User`s guide

APOGEE ELECTRONICS

Mini-DAC – User’s Guide

APOGEE ELECTRONICS

Mini-DAC – User’s Guide

Working with USB

USB Format Conversion

When bi-directional interfaces such as USB are included on digital-to-analog converters, the input

side of the interface is employed to accept a digital signal while the output side usually remains

unused. Thanks to the unique implementation of Apogee’s USB interface, the Mini-DAC offers two

USB Format Conversion congurations which employ the output side of the USB interface, thus

greatly expanding the unit’s capabilities.

The rst conguration utilizing USB Format Conversion is active when INPUT SELECT is set to

USB; a digital signal is accepted from the USB input, converted to analog and transmitted to the

enabled analog outputs. Simultaneously, the AES, S/PDIF and Optical inputs are scanned for

another digital signal, and the rst signal detected on these inputs is sent to the USB output. This

second digital signal is assumed to be Single wire format if detected on either AES input or the

S/PDIF input, and ADAT format (channels 1 & 2) if detected on the Optical input. Signals of any

sample rate are accepted and are converted to the Mini-DAC’s sample rate, as determined by the

host USB device,

With this functionality it’s possible to connect both an Apogee MiniMe and MiniDAC to a USB-

equipped computer with only one USB cable and driver, as depicted in FIGURE 2. Remember that

any device with a digital output may be connected as shown: an Apogee Rosetta or Trak2 A-to-D

converter, a CD player or even another DAW.

Digital-Thru-Mode: INPUT SELECT set to USB

FIGURE 2