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Prism Sound DREAM ADA-128 Operation Manual

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DREAM ADA-128
Operations Manual
©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.
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Summary of Contents for Prism Sound DREAM ADA-128

  • Page 1 DREAM ADA-128 Operations Manual ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.
  • Page 2 ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents General Information .......................... 6 Introduction ............................9 Explanation of Concepts........................11 Quick Start Guides ........................... 13 Quick Start AES3 .......................... 14 Quick Start ProTools ........................15 Applications ............................ 17 Analogue to / from AES Converter ....................17 Pro Tools | HDX ...........................
  • Page 4 Download Diagnostics......................82 Settings Page ........................84 Configurations Tab........................84 System Tab ..........................87 Alarms Page ......................... 90 Temperature Alarms ........................ 91 Information Page ......................... 91 Help Page ..........................91 Hardware Reference........................92 Considerations when fitting into a 19” rack ................. 92 Thermal Considerations ......................
  • Page 5 Power Specifications ........................118 Appendix A – List of Current Available I/O and Host modules ............119 Appendix B – List of third party Audio Interfaces with high numbers of AES I/O ......119 Appendix C – Pro Tools | HDX Software Controls ................120 Index ............................

  • Page 6: General Information

    General Information ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision History Date Author Comments 0.90 January 2023 S.G. Penn First draft 0.91 March 2023 D.S. Rowland Updated footer 0.92 March 2023 S.G. Penn v1.1.7.58871618 (incomplete) 0.95 April 2023 S.G. Penn v1.1.9.116769065 0.97 May 2023 S.
  • Page 7 DigiLink are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. For the avoidance of confusion, it should be noted that AVID does not endorse or approve use of Prism Sound products that are compatible with AVID products.
  • Page 8 ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 9: Introduction

    Revision 1.00 Introduction The Prism Sound ‘Dream’ ADA-128 is the latest in the acclaimed range of Prism Sound ‘Dream’ A/D and D/A professional audio converters which have become widely regarded as the world’s best sounding converters. Whilst continuing the tried and trusted ‘no compromise’ design philosophy of previous ‘Dream’...
  • Page 10 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 dynamically assigned to these Clock Domains, allowing multiple workflows (such as separate project studios or ingest stations) to simultaneously share the resources of a single ADA-128. SOUND APPLICATIONS Designed for a multitude of audio application. ADA-128 has the I/O, the tools and the sonic accuracy to be the converter of choice for Dolby Atmos, Mastering, Dubbing, Archiving, Mixing, Recording and Post.

  • Page 11: Explanation Of Concepts

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Explanation of Concepts. A ‘Dream’ ADA-128 can be configured with different numbers of I/O and Host modules in many different ways to suit your work. Settings, Configurations and Routings are controlled by using a front panel touch-screen display.
  • Page 12 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Control Panel, and in this manual, the functions of each I/O module are described in detail in the Modules section under ‘Inspect’ in the Software Reference chapter. Host Modules are for connection to computer based systems, such as Pro Tools | HD systems, Dante, Ethernet, Ravenna, or AES67 networks, a MADI interface, or some other form of computer interface, such as USB, Thunderbolt etc.

  • Page 13: Quick Start Guides

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Quick Start Guides Let’s get straight to it and start using the ‘Dream’ ADA-128. ADA-128 is very customisable and your particular work application may determine exactly how you need to set it up. We have separate ‘Quick Start’ guides based on the Host card you are using. You may have more than one Host card, but the Quick Start Guides should get you started with a simple setup.

  • Page 14: Quick Start Aes3

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Quick Start AES3 The AES I/O module is not strictly considered a ‘Host’ module; it’s an I/O module (but it can be inserted into a Host module slot). However, a valid way to set up the ‘Dream’ ADA-128 is with all Analogue Inputs and Outputs routed to and from AES Outputs and Inputs in order to provide high quality A/D and D/A conversion to a computer system using a digital interface card.

