HD I/O Guide Version 8.
Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2010 by Avid Technology, Inc., (hereafter “Avid”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid.
contents Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 HD I/O Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 System Requirements and Compatibility Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix B. Pinout Diagrams for the DB-25 Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Analog Output DB-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Analog Input (+4 dBu) DB-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Analog Input (–10dBV) DB-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 AES/EBU DB-25 . . . . . . . . . . .
chapter 1 Introduction HD I/O is a multi-channel digital audio interface designed for use with Pro Tools|HD® systems. HD I/O features 24-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters, and supports sample rates of up to 192 kHz.
Synchronization • Loop Sync input and output for connecting additional Pro Tools|HD interfaces and peripherals • External Clock input and output for synchronizing HD I/O with external Word Clock devices Expandability • Optional addition of I/O cards to expand analog or digital I/O • Simultaneous use of multiple Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces to further expand system input and output (for more information see the Expanded Systems Guide) System Requirements and Compatibility Information HD I/O requires a qua
Conventions Used in This Guide All of our guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands: : Convention Action File > Save Choose Save from the File menu Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button Right-click Click with the right mouse button The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
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chapter 2 HD I/O Overview This chapter describes the front and back panel features of the HD I/O. See the Pro Tools|HD User Guide for complete system installation and configuration instructions. If you are adding the HD I/O to an existing system, see the Expanded Systems Guide. HD I/O Front Panel HD I/O Front Panel Power Switch and LED Ring Sample Rate This button turns the HD I/O on and off. These LEDs display the current sample rate of the HD I/O internal clock: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.
Loop Master LED The LOOP MASTER LED indicates which Pro Tools audio interface is the master Pro Tools peripheral. The Loop Master LED will be continuously lit on the current Loop Master peripheral only, and unlit on all other peripherals. (Only one Pro Tools audio interface can be Loop Master at a time.) The Loop Master LED will always be lit with a single interface. For Pro Tools|HD systems, Loop Master defaults to the first Pro Tools audio interface connected to the Pro Tools|HD Core card.
HD I/O Back Panel The HD I/O has the following back panel features: Bay 3: Digital I/O card Bay 1: Analog In card Enclosure DIGITAL I/O ANALOG INPUT AES/EBU INPUT -10 dBV BALANCED +4 dBu BALANCED AES/EBU AES/EBU OUTPUT WORD CLOCK S/PDIF LOOP SYNC TDIF I/O ADAT IN ADAT OUT IN IN OPTICAL 1 2 3 5 4 6 7 IN 8 OUT OUT OUT ANALOG OUTPUT BALANCED 964530300294856 AC ~ 100-240V;50-60HZ; A ACCESSORY EXPANSION PORT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bay 2: Analog Out card PRIMARY PORT 8 Bay 4: Empty f
Analog Input Analog Output The HD I/O Analog In card contains connectors for analog audio input with 24-bit, 192 kHz A/D converters. Input is provided through two discrete DB–25 connectors (one for +4 dBu sources, and the other for –10 dBV sources). You can connect sources at both operating levels and choose between them from within Pro Tools. The HD I/O Analog Out card contains a single DB–25 connector and Output Trims for eight channels of analog audio output.
Digital I/O Optical (ADAT) Dedicated, eight-channel 24-bit capable Optical ports (up to 48 kHz), with realtime sample rate conversion on input (only). Note that Optical S/PDIF is not supported with the Digital I/O card and is supported with the enclosed Optical ports only (for more information, see “Optical (ADAT) [Encl]” on page 10). The Digital I/O card contains connectors for eight channels each of AES/EBU I/O, TDIF I/O, and Optical (ADAT) I/O. Only one digital format can be used at a time.
AES/EBU [Encl] About Lightpipe-Compatible Devices These are balanced, three-conductor XLR connectors that accept and output a stereo, 24-bit AES/EBU audio signal. These two ports support up to 192 kHz sample rates. Lightpipe is an industry standard, eight-channel optical digital audio connection created by Alesis. Lightpipe is found on many devices, including Optical (ADAT) decks, modular digital multitracks (MDMs), A/D or D/A converters, S/MUX, and digital consoles.
DigiLink Mini and DigiLink Cables Use DigiLink cables with a DigiLink to DigiLink Mini adapter cable to connect HD I/O to a Pro Tools|HD card, as well as to legacy Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces (such as 192 I/O). Use DigiLink Mini cables to connect HD I/O to other Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces (such as another HD I/O or HD OMNI). DigiLink Mini Cable Length Specifications There are six different lengths of DigiLink Mini cables: • 18” (0.46m), included with HD I/O • 12’ (3.
