Digidesign 96i I/O Guide Digidesign 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA tel: 650·731·6300 fax: 650·731·6399 Technical Support (USA) tel: 650·731·6100 fax: 650·731·6384 Product Information (USA) tel: 650·731·6102 tel: 800·333·2137 International Offices Visit the Digidesign Web site for contact information Web Site www.digidesign.
Copyright This guide is copyrighted ©2003 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Digidesign. DIGIDESIGN, AVID and PRO TOOLS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All features and specifications subject to change without notice.
contents Chapter 1. Introduction to the 96i I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Digidesign Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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chapter 1 Introduction to the 96i I/O The Digidesign 96i I/O is a 16-input, 2-output digital audio interface, featuring 24-bit analogto-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters. The 96i I/O supports sampling rates up to 96 kHz for superior dynamic range and low noise floor. The 96i I/O is the ideal audio interface to input multiple MIDI sound modules, samplers, synthesizers, and other sound sources into Pro Tools|HD.
Compatibility Information Conventions Used in This Guide Digidesign can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved. For a list of Digidesignqualified computers, operating systems, hard drives, and third-party devices, refer to the latest compatibility information on the Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com/compato).
About www.digidesign.com The Digidesign Web site (www.digidesign.com) is your best source for information to help you get the most out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features available.
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chapter 2 96i I/O Hardware Overview The 96i I/O Front Panel Figure 1. 96i I/O front panel Power Switch and LED Ring Loop Master LED This button turns the 96i I/O on and off. The LOOP MASTER LED indicates which HD audio interface is the master Pro Tools peripheral. Loop Master defaults to the first HD I/O connected to the HD Core card. Loop Master will always be lit in systems with a single interface.
Sync Mode LEDs The SYNC MODE LEDs indicate the current Pro Tools Clock Source and Sync mode. Choices include the following: INT (Internal) Indicates the 96i I/O is the Pro Tools clock master. DIG (Digital) Indicates the 96i I/O S/PDIF port is providing master clock to Pro Tools. LOOP (Loop Sync) Indicates 96i I/O is in Loop Slave mode, and is clocking to the current Loop Master device. See also “Loop Master LED” on page 5.
96i I/O Back Panel INPUTS 1-4 INPUTS 5-16 SW CTRL GAIN 1 2 OUTPUT +4dBu/–12dBV 3 4 5 6 +4dBu/–10dBV 7 9 11 13 15 1 8 10 12 14 16 2 Figure 2. 96i I/O back panel Analog Inputs Analog Outputs 96i I/O provides 16 balanced, 1/4-inch TRS jacks for analog audio input connections. These are balanced, 1/4-inch TRS jacks for analog audio output connections. Inputs 1–4 provide six stages of software-adjustable operating level sensitivity. Choices range from –12.0 dBV to +4.
S/PDIF Digital In and Out These are unbalanced RCA jacks that accept and output a stereo S/PDIF digital data stream. S/PDIF supports up to 24-bit audio at up to 96 kHz. S/PDIF input can be chosen as the input source for channels 1–2 in the Hardware Setup dialog. S/PDIF output is mirrored to analog outputs 1–2. To maintain data integrity and minimize jitter, use only 75-ohm coaxial cable.
chapter 3 Installing and Configuring the 96i This chapter provides basic instructions for installing a 96i I/O, and configuring its operating levels. See the Getting Started with HD Guide for complete system installation and configuration instructions. If you are adding the 96i I/O to an existing system, see the Expanded Systems Guide. Installing the 96i Power To connect AC power to the 96i: ■ Using the AC power cable included with the unit, connect the 96i I/O to a standard AC power receptacle.
To connect the 96i I/O to an existing Pro Tools|HD-series system: 1 Connect one end of a DigiLink cable to the Primary Port of the 96i I/O. 2 Connect the other end of the DigiLink cable to one of the following: • An available DigiLink port on an HD Accel or HD Process card. – or – • An available Expansion Port on the existing HD I/O. If you have at least one 192 I/O or 192 Digital I/O in your system configuration, it must be the primary audio interface and Loop Sync master.
Checking Installation Audio Connections This section explains how to quickly check that your installation was successful. The diagrams below provide suggestions for connecting studio gear to your system. Figure 1 illustrates a setup without a mixer, where effects processors and monitoring gear are connected directly to the 96i I/O. Figure 2 illustrates a studio setup with the 96i I/O connected to a mixing console, with effects and other gear routed into the console as well.
INPUTS 1-4 INPUTS 5-16 OUTPUT SW CTRL GAIN +4dBu/–12dBV +4dBu/–10dBV to 96i I/O inputs 1–16 Low-level sources to inputs 1–4 channel outputs 96i I/O Out 1–2 Main Outs Tape returns or inputs preamp or D.I. Monitoring System Synths, sound modules, and other to mixer inputs Monitor Outs Sends and Returns Effects Devices Figure 2. 96i I/O studio setup with a mixing console Connection Tips Connect digital recorders such as CD and DAT recorders using the S/PDIF RCA outputs on the 96i I/O.
• For analog/digital input switching, see “Enabling S/PDIF Digital Input for Channels 1 and 2” on page 13. 5 For each input or pair of inputs 5–16 being used, select –8 dBV or +4 dBu as appropriate to best match the output level of the connected devices. 6 Click Done. Output Levels The 96i I/O analog outputs can operate at –10 dBV or +4 dBu, as configured in the Hardware Setup dialog.
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index Numerics I 24-bit 1 96-kHz 1 Identify button 11 input sensitivity 13 setting 13 inputs analog 7 S/PDIF digital 8 word clock 8 installation 9 A AC power 9 power-up sequence 10 B balanced inputs 7 base rate 8 C Clock Source 6 connections 9 AC power 9 DigiLink 9 Loop Sync 10 L Loop Master 5 Loop Sync connections 10 In and Out 8 M Meters 6 O D DigiLink 9 expansion 8 Primary port 8 DigiTest 11 E Expansion DigiLink 8 port 8 External Clock In port 8 Out port 8 H outputs analog 7 S/PDIF digital 8
R registration 2 S S/PDIF 8 Sample Rate 5 sensitivity 13 setting input gain level 13 studio setup (no mixer) 11 Sync Mode 6 synchronization 10 U unbalanced input 7 output 7 W wiring TRS balanced input 7 TRS balanced output 7 word clock 8 16 96i I/O Guide
