Zoom U-44 standalone mode routing & other questions

[matthewjumps]

I am looking at getting a ZOOM U-44 to use in standalone AD/DA mode. I was hoping anyone who owns one could check/confirm some things about how it operates.

What I would like to be able to do in standalone mode, is have the mic/line inputs be routed out to the SPDIF optical outputs, and the SPDIF optical inputs be routed to the line outs and headphone outs. I dont want the mic/line inputs to be passed through to the line outs/headphone outs, I only want the SPDIF optical inputs driving the line outs/headphone outs. I also dont want the SPDIF optical inputs being routed to the SPDIF outputs. Is this configuration possible?

I also am wondering, if the U-44 is set to standalone mode, does the MIDI over USB still work? Someone on another forum said it might, but I would love confirmation from other owners

Finally, does anyone know, or can they test, what the latency of the AD and DA converters are? Im hoping the total latency that the U-44 would add in standalone mode is very low