Topic: Modifications for SD USBpre?

[KLowe]

was wondering if anyone knows of any mods to the SD usbpre.

Wondering if the AD chip can be replaced to allow for 24/96 out   or at least 24 bit out?

anyone know of any mods to this box?

Thanks

Kevin

[sygdwm]

i never heard about mods, but it does so 24bit out. usb 1.1 chokes on 24/96, hence the 24/48 ceiling. they  sound great stock fwiw.

[KLowe]

i never heard about mods, but it does so 24bit out. usb 1.1 chokes on 24/96, hence the 24/48 ceiling. they  sound great stock fwiw.

ive read the manual and it only does 1 bit out SPDIF  (as far as I can tell).

What outs deliver the 24 bit signal?

Thanks Dre,

Kevin

[sygdwm]

the usb cable is the out. i sont remember the usb out and the spdif out being active at the same time. one or the other. also, i think the spidf out was for playback, but dont hold me to that. i sold mine a couple years ago. if i was ever to get back in to laptop taping  i would get one in a heartbeat. sounds waaaay better than a ua5(modded or not) and is waaay easier to use. also its fucking tiny and doesnt need batts.

[BC]

the usb cable is the out. i sont remember the usb out and the spdif out being active at the same time. one or the other. also, i think the spidf out was for playback, but dont hold me to that.

I think so too. The recording bit depth is selected using your recording software.

[KLowe]

the usb cable is the out. i sont remember the usb out and the spdif out being active at the same time. one or the other. also, i think the spidf out was for playback, but dont hold me to that.

I think so too. The recording bit depth is selected using your recording software.

so..... this thing can't be used in the field without a computer attached to it via USB?

If thats the case then back to ebay it goes 

I'd be willing to let some of yall modders to poke around under the hood to see if yall can make the SPDIF out active during recording and at 24 bit.

I guess I'm going to have to read the manual....... 

[sygdwm]

so..... this thing can't be used in the field without a computer attached to it via USB?

i dont believe so. they are so cheap it seems almost worthwhile to crack it open and look, but i am no hacker.

[KLowe]

so..... this thing can't be used in the field without a computer attached to it via USB?

i dont believe so. they are so cheap it seems almost worthwhile to crack it open and look, but i am no hacker.

Any takers on hacking this thing?
I'll open it up and take a peek around tonight.  Not that I have any clue on what I'm doing in there.

[KLowe]

I found the following in the    device manual.
I guess it can do SPDIF out?

Output
Because of a limitation in Microsoft's kmixer system file in Windows 98SE, 2000, and Me, the output of the USBPre is limited to 16-bit. A 20 or 24-bit signal sent to the USBPre will output 16-bit data.

To improve the transfer of digital audio, the USBPre Control Panel has an S/PDIF output sync selection. With no sync selected devices connected to the USBPre's S/PDIF output may take several seconds to "lock-up" to the S/PDIF signal. During lock-up, objectionable audible artifacts are present. When no audio is present the S/PDIF output is inactive. When an output sync sample rate is selected in the Control Panel the S/PDIF output port is always active, sending 0's at the selected sample rate when no audio is present. This greatly improves the performance of transfers from the S/PDIF output, since a lengthy pre-roll is not required to lock-up the data.

BIG NOTE: Selecting an output sync sample rate in the control panel may have a negative on audio performance since all audio, regardless of its native sample rate, will output at the selected sync rate. Sample rate conversion will occur in Windows when the computer receives an audio signal at a frequency that is different from the selected sync sample rate. Again, make certain that the selected output sync sample rate matches the sample rate of the files being played, otherwise sample rate conversion will occur.

 

[sygdwm]

i never had a patcher, so i cannot attest to that, but i am pretty sure it has to connected to a pc to work as it is powered by usb.

[KLowe]

doing a quick experiment here.
 
cutting all but the 5v line in the USB cord and will see if it still sends a signal.  If it does then creating a battery pack for this will be a cynch.

Something tells me it is going to be much more complicated than this and I'm about to ruin a USB cable.

 

[KLowe]

yep.  wasted USB cable.

Unit fires up but will not allow phantom or in/out selection

gotta be some drivers in the comp that controls the box.

....damn.

Off to ebay it goes.

[Jamos]

Yeah these were designed to only be used w/a computer attached.  Awesome little boxes though!

Great to use as a computer sound card if nothing else.

[KLowe]

Great to use as a computer sound card if nothing else.

good thought.  Elaborate a little will ya.  I can't think how that may work as a soundcard.... (i just finished dinner and had some wine )

[Jamos]

Great to use as a computer sound card if nothing else.

good thought.  Elaborate a little will ya.  I can't think how that may work as a soundcard.... (i just finished dinner and had some wine )

mmmm...I could use a glass of wine right now...
well, I just meant that you can play audio out of it if you leave the USB connected to your computer.  It gives you a clean, high quality output w/RCA's, and a strong headphone amp.  Also you then have SP/DIF in & out of your computer...as well as XLR, 1/4",  & RCA into your computer.

How much did you buy it for?