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 Quick Start Dante ........................17 Applications ............................ 19 Analogue to / from AES Converter ....................19 Pro Tools | HDX ...........................
Page 4 Modules Tab .......................... 104 Ref In Tab ..........................105 Ref Out Tab ........................... 107 Status Page ........................108 Automatic Fan Controller ....................... 108 Download Diagnostics......................109 Settings Page ........................111 Configurations Tab......................... 111 System Tab ..........................114 Alarms Page ........................118 Temperature Alarms ......................
Page 5 Specifications ..........................140 ‘Dream’ ADA-128 Chassis Specifications ..................140 ‘Dream’ ADA-128 I/O Modules ....................141 ‘Dream’ ADA-128 Host Modules ....................145 Supported Sample rates ......................145 Power Specifications ........................145 Appendix A – List of Current Available I/O and Host modules ............146 Appendix B –...
Page 6: General Information
General Information ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision History Date Author Comments 0.90 January 2023 S.G. Penn First draft 0.97 May 2023 S.G. Penn v1.1.12 0.99 29th August 2023 S.G. Penn v1.1.21 1.00 September 2023 S.G. Penn v1.2.0 firmware 1.12 November 2023 S.G.
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 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 applications. 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. If you have any new modules that need to be fitted, follow the Module Fitting Guide.
Page 16 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 12. 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: Quick Start Dante
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Quick Start Dante Dante is a system for connecting between digital audio equipment using standard network cables and infrastructure. This quick-start description expects knowledge of the concepts of Dante. Further detail, and discussion of which other equipment and software may be required to configure a...
Page 18 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 regional power variations. Switch the ADA-128 on at the rear of the unit. Watch the display start up – it takes a few seconds. 10. Set up the remote control if required (See ‘Remote Control over network using a...
Page 19: Applications
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Applications In the following section, we will discuss how to get started, and operations 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 20: 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. ©2021-2024 Audio Squadron Ltd.
Page 21 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 22 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 23 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 24 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 25 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 26 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 For instance, if you are running a Loop Sync regime, you will want to set your chosen WCK Out connector to belong to your PTHDX’s Clock Domain, and also to make sure its Sample Rate is set to the ‘Base’...
Page 27 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 28 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 29 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 30 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 31 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 32 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 33 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 34 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 35: Dante
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Dante Introduction Dante is an Audio-over-IP system developed by Audinate which allows Dante-enabled equipment to be connected using network cables and through standard gigabit network switches, with the ability to control all routings between devices by software.
Page 36 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Setting up ADA-128 with the Dante network We’ll start by describing the steps you need to take to connect a single computer to an ADA-128 for recording & playback. I appreciate that most Dante applications for the ADA-128 will be considerably more complex, and some aspects (particularly the network connections and management) will need much more attention in a larger installation.
Page 37 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS) Dante Virtual Soundcard is a software package supplied by Audinate for Mac and Windows computers that provides an audio driver (as either ASIO, WDM or Core Audio) which most DAW software packages can use for their audio I/O.
Page 38 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Focusrite RedNet PCIeNX card - RedNet PCIeNX | Focusrite is the latest card – 128 channels in and 128 out at 192K. Marian Clara E - Clara E – MARIAN GmbH – 512 channels in and 512 out at 48k up to 128 channels in and 128 out at 192K.
Page 39 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 routed all the Inputs you require. If your scenario requires you to route the outputs as well, similarly, clicking on an 8 channel block of the Dante Host module, followed by an Output module and then OK, routes audio from the Dante network to the ADA-128 outputs.
Page 40 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Select the computer’s network port. If you are using a Dante audio interface other than DVS, only the Audio interface and ADA-128 are on the network, and so, in order to use Dante Controller, you will need to connect the computer to this network, and adding a third device to this small ‘network’...
Page 41 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 (You may need to press the ‘Reload Device Information’ button to update the view of all the devices on the network). In my example I have a single ADA-128 (with serial number and slot number of the Dante module in its description) plus ‘DESKTOP-TVMMND6’...
