DigiDesign 96 I/O User Manual
96 I/O
Guide
Digidesign
2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard
Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA
tel: 650·731·6300
fax: 650·731·6399
Technical Support (USA)
650·731·6100
650·856·4275
Product Information (USA)
650·731·6102
800·333·2137
International Offices
Visit the Digidesign Web site
for contact information
Web Site
www.digidesign.com
Copyright
This guide is copyrighted ©2002 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.
DIGIDESIGN, AVID and PRO TOOLS are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology,
Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
All features and specifications subject to change without
notice.
PN 910609282-00 REV B 09/03
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!
• 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
Chapter 1. Introduction to the 96 I/O
What’s Included
System Requirements
About This Guide
About www.digidesign.com
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Chapter 2. 96 I/O Hardware Overview
96 I/O Front Panel
96 I/O Back Panel
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Chapter 3. Installation Overview
Installing the 96 I/O
Checking Installation
Powering Up Your System
Making Signal Connections to the 96 I/O
Example Studio Setup with a Mixing Console
Example Studio Setup without a Mixing Console
Setting Operating Levels
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Appendix A. Card Removal and Replacement
Removing an I/O Card
Hardware Setup Changes
Replacing an I/O Card
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Index
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Contents
iii
96 I/O Guide
iv
chapter 1
Introduction to the 96 I/O
The Digidesign 96 I/O is a 16-channel digital audio interface, featuring 24-bit analog-to-digital
(A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters.
The 96 I/O supports sampling rates of up to
96 kHz for superior dynamic range and low
noise floor.
96 I/O Features
• 16 discrete channels of input and output,
with 4-segment LED meters on each channel.
Input and Output channels can include:
• Eight channels of 24-bit D/A and A/D converters for superior analog input and output at sampling rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz,
88.2 kHz, and 96 kHz.
• S/PDIF, AES/EBU, and Optical (ADAT) digital inputs and outputs.
•Word Clock input and output for synchronizing 96 I/O with external Word Clock or 256x
(Slave Clock) devices.
• Simultaneous use of up to six 96 I/O units is
supported, for a maximum of 96 channels of
I/O at 48 kHz.
• Legacy port for Digidesign MIX-series audio
interfaces.
•Interface with digital mixing consoles and
other peripherals equipped with ADAT Lightpipe connections (using the ADAT Optical
standard at up to 24-bit resolution).
What’s Included
• 96 I/O with power cable
• This guide
• DigiLink cable (18 inches [0.46m])
• BNC cable (1.5 feet [0.46m])
System Requirements
The Digidesign 96 I/O requires:
•A Pro Tools|HD-series system on a Digide-
• Pro Tools software, version 5.3 or higher.
•A monitoring system (mixer, amplifier,
Digidesign can only assure compatibility and
provide support for hardware and software it
has tested and approved. For a list of Digidesignqualified computers, operating systems, and
third-party devices, refer to the latest compatibility information on the Digidesign Web site
(www.digidesign.com/compato).
sign-qualified Macintosh or Windows computer.
speakers, or headphones).
Chapter 1: Introduction to the 96 I/O
1
About This Guide
About www.digidesign.com
This guide provides a basic overview of the
96 I/O’s features and functionality.
Complete instructions for connecting and configuring your Pro Tools|HD-series system are located in the
Getting Started with HD Guide
.
Conventions Used in This Guide
Digidesign guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:
Convention Action
File > Save
Session
Control+N While pressing the Control key,
Control-click While pressing the Control key,
Right-click
(Windows)
The following symbols are used to highlight important information:
Choose Save Session from the
File menu
press the N key
click the mouse button
Click with the right mouse button
The Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com)
is your best source for information to help you
get the most out of your Pro Tools system. The
following are just a few of the services and features available.
Support
or Customer Service; download software updates and the latest online manuals; browse the
Compatibility documents for system requirements; search the online Answerbase; join the
worldwide Pro Tools community on the Digidesign User Conference.
Training and Education
Pro Tools Operator or Expert; study on your
own using courses available online, or find out
how you can learn in a classroom setting at a
certified Pro Tools Training Center.
Products and Developers
products; download demo software; learn about
our Development Partners and their plug-ins,
applications, and hardware.
News and Events
Digidesign; sign up for a Pro Tools demo.
Contact Digidesign Technical Support
Become a certified
Learn about Digidesign
Get the latest news from
96 I/O Guide
2
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
other Digidesign guides.
