In article ,
Richard
Robinson wrote:
Jim Lesurf said:


Having now had another reread of The Manual, I think what I was missing
is that it talks about "Digital inputs" (S/PDIF, TOSlink) and "USB in"
in separate sections. So it doesn't regard USB as digital info, it
expects the raw bytestream ?

They are all examples of byte streams. But the way the operate is
different. The spdif / toslink have the 'sender' just send the bytes or
bits without any awareness of what might be at the 'receiving' end of the
cable.

The USB connection 'negotiates' back and forth to 'handshake' the exchanges
as a series of batches of data. Various methods are used for this, some
better than others.


I also toggled the DAC into Class 2 Audio mode, with no discernible
effect on the bitrate LED (there may be more to do here wrt s/w support,
and maybe cabling).

Class 2 may be 4 bytes per sample whilst Class 1 may just use 3. The
differences are in the protocols and methods for the 'negotiations' etc.



But this is currently a hardware issue - the only mic I can find is an
old AKG dynamic, which isn't what the headphone/mic socket on a laptop
likes; v. low signal, hideously infeasible hiss (I used to have a more
suitable one, but idiotically I put it away with a battery in and now
the contacts are corroded. I'm a fool). Yes, USB would probably be the
way to go; the friend I'm doing the recording with has offered to lend
me an "interface"; from which I expect to learn /something/.

FWIW if you don't need the ultimate in quality I tend to suggest the
Scarlett 2i2 for making audio recordings. You can find info on it on my
website. I use it when I need to make recordings with a laptop. Note,
though, that it benefits from a 'quiet' power supply via USB. And will
drain the batteries of a laptop if used for very long. So for use with a Pi
you may find it needs to be powered via an added external hub.

That said, I've only used its 'line' inputs. But I've read good comments
about it from others.

Jim

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