RME ADI8 DS User manual

ADI-8 DS

High-Precision 8-channel 96 kHz ADAT . TDIF AD/DA converter

Overview

ADI-8 DS is an 8-channel AD/DA converter with reference approach. The compact 19” 1U rackmount enclosure

includes several outstanding features, like Intelligent Clock Control (ICC), SyncCheck®, SyncAlign®, TDIF/ADAT

converter and Bit Splitter. AD- and DA-circuit automatically operate either independently or linked. The latest 24-

Bit converters with 128 times oversampling achieve 117 dBA true dynamic range. All digital inputs and outputs

operate at full 24-bit resolution. If you have been waiting for a  exible, fully professional yet a ordable multi-channel

converter - the wait is over!

The ADI-8 DS is nearly identical to the ADI-8 PRO. Additional features include 88.2 and 96 kHz sample rate and Dither.

DS stands for Double Speed, meaning double sample rate. As ADAT optical does not support sample rates higher than

48 kHz the DS mode requires two channels to transmit the data of one channel. The used method called Sample Split

is compatible to S/MUX, and also found in the Hammerfall and Hammerfall Light. The combination Hammerfall/

ADI-8 DS allows DVD-compatible Hi-End recordings (up to 8 channel @ 96 kHz), at an astonishing low price.

Use the following feature list to compare our ADI-8 DS with all other multitrack converters, and you will agree: The

ADI-8 DS has the best price/performance ratio!

- 8 channel AD-converter, completely symmetrical and DC-coupled audio path, 117 dBA SNR AD

- 8 channel DA-converter, balanced output, 112 dBA DA

- ADAT optical inputs, 24-Bit, based on RME’s unsurpassed Bitclock PLL for sample accurate lock

- ADAT optical outputs, 24-Bit, fully compatible to all ADAT optical inputs

- TDIF-1 interface, 24-Bit, Low Jitter PLL, Emphasis support, DA-88 compatible

- Bit Split/Combine, Copy Mode, ADAT and TDIF usable in all combinations

- Copy Mode adds a unique 24-Bit ADAT to/from TDIF converter

- Digital Patchbay operation, allows to copy, duplicate and distribute the digital input signals

- Dither available, for full compatibility to 16-Bit even at 96 kHz

- SyncCheck, unique technology to check clock synchronisation

- Virtual Sample Bu er, allows to use the internal Low Jitter Clock (quarz crystal) even for DA-conversion

- Automatic storage of all settings

Connectivity

8 x Analog I/O

2 x ADAT I/O

1 x TDIF-I/O

Wordclock I/O

Features

Intelligent Clock Control

ADAT S/MUX

TM

SyncCheck

TM

SyncAlign

cascadable

Engineered and Made in Germany

PRO LINE

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Features

The ADI-8 DS’ astonishing capabilities are easy to explore thanks to a simple and easy to understand user interface. Let’s have a short walk over the front panel from left to right. Setting

up the ADI-8 DS starts with an input sensitivity that perfectly suits your needs and maintains the excellent dynamic range of the AD-Converters. INPUT LEVEL lets you choose between

Lo Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV.

Each analog input has its own ‘Signal Present’ and ‘Clip’ LED, so levels and Overload are easy to check . The key PROCESS activates Bit Split (spread the 24-Bit signal on two outputs),

Double Speed mode (DS) and Dither (Dith.) Bit Split allows two 8-channel 16-Bit tape recorders to record 8 channels in 24-Bit resolution. Bit Split works with both TDIF and ADAT.

RMEs intelligent clock control (ICC) provides professional features you won’t  nd anywhere else. First set the clock of the AD-Converter, choose between INTERNAL, EXTERNAL (BNC

word clock) or INPUT (the digital input signal ADAT or TDIF.) The internal clock can be 44.1/48 or - when DS is active - 88.2 or 96 kHz. The DA-Converter has the same settings available.

The current state of locking and clock synchronization is shown by blinking or constantly lit LEDs. The next key DIGITAL INPUT determines the used digital input, and the clock source

in case INPUT was activated.

DIGITAL INPUT is already part of the DA-Converter section. Next is COMBINE which activates both the re-combination of split signals back to a full 24-Bit signal and Double Speed

mode. The key COPY MODE routes the digital input to the digital outputs ADAT and TDIF. As these operate simultaneously sending identical data the ADI-8 DS not only turns into a

superior ADAT/TDIF converter, but also allows copying between devices of the same format and a distribution to di erent devices. For example an ADAT signal can be distributed to

2 ADAT plus 2 TDIF outputs simultaneously. In Copy Mode also both Bit Split and COMBINE are available, so it’s possible to recombine a split signal while copying, or split a not split

signal, or recombine and split again into another format. With this the ADI-8 DS turns into an extremely powerful TDIF/ADAT interface.

Each analog output has its own ‘Signal Present’ LED which works in an analog fashion (brighter at higher levels.) A push on OUTPUT LEVEL sets Hi Gain, +4 dBu or -10 dBV as analog

output level.

ADI-8 DS’s back shows an impressive number of connectors of all kinds which result in an unbeaten  exibility and compatibility. Whatever it is - simply get connected and enjoy the

sonic clarity you’ve been missing when doing multitrack recording for so long.

ADI-8 Inside

The ADI-8 DS internal structure can be divided into four distinct functional blocks:

- Analog In: analogue input stage with gain compensation, A/D-converter

- Analog Out: D/A converter and analogue output stage with gain compensation

- Digital I/O: ADAT optical and TDIF interfaces

- Clock Control: Controls all timing for all functions, Word Clock I/O, PLL

The ADI-8 can be routed internally in many ways which, in addition to its function as A/D-D/A converter, allows it to be used as a format converter, distributor or splitter.

- Format converter: 24-bit digital conversion from ADAT optical to TDIF and vice versa

- Distributor: Sends digital input to all outputs simultaneously, e.g. TDIF in to TDIF out and 2 x ADAT

- Splitter: Sends analogue input to all digital outputs simultaneously, i.e. for A/D conversion to 2 x TDIF and 2 x ADAT (optical)

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