Allen&Heath M-MADI User Manual
MADI
ACE
GLD-80
I/O Module MADI
T-112
iDR-48
iDR-48
UNDERSTANDING M-MADI
M-MADI is one of a range of option cards which can be fitted to an iLive to enable integration with other systems.
Multi-channel Digital Audio Interface (MADI) is an industry standard protocol for digital audio supported by many manufacturers.
Typically MADI is used for multi-channel recording and playback. Long coaxial cable runs are possible depending on the driver capability of
the hardware, making it a frequent choice of equipment interconnection in gigs, studios, and broadcast applications.
E.g. a 150m (490’) cable-run is reliable M-MADI to M-MADI using 75ohm Belden 1505A cable. MADI cables are directional, so there is one
connector for MADI-out, and one for MADI-in. It is a point-to point interface between a source and a destination.
M-MADI gives access to 64 input and 64 output channels and can be fitted
to:
Port B expansion slot in iLive fixed format MixRacks (iDR-16, iDR-
32, iDR-48 & iDR-64) or expander (xDR-16)
Port B and/or Port A of iLive modular MixRacks (iDR0, iDR10) if
fitted with the RAB-2 standard.
Port A of iLive modular Surfaces 80/112/144/176 if they are fitted
with the new RAB-2 standard.
I/O Module slot in GLD-80.
FEATURES at a glance
Dual link mode: connect and stream with two separate devices. Inputs to the system can be patched from the two MADI streams in blocks of
8, while the same outputs are broadcast on both links.
Redundant mode: Link 1 and Link 2 can be used as a redundant pair. Audio and clock will continue if one of the cables fails.
Aux BNC:
Out 1 mirror: This mode duplicates the MADI stream ‘Out 1’, useful for splitting signals to multiple devices.
In 1 Thru: The MADI stream ‘In 1’ is passed ‘thru’, allowing daisy chaining of signals to an unlimited number of devices. The signal is
fully reclocked and buffered for optimal reliability, and the signal will automatically switch to ‘In 2’ if ‘In 1’ fails in redundant mode.
WordClock IN: Provides a word clock input to sync the system from an external (48 KHz) source, for example a distributed word clock.
This is a high-sensitivity input, locking to a word clock signal as low as 200 mV p-p.
WordClock OUT: A standard word clock output to allow other systems to sync from the iLive system, useful when connecting to 3rd party
MADI devices which may not be able to sync from the MADI stream.
APPLICATION EXAMPLES
Record / playback <64 channels with a computer system, MADI audio
interface and suitable DAW.
M-MADI also provides BNC word clock connection to fixed format MixRacks
for external sync operations.
Here, M-MADI provides redundant digital split
linking between an iLive and a GLD system; <64
channels from the master MixRack are sent to the
Monitors system for independent processing. The
signals can also be sent to a record system or
third console via the Aux BNC connector.
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MADI-2 in/out
MADI-1 in/out
MADI-Aux
MADI-Aux
TCP/IP
iLive Surface to MixRack audio link with redundancy plus 30 record feeds
Here M-MADI is used to form the two-way link between the iLive modular surface and the iDR10 MixRack. Both need to be fitted with RAB2
remote audio module and M-MADI option cards in Port-A. 4 cables are used: IN/OUT on Link 1, and IN/OUT on Link 2. Redundant mode is
chosen from the iLive touch-screen, this will ensure continuous audio signal and clock sync in the case of one link being broken. The AUX
BNC can be useful to provide some record feeds from the MixRack or Surface (ch1-32 are reserved for I/O at the surface, ch63/64 are PAFL).
Set the AUX BNCs to duplicate the signals present at the IN sockets of the surface M-MADI, and to mirror the OUT signals at the MixRack MMADI. Sources for the channels and AUX BNC can be configured in the Port-A tab on the OUTPUTS page of the touch-screen.
M-MADI SPECIFICATIONS
Ultra high-sensitivity inputs: An equalizing receiver circuit, originally designed for HD video, allows error-free reception of signals where a
normal receiver would not even detect that a signal is present. As a consequence, connecting two A&H MADI cards together allows cable
runs in excess of 150m
are also AC-coupled, to avoid potential ground loop problems.
Flexible Syncing: Users may select either of the input MADI streams (Link 1 or Link 2), or the ‘Aux’ BNC word clock input, when selected, as
the system clock source. Note that iLive is a 48 KHz system, and any selected clock sources must be 48 KHz
[1]
(triple the standard!), and electrical noise immunity is increased all round. All inputs, including the word clock input,
[2]
.
MADI Inputs x2 Ultra high-sensitivity equalizing receivers. 56 or 64 channels (auto detect), 24 bit.
(AC-coupled).
MADI Outputs x3 Standards compliant, low jitter transmitters. 64 channels, 24 bit. (Including ‘Aux’
BNC).
Word clock input High-sensitivity down to 200 mV peak-peak with 75R termination. (AC-coupled).
Word clock output 5V peak-peak through 75R source termination
[3]
.
Status indicators Per MADI Input: link/activity (yellow), Stream Error (red).
‘Aux’ BNC mode indicators (yellow).
Sync Sources MADI Link 1, MADI Link 2, Word clock (via ‘Aux’ BNC).
Audio Clock Sync range 48 KHz ±100ppm
Cable length
[1]
150m (A&H ↔ A&H)
[2]
150m (3rd party → A&H)
50-100m (3rd party ↔ A&H) (consult 3rd party documentation)
300m (A&H ↔ A&H, mains filters on both devices)
[1] Performance depends on cable type used. See http://www.ilive-digital.com/cables.html for cable recommendations.
[2] iDR-10 and iDR-0 users whose systems have been fitted with M-RAB2 may select a wider lock range; see the appropriate documentation for details.
[3] Word clock source termination can be turned off via a jumper setting to support some older devices with CMOS word clock inputs.
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