RME ADI-4 DD User manual
User's Guide
ADI-4 DD
SyncAlignTM
SyncCheck
Intelligent Clock Control
SteadyClock
Hi-Precision 24 Bit / 96 kHz
AES / ADAT Dual Format Converter
8-Channels ADAT
®
optical from / to AES/EBU Interface
TM
TM
TM
AES-3
24 Bit Interface
Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................3
2 Supplied Contents .............................................................................................3
3 Brief Description and Characteristics..............................................................3
4 Technical Specifications ...................................................................................4
4.1 Inputs...............................................................................................................4
4.2 Outputs............................................................................................................5
5 First Usage
5.1 Quick Start ......................................................................................................6
5.2 Operation ........................................................................................................7
6 The AES to ADAT Converter
6.1 General ...........................................................................................................8
6.2 Inputs...............................................................................................................8
6.3 Input State Display..........................................................................................9
6.4 Outputs ADAT Optical.....................................................................................9
7 The ADAT to AES/EBU Converter
7.1 General .........................................................................................................10
7.2 Inputs.............................................................................................................10
7.3 Input State Display........................................................................................11
7.4 Outputs AES/EBU.........................................................................................11
7.5 Double Wire Conversion...............................................................................12
8 Clock Section
8.1 Clock Configuration.......................................................................................13
8.2 Lock, SyncCheck and SyncAlign..................................................................13
8.3 Word Clock Input and Output........................................................................14
9 Word Clock
9.1 Operation and Technical Background ..........................................................15
9.2 Cabling and Termination...............................................................................16
10 Conversion Modes and Notes
10.1 8-channel AES to ADAT Converter (96 kHz) .............................................17
10.2 8-channel AES to 2 x ADAT Splitter (48 kHz)............................................17
10.3 2-channel AES to 8-channel ADAT Splitter (96 kHz).................................17
10.4 2-channel AES to 8-channel AES Splitter (96 kHz) ...................................17
10.5 4-channel AES Double Wire to AES Single Wire Converter (96 kHz).......17
10.6 4-channel AES Single Wire to AES Double Wire Converter (96 kHz).......18
10.7 8-channel ADAT to AES Converter (96 kHz) .............................................18
10.8 8-channel ADAT to 2 x ADAT Splitter (48 kHz)..........................................18
11 Technical Background
11.1 DS – Double Speed....................................................................................19
11.2 AES/EBU – SPDIF .....................................................................................20
12 Controls and Connectors................................................................................21
13 Connector Pinouts
14 Block Diagram..................................................................................................24
15 Warranty............................................................................................................25
16 Appendix...........................................................................................................25
...........................................................................................22
2
User's Guide ADI-4 DD © RME
1. Introduction
With the ADI-8 DD you have an incredibly compact and flexible digital interface to your supply.
What at first looks like a simple AES/ADAT format converter, turns out to be a universal problem
solver at a closer look. From small project studios to broadcast and television, the ADI-4 DD is
the perfect link between the formats mostly used today.
As a consequent continuation of RME's world-wide successful ADI-8 series, the 4-DD also contains elaborate technology and the latest integrated circuits, delivering 8 full channels in 24 bit
and 96 kHz. The ADI-4 DD is a uniquely powerful and high-quality device, which will excite you
even after many years of operation.
2. Package Contents
Please check that your ADI-4 DD package contains each of the following:
• ADI-4 DD
• Quick Info
• Power supply 12 V / 1.25 A and power cord
3. Brief Description and Characteristics
The ADI-4 DD consists of two 8-channel digital format converters in reference quality, in a halfrack space enclosure with 1 unit height. The compact device has numerous extraordinary features like Intelligent Clock Control (ICC), SyncCheck
active jitter suppression and patchbay functionality.
All of the ADI-4 DD's I/Os support 96 kHz/24 bit. As ADAT optical is restricted to 48kHz, in DS
mode (Double Speed) two channels are being used for the transmission of one channel's data.
The Sample Split algorithm used is also implemented in RME's Hammerfall and Hammerfall
DSP. Thus the ADI-4 DD also serves as an ideal AES/EBU frontend for these interface cards,
on both Mac and PC.
The format conversion between AES/EBU and ADAT operates in both directions at the same
time. LEDs of different colours show the present state of incoming and outgoing signals and of
the internal processing in a clear way.