  • Page 15: Quick Start Protools

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Quick Start ProTools This brief quick start guide expects some familiarity with the Avid Pro Tools | HD software itself. 1. Take the ADA-128 out of its box. 2. Consider how to rack mount the ADA-128 unit (See ‘Thermal...
  • Page 16 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 11. So that the sample rate can be switched within the Pro Tools software, you should enable Pro Tools Remote Control – go to the Global Inspect page for the PTHDX module, and click Enabled.

  • Page 17: Applications

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Applications In the following section, we will discuss operation with individual Host modules in more detail than in the Quick Start guides, and this will link to still further information in the Software and Hardware Reference sections of the manual.

  • Page 18: Pro Tools | Hdx

    Inputs and Outputs for an Avid | Pro Tools system with a Pro Tools | HDX card. With this setup, Pro Tools users can enjoy the excellent sound quality of the Prism Sound ADA-128. ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.
  • Page 19 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Thunderbolt or PCIe? The Pro Tools | HDX PCIe card requires a computer with a PCIe slot. This may be a ‘desktop’ computer box with internal PCIe slots (i.e. an Apple Mac Pro, or a Windows desktop box).
  • Page 20 Pro Tools software as HD I/O units, allowing 16 channels of I/O per ‘Virtual Interface’/ HD I/O unit. For those that are familiar with earlier Prism Sound I/O units that supported Pro Tools connection, such as Atlas, Titan or ADA-8XR, the concept is similar. However, you can forget about the older regime of ‘Main’...
  • Page 21 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 You will want to check which Clock Domain (colour) the ‘HDX Host Module’ (Slot 17 in the example picture) is associated with, and that all the I/O modules you plan to use belong to that same Clock Domain.
  • Page 22 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 It’s recommended that you enable Pro Tools Remote Control. Without it being enabled, you would always have to set the synchronisation and the Sample Rate of the ADA-128 independently of the rest of the Pro Tools system and its software. Unless you only ever use a single sample rate, it’s quite an advantage to have the Sample Rate switch from the software.
  • Page 23 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 In the ADA-128’s Clocks and Synchronisation Pages you will need to nominate which (of several possible) Sync connectors you are using. In the ‘Domains’ page, select the Domain to which your ADA-128’s PTHDX module belongs, and from the Clock Source drop down selector, choose either ‘Internal’...
  • Page 24 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 While you’re here, you should take a look at the Ref Out tab, and check or set settings for the ADA- 128’s Sync Reference Output if you plan to use clock any other hardware units in the system from the ADA-128.
  • Page 25 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 At the left side is the list of the attached I/O units - ‘Peripherals’. Underneath there is a drop-down selector for ‘Clock Source’ There are two levels within this drop-down. You must first choose the HD I/O unit that you wish to be the ‘Loop Master’, and then in the secondary selector, you should choose its source of clock...
  • Page 26 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • No Sync cables are required. • Enabling Pro Tools Remote Control will ensure that ADA-128 changes sample rate automatically to follow the Pro Tools software. • Set the ADA-128 to Internal Clock, in the Clocks page/Domains/Selected Domain/Clock Source.
  • Page 27 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 more Inputs and Outputs on the Ref I/O multi-way D-Type connector on the back panel, close to the BNCs). Then, having made the connections for Loop Sync, you will need to set these up correctly in ADA- 128’s...
  • Page 28 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Analogue Line Up Levels The Input sensitivity and Output gain of your ADA-128 Analogue input and output modules may need to be adjusted to best match to the equipment it is connected to. The...
  • Page 29 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Pro Tools Connection Diagrams Here are a few examples of possible system connections. Note:- For the sake of simplicity, we have drawn the computer and Pro Tools | HDX interface as a laptop and HDX PCIe card. The HDX PCIe card may be inside a Thunderbolt Expansion Chassis, alternatively, the ‘laptop’...
  • Page 30 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Inside the Pro Tools software, in the Setup/Hardware page, the ADA-128 will show as 4 separate HD I/O units, each with 16 Inputs and 16 Outputs. This is because of the ADA-128’s emulation mode–...
  • Page 31 Note that the DigiLink connection to the ADA-128 is direct. The older HD I/O units (and also for instance Prism Sound Atlas, Titan and ADA-8XR) have ‘Primary’ and ‘Expansion’ ports which support daisy-chaining of the DigiLink connections, however newer ADA-128 and MTRX have two separate 32-channel DigiLink ports, with no support for daisy chaining.
  • Page 32 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Loop sync There needs to be a pair of Loop Sync cables – BNC to BNC – between the ADA-128 and the HD I/O – ADA-128 Loop Out to HD I/O Loop In; HD I/O Loop out to ADA-128 Loop In.

