Digital Inputs / Outputs; Aes/Ebu - RME Audio ADI-8 QS User Manual

12. Digital Inputs / Outputs

12.1 AES/EBU

The four AES/EBU inputs and outputs are provided on the rear of the ADI-8 QS via a 25-pin D-
sub connector with Tascam pinout (also used by Digidesign). A digital breakout cable will pro-
vide 4 male and 4 female XLR connectors. Every input and output is transformer-balanced and
galvanically isolated.
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. Channel Status and Copy bit are ignored.
In standard operation the AES outputs carry the converted analog input signal. When activating
the option Digital to Digital in the Setup menu the currently chosen digital input data is present
at the outputs instead, see chapter 9.15.
The ADI-8 QS supports Single Wire only, in the range of 32 kHz up to 192 kHz: a total of 8
channels, 2 channels per AES wire. The effective sample frequency equals the clock on the
AES wire. In case a conversion from/to Single, Double and Quad Wire is required, the RME
ADI-192 DD, an 8-channel universal sample rate and format converter, is highly recommended.
Besides the audio data, digital signals in SPDIF or AES/EBU format contain a channel status
coding, which is being used for transmitting further information. The output signal coding of the
ADI-8 QS has been implemented according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4:
• 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 64 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz according to the
current sample rate
• Audio use
• No Copyright, Copy permitted
• Format Professional
• Category General, Generation not indicated
• 2-Channel, No Emphasis
• Aux bits audio use, 24 bit
• Origin: ADI8
Emphasis
AES/EBU and SPDIF can contain an Emphasis information. Audio signals with Emphasis have
a strong high frequency boost and thus require a high frequency attenuation on playback.
An Emphasis indication gets lost! This information is neither passed on to the MADI output,
nor to any of the AES outputs!
Connecting devices with coaxial SPDIF
ports to the ADI-8 QS inputs is accom-
plished by simple
XLR/RCA. 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 con-
nected to pin 1 of the XLR plug.
The same is true for the outputs, but a male XLR connector is used then. Note that most con-
sumer HiFi equipment with phono SPDIF inputs will only accept signals with Channel Status
'Consumer'! In such cases the above adapter cable will not work.
30
cable adapters
User's Guide ADI-8 QS © RME