Page 42 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 and ‘Slave’. In some software those terms are retained, and so this manual may use both. They mean the same. Dante Routings Routing connections in Dante are called ‘Subscriptions’. You will now need to make subscriptions in the Dante network between the DVS driver and the ADA- 128.
Page 43 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 In the grid as shown partially above, click on the cross-point in the grid between ADA-128 TX 01 and DVS RX 01. Each of these cross-points in the grid is a Subscription. You will initially see an hourglass icon, as the Dante network ‘thinks’ about the subscription, and then this will change to a green tick as in the picture above.
Page 44 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Which will route the DVS playback to ADA-128 outputs. Having already made the routings within the ADA-128 control panel, if audio is playing from the DAW, in the ADA-128’s Routing Page, you should now see it on the ADA-128’s Output meters (blue).
Page 45 Of course, if you add further devices to your Dante network, your network connection is no longer one-to-one and so you will probably require a network switch / router. This example shows a Prism Sound Atlas (PS-Dante-010051) being used for monitoring (with the ADA-128’s Input subscriptions hidden behind a single green tick against the DVS RX.)
Page 46 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Expanding the Dante Network Of course, this first example above is very much the simplest possibility. In the last section we expanded it slightly to add a second audio I/O unit, but more often you would use Dante to allow audio routings through an entire facility and across a much wider area involving more Dante-enabled equipment than merely a couple of audio devices.
Page 47 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 For best Dante operation, it’s recommended that a network switch should have the following features:- • Gigabit (1000 Mbps) • Managed • Non-blocking • Quality of Service (QoS) • The ability to disable Energy Efficient Ethernet, "EEE", Green Ethernet, 802.3az...
Page 48 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Clocking & Synchronisation under Dante It has been mentioned earlier that devices on the Dante network must be synchronised, and that the usual (and simplest) method is to synchronise them automatically via the Dante network.
Page 49 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Near the top of the right side is a button – Preferred Leader – which can be enabled or disabled. An ADA-128 clock domain can be used to provide clock synchronization to the Dante network, or alternatively an ADA-128 clock domain can be synchronized to the recovered clock from a Dante module.
Page 50 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 More about Dante Controller As has been suggested earlier, the Dante Controller software gives you control of the majority of the Dante settings parameters for all your Dante devices, as well as control over the Routings / Subscriptions that connect your devices through the network.
Page 51 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 stops working for any reason (i.e. because of a broken cable or some other equipment in the path) audio will not stop flowing. That’s why ADA-128’s Dante Host module includes two connections for network cables – marked ‘Primary’...
Page 52: 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 53 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 54 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 55 (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. ©2021-2024 Audio Squadron Ltd.
Page 56: 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 57 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 module’s Inspect page. A ‘long’ press can be with a mouse or a finger on a tablet, or a finger in the front panel display - just hold the button/finger down and don’t release it until the Inspect screen appears.
Page 58: 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 59: 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 60 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 2. Press the tile for the Input (an Input must always be chosen first otherwise an error will be shown). 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...
Page 61 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 62 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Note that you can clear a routing by pressing the Output in question … 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 63: Clock Domains
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Clock domains Tiles must be associated with the same clock domain in order to complete a routing – notice that when you are selecting the Output tile to complete the routing, those that are viable for selection will flash in the clock domain’s colour.
Page 64: 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 65 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 66 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 67 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. Channel & Module Names By default channels are numbered at the bottom of each meter strip – usually 1 to 8. And in the Inspect page, each module has a descriptive name –...
Page 68 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The main Inspect page (showing a box for all modules) will only show 10 characters of the module’s name. The module name will also show in the Routing Page, but additions characters are lost in order to display the Module’s number.
Page 69: 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 70 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 71 ‘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 72 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 73 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 74 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 XLR plug connectors.
Page 75 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 76 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 77 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 78 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 79 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • Below that on the right side are buttons for Input and Output – this allows you to toggle the view to show the settings for the Output side of the AES module (and back to Input..) which has a similar layout.
