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sample rates, indicating the fraction of a second it takes to settle to the new rate. This is normal).
NOTE: When using the ADAT Input as a sync source, the maximum sample rate is limited to about
50KHz.
Dither settings
The DIGITAL MPA II possesses a 24-bit A/D converter. When the output of the unit goes off to a
system that can handle only 16 bit data, the 8 least significant bits of data are ignored (truncated).
This leaves the sound with gritty “digital” sounding signals at very low levels. Setting the Sample Rate
selector to 16 bit adds a dither component that when truncated replaces this with a more musical
sound as the levels trail off into the noise floor.
Generally, keep the unit in 24-bit mode unless you are connected to a system that will truncate the
signal to 16 bits. The 24-bit mode has significantly greater dynamic range.
Optical switch
The optical output jack of the DIGITAL MPA II can have one of two formats. When this switch is
depressed AND lit blue, this jack will output 8 channels of ADAT.
(ADAT cannot be output if the
sample rate exceeds 48KHZ. In this case the switch cap will NOT be illuminated, and the output
format will revert to 2-channel mode (TOSLINK).
When ADAT output is active, The left channel of the
DIGITAL MPA II is output on CH1, the right channel of the DIGITAL MPA II is CH2, and the rest of the
channels consist of data received from the ADAT Input jack.
When the switch is in the OUT position OR the switch cap is not lit, the output consists of two chan-
nels of digital audio in the format selected by the Sample Rate Switch.
The Lighting of the optical switch cap serves a second function. If it is blinking, there is a timing
problem in the digital section. This usually happens when there is not a valid external timing input
selected.