The unique Intelligent Clock Control (ICC) allows for a flexible use with external word clock or
the digital input signals. These options being available for both directions are intelligently coupled in a way typical for RME and easy to apply thanks to a clear and easily understandable
display of the Lock and Sync states. Besides, the unique Copy Mode allows for operation as
digital patchbay and signal distributor.
®
, SyncAlign®, Bitclock PLL, SteadyClock,
User's Guide ADI-4 DD © RME
3
4. Technical Specifications
• Power supply: External power supply, 100-240 V AC, 10 Watts
• Accepted power supply voltage: DC 7 V – 38 V, AC 7 V – 27 V
• Current at 12 V: > 400 mA (> 5 Watts)
• Dimensions: 215 x 44 x 100 mm
• Weight: 1 kg
4.1 Inputs
AES/EBU
• 1 x XLR, 4 x via 25 pin D-Sub, transformer balanced, ground-free, according to AES3-1992
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.3 Vss)
• SPDIF compatible (IEC 60958)
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format, copy protection will be ignored
• Single Wire: 4 x 2 channels 24 bit, up to 96 kHz
• Double Wire: 4 x 2 channels 24 bit 48 kHz, equalling 4 channels 96 kHz
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 103 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)
ADAT Optical
• 2 x TOSLINK, according to Alesis specification
• Standard: 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
• Copy Mode: up to 2 x 8 channels 24 bit / 48 kHz
• Sample Split (S/MUX): 2 x 8 channels 24 bit / 48 kHz, equalling 8 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• Bitclock PLL ensures perfect synchronisation even in varispeed operation
• Lock range: 31.5 kHz – 56 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)
Word Clock
• BNC, not terminated (10 kOhm)
• Switch for internal termination 75 Ohm
• Automatic Double Speed detection and internal conversion to Single Speed
• SteadyClock guarantees super low jitter synchronization even in varispeed operation
• AC-coupling, not effected by DC-offsets within the network
• Signal Adaptation Circuit: signal refresh through auto-center and hysteresis
• Overvoltage protection
• Level range: 1.0 Vss – 5.6 Vss
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 112 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)
4
User's Guide ADI-4 DD © RME
4.2 Outputs
AES/EBU
• 1 x XLR, 4 x via 25 pin D-Sub, transformer balanced, ground-free, according to AES3-1992
• Output voltage Professional 4.5 Vss, Consumer 2.1 Vss
• Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4
• Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
• Single Wire: 4 x 2 channels 24 bit, up to 96 kHz
• Double Wire: 4 x 2 channels 24 bit 48 kHz, equalling 4 channels 96 kHz
ADAT Optical
• 2 x TOSLINK
• Standard: 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
• Sample Split (S/MUX): 2 x 8 channels 24 bit / 48 kHz, equalling 8 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
Word Clock
• BNC
• Max. output voltage: 5 Vss
• Output voltage @ 75 Ohm: 4.0 Vss
• Impedance: 10 Ohm
• Frequency range: 27 kHz – 56 kHz, DS Mode 54 kHz – 112 kHz
User's Guide ADI-4 DD © RME
5
5. First Usage
5.1 Quick Start
The user interface of the ADI-4 DD is characterized by a clearly structured architecture and an
unambiguous labelling of the front and rear sides. The device can thus be used easily without a
manual, because numerous LEDs show the state of the device and of all incoming and outgoing
signals in a strictly logical way.
After connection of the power supply, all LEDs on the front panel will be lit for a short time. Next
the current firmware revision is displayed on the INPUT STATE display for about a second. At
the time of writing version 1.1 was the latest one, so the LEDs AES1 Level and Sync are lit.
Then the settings are loaded and the unit is ready to be used.
After connection of one (or more) digital sources, the ADI-4 DD can be configured quickly via
the 4 buttons on the front panel:
• AES 1: Determines the current AES 1 input. Options are the XLR socket on the rear, the 25
pin D-Sub connector, and the optical input IN 2.
• SYNC: Determines the clock source. Options are Word Clock, ADAT IN 1 and the input
selected via AES 1.
• DS MODE: Activates Double Speed mode for the Word Clock output, for the AES outputs, or
for both.
