DigiDesign 96 I, 96 I/O User Manual

96 I/O

™

Version 8.0

Legal Notices

This guide is copyrighted ©2008 by Digidesign, a division of
Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights
reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be
duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of
Digidesign.

003, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 888|24 I/O,
882|20 I/O, 1622 I/O, 24-Bit ADAT Bridge I/O, AudioSuite,
Avid, Avid DNA, Avid Mojo, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS,
Avid Xpress, AVoption, Axiom, Beat Detective, Bomb Factory,
Bruno, C|24, Command|8, Control|24, D-Command, D-Control,
D-Fi, D-fx, D-Show, D-Verb, DAE, Digi 002, DigiBase,
DigiDelivery, Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign
Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiDrive,
DigiRack, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DINR, D-Show, DV Toolkit,
EditPack, Eleven, HD Core, HD Process, Hybrid, Impact,
Interplay, LoFi, M-Audio, MachineControl, Maxim, Mbox,
MediaComposer, MIDI I/O, MIX, MultiShell, Nitris, OMF,
OMF Interchange, PRE, ProControl, Pro Tools M-Powered,
Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, QuickPunch, Recti-Fi,
Reel Tape, Reso, Reverb One, ReVibe, RTAS, Sibelius,
Smack!, SoundReplacer, Sound Designer II, Strike, Structure,
SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL
Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL
MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, Transfuser,
Trillium Lane Labs, Vari-Fi Velvet, X-Form, and XMON are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid
Technology, Inc. Xpand! is Registered in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.

Product features, specifications, system requirements, and
availability are subject to change without notice.

Guide Part Number 9106-59119-00 REV A 11/08

Documentation Feedback

At Digidesign, we're always looking for ways to improve our
documentation. If you have comments, corrections, or
suggestions regarding our documentation, email us at
[e-mail].

Warning

This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Communications & Safety Regulation Information

Compliance Statement

The model 96 I/O complies with the following standards
regulating interference and EMC:

• FCC Part 15 Class A

• EN55103 – 1, environment E4

• EN55103 – 2, environment E4

• AS/NZS 3548 Class A

Radio and Television Interference

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.

Communications Statement

This equipment has been tested to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device. Changes or modifications to this product
not authorized by Digidesign, Inc., could void the Certification
and negate your authority to operate the product. This product
was tested for CISPR compliance under conditions that
included the use of peripheral devices and shielded cables and
connectors between system components. Digidesign
recommends the use of shielded cables and connectors
between system components to reduce the possibility of
causing interference to radios, television sets, and other
electronic devices.

Safety Statement

This equipment has been tested to comply with USA and
Canadian safety certification in accordance with the
specifications of UL Standards; UL1419 and Canadian CSA
standard; CSA C22.2 No.1-M90. Digidesign Inc., has been
authorized to apply the appropriate UL & CUL mark on its
compliant equipment.

Important Safety Instructions

When using electric or electronic equipment, basic precautions
should always be followed, including the following:

• Read all instructions before using this equipment.

• To avoid the risk of shock, keep this equipment away from
rain water, and other moisture. Do not use this equipment
if it is wet.

• The equipment should only be connected to the correct
rating power supply as indicated on the product.

• Do not attempt to service the equipment. There are no
user-serviceable parts inside. Please refer all servicing to
authorized Digidesign personnel.

• Any attempt to service the equipment will expose you to a
risk of electric shock, and will void the manufacturer’s
warranty.

• The product should be connected only to the correct power
supply as indicated on the product.

Warning!

• Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces need room at their sides to
maintain proper air flow and cooling.

• Do not install these units into a rack or other enclosure that
doesn't leave room on either side for the unit fans.

• Do not block the sides of the units (where fans are), or
disconnect the fan.

• If the units are racked up in a case, remove all lids, doors,
or covers before operating the units.

• Failure to do so can result in the units overheating very
quickly, which can permanently damage them.

Contents iii

contents

Chapter 1. Introduction to the 96 I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

System Requirements and Compatibility Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Digidesign Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

About This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

About www.digidesign.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Chapter 2. 96 I/O Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

96 I/O Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

96 I/O Back Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Appendix A. Card Removal and Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Removing an I/O Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Replacing an I/O Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

96 I/O Guideiv

Chapter 1: Introduction to the 96 I/O 1

chapter 1

Introduction to the 96 I/O

The Digidesign® 96 I/O™ 16-channel digital
audio interface features 24-bit analog-to-digital
(A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters,
and supports sample rates of up to 96 kHz.

96 I/O Features

• 16 discrete channels of input and output,
with 4-segment LED meters on each channel.
Input and output features include:

• 8 channels of 24-bit, 96 kHz-capable ana­log input and output

• 2 channels of 24-bit, 96 kHz-capable digital
S/PDIF and AES/EBU I/O

• 8 channels of Optical (ADAT) digital I/O

• Loop Sync In and Out for synchronizing addi­tional Pro Tools|HD

®

interfaces and peripher-

als

• External Clock In and Out (1x Word clock or
256x SuperClock) for synchronizing with ex­ternal devices

• Expansion DigiLink port for connecting addi­tional Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces

• Legacy port for connecting qualified
Pro Tools|24 MIX™ audio interfaces

What’s Included

• 96 I/O audio interface

•AC power cable

• DigiLink cable (18 inches [0.46m])

• BNC cable (18 inches [0.46m])

•96I/O Guide

• Digidesign Registration Information Card

System Requirements and
Compatibility Information

The Digidesign 96 I/O requires a Digidesign­qualified Pro Tools|HD system.

The 96 I/O can be used as the only audio inter­face in a Pro Tools|HD system (no other audio
interface present), or as an expansion I/O when
combined with a 192 I/O™, 192 Digital I/O,
96i I/O™, or other 96 I/O audio interface.

Digidesign can only assure compatibility and
provide support for hardware and software it has
tested and approved.

For complete system requirements and a list of
Digidesign-qualified computers, operating sys­tems, hard drives, and third-party devices, refer
to the latest information on the Digidesign web­site:

www.digidesign.com/compatibility

96 I/O Guide2

Digidesign Registration

Review the enclosed Digidesign Registration
Information Card and follow the instructions
on it to quickly register your purchase online.
Registering your purchase is the only way you
can be eligible to receive complimentary techni­cal support and future upgrade offers. This is
one of the most important steps you can take as
a new user.

About This Guide

This guide describes the 96 I/O features and
connectors.

For complete instructions on connecting and
configuring your Pro Tools|HD system, see the
HD Setup Guide.

For additional information about using
Pro Tools software, see the Pro Tools Reference
Guide.

Conventions Used in This Guide

Digidesign guides use the following conven­tions to indicate menu choices and key
commands:

:

The following symbols are used to highlight
important information:

Convention Action

File > Save Choose Save from the File

menu

Control+N Hold down the Control key

and press the N key

Control-click Hold down the Control key

and click the mouse button

Right-click Click with the right mouse

button

User Tips are helpful hints for getting the
most from your system.

Important Notices include information that
could affect your data or the performance of
your system.

Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or
mouse shortcuts.

Cross References point to related sections in
this guide and other Digidesign guides.