10
Operating Modes Overview
The SAM has six different operational modes which are selectable
via the Mode button. Five of these modes translate ADAT Optical
signals to the S/PDIF format and the sixth mode translates S/PDIF
signals to the ADAT Optical format.
Mix Mode:
When SAM is first turned on it will be in Mix mode, one of the
ADAT-to-S/PDIF modes. Here, all eight ADAT channels may be
combined into a stereo S/PDIF signal using the built-in mixer. Note
that the SAM mixer will generate a 24-bit output even if the ADAT
Optical signal originates from a source with less than 24-bit resolu-
tion.
Other ADAT-to-S/PDIF modes:
There are four other modes that translate ADAT-to-S/PDIF. They are
labeled “1&2”, “3&4”, “5&6”, and “7&8.” These modes resemble the
presets of other format translators, allowing you to make an exact
bit-for-bit copy of two adjacent ADAT channels to S/PDIF. In these
modes SAM will ignore its Gain and Pan pots – they are disabled.
S/PDIF Mode:
This is the S/PDIF-to-ADAT mode. SAM will distribute the incoming
stereo S/PDIF signal to the eight outgoing ADAT channels as fol-
lows:
S/PDIF left = ADAT channels 1, 3, 5, 7
S/PDIF right = ADAT channels 2, 4, 6, 8
Again, SAM will make an exact bit-for-bit copy of each input chan-
nel, and will ignore its Gain and Pan pots.
In any mode, only two digital audio connections need to be made to
the SAM in order for the SAM to operate properly – one ADAT opti-
cal and S/PDIF coax. In all ADAT-to-S/PDIF modes, SAM accepts
ADAT Optical Digital Interface audio data at the ADAT In jack, and
outputs S/PDIF coaxial audio data from the S/PDIF Out jack. In the
S/PDIF-to-ADAT mode, SAM accepts S/PDIF coaxial audio data
from the S/PDIF In jack, and outputs ADAT Optical Digital Interface
audio data from the ADAT Out jack. In all modes, if there is no valid
