ASP880 can be seen as the natural
progression of our classic ASP008
eight channel microphone preamplifier.
Using the same proven discrete class-a
8-transistor input stage with extended
bandwidth and a noise floor close to the
theoretical Johnson noise limit, ASP880
provides a world-class recording front end
in a convenient 1RU package.
The microphone preamplifier has been
refined over 15 years by design legend
David Dearden and is the same tried &
tested topology as featured in our consoles
and recording interfaces (iD22, ASP8024,
ASP4816).
Features include:
•8 x superb class-a mic preamplifiers & 2
x discrete JFET instrument inputs
•Clean & stable P48 phantom power
•60dB of clean gain with -10dB pads on
channels 1 & 2 for kick, snare etc
•Polarity reverse to enable phase
coherent recording across all tracks
•Variable input impedance providing a
“triangle-of-tone”. Lo, med and hi settings
allow you to voice your mic collection at
the flip of a switch!
Box Contents 1
ASP880 Overview 3
Safety Information 5
Declaration of Conformities 7
Hardware Features: 9
Microphone & Line Inputs 9
Instrument Inputs 10
Gain & Setting Levels 11
Input Signal Conditioning 12
Sweepable High Pass Filter 12
Variable Input Impedance 13
Analogue Line Outputs 15
Direct ADC Access & Inserts 15
AES Output 16
ADAT SMUX Output 16
Clocking - Setup and Wiring 17
ASP880 Block Diagram 19
However we did not stop there with ASP880
- after months of refinement and an entirely
new PSU design, we have been able to lower
the noise floor in the unit and have reduced
the 50Hz mains component to vanishingly
low levels and the unit is completely silent
(fanless operation) - impressive!
On top of this we have used the cutting edge
top-of-the-line Burr-Brown converters from
our iD22 interface to heavily upgrade the
digital card which now comes as standard!
The unit is built like a tank and now features
our custom, solid aluminium control knobs
which feel great and provide excellent visual
feedback. ASP880 will last for years to come!
•Super smooth 12dB/octave sweepable
high pass filter (25 to 250Hz) to clean
up low end rumble and mess!
•New A-D insert switch provides line
level direct access to converters for
integrating outboard processing
between the mic pres and ADC
Please read all of these instructions and save them for later reference before connecting
the mains IEC power cable and powering up ASP880. To prevent electrical shock and fire
hazard follow all instructions on the rear of the ASP880.
ASP880 does not contain any user serviceable parts inside the internal power supply and in
the event of a power supply failure, please contact
suitable service.
www.audient.com/support
audient support so that we can arrange
Important Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions
2. Keep these instructions
3. Heed all warnings
4. Follow all instructions
5. Do not use this equipment near water
6. Clean only with dry cloth
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
equipment (including amplifiers) that produce heat
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized
plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for
A 1RU ventilation space above the unit is recommended and it is not advised to run the unit
in a rack above hot units such as valve outboard and multichannel AD/DA converters
without suitable ventilation space around the unit.
The internal switch-mode power supply design will accept any A.C line voltage from
90v to 264v @ 47-63Hz. Therefore the unit will work happily anywhere in the world but
please ensure your A.C mains line voltage is within this specification and you use an
appropriate cable for the region. Consult a qualified technician if you suspect difficulties.
Do not attempt to tamper with the power supply or mains voltages - HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH.
! WARNING !
TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet
10. Protect power cords from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the equipment
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer
12. For products that are not rack-mountable: Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket,
or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the equipment. When a cart is
used, use caution when moving the cart/equipment combination to avoid injury from
tip-over
13. Unplug this equipment during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the
equipment has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the equipment, the
equipment has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally,
or has been dropped
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
PLEASE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
15. For products that are a mains powered device: The equipment shall not be exposed
to dripping or splashing and no objects filled with liquids (such as vases) shall be
placed on the equipment
65
Declaration of Conformities
FEATURES
in depth
FEATURES
in depth
We, Audient Ltd, declare that the product, the ASP880, to which this declaration
relates, is in material conformity with the appropriate CE standards and directives
for an audio product designed for consumer use.
