Of course I forgot to address the other side of the thread: namely coax.

We all know that electrical signals travel relatively much slower in copper than the speed of light. So to properly configure and "balance" a system that is comprised of both optical and copper digital streams one most choose the proper matching length of copper to go along with the fibre.

The method of doing so is to first pick a set length of fibre for all of those connections. Let's assume that it's 1 metre. (Americans in the crowd can pick 1 yard instead - just to spite the French - and I don't mean my Quebec confreres!)

Take that one metre length and multiply it by the ratio of the speed of the electrical signal in copper to the speed of light in glass (or plastic for all of the non-Soundhound converts out there.) Next, shorten your coax cables to that new length.

In this manner your coax signals will arrive at the right time and you will avoid corresponding problems with clearly audible sound effects / delays. Your intimate "club" recording would otherwise sound like you are sitting at second base in Toronto's Skydome - with the lid closed.

Trust me, it makes an amazing difference.

Jeff Mackwood
National Research Council of Canada
(thought I'd throw that in to clearly establish my bona fides)