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All digital interfaces of the A32pro series can be operated in sample rates up to 192kHz.
The number of channels that can be used depends on the sample rate used.
Digital Interfaces
A32pro Series Manual: Digital Interfaces
MADI I/O (64x64@24Bit/48k)
In its original format, the MADI protocol
could transmit 56x56 channels in 24Bit
and a maximum of 48kHz with the
possibility of adjusting the speed by +/-
12.5% (Varispeed). This format was
called "short frame" or
called AES10-1991. Later, the protocol
was extended by a "full frame" mode,
which had no Varispeed and was able to
transmit 64x64 channels. The usual
limitations on the number of channels
at higher sample rates apply:
SMUX/1 (up to 48k): 64x64 channels
SMUX/2 (up to 96k): 32x32 channels
SMUX/4 (up to 192k): 16x16 channels
The two SFP slots for the MADI modules
work as specified in the MADI menu. If
the priority is set, it is determined from
which module to switch to the other in
case of signal failure.
ADAT I/O (32x32@24Bit/48k)
The ADAT format is able to transmit a
maximum of 8 channels at 24 bits at up
to 48 kHz. For this purpose, plastic fibre
optic cables with TOSLINK plugs and
sockets are used for transmission. The
maximum cable length is between 3 and
5m, depending on the quality of the
cable. The units of the A32pro series are
equipped with 4 pairs of optical I/O ADAT
sockets to transmit all 32x32 channels at
single sample rates (SMUX/1).
At higher sample rates, the number of
available channels is as follows:
SMUX/1 (up to 48k): 32x32 channels
SMUX/2 (up to 96k):16x16 channels
SMUX/4 (up to192k): 8x8 channels
We recommend using MADI or DANTE*
for SMUX/4 operation due to the higher
number of channels.
DANTE I/O* (64x64@32Bit/48k)
The A32pro Dante is equipped with a
Dante Brooklyn board from Audinate.
With higher sample rates, the number of
channels to be transmitted is also
reduced with Dante. Thus, at double
sample rates (SMUX/2: 88.2 and 96kHz),
32x32 channels are still transmitted and
at quad sample rates (SMUX/4: 176.4
and 192kHz), 16x16 channels are still
transmitted. Only with the Dante format
it is possible to send and receive audio
streams with 32 Bits. Furthermore,
thanks to the two network sockets, the
Dante interface offers redundancy
connectivity, which automatically and
inaudibly switches to the other network
in the event of a failure of one Dante
network (regardless of whether PRI or
SEC). This switchover is automatic.
The configuration of the Dante board is
done via the "Dante Controller" app
from Audinate.
Single sample rates are transmitted by all digital interfaces of the devices of the A32pro series without limitation of the
number of channels. This range refers to sample rates up to 48kHz and is also called SMUX/1 or "Single Speed", as here the
data is transmitted via the audio channels in a simple configuration. SMUX/2 operation (also called "Double Speed")
describes the sample rate range up to 96kHz. Here, the number of channels is halved for all digital interfaces of the A32pro
series, since (mostly for reasons of limited bandwidth) two channels are used to transmit the channel in 96kHz. The
method used to bundle several channels to transmit an audio channel at higher sample rates is called "Signal
Multiplexing" (SMUX for short). SMUX/4 operation (also called "Quad Speed") describes the range up to 192kHz. Here, the
number of channels is halved again in relation to SMUX/2 (up to 96kHz) operation, since four channels must be combined
to transmit one channel at 192kHz.