Page 80 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 • 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’ and the individual channel controls).
Page 81 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 82 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 83 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 84 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 85 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Mic Pre / Line input Module (MIC) Not released as of October 2023. ©2021-2024 Audio Squadron Ltd.
Page 86: 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 87 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 88 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Interface 1 (and 2,3,4) The other four tabs show the meters for each of the audio channels (Inputs and Outputs), and a control for Emulation Format. At the top of these pages is noted the slot number and type of module – i.e. Slot H1, Pro Tools | HDX in this case.
Page 89 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The ‘OVL’ LEDs will light in red (and the text ‘OVL’ becomes brighter) when it is detected that the Output level has passed the ‘Meter Overload threshold’. This threshold is a user setting, which can be set between -0.5db and 0db in the...
Page 90 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 For each of an ADA-128’s four ‘Interfaces’ you can choose which type of Pro Tools | HD I/O unit it is emulating, by switching the ‘Analogue’ and ‘Digital’ buttons (the selected one is lit in orange): •...
Page 91 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 which emulates a ‘Digital’ HD I/O, then any delays calculated by the Pro Tools software will be correct. The consequences of ill-matched emulations are perhaps not so serious. Audio will still pass and...
Page 92 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Dante Host Module (Dante) The Dante 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 93 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Then there are two controls for ‘Sample Rate’ and ‘Pull Up/Down’ which allows you to change these directly in the Dante Inspect page without moving to the Clocks page. Along the bottom of the Module Settings page are four displays reporting:- Product Version reports the version of the Dante Host module.
Page 94 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 When you press the button to lock ADA-128, you are asked to create a 4 digit PIN. When the ADA-128’s Dante settings are locked, its name will show in red in the routing page : to show that the routings cannot be changed.
Page 95 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Clear Configuration Just above is a red button Dante settings, routings/subscriptions, multicast flows, and pretty much everything you can see in Dante Controller and its Device View relating to the ADA-128 are all stored within the ADA-128’s Dante Host module.
Page 96 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Primary & Secondary Ports The larger area at the top left of the Module tab shows the status of each of the Dante Host module’s network ports along with their network configuration. This is a report only. These details can also be viewed, and some parameters changed, inside Dante Controller’s Device View for the ADA-128.
Page 97 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 CH 1-16 Tab (and CH 17-32, CH 33–48 and CH 49–64) The other four tabs show the meters for each of the audio channels (Inputs and Outputs) of this Dante Host module At the top of these pages are noted the slot number, type of module, and its Dante Identification –...
Page 98 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 show the Input is over -6db. Peak Hold is enabled when the button is Red. Input and Output meters both have Peak Hold displays. To ‘release’ the peak hold and reset the numeric value, toggle the Peak Hold button off then on again.
Page 99: 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 100 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Each of the four Clock Domains has settings for: - a) Clock Source. b) Sample Rate – ‘Follow Clock’, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, or 192kHz. (‘Follow Clock’ is only available when the Clock Source is set to an External source).
Page 101 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 a computer remote control).
Page 102 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 103 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Host Modules – if a host module can be used as the Clock Source and is a member of the domain it will appear in the list of possible Clock Sources. Dante modules may be used as a Clock Source. If you choose a Dante module, you will be clocking the ADA-128 from the Dante network.
Page 104: 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 105: 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 106 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 For instance, the Clock Domain may run at 96KHz with a Sync Source at 48KHz. Similarly, a different base rate is acceptable – i.e. the Clock Domain at 48KHz with a Clock Source at 44.1KHz (or vice versa).
Page 107: 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 108: 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 109: 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 110 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. ©2021-2024 Audio Squadron Ltd.
Page 111: 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 112 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 113 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 114: System Tab
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 In addition, when editing i.e. a name field, on the ADA128’s own touch display, you are offered buttons for Cancel, Clear, Confirm, and two arrow buttons. The arrows move the edit cursor left and right.
Page 115 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 System Section of System Tab Offers an ‘UPDATE FIRMWARE’ button and displays the currently loaded version of the firmware. To update the firmware you will need to be using a Remote Control (in order to be able to upload the firmware file itself).
