MindPrint-AN/DI PRO
4 Applications
4.1 The Purpose of the AN/DI PRO
• The steep decline in prices over recent years has made digital mixers and multitrack
systems affordable for hobbyists. The majority of functions found on professional
devices of yesteryear, exorbitantly expensive just a decade ago, are standard features
in contemporary hard-disk recording systems. Fortunately, more and more processing
operations can be executed in the digital domain, which significantly enhances the
quality of productions. Nowadays, modern hard-disk recording systems—in
conjunction with powerful computers—deliver the wide range of functions and number
of tracks that in the past you would have found only in the finest of studios. With a
word length of 24 or even 32 bits, these systems deliver excellent audio specs as long
as the signal remains in the computer. However, historically the interfaces have been a
huge problem: The converters which come with standard sound cards operate at only a
16-bit or 18-bit level and frequently generate distortion. Moreover, since these are
installed inside the computer's housing, the signal-to-noise ratio is degraded
considerably by stray pick-up of clock frequencies. Finally, the high quality of computer-
based signal processing cannot in the final analysis be exploited fully, because the
signal is digitized by a soundcard with fidelity comparable to that of a cassette deck.
• The logical consequence is to deploy a high-quality converter housed in an external
device. Its signal is then transmitted digitally and loss-free to the computer. The 24-bit
A/D converter of the AN/DI PRO is the answer—with it, you will most definitely
perceive a quantum leap in the definition and quality of your audio. Indeed, now that
you own an AN/DI PRO of your very own, from this point forward the level of fidelity
that you can achieve with this device is limited solely by the capabilities of your
recording setup.
• Even if you work with an analog mixing console in a fully analog studio, you can enjoy
the advantages of AN/DI PRO. In order to be able to burn your final mix onto a CD, you
somehow have to bring the analog master mix signal into your computer. When you get
to this critical point, you shouldn't settle for the quality of your DAT recorder's 16-bit
converter. Instead, route the stereo master signal through the AN/DI PRO at a word
length of 24 bits directly into the computer and process it there. Not until the final step
in the processing sequence should you convert the signal down to the 16-bit format of
the CD.
4.2 Master Converter in an Analog Studio
To convert the stereo master signal in an analog studio, connect the line input of the
AN/DI PRO to the output of your mixing console. Connect AN/DI PRO’s digital output to the
digital input of your master recorder or the input of a digital I/O card installed
in your computer.
The insert jacks are used to introduce external signal processors into the signal chain.
Connect the external devices' inputs to AN/DI PRO's Send jacks and the external devices'
outputs to AN/DI PRO's Return jacks.
If plugs are connected to the Send jack only, the internal signal is nevertheless routed to
the converter. This means that if you care to, you can patch out a monitor signal from the
Send jacks. If, on the other hand, plugs are connected to the Return jacks only, this signal
is routed directly to the converter.
3.3 Digital Output
The digital output signal is routed simultaneously in AES/EBU format to the XLR jack, as
well as in S/PDIF format to one coaxial and one optical output.
These ports can be accessed simultaneously, whereby the output of the AN/DI PRO
operates as a distributor or splitter.
3.4 External Synchronization
The AN/DI PRO can be synchronized externally via AES/EBU and S/PDIF signals as well as
by means of the Word Clock input.
If none of the sample rate selector buttons on the front panel is pressed, the AN/DI PRO
will look for a valid input signal at either the AES/EBU or S/PDIF ports labeled Sync In.
Use the Sync Select button to choose which format. If the AN/DI PRO finds a useable Word
Clock signal at the Word Clock input (BNC jack), this signal will have priority over the
others. The SYNC THRU sockets of AES/EBU or S/PDIF will only operate if the SYNC SELECT
button is switched accordingly. If AN/DI PRO does not recognize a sync signal, all SYNC
LED’s on the front panel are illuminated.
3.5 AC Power
Connect the AN/DI PRO to a wall outlet or mains supply via a standard power cable
connected to the AC power socket.
The Ground Lift switch causes the signal ground and the chassis ground to be severed
from each other. If you encounter a ground loop, set this switch to the position where the
noise is minimized.
AES/EBU
S/PDIF
SYNC IN
SYNC THRU
SYNC IN
SYNC THRU
CK
O
S/PDIF AES
MAX. POWER
CONSUM. 22 VA
230 V~
50 – 60 Hz
CAUTION!
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF FIRE AND SHOCK
HAZARD DON´T EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO MOISTURE OR RAIN. DO
NOT OPEN CASE; NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
LIFT
GROUND
ON
DIGITAL OUT
COAXIAL
OPTICAL
S/PDIF
AES/EBU
MASTER OUT
MASTER
DIGITAL RECORDER
5
0
3
2
4
1
6
7
8
22
0
2
4
6
8 dB
16
12
10
6
4
2
5
0
3
4
1
6
7
8
5
0
3
2
4
1
6
7
8
22
0
2
4
6
8 dB
16
12
10
6
4
2
5
0
3
4
1
6
7
8
MIC GAIN
48 V -20 dB
MIC/LINE
LINE GAIN
LINE IN
MIC IN
96
44.1
48
44.1
48
x2
WORD
AES - S/PDIF
SAMPLING FREQ.
MIC GAIN
48 V -20 dB
MIC/LINE
LINE GAIN
LINE IN
MIC IN
LINE IN
DIGITAL OUT
DIGITAL IN
ANALOG MIXING CONSOLE
SYNC
