Which ES Interface for motherboard SPDIF/Optical, etc.

[Kengc2]

I'm looking to control a Korg MS-10, Prophet 5, Oberheim 4 Voice, and modular synths in the future using Silent Way. I currently am using a Yamaha N12 as my interface/mixer. I would prefer not giving up audio channels in order to drive CV modules. My PC has both an SPDIF and an optical out on the motherboard. Up to this point I've disabled my motherboard audio (VIA drivers) in order to avoid conflicts with the N12 audio interface.

If I enable the motherboard SPDIF and optical out would I be able to drive either an ES-3 or ES-4 from Ableton or Cubase?
My ideal solution is to use the motherboard outs to drive my CV hardware live- I have a lot of vintage hardware that I would like to use together through either Ableton or Cubase (whichever is better at handling the midi and CV). The midi hardware will be driven through a MOTU Midi Express via USB.

Any input on this project appreciated. If I need to I can buy an appropriate additional interface solely for controlling CV synths, just trying to stay economical.

Thanks,
Ken

[os]

To use your N12 over firewire and your built-in digital audio at the same time you're going to need to use something like ASIO4All. Might work well though.

When you say "optical out", is that optical S/PDIF?

[Kengc2]

To use your N12 over firewire and your built-in digital audio at the same time you're going to need to use something like ASIO4All. Might work well though.

When you say "optical out", is that optical S/PDIF?

I'm not sure if it is an optical S/PDIF or not. I'm sure it is designed as a 'consumer level' optical connection to a consumer receiver of some kind, so I don't know if it outputs S/PDIF or ADAT Lightpipe. There is also a standard 'RCA' type S/PDIF connector.

I was planning on using ASIO4All to send the signals through the S/PDIF or through the optical if it could do ADAT Lightpipe to the ES-4 or ES-3. Has anyone done something similar? I know a lot of motherboards come with built in audio SPDIF and optical outs.... Does anyone know if on a modern PC the optical out can be used as a ADAT Lightpipe to feed an ES-3?

Ken

[os]

Almost certainly not. You don't see ADAT on any consumer gear.

Your best bet then is coaxial S/PDIF to an ES-4.

[Kengc2]

Thanks for the prompt replies. I'll go ahead and try it out and report back on the results.