  • Page 33: Software Reference

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Software Reference Control panel / GUI The functions and configurations of the ‘Dream’ ADA-128 are set using either ... a) the touch display on the front panel of the unit or b) remote control inside a web browser by some other device – a computer, tablet or smart-phone –...
  • Page 34 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 (*The only features that are not available through the front panel are ‘maintenance’ features that require some sort of uploading or downloading of a file and need a remote computer to access the files –...
  • Page 35 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 How to find out the ADA-128’s IP address? You will need to know the ADA-128’s IP address in order to remote control it using a browser. 1. The ADA-128’s IP address is shown in the Status page within the Control Panel :- This shows the IP address itself and the address to be used in the browser (‘GUI’)
  • Page 36 (and so the device might find the ADA-128 more quickly) would be to type…. ‘dream128.local:2001’. The Remote Control display looks almost identical to the front panel screen, but is shown inside the browser with a black Prism Sound border. ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 37: Control Panel Pages

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Control Panel Pages Default screen The default screen is the Routing page. The icons along the bottom will take you to other pages for control of:- Routing – for making connections between I/O and Host modules Inspect –...

  • Page 38: The Routing Page

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The Routing Page Description The top half of the screen has two rows of 8 tiles to represent up to 16 I/O modules. These are numbered as per the slot numbers in the hardware unit.

  • Page 39: The Routing Procedure

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Note that some I/O modules are only Inputs (i.e., an Analogue Input or Microphone / Line module), some are only Outputs (i.e., an Analogue output module), and some are both Input and Output (i.e., AES module).
  • Page 40 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The Input selected is outlined. The outline of any other modules that can provide a viable routing link will flash in the same colour as the Input’s outline (orange in this case, which tells you the Input and the flashing modules are members of the first clock domain).
  • Page 41 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 In this case I am routing my AI (Analogue Input 1 module) to channels 1 to 8 of my HDX Host module. The prompt on the bottom bar changes to show the tick box in green and describes the routing you are about to confirm.
  • Page 42 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The bottom bar shows a new prompt. In this case pressing the pale orange “Clear” button on the right now will clear the routing. In this example HDX 1-8 is both an Output and an Input, and so you could continue to route HDX 1-8’s Input to another Output by clicking on a different Output tile.

  • Page 43: The Inspect Page

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The Inspect Page The Inspect Pages give you control of all the functions of each of the modules – i.e. levels, filters, digital formats and other features, and will also display full-sized audio meters for incoming and/or outgoing audio on those modules.
  • Page 44 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Selected Channels View In general, when you first open a module’s Inspect page, you will be offered global, module-wide settings to the right side of the channel meters. i.e. for an Analogue Line Input module….
  • Page 45 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Clicking on another channel will select the new channel ‘additively’ – i.e. the first channel remains selected. This way you can apply settings to multiple selected channels. Clicking on a selected channel deselects it. Selected channels are outlined in yellow and their ‘number’ button at the bottom is lit in yellow.
  • Page 46 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Clicking the magnifying glass at the bottom of the screen takes you back to the Inspect tile view to allow you to choose a different module. ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 47: I/O Modules

