User Manual

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User’s Guide OctaMic XTC © RME
13. Digital Inputs and Outputs
13.1 AES/EBU
The four AES/EBU inputs and outputs are provided on the rear of the OctaMic XTC via a 25 pin
D-sub connector with Tascam pinout. A digital breakout cable will provide 4 male and 4 female
XLR connectors. Every input and output is transformer-balanced, ground-free and compatible to
all devices with AES/EBU ports.
In normal operation the AES outputs carry the converted analog input signal. Via the menu Digi-
tal Routing also ADAT, USB, MADI and even AES can be chosen as source.
Besides the audio data, digital signals in SPDIF or AES/EBU format contain a channel status
coding, which is being used for transmitting further information. The output signal coding of the
OctaMic XTC has been implemented according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4:
• 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 64 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz according to the
current sample rate
• Audio use
• No Copyright, Copy permitted
• Format Professional
• Category General, Generation not indicated
• 2-Channel, No Emphasis
• Aux bits audio use, 24 bit
• Origin: HDSP
Connecting devices with coaxial SPDIF
ports to the OctaMic XTC outputs is ac-
complished by simple cable adapters
XLR/RCA. To achieve this, pins 2 and 3 of
an XLR plug are being connected to the two
contacts of a Phono/RCA plug. The ground
shield of the cable is only connected to pin
1 of the XLR plug.
Note that most consumer HiFi equipment with phono (SPDIF) inputs will only accept signals
with Channel Status ‘Consumer’! In such cases the above adapter cable will not work.
The OctaMic XTC supports Single Wire only, in the range of 32 kHz up to 192 kHz: a total of 8
channels, 2 channels per AES wire. The effective sample frequency equals the clock on the
AES wire. In case a conversion from/to Single, Double and Quad Wire is required, the RME
ADI-192 DD, an 8-channel universal sample rate and format converter, is highly recommended.
Pinout of the D-sub connector, Outputs
Signal Out
1/2+
Out
1/2-
Out
3/4+
Out
3/4-
Out
5/6+
Out
5/6-
Out
7/8+
Out
7/8-
D-Sub 18 6 4 17 15 3 1 14
GND is connected to pins 2, 5, 8, 11, 16, 19, 22, 25. Pin 13 is not connected.