I do this all the time without any problems. Which recording software are you using?

I'm using cubase to get into the computer realm, then I move those files into cooledit pro2.0. I would stay in cubase but I like ease of cooledit. Also, the version of cooledit I use doesn't have ASIO assignment. I think it runs as a WDM.

Are you switching the master clock to optical in when you transfer the tapes to the computer?

Yes, I set my emu to external digtal input. I think the ADAT has an embedded code in the optical stream so my soundcard's clock isn't in use with this setup. My tracks sound fine, its just that they take so long to open in cooledit while my other non-ADAT files open instantly.

One other thing that needs to be considered is the sample rate. Is it the same in both the ADAT and the computer? ADATs run at 48k. If you are recording into Cubase at 44.1, you're making a lot of problems there. I usually transfer ADATs at 24 / 44.1 to get the benifit of better proceesing later. To bring the rate down on the ADAT to match the computer, run the pitch down until you see the display read 44.1.

Cubase should have a selection for the optical input as the master clock. That's what needs to be selected as the master when you make a transfer unless you have a BRC or an AI 1 with a clock in connector that you can clock the ADAT off. In that case the computer should send the master clock signal. I find it much simpler to just let the ADAT be the master while I transfer. Once I go back tom the computer as the master the audio from the ADAT smooths out due to the benifit of upsampeling and the better clock.

Once the audio is in Cubase ... and the on to Cool Edit, it shouldn't make any difference. It's all waveforme files. Perhaps the files load slow because there's a combination of 16 and 24 bit files at different sample rates?

Something is causing your computer to go throgh a lot of searching on the hard disk if the load up is slow.

Thanks Kurt. I think you nailed it with the bit rate suggestion. My ADAT runs at 16/48, and I was recording at 24/48. I hope matching up the bit rate will solve my problem.