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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: DesertRat on April 07, 2008, 05:50:19 PM

Title: Edirol UA-5 Analog outputs
Post by: DesertRat on April 07, 2008, 05:50:19 PM
Is the modification to allow switched USB/standalone operation required to run the UA-5 as a standalone device for analog (RCA) output as well as digital? I suspect the answer is yes, but I just wanted to double-check if anyone knows for sure. Thanks.
Title: Re: Edirol UA-5 Analog outputs
Post by: run_run_run on April 07, 2008, 05:59:58 PM
Its not going to output anything analog or digital stand alone with out a digi mod.
Title: Re: Edirol UA-5 Analog outputs
Post by: daco63 on April 09, 2008, 08:14:51 PM
Is the modification to allow switched USB/standalone operation required to run the UA-5 as a standalone device for analog (RCA) output as well as digital? I suspect the answer is yes, but I just wanted to double-check if anyone knows for sure. Thanks.

In stock condition, you have to have a computer connected to the USB port in order for anything from the mics to be routed to any of the UA-5 outputs.  That's why people do the "digi-mod", which sets up the box to send signals to all the outputs without needing anything hooked up to the USB port. (Typically recording into a JB3 or Iriver or something like that.)  The standard digi-mod sends mic signal to all the ports, including RCA without a computer connected.

The only drawback of the standard digi-mod is that it disables playback from a computer through the UA-5 (using it like an external sound card).  The switched version of the digi-mod is only if you want to switch back and forth between "standalone" recording (without a computer connected) and playback from a computer through USB.

Hope this helps...

- Dave
Title: Re: Edirol UA-5 Analog outputs
Post by: KLowe on April 12, 2008, 06:30:46 PM
yep.  with the standard digi....all outs are functional.  But you have to control the analog out levels wit the "monitor" knob in the front.

I mod these things for free for
1.  patience
2  karma

let me know if interested.  (normally takes about 7 days or so)


I don't do any of the sound mods...so if you after an upgrade then hit up the usual suspects.

K
Title: Re: Edirol UA-5 Analog outputs
Post by: Brian Skalinder on April 12, 2008, 11:45:10 PM
FWIW, the UA5's analog outputs are not "passed through" from the analog inputs.  The signal path runs:  analog inputs > ADC > DAC > analog outputs.  In this sense, it's not ideal as an analog device, e.g. preamp, since the incoming signal runs through both an analog-to-digital conversion and then a digital-to-analog conversion before it outputs from the rear analog RCAs.
Title: Re: Edirol UA-5 Analog outputs
Post by: justink on April 13, 2008, 05:53:14 AM
FWIW, the UA5's analog outputs are not "passed through" from the analog inputs.  The signal path runs:  analog inputs > ADC > DAC > analog outputs.  In this sense, it's not ideal as an analog device, e.g. preamp, since the incoming signal runs through both an analog-to-digital conversion and then a digital-to-analog conversion before it outputs from the rear analog RCAs.

this is true, but i use my ua-5 in this manner anyway.  i haven't had any issues, and i assume it takes the same steps in both conversions (i might be wrong).

is there really any quality downside to this other than "it's just an unecesary step?"

-j