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 I/O Modules This section is under the ‘Inspect’ topic of the Software Control Panel, and describes all functions of each type of I/O module, so this is the best reference for the functions and parameters of those modules.
  • Page 48 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • Bottom right side - ‘Select All’ - used as described below to enable Selected Channels View. • Bottom right side - ‘Peak Hold’. • Above each PPM are five ‘LEDs’ displaying the current status of the settings for: Overkiller, High Pass Filter, Phase, Input Sensitivity and MS Decoding on that Input channel.
  • Page 49 ‘Overkiller’ button on the right side toggles the enabling/disabling of the function. The Prism Sound Overkiller is a progressive analogue peak-limiter which can be applied to any of the ADA-128’s analogue input channels. The Overkiller allows analogue input signals far above the normal maximum handling level of the A/D converter to be accommodated without causing the converter to clip.
  • Page 50 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 In these situations, the Prism Sound Overkiller acts in a uniquely progressive manner, which gives it unrivalled capacity to soak up large transient overloads without any noticeable distortion, whilst protecting the A/D converter from overmodulation.
  • Page 51 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 At the time of writing, the standard Analogue Input module allows for Input sensitivity settings between -6db and +24db. Trim settings are normally between plus and minus 0.5db (but when you’ve reached the limit in the Coarse setting, you’ll find you won’t be able to go any further in that direction with the Trim setting).
  • Page 52 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Analogue Output Module (AO) The Analogue Line Output Module provides eight electronically-balanced analogue output channels from each AO module, on a 25 way D-sub connector. Using standard cable looms this can be broken out to eight male XLR connectors.
  • Page 53 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Max Line Output Analogue Output modules allow the Analogue Output gain levels to be set as high as +24dBu, however running at levels higher than +18dBu requires an extra power supply to be switched on.
  • Page 54 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Peaks and Overloads will display momentarily (segments and OVL LEDs stay lit for about one second) unless ‘Peak Hold’ is enabled. To reset any held Peaks, numeric Peaks and OVLs, toggle the Peak Hold button off and back on.
  • Page 55 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The Coarse Trim value for each channel is displayed in the blue ‘LED’ at the top of each channel strip. If there is an additional Fine trim value, a tilde character ~ is displayed beside the number.
  • Page 56 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 AES In/Out Module (AES) The AES Input/Output Module provides eight channels of digital inputs and outputs on four AES3 carriers in each direction. A 25 way D-sub connector is used for connections. Using...
  • Page 57 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • Next, the Clock Domain the module belongs to and its Sample Rate is displayed in the colour associated with the Clock Domain.. • At the bottom right side a ‘Select All’ and a ‘Peak Hold’ button. ‘Select All’ works in the normal way to select all channels (and to then show the ‘Selected Channels View’...
  • Page 58 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • Above each PPM is a pink ‘LED’ displaying the current status of the Output Format setting. • Below that are numeric peak meters. • Above the meter segments are ‘OVL’ indicators for ‘Overloads’.
  • Page 59 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 AES Input Settings Available settings for AES inputs are:- High-pass filter The AES input channels have switchable high-pass 'impact filters', which roll off below 80Hz. These filters may be useful if, for example, external microphone pre-amplifiers without filters are used.
  • Page 60 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 (although SPDIF connections are more likely to require the correct impedance settings), but for full confidence you should set this correctly to match the digital source that is connected. MS Mode Each pair of AES input channels has a switchable MS matrix. This is intended for monitoring a pair of 'mid-side' microphones, where sum and difference signals from the two input channels are matrixed to create left and right stereo channels.
  • Page 61 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 AES Input Condition Indicator Above the channel strip number and below the PPM segments is a ‘LED’ which reports the condition of the digital carrier that is attached to that input (pair). The LED will be unlit if no error is reported.
  • Page 62 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 AES Output Settings Settings for AES Outputs can also only be changed for odd/even channel pairs (and if you change the setting on one channel, its odd/even partner will change too). Available settings are:- Channel Status Allows you to set the channel status and levels for the AES outputs to match with other equipment.
  • Page 63 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Mic Pre / Line input Module (MIC) Not released as of April 2023. ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 64: Host Modules

