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001-deactivated
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USB to XLR

Tue Feb 20, 2018 10:28 pm

I'd like to send audio from my PC via USB to digital XLR (AES/EBU) speaker inputs. The Radial USB-Pro ($230) converts to analog XLR, but it's otherwise perfect. Or I could use the Hosa ODL-312 ($110) via S/PDIF, but it needs external power via a wall wart which is annoying.

Anyone know of a USB to XLR device like the Radial, but with digital XLR output instead of analog XLR output?

Edit: Solved! Matrix Audio X-SPDIF $249.95 $199.95
Last edited by 001-deactivated on Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:32 pm

I remember looking into this ages ago to run an old high-school PA setup from a laptop for Socials (dances).

From memory it was a little Peavey thing that did the trick for us, I think we needed balanced XLRs from memory? Dunno, been years.

I've also seen one of these things in action which does what I think you're after but exxy.
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Re: USB to XLR

Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:37 pm

There is this device that has both analog XLR and AES EBU ports. Still requires an AC power source though.
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Re: USB to XLR

Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:48 pm

juzz86 wrote:
I remember looking into this ages ago to run an old high-school PA setup from a laptop for Socials (dances).

From memory it was a little Peavey thing that did the trick for us, I think we needed balanced XLRs from memory? Dunno, been years.

He needs digital XLR output (to drive speakers with digital XLR input). Your old high school PA was almost certainly analog.

juzz86 wrote:
I've also seen one of these things in action which does what I think you're after but exxy.

That does not appear to have a digital XLR output either; per specs, the XLR I/Os are analog. If all he needed was a digital S/PDIF out, his PC almost certainly already has that.
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Re: USB to XLR

Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:49 pm

juzz86 wrote:
I remember looking into this ages ago to run an old high-school PA setup from a laptop for Socials (dances). From memory it was a little Peavey thing that did the trick for us, I think we needed balanced XLRs from memory? Dunno, been years. I've also seen one of these things in action which does what I think you're after but exxy.

Probably the Peavy USB-P, which is balanced analog XLR. The digital outputs on the USB Pre2 are 1 x TOSLink optical S/PDIF and 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF, so also not digital XLR.

the wrote:
There is this device that has both analog XLR and AES EBU ports. Still requires an AC power source though.

Yeah, that does digital XLR. But it's a triple the cost of the Hosa with all the additional features. I just need digital in via USB and digital out via XLR.
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:54 pm

Some of the stuff I'm reading seems to indicate that what you probably want is an interface with an RCA S/PDIF out (maybe your PC already has one?), and an RCA to XLR adapter cable.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on this stuff.

Edit: Looks like it can be a bit more complicated than using a simple passive adapter - http://www.rane.com/note149.html
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 3:57 am

I'm didn't knew digital XLR existed.
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 5:43 am

strangerguy wrote:
I'm didn't knew digital XLR existed.

AES/EBU is also a professional format so you will not find it on any consumer-devices. It is very similar to S/PDIF but balanced so it can be used with very long cables in a noisy environment without problems.
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:33 pm

The obvious question is... do those PA speakers also have analog XLR inputs and/or balanced TRS inputs? I bet they do. And at that point all you need is an affordable interface with either of those outputs (sub-$200, more close to $100) and you're set. For this specific simple scenario (a single PC outputting sound) it seems that digital XLR just complicates things.
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 5:18 pm

morphine wrote:
The obvious question is... do those PA speakers also have analog XLR inputs and/or balanced TRS inputs? I bet they do. And at that point all you need is an affordable interface with either of those outputs (sub-$200, more close to $100) and you're set. For this specific simple scenario (a single PC outputting sound) it seems that digital XLR just complicates things.


The speakers have analog XLR in, digital XLR in, and digital XLR out--all balanced, obviously. The digital XLRs daisy chain to the next monitor rather than terminate. If I can't find something better, I'll go with either of the initial devices linked.
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 5:30 pm

Ugh, can we please stop with "Digital XLR"?? It's AES/EBU. It just happens to be carried over a cable terminated in XLR connectors.

Thank Bob I got out of the roadie business before all this digital stuff crept in.
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 5:58 pm

Captain Ned wrote:
Ugh, can we please stop with "Digital XLR"?? It's AES/EBU. It just happens to be carried over a cable terminated in XLR connectors. Thank Bob I got out of the roadie business before all this digital stuff crept in.

Everyone please say "AES/EBU digital output terminated in XLR" from now on so Ned doesn't need to medicate with more PBR than normal. Also stay clear of his lawn.
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 6:22 pm

Dashak wrote:
Also stay clear of his lawn.

First proper statement I've seen in this thread. 8)
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 6:33 pm

Dashak wrote:
Also stay clear of his lawn.


LOL'ed even before Ned's reply so had to log in to record it.
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 6:35 pm

MOSFET wrote:
Dashak wrote:
Also stay clear of his lawn.
LOL'ed even before Ned's reply so had to log in to record it.

Oh, and PBR is still too hipster (not to mention nasty). I go for Founders Brewing All Day IPA.
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 8:31 pm

Okay, do you have an SPDIF output handy, or just USB ports (ex: laptop)?

edit: Never mind, that's specified.
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 8:48 pm

I think this is want you want.

Matrix X-Sdpif - $200. There's a "v2" but I don't think that's necessary.

Some other stuff I've come across:

Fohhn Airea. Does exactly what you want and is bus-powered, but hard to find.
Yellowtec PUC2. Likewise, but jeez that price, and probably hard to find too.
Streams Iodigi2 - Perfect, but *cough* $350. Maybe you can hunt for cheaper?
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Re: USB to XLR

Wed Feb 21, 2018 11:55 pm

morphine wrote:
Fohhn Airea. Does exactly what you want and is bus-powered, but hard to find.

Your Google-Fu is strong and wonderful. Contacted.
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:25 am

Dashak wrote:
morphine wrote:
Fohhn Airea. Does exactly what you want and is bus-powered, but hard to find.

Your Google-Fu is strong and wonderful. Contacted.

It's only 16-bit/44.1 kHz/48 kHz. Can you live with that?
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Thu Feb 22, 2018 7:07 am

rephlex wrote:
It's only 16-bit/44.1 kHz/48 kHz. Can you live with that?

Thanks for the heads up, I completely missed that.
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Thu Feb 22, 2018 9:48 am

The first link (Matrix X-spdif) does more than 16-bit and it's also bus-powered. Why did you go for the Fohhn?
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Re: USB to XLR

Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:03 pm

Not cheap but worth mentioning: https://mutec-net.com/product_mc-12.php
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:25 pm

morphine wrote:
The first link (Matrix X-spdif) does more than 16-bit and it's also bus-powered. Why did you go for the Fohhn?

I'm going with the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF now since you and rephlex pointed out the Fohhn's 16-bit resolution, but the Fohhn was appealing at first glance because it was a simpler design with only USB and AES... and I got home late after some Spotted Cow. Thanks lots to you, morphine. And also to everyone who searched for alternatives--I looked at all the links posted.
 
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Re: USB to XLR

Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:38 pm

I did find more stuff in Google, but I felt those links would suffice. Let me know if none of it works out for you.

If you decide to go with something powered, Behringer has a $200 rack-mountable conversion unit with about three kitchen sinks.
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