DM-24 SIGNAL FLOW
The first 24 channels of the DM-24 can accept “INPUTS” or “RETURNS.” These
assignments are made on the I/O page. Use the cursor keys to highlight the
virtual patch cable then use the data wheel to make the proper assignment.
In this example M/L 1 is an “input” and TDIF1-1 is a “return.”
Channels 25-32 are Input-only channels. They cannot have “RETURNS”
assigned to them. TDIF I/O, ADAT lightpipe I/O and any option slot I/O are not
available to channels 25-32. In mixdown mode channels 25-32 would normally
be used for internal effects returns and assignable returns. There is a “Mixdown”
snapshot in ROM where channels 25-32 are assigned in just this manner.
INPUTS
“Inputs” include: mic/Line inputs, digital inputs 1 and 2 (2 CH. AES/EBU and
S/PDIF inputs), internal effects returns and assignable returns. All of these inputs
can be assigned to any of the 32 channels. For instance, mic/line input #2 can
be assigned to channel 23, digital input #1 can be assigned to channel 2 and so
on.
RETURNS
“Returns” include TDIF I/O, ADAT lightpipe I/O and any option slot I/O that might
be added to the DM-24. “Return” is named such because it is short for “tape
return.” Technically a “tape return” is an “input”, but understanding the
idiosyncrasies of the DM-24 are necessary if one wishes to operate the DM-24
properly. An analog option card might be used to add more analog “inputs” to
the DM-24. Even though the benefit for the user is more “inputs”, the DM-24
thinks of the option cards as “returns.” Keeping these terms clear is the key to
understanding the signal flow of the DM-24.
When channels 1-24 are used for “returns”, there are options as to which “return”
interfaces are to be used. There are 24 channels of TDIF I/O and 8 channels of
ADAT lightpipe I/O built in, but there are also two option slots available to expand
your I/O capabilities. All of these “returns” cannot be used simultaneously
because there are only 24 channels available to them. “Return” interface choices
must be made in the following manner:
TDIF 1 or SLOT 1
TDIF 2 or SLOT 2
