out switch on the converter. This was in case I wanted to play audio from the Mac into the Kronos for sampling/recording. Most of the time it is set to out (kronos --> Mac).
I chose the Focusrite because 1. the price was good for the quality of the kit and 2. the mix/routing is remembered by the interface itself rather than the Mac/PC software/driver, so I can power up the synths and switch on the interface and monitors and be playing without having to plug the laptop in if I didn't want to.
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Neil

Korg Kronos 2 88, Prologue 16, Minilogue PG, Trinity Plus/SCSI/PBS, Moog Mother 32, DFAM and Subsequent 37 owner.