Page 116 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 http://dream128:2001/ into a browser may find the ADA-128, and in that situation, assigning a Static IP address may not be necessary. You should power cycle the ADA-128 after changing the Hostname field, to make sure the network’s DNS refreshes.
Page 118: 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 119: Temperature Alarms
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 The sort buttons allow you to sort the list by Severity, Date and Module. Medium (Orange) alarms cover situations like … Clock invalid/disconnected/drifted significantly, or Digital Input asynchronous with respect to the clock domain.
Page 120: 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 121: 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 122 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 123 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 124 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 125: D-Type Connector Pin-Outs
Step 5 – replace the lid and secure it with the screws, and replace the ADA-128 into its rack unit. D-type connector 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 126 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 127 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 REF I/O The REF I/O connector is a 9-way D-Type multi-pin socket connector positioned on the Sync Connections block at the rear of the unit. A suitable breakout cable can be ordered. The sync connections which appear on this connector are software configurable, and so you may need to check how your unit has been configured before making your own cable.
Page 128: 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 129: 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 130: 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 131: 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 132 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 133 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. (You will be warned if it’s detected that the firmware you have chosen is older or newer than the version currently installed).
Page 134 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 135: 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 that …. 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 136: 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 137 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 138 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 139: 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 140: 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 141: 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 142 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 143 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 144 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. ©2021-2024 Audio Squadron Ltd.
Page 145: 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 146: 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 147: Appendix C - Pro Tools | Hdx Software Controls
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 be connected to the computer by a variety of methods – PCIE, USB, USB3. Then you can use their ADI-6432 box ADI-6432/ADI-6432R - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions (rme-audio.com) ...to convert the MADI streams to standard AES3 for connection to the ADA-128.
Page 148 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 149: Appendix D - Control By Third-Party Controllers
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Appendix D – Control by Third-Party Controllers From software release v1.2.0, the ADA-128 supports remote control by third party controllers using WebSocket commands. The first command implemented is for …. Loading ADA-128 Routings This may be useful for quick loading of routing setups for different studio requirements.
Page 150 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 For this example, you are expected to have saved a configuration which contains the particular routings you wish to load. See Configurations above for details. 2. Download and install Bitfocus Companion from their website https://bitfocus.io/companion...
Page 151 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 6. Clicking again on the ‘ADA-128’ connection will show this in the Edit Connection tab… ©2021-2024 Audio Squadron Ltd.
Page 152 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 7. Now click on the Buttons tab. Click on the button in the grid that you wish to add, and press Create Button. Name the button in Button Text String. Then, in Press Actions, type ADA-128, and (as long as the ADA-128 is live and connected to the same network), you will be offered ADA-128 Send Generic Command.
Page 153 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 10. You may wish to set up a hardware surface. Bitfocus Companion will search for surfaces in the Surfaces tab. In Surfaces you can also Add Emulator, give it a name, then when you click on the Emulator button at the side, and click on the name you gave it, you’ll see a Virtual...
Page 154: Index
Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Index Delete, 113 Download, 113 Load, 112 10Mhz off-air/atomic clock, 102, 105 Rename, 112 Save, 112 Upload, 113 AES In/Out Module, 78 Configurations, 111 AES Input Condition Indicator, 83 Controllers, 149 AES Input Settings, 81...
Page 155 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 DVS, 37 keyboard, 113 Emulation Format, 89 Pro Tools, 88 Last Reboot, 114 Emulation Mode Latency, 136 Pro Tools, 89 Load Configs, 111, 112 Load Configurations, 112 Long press, 56 Fanless, 108 Long Press, 59, 64...
Page 156 Prism Sound ADA-128 Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Pull Up / Down, 103 Statements of conformity, 6 Status, 108 Stream Deck, 149 Subscriptions, 42 Quick Access to Inspect, 56, 59, 64 Support, 6 Quick Start Sync Connections, 129 AES3, 14 Synchronisation, 99...

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