— 12 —
Ground Loops
Because the unbalanced RDS input and composite/MPX outputs
of the DAVID IV are chassis-ground-referenced, a mains fre-
quency or RF ground loop could be formed between cable
shield grounds and the AC power cord ground. A ‘ground-
lifting’ AC adapter may remedy such a situation, although the
chassis must somehow be returned to earth ground for safety.
Generally, being screwed-down in the equipment rack will satis-
fy the safety requirement.
PROGRAM LINE INPUTS
AES Digital
Input
The female XLR connector labeled
AES DIGITAL INPUT
is a bal-
anced, transformer-coupled digital stereo program input con-
forming to the AES3 (AES/EBU) specification. This input ac-
cepts digital audio signals up to 24 bits in word length, and at
sampling rates of 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz and 96kHz. The on-
board sampling rate converter (SRC) locks onto the input signal
and gives a display of the data rate in the
Setup / Sample Rate
Converter
menu (Page 35).
The digital input will accept average program levels between
–5dB and –35dB, based on an average level of –20dBFS. Gain is
programmed under the
Setup / Audio Input / Digital Gain
menu
(Page 19).
Analog
Line Inputs
The DAVID IV has electronically-balanced (transformerless) left-
and right-channel
ANALOG INPUTS
with female XLR connectors.
These are bridging, high-impedance inputs. They do not pro-
vide termination for the console or other equipment that feeds
the DAVID IV. Here’s why.
With few exceptions, audio line impedance matching is ridi-
culed by today’s hip broadcasters (you) and erudite equipment
manufacturers (us). The concept of 600-ohm “line matching”
dates from the age of transformer-coupled telephone transmis-
sion lines and the necessity of optimizing telephony ‘return
loss’ performance.
The analog line inputs accept “zero-VU” program levels be-
tween –15dBu and +15dBu. The input gain is adjusted under
the
Setup / Audio Input / Analog Gain
menu (Page 19).
Unbalanced
Operation
It’s not uncommon for “Part 15” and pirate broadcasters to use
consumer audio products in their installations. Also, there may
be a legitimate reason to feed the DAVID IV directly from a CD
or MP3 player or computer sound card in a ‘professional’ emer-
gency. Sufficient gain has been included to interface with sin-
gle-ended inputs in the –10dBv, consumer-level range.
For unbalanced inputs, the single center conductor of the
shielded lead should be connected to Pin 2 of the XLR plug, and
the shield braid split and connected both to Pin 1 and to Pin 3.
Summary of Contents for David IV
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