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Host Modules ProTools DigiLink I/O (HDX Host) The Pro Tools | HDX module is a Host module, and has pages within Inspect to give access to a number of settings. As with other modules, the Inspect pages also display audio metering for the audio channels sent to and returning from the Host computer.
  • Page 65 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Remote Control You should take great care over how the Pro Tools Remote Control setting is used. In normal usage, it should be Enabled, which allows the Pro Tools software to change some settings of the ADA-128 remotely.
  • Page 66 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Peak Hold As with other types of module, the ‘Peak Hold’ button enables the metering peak hold function on all 16 of the meters – a single segment of each meter remains lit to show the highest peak, and the numeric peak value in dBFs is shown at the top of the meter.
  • Page 67 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Emulation Format In order to be seen and to be controlled by the Pro Tools software, the ADA-128 must emulate standard Pro Tools | HD I/O hardware units. The ADA-128 normally emulates Pro Tools | HD I/O units with 16 channels of Input and Output.
  • Page 68 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Multiple Pro Tools | HDX PCIe cards (up to a maximum of 3) can be used to give you 6 x DigiLink ports and up to 192 channels of I/O (i.e. 32 x 6). Therefore you could connect up to 3 x fully loaded ADA-128s to a Pro Tools | HDX Core system.
  • Page 69 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 and the 16x16 Digital emulation looks like this :- 2. The delay through the I/O – Analogue interfaces have an increased delay (for the Analogue conversion stage). If you configure your ADA-128’s channel routing so that Analogue modules route to & from an ‘Interface’...
  • Page 70 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 and 2 x Analogue Output modules (112 In, 16 Out), the first PTHDX module may handle 64 inputs and 16 outs, and the second would handle the remaining 48 channels (other splits of channels may be desirable and would be possible).
  • Page 71 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Dante Host Module (Dante) Coming soon. ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 72: Clocks & Synchronisation Page

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Clocks & Synchronisation Page The ‘Clock’ icon on the bottom of the Control Panel allows control over the clock domains. The ADA-128 system allows for four independently synchronised clock domains. The Clocks page has a bar across the top with buttons to allow you to select from four sub-pages:- •...
  • Page 73 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Each of the four Clock Domains has settings for: - a) Clock Source. b) Base Rate – ‘Follow External’, 44100, 48000 (‘Follow External’ is only available when the Clock Source is set to an External source).
  • Page 74 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Note that extra options may be available and can be shown by moving the scroll bar on the right side (or rolling a mouse wheel if you are using computer remote control). Click on the desired option and press Confirm to continue, at which point you will see a confirmation screen..
  • Page 75 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Clock Source This is a ‘drop-down’ selector. The options offered for the Clock Source for a domain depend on which options are fitted and also which modules are assigned to the domain. Options may be:- Internal –...
  • Page 76 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Sample Rates The ADA-128 Sample Rate is expressed by a combination of ‘Base Rate’ and ‘Multiplier’. Standard Sample rates in professional use are usually a multiple of 44100Hz or 48000Hz. (Multiples of 32000Hz do exist, although ADA-128 does not currently support them).

  • Page 77: Modules Tab

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Modules Tab The Modules Tab has the four coloured tiles for each of the four Clock Domains shown along the top of the tab. Pressing one of those shows 20 ‘slots’ – one for each of the possible I/O modules – 16 I/O, and the last column of 4 slots is for Host modules.

