ATI MCDA208 User Manual

MCDA-208

Ultra-Low-Jitter Studio Master Clock

Dual 1x4 AES/EBU Distribution Amplifier

OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Day Sequerra ! 154 Cooper Rd. #902 ! W. Berlin, NJ 08091 ! Voice 856-719-9900 ! sales@daysequerra.com ! www.atiaudio.com

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MCDA-208 FEATURES

• Accepts AES3, S/PDIF, AES11, and Word Clock inputs

• Independent Dual 1X4 AES/EBU Clock Distribution Amplifiers

• Generates standard sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192 kHz

• Displays input sample rates of 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz

• Divide-Down ultra-low jitter clock with exceptional stability

• Full diagnostics for all inputs and operating conditions

• Loop-thru inputs for AES External Sync and Word Clock

• Switchable input termination for all inputs

• 8 independently driven 75-ohm BNC Word Clock outputs; 6 isolated AES/EBU 110

Ohm XLR outputs

• Flexible signal routing system

• Automatic and manual external sync and internal sync generator functions

• Switchable Input Re-clocking on all Clock inputs

• Automatic Input Equalization for long input lines

• Front panel control locking system

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SAFETY INFORMATION

To reduce risk of electric shock, do not remove covers. There are no user-serviceable items inside. Please refer servicing to qualified personnel.

UNPACKING Examine all shipping cartons for external damage and retain all damaged cartons for inspection by the carrier. Examine all equipment for any sign of damage. Do not connect AC mains power to a unit, which appears to be damaged. Contact the carrier to file a damage claim.

INSTALLATION LOCATION This equipment must be installed in a location meeting the environmental conditions specified below. Adequate cooling must be provided if units are to be operated in high temperature locations. Exposure to liquid and condensation must be avoided.

GROUNDING This equipment is connected to earth through the center conductor of the AC mains cable. Proper grounding protects operators from electric shock, and it must be maintained whenever the unit is connected to AC.

ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY This unit complies with electromagnetic requirements described in EMC Directive 2004/108/EC and FCC Part 15. This unit does not generate undue electromagnetic interference, and is adequately protected against electromagnetic interference so that it can operate properly.

MAINTENANCE This unit requires no maintenance other than periodic wiping with a soft dry cloth to remove any dust or contaminating substances. Do not use solvents for cleaning.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFORMITY

Class A Equipment – FCC Notice This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to FCC CFR 47, Part 15.

CE Declaration of Conformity ATI Audio Inc., West Berlin, New Jersey 08091 USA, declares that all Model MCDA-208/ units are in conformity with the following EU regulations and amendments:

Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2006/95/EC (replaces 73/23/EEC) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): EMC Directive 2004/108/EC EMC: EN55103-1/-2:2009, electromagnetic environments E2. Safety: EN 60950:2006

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NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

West Berlin, NJ USA, 31 July 2009

President

AIR TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

Normal operation of this unit is warranted while operating in a temperature range of +5 to +40°C, with relative humidity ranging from 5 to 85%. Care should be taken to avoid operation outside these limits or erratic operation may result.

FUNCTIONAL STANDARDS

All Model MCDA-208 units are in conformity with the following industry standards: AES3-2003, AES11-2003 and IEC958 SPDIF

DESCRIPTION

The ATI Model MCDA-208 contains an ultra-low jitter studio master clock generator, dual 1X4 AES/EBU Digital Audio Distribution. Operation of the unit is simple and straightforward, and it is housed in a rugged 2U rack mount enclosure. All audio connections are made directly to the unit’s built-in BNC connectors, and no special breakout cables or accessory jack panels are required.

When used as a studio master clock, the MCDA can generate an exceptionally stable 44.1, 48,

88.2, 96, 176.4 or 192 kHz clock reference for the purpose of synchronizing all of your connected digital equipment. This single clock source assures a trouble-free digital workflow throughout your digital facility. The output clock format can be either Word Clock or Super Word Clock, and this signal is available on all eight of the MCDA’s individually driven BNC outputs. The Clock Generator output can also be routed to either or both Clock output groups.

If you prefer to use another source for your reference clock, the MCDA can function as a 2X8 Clock Distribution Amplifier. It can accept an AES3 audio signal or an AES Word Clock as an input, and will output either Word Clock or Super Word Clock from its eight BNC output connectors. These reference clock signals can also be routed to either or both Clock output groups as word clock.

The Clock Generator section provides automatic switchover, as well as dual redundant back-up control. Failure of an external clock will cause the Clock Generator to automatically generate its own preprogrammed reference signal. Internal clock can also be selected manually. The MCDA’s dual redundant back-up control allows one MCDA unit to be designated as a master while a second MCDA serves as the slave; it’s clock source then becomes active when the master clock’s clock is not active.

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Since the purity of the clock reference is critical to the quality of the finished audio product, ATI has taken steps to assure that the MCDA generates the lowest jitter clock reference available. The MCDA’s internal reference is derived from a 24 MHz precision oscillator and divided down to achieve an ultra-stable signal, rather than multiplying up from a base reference as in some other units.

The MCDA’s Clock Distribution Amplifier has both Input and Loop-thru outputs to allow downstream equipment to be fed from the input reference signal. When no downstream equipment is connected, the inputs should be terminated via the front panel Input Termination switch.

When fed from an external reference signal, the MCDA will indicate the clock frequency of the input signal from 32 through 192 kHz. The full diagnostics front panel will also indicate Word Length, Digital Errors if any, and whether the digital stream is Pro or Consumer mode. These diagnostic indicators are switchable to display these details for either Clock input, or for the AES External Sync In or Word Clock input.

The MCDA can also derive a Frame Clock (Word Clock) from the Clock signal input to Clock 1. This Frame Clock signal is available for routing to all BNC outputs.

Clock 1, AES SYNC IN, and WORD CLOCK IN will lock to AES3, AES11 or Word Clock. AES SYNC IN, and WORD CLOCK IN generate “Word Clocks” to be outputted.

Alarm LEDs located on the left side of the front panel indicates loss of carrier occurring on any input, regardless of the position of the Source Monitor selector.

A front panel lock switch protects all settings. The MCDA retains all of its settings, even if power is removed.

INPUTS Incoming Clock formatted digital audio data, AES11 or Word Clock is applied to individual input transformers. Input termination resistors at 75 ohms for BNC inputs can be switched in or out of the circuit with the front panel Input Term switch. Inputs should always be terminated unless they are looped through to another device or a second MCDA input.

OUTPUTS The MCDA has eight balanced, transformer driven XLR outputs arranged in groups of four; i.e., 1 through 4 and 5 through 8. It also has eight isolated BNC outputs which function as a single group. Rear panel mounted DIP switches allow you to configure the MCDA to send the following signals to any or all of these three groups of outputs:

1. CLOCK INPUT 1

2. CLOCK INPUT 2

3. AES SYNC-IN Clock derived Word Clock

4. WORD CLOCK INPUT External Word Clock

5. Internal Clock Generator

6. Clock 1 derived Frame Clock

It is not necessary to terminate unused outputs, as each is individually isolated.

POWER

Connector for socket fused IEC 320/C13. Power cord is supplied. The MCDA has a rear panel On Off power switch.

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