XLR vs S/PDIF

[VidarAus]

Hi All,

Just wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are of connecting the AX8 via XLR or S/PDIF to a recording interface? I don't play live and do all my playing through a Saffire Pro 40 and studio monitors, and a bit of recording guitar through the AX8 with backing tracks.

Is the audio quality the same through both (noting it all depends what it is plugged in to)?

How does everyone connect and why?

 

[iaresee]

XLR output is analog so you're going to be doing an A/D conversion using the converters on the Saffire Pro. SPDIF is all digital, nothing gets reconverted.

XLR lets you run your projects at any sample frequency you want, SPDIF demands you use 48 kHz.

That's about all I can think of as far as differences.

 

[t0aj15]

XLR lets you run your projects at any sample frequency you want, SPDIF demands you use 48 kHz.

Unfortunately the 48 kHz format precludes the use of the S/PDIF out of the AX-8 with my Tascam 24 track recorder whose S/PDIF input clock speed is set at 44.1 kHz.