  • Page 78: Ref In Tab

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Ref In Tab The Ref In tab shows the status of each of the Sync Reference Input connections in the Sync Connections block at the rear of the ADA-128 unit – Word Clock In and DARS In connections.
  • Page 79 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The Domains tab will display the measured Sample Rate and deviation when domains are locked to an external clock source i.e.:- The Termination selector allows you to enable or disable the 75 ohm termination on Word Clock inputs.

  • Page 80: Ref Out Tab

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Ref Out Tab The Ref Out Tab shows settings for the Sync Reference Output Connectors in the Sync Connections block at the rear of the ADA-128 – for Word Clock or DARS Outputs.

  • Page 81: Status Page

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Status Page The Status or ‘Health’ page displays some details about the condition of the ADA-128 hardware. In the example above you can see that the temperature of all the fitted I/O and Host modules is reported, along with the temperature of the Mainboards, and the CPU.

  • Page 82: Download Diagnostics

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 In practice this means that in a recommended rack installation (open frame 19" rack, 1U free space above and below ADA-128, no significant heat generating components top or bottom) a fully populated unit should remain fanless to around a 30'C ambient temperature. Less populated units will have a larger fanless operating temperature range.
  • Page 83 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The time is expressed as a single number for year, month, date, time – i.e. 20230529102322 is logged at 10:23am (and 22 seconds) on 29 May 2023. ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 84: Settings Page

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Settings Page The ADA-128 can save and load its full configuration to files so that the unit can be quickly set up for an application. The Settings page is the area for loading, saving and managing those configurations.
  • Page 85 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 When the ADA-128 is being controlled from a networked device, Configurations may also be uploaded and downloaded via the browser control panel to/from the ADA-128 using files on any computer disks that the device can see. This also provides a means of backing up any Configurations in the ADA-128’s own memory, and reloading Configurations from computer files.
  • Page 86 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Delete Configuration allows you to delete an existing Configuration – obviously be very careful, there is no way to get the Configuration back, unless you have previously backed it up to a computer disk using the Download Configurations function.

  • Page 87: System Tab

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 System Tab The System Tab has four sections:- • Date/Time • System • Network • Interface Date/Time Section of System Tab Displays the ADA-128’s time setting and allows you to update it – press EDIT to change the time and date.
  • Page 88 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Pressing the EDIT button shows a dialogue box which allows you to change the Network settings. The default is for DHCP, whereby the ADA-128 allows it’s IP address to be dynamically allocated by the network.
  • Page 89 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Interface Section of System Tab The Interface section includes user settings for certain parameters: - Meter OVL Threshold – sets the threshold, above which the LEDs light up on all of the Inspect pages’...

  • Page 90: Alarms Page

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Alarms Page The Alarms page can display any errors that are reported – for instance digital audio sync issues, and any components that may be running too warm. Alarms are described with three levels of severity. Red is HIGH, Orange is MEDIUM, and Yellow is LOW.

  • Page 91: Temperature Alarms

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Temperature Alarms When the temperature of certain components exceeds allowed thresholds, a High priority red alarm will display. The threshold values are as follows:- For I/O or Host Modules, the threshold is 80’C.

  • Page 92: Hardware Reference

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Hardware Reference Considerations when fitting into a 19” rack The ‘Dream’ ADA-128 chassis is a 2U 19” rack unit. Rack ears are part of the chassis as standard, and you will need 4 rack bolts to fix it into a 19” housing. The ADA-128 is 31cms/12 ¼ inches deep from the rack fixings to the rear, but you will also need plenty of room for connections.

  • Page 93: To Fit A New Module

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The rear of the rack has 8 apertures for the I/O modules, and so a fully loaded rack will require the I/O modules to be paired. The four Host Module slots each take a single module.
  • Page 94 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 There are 5 off M3x8mm pan head screws along the top edge of the rear of the rack, and one on each side at the rear:- And 4 more M3x8mm countersunk screws along the front of the top panel:- Remove any slot blanking panels –...
  • Page 95 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 When handling any ADA-128 modules be sure to take anti-static precautions. Always properly ground yourself. The modules will come in an anti-static bag. Keep them in the bag until inserting them into the rack.
  • Page 96 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Step 3 – Carefully but firmly press the module down into the slot. You may find it easiest to ‘rock’ it slightly as you push – with your fingers on top of the module, but close to the ends of the card slot in the motherboard, push one end down a little and then the other.

