User Guide

8
4 FAQs
Why USB 1 and not USB 2?
 USB 2 is not as widespread as USB 1 – at least not
yet - and it is more expensive. Besides, USB 2 offers no
additional advantages for dual-channel data transfer.
Will the DI-MOD USB work when connected to a
USB 2 port?
 Yes, the DI-MOD USB is compatible with USB 2
format and is therefore ready for the future.
When running the DI-MOD USB in standalone
mode, how do I know which sampling frequency
to use?
 The DI-MOD USB recalls the most recently selected
setting in the driver menu. If you choose to operate it
as a standalone device using a sampling frequency
other than that of your recording software, simply
select the desired option in the driver.
Why are cables not included?
 We deliberately chose not to include S/PDIF and USB
cables to spare our customers’ wallets. Many already
own these cords, so there is no need to buy new ones.
In addition, this lets the user select cables in the quality,
length and color of their choice.
How can cheaper USB interfaces offer similar
benchmark specifications?
 When citing technical data, most vendors indicate
strictly the conversion component’s ratings. 96 kHz
and 24 bits are standard, but many fail to mention
the device’s dynamic range – which is the most critical
factor in audio quality. MindPrint
®
attaches the greatest
importance to this determinant and sets new standards
with a utile dynamic range of 110 dB.
NOTE:
Since the arrival of audio cards with 24-bit
converters, electrical noise within the computer
has become a considerable problem: The
converter picks up stray interference, limiting
its dynamic range to such an extent that the
extended dynamic range of 24-bit resolution
can hardly be exploited. The first step in impro-
ving dynamic range was to take the converter
out of the computer and install it in an external
housing. Commonly called a break-out box,
this outboard chassis isolates the converter.
The next step was to integrate converter modules
directly into the preamp, whereby data are
transferred via S/PDIF, AES/EBU or ADAT to an
appropriate audio card. This prevents signal
loss in the circuit leading to the break-out box
caused by poor-quality analog cords or mis-
matched levels. The next step down this path
is USB technology. Widespread, affordable
and state of the art, USB cuts the audio card
completely out of the sonic equation. This step
is taken for reasons of convenience rather than
quality. The price that one would normally
have to pay for this convenience is a regression
to the quality level of internal audio cards.
So, what does that mean? The USB is not a
galvanically separate interface; that is, the
converter is linked to the computer via a
continuous electrical connection. Unfortunately,
this electrical connection transmits electrical
noise generated within the computer, seriously
degrading the converter’s quality. The technical
challenge for MindPrint
®
was to galvanically
separate the actual converter from the USB
components. We succeeded, and this engineering
advance affords an outstanding dynamic range
that is immune to the computer’s electrical
noise.
MindPrint
®
DI-MOD USB
D_1094_Di Mod USB BDA D/E 1.1 15.06.2004 12:24 Uhr Seite 8