ADAT = Interface A\D Converter Bypass?

[Rick Shepherd]

This seems to be the standard response I am given by product suppliers. Is this correct?

[jim1960]

"The ADAT Lightpipe, officially the ADAT Optical Interface, is a standard for the transfer of digital audio between equipment. It was originally developed by Alesis but has since become widely accepted,[1] with many third party hardware manufacturers including Lightpipe interfaces on their equipment. The protocol has become so popular that the term "ADAT" is now often used to refer to the transfer standard rather than to the Alesis Digital Audio Tape itself."

[keith.rogers]

Yes, that SPDIF or TOSLINK data connection allows the already digitized audio to simply go through the interface. The only thing the interface will do is package it correctly for transfer, i.e., using the appropriate bus protocol/packet stuff.

The interface would do D/A for the data coming from the computer, e.g., to output to headphones.

It would only do A/D if you used its mic preamps or line inputs.

[jim1960]

Ooops... I thought you were asking what the acronym stands for.