[linux-audio-dev] Re: GPL Audio Hardware

[Joshua Boyd]

On Wed, Apr 05, 2006 at 07:56:23PM -0400, Dave Robillard wrote:

> Agreed.  "We" don't need a bunch of useless consumer cruft on a card.
> However channels are good, don't downplay channels :).  This thing
> should have as many channels as possible.  Obviously there is a physical
> limit to how many you can cram in physically, but that's what lightpipe
> is for.  There's many 8x8 rackmount preamps out there you could hook up
> (including a nice and cheap one from Behringer)

Has anyone ever tried to build a lightpipe device?  I'm not sure you can
get the recievers or transmitters for them for building open or hobbiest
devices, but would love to hear otherwise.
 
> Frankly I think 60+ channels is completely unrealistic (otherwise one
> would probably exist), but what do I know.  If it's possible, hell yes
> put them in there. 

I have a 2U box next to me that supports 80 channels in AND out, while
still having 20 some connectors for other things.  Furthermore, this box
has a networking system that puts 64 complete AES channels on coax ring
network.  This box is all digital audio in and out, not analog.

I think this box is a clean indication that it should be feasible to
have at least 80 channels in and out from a system that uses a single
PCI card and a 2U breakout box.  If you want XLR analog, that would
probably require more space.  I see a lot of pro audio equipment that
uses custom wired connectors, but I don't like them.

Heck, if one had the specs forthe token ring network used (which is a
custom one), one might be able to create a PCI card to do just that
reusing the rest of the box.  But the company that makes it has no
interest in doing such a thing, so someone else probably needs to 
start from scratch. 
 
> FWIW, my ideal audio interface _requires_:
> 
> * As many channels as possible
> * At least 1 ADAT Lightpipe in/out
> * Clock sync

Sure, but why not also ask for it to be able to operate as the master
and offer a word clock output to other gear.  Or perhaps offer the
avility to sync to blackburst coming in and still drive a synced word
clock going out.

> * Balanced everything

I think balanced for digital is overrated.  I may be strange, but I
prefer coax for digital audio.  And I mean real coax with BNCs, not coax
with RCA connectors.

BNCs are used for word clocks, so why not stick with them for the rest
of the digital audio gear?

> * Real 19" rackmount breakout box

Any such system should be laughed at if it doesn't at least offer that
as an option.

-- 
Joshua D. Boyd
jdboyd at jdboyd.net
http://www.jdboyd.net/
http://www.joshuaboyd.org/