Audient Ltd has conformed where applicable,to the European Union’s Directive 2002/95/EC on Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) as well as the
following sections of California law which refer to RoHS, namely sections 25214.10,
25214.10.2, and 58012, Health and Safety Code; Section 42475.2, Public Resources
MIC GAIN: -10 to +60dB (-10dB Pad)
LINE GAIN: -16 to +44dB (-10dB Pad)*
PHANTOM POWER: 48v +/-4v @ 10mA/Channel
MIC EIN: <-127.5dBu
CMRR: >80dB @ 100 to 10kHz
MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL: +22dBu (+32dBu with Pad)
INPUT IMPEDANCE
D.I GAIN: -10 to +60 dB (-10dB Pad)
MAXIMUM INPUT LEVEL: +16dBu (typical), +22dBu
INPUTIMPEDANCE: 1MegΩUnbalanced
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: +/-0.5dB 10Hz to 50kHz
THD+N @ 0dBu (1kHz): <0.03% (-70dBu)
SNR: 89dB
1/4” JACK: TIP (Hot) & SLEEVE (Shield)
LINE OUTPUTS (Insert Sends):
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL: +27.5dBu
OUTPUTIMPEDANCE:<100ΩBalanced
POWER SUPPLY:
High stability, low noise internal SMPS
Fanless, quiet operation
Works anywhere in the world without reconfiguring
LINE VOLTAGES: 90 to 264V (a.c)
INTERNAL RAILS: +/-18VDC, +48VDC & +5VDC
FUSE: T1A (1Amp Time Delay)
CONSUMPTION: Maximum 40 Watts
WEIGHT: 4.0 kg
2122
44.4mm
3mm
Warranty
Service
Warranty Statement
Your ASP880 comes with a manufacturer’s warranty for one year (12 months) from the
date of despatch to the end user.
The warranty covers faults due to defective materials used in manufacture and faulty
workmanship only.
During the warranty period
provided it is returned carriage paid to an authorised
provide warranty repair if in our opinion the has resulted from unauthorised modification,
misuse, negligence or accident.
We accept liability to repair or replace your ASP880 as described above. We do not accept
any additional liability. This warranty does not affect any legal rights you may have against
audient will repair at its discretion or replace the faulty unit
audient service centre. We will not
Service Information
ASP880 contains no user-serviceable components, please refer to qualified service personnel
for diagnosis and repair. Your warranty will be void if you tamper with the device at component
level. If you have any questions with regard to the repair, please contact Audient Ltd.
In the event your ASP880 needs to be repaired, it is necessary to contact Audient Ltd prior to
shipping, and a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number will be assigned. This number
will serve as a reference for you and helps facilitate and expedite the return process. When
the unit is returned please include this RMA number along with a description of the fault inside
the packaging box. Audient requires that shipments be pre-paid (for in-warranty repairs we will
cover the return shipping).
To request an RMA, access technical support & FAQs, ask for troubleshooting assistance or
make an enquiry, please visit: www.audient.com/support
the person who supplied this product - it is additional to those rights.
Warranty Limitations
This warranty does not cover damage resulting from accident or misuse. The warranty is void
unless repairs are carried out by an authorised service centre. The warranty is void if the unit
has been modified other than at the manufacturer’s instruction. The warranty does not cover
components which have a limited life, and which are expected to be periodically replaced for
optimal performance. We do not warrant that the unit shall operate in any other way than as
described in this manual.
Audient Ltd
Aspect House
Herriard
Hampshire
RG25 2PN
United Kingdom
Tel: 0044 1256 381944
www.audient.com
2324
Glossary
.audient.com
A Amperes
ADAT Alesis Digital Audio Tape
ADC Analogue to Digital Converter
AES Audio Engineering Society - AES Digital Audio Format
ASP Analogue Signal Processing
DAW Digital Audio Workstation
DAC Digital to Analogue Converter
dB Decibel
dBu Decibel referenced to 0.775Vrms = 0 dBu
dBFS Decibel Full Scale
DB9 9-Pin DSUB Connector - Digital AES Format
If you make it to the top then this automatically becomes the connector for your
Aston Martin key fob!
DB25 25-Pin DSUB Connector - Analogue Tascam Format
DC Direct Current
D.I Direct Injection (Instrument Input)
DoC Declaration of Conformity
EIN Equivalent Input Noise
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
HPF High Pass Filter
HV High Voltage
Hz Hertz, cycles per second - measurement unit of frequency
i/o Input / Output
JFET Junction Field Effect Transistor
LED Light Emitting Diode
Ohm Ω,UnitofResistance
RoHS Restriction of Hazardous Substances
S/PDIF Sony Philips Digital Interconnect Format
SMUX Sample Multiplexing
THD+N Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
TRS Tip Ring Sleeve (1/4” Jack Balanced)
TS Tip Sleeve (1/4” Jack Unbalanced)
USB Universal Serial Bus
V Volts
XLR Extra Live Return, Extremely Low Resistance,
Canon X Series, Latching, Resilient Rubber Compound... or make up your own!