Curses, I need a DAC

[Murgen]

Setup a 2010 Mac in my drumcabin, hooked it to the mixer via the headset output and have a lot of noise and distortion on the channels. I managed to isolate the issue back to the Mac itself. The headset output picks up every electronic signal in the Mac it seems. I wnt to solve this via an USB DAC. Any recommedations?

[Coda]

Can you be more specific re: the model number, it may have an dual wired/optical or digital out somewhere.

[Murgen]

It is a 27 inch Mac from middle 2010. I checked the interfaces, next to 4 USB 2.0 it has 1 Firewire 800 port. I think about an USB stick with built in DAC. On the A&H ZED10FX I have cinch input (red and white) and right now I connect Mac with mixer via headphones out to cinch in. So the DAC must have cinch output or 3.5 headphones output.

Thank you for thinking with me!

[Coda]

As I suspected, if it's an iMac, and this one: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i7-2.93-27-inch-aluminum-mid-2010-specs.html#macspecs2
...then it has an optical audio out. Both my wife's macbook pro, and my mac mini I recently sold had the same headphone socket. If you look inside it you might even see a red shining light.
Generally you will need this first: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cable-Tex-TosLink-Optical-Adapter-Adaptor-Black/dp/B003WUHKA8
then a TOSLINK cable like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NUQPKU?psc=1
....wait a moment. That ZED10FX has a USB port on it. Plug that into your mac and you'll have a direct audio connection.

[ANGR77]

A USB Dac will probably be worse than the built In audio in your Mac.i would recommend a cheap 2 channel USB audio interface from focusrite etc. then you will get lower latency, 3,5/6,5 mm phone jack and also a balanced audio output for your mixer...and the sound will be perfect!

Best regards

Angr77

[Murgen]

. That ZED10FX has a USB port on it. Plug that into your mac and you'll have a direct audio connection.

I feel stupid, it is bi-directional ... Will try first thing in the morning. Big hug

[Murgen]

That ZED10FX has a USB port on it. Plug that into your mac and you'll have a direct audio connection.

You made my day! I feel very stupid but only used the USB on the ZED for recording but it works bi-directional. Just hooked it up to the Mac and it works perfectly. A&H is a great mixer ... thank you so much for thinking ahead of me ...

[Coda]

You're welcome, we're all here to help each other