  • Page 97: D-Type Connection Pin-Outs

    Step 5 – replace the lid and secure it with the screws, and replace the ADA-128 into its rack unit. D-type connection pin-outs. Connections for Analogue and AES audio are on 25-way D-Type multi-pin connectors. Prism Sound can supply cable looms which break the channels out to individual XLR connectors. The pin-outs are in the standard Tascam format.
  • Page 98 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Channel 8 hot Channel 8 cold Channel 8 ground Channel 7 hot Channel 7 cold Channel 7 ground Channel 6 hot Channel 6 cold Channel 6 ground Channel 5 hot Channel 5 cold...
  • Page 99 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 REF I/O The REF I/O connector is a female 9-way D-Type multi-pin connector positioned on the Sync Connections block at the rear of the unit. A suitable break out cable can be ordered.

  • Page 100: Power Inlet And Power Switch

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Power Inlet and Power Switch At the rear of the rack unit on the left side, there is a power on/off switch, and below that a standard IEC inlet for plugging into the AC mains. Between the switch and the inlet is a flap that holds the fuse.

  • Page 101: Sync Connections Block

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Sync Connections Block In order to support the four independent clock domains of the ‘Dream’ ADA-128, a number of connections for possible clock sources and sync outputs are provided. To the right of the power inlet...

  • Page 102: Ref I/O

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Ref I/O is a proprietary pin-out 9 pin connector. An optional 9 pin multi clock lead is available for this which will give extra sync connections for: - 1. BNC Word Clock Input 2 2.
  • Page 103 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 104: Firmware Updates

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Firmware updates From time to time firmware updates may be available for the ADA-128. Check with the prismsound.com website periodically. To update the firmware, you must have a remote connection via a browser and thus the ADA-128 must be connected to the same network as the computer that you plan to use for the firmware upgrade.
  • Page 105 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • In the dialogue box that follows, …..press ‘Select .bin firmware file’ • Navigate on the computer to where you downloaded the firmware file. It is likely to be called something like ‘ADA128-update-tag_v1.1.9.116769065.bin’. Click on the file and press the Open button.
  • Page 106 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • The details, date, version etc. of the firmware file will be displayed. Note that the ‘Installed Version’ is also displayed – check that the new firmware is what you expect – i.e. usually newer than the installed version.
  • Page 107 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • Once the firmware upload has completed, a new page will appear:- • The ADA-128 unit will restart, showing the ‘whirly wheel’ and ‘Please Wait’ - it usually takes a little less than a minute. (The reconnect may happen automatically).

  • Page 108: Troubleshooting

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Troubleshooting Browser Issues If you are having trouble connecting to the ‘Dream’ ADA-128 using a browser, first check …. 1. The ADA-128 is connected to the network using a wired connection. 2. The computer you are using is connected to the same network.

  • Page 109: Technical Topics

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Technical Topics Clocking and Jitter Good clock stability is probably the single most important issue separating good-quality analogue interfaces from the rest. With the linearity of modern A/D and D/A converter chips beginning to rival and exceed the performance of the best analogue circuits, digital recordings would already be ‘beyond reproach’...
  • Page 110 Prism Sound's unique CleverClox technology breaks these traditional constraints, allowing a low jitter clock to be re-created from any reference sync, no matter how much jitter it has and no matter what its frequency.
  • Page 111 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Listening experience In practice, it seems that the benefits of careful clock design are very apparent in listening tests. On the other hand, it can sometimes be difficult to expose the shortcomings of converters with poor clocks, because these units often have other analogue problems whose severity might obscure jitter- related effects.