• AES STATE: Sets the Channel Status of the AES output signals to Professional or Con-
sumer. With Professional, the physical output voltage is raised too. In combination with Opti-
cal channels 1/2 will be available also at the optical output OUT 2.
The ADI-4 DD remembers all settings before switching off and sets them automatically when
switching on the next time.
A quick guide for operation and functionality of the ADI-4DD can be found on the next page.
For transmission of the digital signals into a computer with PCI-bus, we recommend RME's
interface cards of the Hammerfall
able with drivers for all common operating systems, and have the highest reputation world-wide.
®
DSP Series. These high quality digital audio cards are avail-
6
User's Guide ADI-4 DD © RME
5.2 Operation
Join us for a small 'tour de ADI', starting on the left side with the choice of the currently used
input for the input channels 1/2. This is done via the key AES 1. Options are the XLR socket on
the rear, the 25 pin D-Sub connector, and the optical input IN 2. The LED OPT is red, to signal
that the ADAT input is no longer available. The state of the input signal is displayed by 13 LEDs.
Shown are Lock (per AES and ADAT input, including SyncCheck), Double Speed (64/88.2/96
kHz) and the level of the audio signal.
RME's intelligent clock control (ICC) offers professional means. To start with, the clock source
can be set to word clock, ADAT (IN 1) and AES, where AES lets you select between the inputs
XLR, D-Sub and optical. Lock state and clock synchronicity are being displayed by the state of
the 6 input LEDs (flashing or constantly lit). When the current clock source fails, the last valid
sample rate will be held automatically. This way, the unit could even be 'programmed' to send
any frequency, and used as master further on. At a return of the input signal, the unit falls back
into slave mode seamlessly.
The key DS MODE activates Double Speed mode at the word clock output, at the AES output,
or at both outputs at the same time.
The AES output signal can be set to Consumer or Professional subcode. The first output (channels 1/2) can optionally be output optically (via TOSLINK) using the second ADAT output.
User's Guide ADI-4 DD © RME
7
6. The AES to ADAT Converter
6.1 General
This functional unit is an 8-channel format converter from AES to ADAT. As long as the device
is not working in DS mode (Double Speed), the output signal is present at both ADAT (OUT
1/OUT 2). Therefore the ADI-4 DD can pass on a 4 x 2 channel AES/EBU input signal to up to
two ADAT devices at the same time (splitter 1 to 2).
The four AES/EBU inputs process Double Speed (up to 96 kHz) and Double Wire (up to 48
kHz) automatically. Excessive status displays (Lock, SyncCheck, Level) help to avoid wrong
configuration and wrong clock setup.
6.2 Inputs
The rear side of the ADI-4 DD provides the four AES inputs via a 25 pin D-sub connector. The
input AES 1 is also available directly via a XLR socket. The key AES 1 switches between XLR
and D-Sub. Every input is transformer-balanced and ground-free. Channel status and copy
protection are being ignored. Thanks to a highly sensitive input stage, also SPDIF signals can
be processed by using a simple cable adapter (RCA/XLR).
To achieve this, pins 2 and 3 of an XLR
plug are being connected to the two contacts of a Phono/RCA plug. The ground
shield of the cable is only connected to pin
1 of the XLR plug.
The inputs can be used in any combination, e. g. it is sufficient to connect an input signal only to input 3. In slave mode, this input is
automatically being used as clock source. If more than one signal is present, the one furthest
left is being used as clock source, i. e. the active input with the lowest number.
The inputs are being copied to the 8 channel ADAT format in logical order:
AES/EBU Input 1 2 3 4
ADAT OUT 1+OUT 2 1/2 3/4 5/6 7/8
If an input sample rate higher than 56 kHz is detected at the AES/EBU input, the DS LED lights
up and the left part automatically switches to DS mode, using the following channel distribution:
AES/EBU 1L 1R 2L 2R 3L 3R 4L 4R
ADAT 1/2
OUT 1
If a signal in Double Wire format is present at the input, technically no special processing is
activated, because the output signals will be in Sample Split format (S/MUX, Double Line) right
away.
3/4
OUT 1
5/6
OUT 1
7/8
OUT 1
1/2
OUT 2
3/4
OUT 2
5/6
OUT 2
7/8
OUT 2
8
User's Guide ADI-4 DD © RME
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