Multiple Playbacks - RME Audio M-16 DA User Manual

Despite serial cabling the playback is sample accurate between all units, because the convert-
ers automatically activate Delay Compensation.
Note: The Delay Compensation operates separately for AD and DA converters. It will only work
when the AD- and DA-converters are connected serially in an ordered way. A DA between two
AD (or vice versa) will prevent correct recognition of identical units and subsequently disable
the activation of the Delay Compensation.
Correct Cabling
The correct setup of a rack regarding serial cabling is not AD-converters on top and DA-
converters at the bottom, but vice versa. If the AD-converters are supposed to remain in top
position, one has to get used to a cabling within the rack from bottom to top. This is valid not
only for the Multicore presented here, but also for the previous chapter.
One side's AD-converter must be followed by the other sides DA-converter. This becomes eas-
ily apparent when using all 64 channels, as a different order will cause some channels to be
overwritten with data from other units within the rack.

20.6 Multiple Playbacks

The MADI input of the DA-converters will not only serve as data source for conversion, but also
as MADI pass-through input. Since a single M-32 DA or M-16 DA does not convert all 64 chan-
nels of the MADI signal, all channels of the input signal are passed to the output. Additional M-
32 DA or M-16 DA can be connected serially to convert the remaining signals, in any combina-
tion, up to a maximum of 64 channels: One M-32 DA with one or two M-16 DA or up to four M-
16 DA.
Unlike the Ads, the DAs perform a complete pass-through. The incoming data is used, but not
replaced by another.
Therefore and because MADI covers long distances, the same channels can also be converted
in several different (electrically separated) locations, with comfortable and unambiguous front
panel channel selection.
The individual choice of a block of 16 or 32 channels to be converted is set on each unit's front
plate via the MADI IN key.
User's Guide M-32 DA © RME
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