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User's Guide ADI-8 DD © RME
The TDIF-1 connectors of the ADI-8 DD are fully compatible with all devices offering such an
interface, for example DA-38 and DA-88. A SD-PLL ensures best playback sound quality and
reliable operation. RME's exclusive SyncCheck verifies synchronous operation when using both
TDIF ports. The connection is done through a special TDIF cable, available at your local dealer
(Tascam part number PW-88D).
TDIF Main
Interface for the first or only device with a TDIF-1 interface. Carries the channels 1 to 8. When
transmitting a Double Speed signal, this port carries the channels 1 to 4.
TDIF AUX
Carries the channels 5 to 8 in Double Speed mode. Transmission of channels 9-16 in Copy
Mode.
General hints on TDIF operation
TDIF and word clock
When the ADI-8 DD is slave no additional word clock connection is necessary. In case DA88
and/or DA38 are slave the word clock output of the ADI-8 DD has to be connected to the word
clock input of the first (master) recorder. When using more than one recorder a special sync
cable (Tascam part number PW-88S) is needed.
7.3 Input State Display
The input state is being displayed by means of 16 LEDs. A missing or invalid input signal is
indicated by slow flashing of the SOURCE LED. In case ADAT or TDIF are selected all four
SYNC and Emphasis LEDs are showing the same information. In DS mode both two and two
LEDs show the state of the MAIN (1/2) and the AUX (3/4) inputs.
If MAIN and AUX are not synchronous to each other, the corresponding input's SYNC LEDs will
be quickly flashing. If the input is not chosen as clock reference, SyncCheck takes the chosen
clock (internal, external etc.) as reference and compares it to the clocks of the inputs. Non syn-
chronous inputs will be indicated by quick flashing of the corresponding SYNC LEDs.
If the TDIF input signal contains emphasis information, all four EMPHASIS LEDs in the INPUT
STATE area will light up. The AES/EBU output channel status will then be changed from 'no
emphasis' to '50/15 µs' (emphasis). Because this coding cannot be changed manually, and
unfortunately does not necessarily have to be correct in the source, we chose red LEDs to give
both a note and warning.
Each channel's audio level is shown by a LEVEL LED. The green LED becomes active from -
90 dBFS and above, a higher level yields brighter light. Thus only one LED is necessary to see
if there is an audio signal or digital zero, only noise floor or a meaningful signal.
