User's Guide
DIGI96/8 PST © RME
7
8. Operation and Usage
8.1 External Connectors
The
DIGI96/8 PST
has 2 external inputs and outputs. The current input is activated
through 'Settings', available by a click on the DIGI symbol in the Taskbar's system tray. The
card accepts all commonly used digital sources as well as SPDIF and AES/EBU. Channel sta-
tus and copy protection are ignored.
All outputs are driven in
parallel, therefore carrying
identical signals. In the
simplest situation, connect
2 devices at the outputs
and use the card as a
splitter (distribution 1 to 2).
To receive signals in AES/EBU format,
an adapter cable is required. Pins 2 and
3 of a female XLR plug are connected
individually to the two pins of a phono
plug. The cable shielding is only con-
nected to pin 1 of the XLR - not to the
phono plug. The ground-free design,
with transformers for digital inputs and
outputs, offers a trouble-free connection
of all devices along with perfect hum rejection.
Two ¼" TRS (stereo) jacks are fitted to provide a 2-channel unbalanced analog input and out-
put. The analog output is directly driven from the digital output. A superior 24 bit DAC, followed
by a low impedance driver stage, allows the connection of stereo headphones. The settings
dialog allows to change the output level from 0 dB down to -78 dB. A special mute circuit redu-
ces noise when switching the computer on and off. The sensitivity of the analog input can be
set per channel to +4 dBu or -10 dBV by jumpers on the board. A sensitivity control by the
driver or Settings dialog is not available.
8.2 Internal Connectors
The
DIGI96/8 PST
has one internal digital input and output, provided by 2-pin connectors
on the board. The internal input ST3, labelled
CD IN / Sync In
, can be connected to an internal
CD-ROM drive having a digital audio output (advantage: the built in CD-ROM drive is sufficient
for digital recording and the need for external cabling does not arise). Or it can be connected
with the internal output of another DIGI96 series card (synchronizing multiple cards), or an
AEB4/8-I. The latter is possible because the internal input accepts both SPDIF and ADAT for-
mat.
The internal output ST4, labelled
Sync Out
, provides a copy of the current external output
signal, no matter if SPDIF or ADAT. Besides connecting a AEB4/8-O for an output of up to 8
analog channels, the internal loopback proves to be a useful application. Use the supplied two
pin cable to connect Sync In and Sync Out, set the card to Clock Mode 'Master' and selectal
'Internal' as input. Now the output signal shows up directly at the card's input. This allows you to
record the playback signal, or to display the playback signals with our
DIGICheck
software.
The two connectors ST6 and ST7 provide a connection to the optional Word Clock Module
WCM. ST7 is also needed when connecting a AEB4/8-I. See the manuals of these products for
more information.
