A D 2 4 0 2 - 9 6 - O P E R A T I N G M A N U A L
Digital LED Meters
Each conversion channel is equipped with a
multi-function 9-segment LED meter
. A
“Meter
Scale”
switch selects either a 6 dB/step or 1 dB/step scale and controls the
peak hold function
.
Metering is fully digital and post conversion for absolute accuracy.
Time constants are built into the meters so that all transient peaks can be observed easily. If a
transient peak having a duration as short as one digital sample occurs, an LED will be illuminated,
and will stay illuminated long enough to be observed by the human eye.
A peak indication mimics the action of the needle on a peak-reading analog meter, while the
remaining LEDs will follow the instantaneous level of the audio.
The red “FSD” (
F
ull-
S
cale-
D
igital) LED indicates that a full-scale digital code has been reached
and that digital clipping has occurred. Full-scale events as short as one digital sample, will light the
“FSD” LED. Short single-sample digital clipping events are often audible, and all “FSD” events
should be avoided.
The AD2402-96 has a very large dynamic range (especially when operating at 24-bit
output word lengths). It is wise to use some of this dynamic range to provide more
headroom as insurance against clipping. Leave some extra headroom between your
highest anticipated peak and the red “FSD” LED.
“Aux Output Word Length” Switch
This two-position toggle switch controls the word length of the auxiliary digital outputs. This
switch allows simultaneous recording at 24-bits and 16-bits, or at 24-bits and 20-bits.
When the “Aux Out Word Length” switch is set to “24” the auxiliary outputs will always operate
at 24-bits, while the “Word Length Mode” switch will control only the “Main” outputs. When the
“Aux Out Word Length” switch is set to “Var”, the “Word Length Mode” switch controls all
outputs.
The “Aux Output Word Length” switch has no function when the “Sample Rate”
switch is set to one of the “Dual Cable” settings. In “Dual Cable” mode, the “Word
Length Mode” switch controls the word length of all outputs.
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