To learn more about these and other resources
available from Digidesign, visit our Web site
(www.digidesign.com).
chapter 2
96 I/O Hardware Overview
96 I/O Front Panel
96 I/O Front Panel
The 96 I/O has the following front panel
features:
Power Switch and LED Ring
This button turns the 96 I/O on and off.
The LED ring around the power button lights
green when the unit has powered up successfully and is connected to an active
Pro Tools|HD-series system. If the LED ring is orange, the unit has power, but the computer it is
connected to is shut down.
Sample Rate LEDs
These LEDs display the current sample rate of
the 96 I/O internal crystal oscillator, which can
be 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 96 kHz. The
sample rate can be set when you create a new
session, or in the Hardware Setup or Playback
Engine dialogs if no session is open.
Chapter 2: 96 I/O Hardware Overview
3
Loop Master LED
The LOOP MASTER LED indicates which
Pro Tools|HD-series audio interface is the master
Pro Tools peripheral. Loop Master defaults to
the first HD I/O connected to the HD Core card.
Loop Master will always be lit with a single interface, regardless of the synchronization mode.
LOOP (Loop Master)
that the 96 I/O is slaving to another HD I/O
through Loop Sync.
EXT (External)
is using the EXT CLOCK IN port for system synchronization. External Clock input and output
do not have to be at the Word clock rate.
This LOOP LED indicates
This setting indicates that 96 I/O
Only one HD I/O can be Loop Master at a time.
When you change the clock source to an external clock on a particular HD I/O, that I/O will
automatically become the Loop Master and all
other HD I/Os in the chain will be switched to
Loop Slave mode. The Loop Master LED will be
continuously lit on the current Loop Master peripheral only, and unlit on all other peripherals.
Sync Mode LEDs
The SYNC MODE LEDs indicate different clock
source modes. Synchronization mode LEDs reflect the Clock Source choice in Pro Tools.
The SYNC MODE LEDs indicate the current
clock source.
INT (Internal)
setting. In this mode, the 96 I/O sample clock is
generated by its internal crystal oscillator, as determined by the session Sample Rate.
DIG (Digital)
nal AES/EBU, Optical (ADAT), or S/PDIF device
is providing system clock.
This is the 96 I/O standard clock
This setting indicates that an exter-
For more information, see the
Guide
that came with your system.
Getting Started
Input and Output LEDs and Meters
16 sets of four-segment LEDs indicate signal
level for each of the 96 I/O’s 16 channels.
These meters are calibrated at –42 dB, –18 dB,
–6 dB, and 0 dB, respectively.
Note that 0 dB is not to be confused with
clipping; please use the on-screen meters in
Pro Tools to determine whether a signal is
clipping. See the
Guide
.
Two additional LEDs, located to the left of the
meters, indicate whether the meters display input or output levels; the meters indicate output
levels by default, and can be switched from
within the Hardware Setup dialog in Pro Tools.
Getting Started with HD
96 I/O Guide
4
96 I/O Back Panel
96 I/O Back Panel
The 96 I/O has the following back panel connectors:
Analog Audio Inputs
The 96 I/O has eight balanced, 1/4-inch TRS
jacks for analog audio input connections. These
inputs feature 24-bit A/D converters.
The TRS inputs are wired as follows:
■
Tip = positive
■
Ring = negative
■
Sleeve = ground
These connectors also support unbalanced connections.
Input operating levels are switchable between
+4 dBu and –10 dBV operation. Unbalanced
connections are supported with the use of standard 1/4-inch mono phone plugs.
Analog Audio Outputs
The 96 I/O has eight balanced/unbalanced, 1/4inch TRS jacks for analog audio output connections. These outputs feature 24-bit D/A converters.
All eight output channels are continuously active. Output operating levels are switchable between +4 dBu and –10 dBV operation from
within the Hardware Setup window in
Pro Tools. Unbalanced connections are supported with the use of standard 1/4-inch mono
phone plugs.
AES/EBU Digital In and Out
These are balanced, three-conductor XLR connectors that accept and output a stereo, 24-bit
AES/EBU digital data stream. These two ports
support up to 96 kHz sample rates.
S/PDIF Digital In and Out
These are unbalanced, two-conductor RCA jacks
that accept and output a stereo S/PDIF digital
data stream. S/PDIF supports up to 24-bit audio,
at sample rates up to 96 kHz. To avoid RF interference during S/PDIF transfers, use 75-ohm coaxial cable.
Chapter 2: 96 I/O Hardware Overview
5
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