  • Page 112: Overkiller

    Overkiller The Prism Sound Overkiller is a progressive analogue peak-limiter which can be applied to any of the ADA-128’s analogue input channels, so long as a suitably-equipped Analogue Input Module is fitted.

  • Page 113: Specifications

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Specifications ‘Dream’ ADA-128 Chassis Specifications Form Factor: 2U rack mountable. Front Panel: Power/standby button, 5” touch TFT control panel. Rear Panel: 16 I/O Module slots (1-16), 4 Host Module or I/O Module slots (17-...

  • Page 114: Dream' Ada-128 I/O Modules

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 ‘Dream’ ADA-128 I/O Modules Analogue 8 Channel Line Input A/D Module Note: - Unless otherwise noted: specifications apply at fs = 48kHz and 18dBu line-up setting, balanced operation; residuals are band-limited 20Hz..20kHz and are quoted rms unweighted.
  • Page 115 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 -3dB at 38k4 (fs=88k2) -3db at 41k6 (fs=96k0) -3db at 75k6 (fs=176k4) -3db at 81k5 (fs=192k0) CMRR: >80dB at 50Hz, >63dB at 15kHz Cross talk (any port pair): <-130dB (50Hz) <-112dB (15kHz) Inter-channel phase: +/-0.03°(10Hz –...
  • Page 116 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Dynamic Range: 123dB (residual at -60dBFS), 125dB with A-weighting filter. Idle channel noise: -123dBFS Gain accuracy: +/-0.05dB LF roll-off (wrt 997Hz): -0.1dB at 20Hz, -3dB at 1.25Hz HF roll-off (wrt 997Hz): - -0.1dB at 20Hz...
  • Page 117 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The functions and settings available on each of the I/O modules are described in the I/O Modules section of the Software Reference. ©2021-2023 Audio Squadron Ltd.

  • Page 118: Dream' Ada-128 Host Modules

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 ‘Dream’ ADA-128 Host Modules Pro Tools HDX Host module Configuration: 64 directly-connected Pro Tools | HD I/O ports. Connection: 2x DigiLink Mini connectors, each carrying 32 I/O ports. Supported Sample rates: 44.1kHz. 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz.

  • Page 119: Appendix A - List Of Current Available I/O And Host Modules

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The ‘Dream’ ADA-128’s power supply can operate using mains voltages between 90 and 260 Volts A.C. at 50 or 60Hz. Consumption is 50 watts. Therefore, nothing needs to be changed if you are running from i.e., U.S. or European mains.

  • Page 120: Appendix C - Pro Tools | Hdx Software Controls

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 ..to convert the MADI streams to standard AES3 for connection to the ADA-128. • RME also make the Digiface USB Digiface USB - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio &...
  • Page 121 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Limiter / Soft Clip (or Curv) – is not supported. The Overkiller feature can be enabled /disabled per channel in the ADA-128’s Analogue Input module’s Inspect page. I/O port routing is not supported.

  • Page 122: Index

    Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Index Configurations, 84 CPU Module, 102 AES In/Out Module, 56 AES Input Condition Indicator, 61 AES Input Settings, 59 DARS, 75 AES Output Settings, 62 Date, 87 AES3, 62 Date/Time, 87 AES3id, 62...
  • Page 123 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Hold, 48, 53, 58, 66 Host Modules, 12, 118 OK, 49, 50 HP, 50 Output Gain, 54 HPF, 50, 59 Overkiller, 49, 112 OVL, 89 I/O modules, 11 I/O Modules, 47 PCIe Expansion Chassis, 19...
  • Page 124 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Statements of conformity, 6 Status, 81 ULOK, 61 Support, 6 Unit, 71 Sync Connections, 101 Update Synchronisation, 72 Firmware, 104 with Pro Tools, 21 Upload Configurations, 86 System, 87 System Settings, 87 Vinyl decks, 50, 59...

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