Prism Sound Overkiller; Sample-Rate Conversion And Prism Sound Ssrc - Prism Sound ADA-8XR Operation Manual

Multi-channel a/d d/a converter

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Prism Sound ADA-8XR Multi-channel A/D D/A Converter

Operation Manual - Revision 1.00

7.5 Prism Sound Overkiller

The Prism Sound Overkiller is a progressive analogue peak-limiter which can be applied to

any of the ADA-8XR's analogue input channels, so long as a suitably-equipped Analogue

Input Module is fitted. 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. This is done in a gentle and progressive manner so that distortion is as

inaudible as possible.

This is useful in certain situations. For example, it may be desirable for a digital recording to

be made 'louder' than would be possible if its loudest transients had to be accurately

represented on the digital medium. Or where the dynamic range of the recording medium is

limited, and perhaps levels are not easily controlled, such as when recording a live

performance onto DAT.

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.

There is no need for the Overkillers' thresholds to be manually adjusted; the ADA-8XR's

software automatically adjusts the thresholds according to the selected analogue line-up level

and trim.

Sample-rate converters have a bad name amongst audio engineers. They are regarded as

sounding so bad that it is often preferred to rate-convert through analogue using good quality

D/A and A/D converters.

The Prism Sound Synchronous Sample Rate Converter (SSRC) brings new quality to the rate

conversion process. The plot below shows a 997Hz tone at –1dBFS being converted from

96kHz sample rate to 44.1kHz sample rate by Prism Sound SSRC in the ADA-8XR:

Page 1.34

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