User's Guide ADI-8 DD © RME
15
7.4 Outputs AES/EBU
At the rear side of the ADI-8 DD there are four XLR sockets for the AES/EBU outputs. Every
output is transformer-balanced, ground-free and compatible to all devices with AES/EBU port.
Connection is accomplished using balanced cables with XLR plugs.
If AES STATE PRO (Professional) is chosen, the output level is almost 5V. If CON (Consumer)
is chosen, the output signal will have a channel status compatible to SPDIF. As far as we know,
every SPDIF device should be capable of handling an input signal of up to 5V instead of the
usual 0.5V. Nevertheless the output level will be reduced to 2V when CON is selected.
Connecting devices with coaxial SPDIF ports to the ADI-8 DD is accomplished by simple cable
adapters (XLR/Phono).
To achieve this, pins 2 and 3 of an
XLR plug are being connected to the
two contacts of a Phono plug. The
ground shield of the cable is only con-
nected to pin 1 of the XLR plug.
Besides the audio data, digital signals in SPDIF or AES/EBU format contain a channel status
coding, which is being used for transmitting further information. The output signal coding of the
ADI-8 DD has been implemented according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4.
•
32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 64, kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz according to sample rate
•
Audio use
•
No Copyright, Copy permitted
•
Format Consumer oder Professional
•
Category General, Generation not indicated
•
2-Channel, No Emphasis oder 50/15 µs
•
Aux bits Audio use, 24 Bit
•
Origin: ADI8
Note that most consumer-orientated equipment (with optical or phono SPDIF inputs) will
only accept signals in ‘Consumer’ format!
The status 'Professional' should always be active when sending data to a device with AES/EBU
input (when the XLR connectors are used).
Notes on special functions
Using the AES STATE key the second ADAT output can be configured to act as optical SPDIF
output. When choosing AES STATE OPT., the red LED is lit constantly, and the channels 1/2
will also be transmitted via ADAT AUX.
When stepping through all AES STATE options the red LED OPT. begins to blink. The blinking
informs the user, that both ADAT outputs no longer operate with the left part, but with the right
part, and therefore in parallel to the AES/EBU outputs. This mode provides a bi-directional
ADAT/TDIF converter.