LOOP SYNC In and Out Loop Sync is a dedicated clock loop for synchronizing multiple Pro Tools|HD peripherals together (multiple audio interfaces, or a SYNC HD and one or more audio interfaces). Loop Sync technology lets you synchronize to any digital peripheral connected to any of the Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces in your Pro Tools system. Loop Sync uses a word clock signal based on sample rates of either 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.
chapter 3 Connecting HD I/O You can get a full sixteen channels of analog and digital I/O with HD I/O connected to a Pro Tools|HD card using a DigiLink Mini to DigiLink cable. You can add additional Pro Tools|HD audio interfaces to your Pro Tools|HD system using the Expansion port on the back of HD I/O or using additional Pro Tools|HD cards.
To connect multiple HD I/Os to a Pro Tools|HD system: 1 Connect the Primary Port of the first HD I/O to the DigiLink Port on the Pro Tools|HD Core card with a DigiLink Mini to DigiLink cable (included with your Pro Tools|HD system). 2 Do one of the following: • Connect the Primary Port of the second HD I/O to the Expansion Port on the first HD I/O with the included 18-inch DigiLink Mini cable.
12-foot DigiLink Mini to DigiLink cable Pro Tools|HD Core card 18-inch DigiLink Mini cable Loop Sync cables Pro Tools|HD Accel card Figure 2. HD OMNI connected to the DigiLink Port on a Pro Tools|HD Core card and HD I/O connected to the DigiLink Mini Expansion port on HD OMNI. A second HD I/O is connected to the DigiLink Port on a Pro Tools|HD Accel card with a third HD I/O connected to the Expansion port on the second HD I/O. Loop Sync (BNC) cables connect the HD OMNI and all three HD I/Os.
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chapter 4 HD I/O Configuration This chapter explains how to configure Pro Tools for use with HD I/O. For more information about configuring your Pro Tools|HD system, see the Pro Tools|HD User Guide. To change the default Sample Rate for new sessions: 1 If a Pro Tools session is currently open, close it. 2 Choose Setup > Hardware. 3 From the Sample Rate pop-up menu, select the Hardware Setup sample rate that you want.
High Sample Rates and Expanded Pro Tools|HD Systems • ADAT S/MUX 1–4 (at 88.2 and 96 kHz) With 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz sample rates, as many as four Pro Tools|HD cards can be used. Any additional cards (up the total system maximum of seven cards) will switch to Inactive mode. The Pro Tools|HD cards and any attached peripherals will become active again when the sample rate is set to 96 kHz or lower (see the Pro Tools Expanded Systems Guide for more information). • TDIF 1–8 (at 44.
Identify If you have multiple audio interfaces of the same type connected to your system, you should confirm the identity of each interface. This ensures that you select the appropriate interface in the Peripherals list when defining its inputs and outputs, and other settings, in the Hardware Setup dialog. Configuring HD I/O To configure controls for HD I/O: 1 Choose Setup > Hardware. 2 From the Peripherals list, select the HD I/O au- dio interface. 3 Click the Main tab and configure the options.
5 If you have two HD I/O AD cards, click the An- HD I/O Hardware Setup Options alog In 9–16 tab and configure the options. HD I/O provides multiple pages of Hardware Setup options depending on the configuration. Main Page HD I/O supports up to sixteen channels of simultaneous input and output in multiple I/O formats (including analog, AES/EBU, ADAT Optical, S/MUX, S/PDIF, and TDIF).
Input Digital Format Select the corresponding physical input pairs from the Input pop-up menu for each stereo pair of Pro Tools Input channels (1–2, 3–4, ...15–16). Which physical inputs are available depends on the sample rate and on which HD I/O Expansion cards you have installed (for example, if no HD I/O AD card is installed, no analog inputs will be available).
Ext. Clock Output options by sample rate Available Ext. Clock Default Available Ext. Clock Option 88.2 kHz Word Clock (88.2 kHz) Word Clock (44.1 kHz) 96 kHz Word Clock (96 kHz) Word Clock (48 kHz) 176.4 kHz Word Clock (176.4 kHz) Word Clock (44.1 kHz) 192 kHz Word Clock (192 kHz) Word Clock (48 kHz) Sample Rate Reference Level Select the appropriate Reference Level for each of the available analog input channels.
Digital Page Digital Format The Digital page of the Hardware Setup dialog lets you set the Input Format and Sample Rate Conversion for any Digital I/O cards installed in HD I/O. Select from the following digital formats for the HD I/O Digital card. Depending on the sample rate, different Digital Format options are available. If you have only a single Digital I/O card installed, a single Digital tab is available.
AES/EBU You can select up to eight channels of AES/EBU input depending on the sample rate. At sample rates of 44.1 kHz to 96 kHz, the only option available is AES/EBU 1–8 (or AES/EBU 9–16 for the second card, if present). At sample rates of 176.4 kHz and 196 kHz, two AES/EBU options are available (Single Wire and Dual Wire modes). AES/EBU 1–8 Enable this option for eight channels of AES/EBU input. This is the only option available at sample rates of 44.1 kHz to 96 kHz.
Sample Rate Conversion ADAT Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) is independently available for AES/EBU stereo input pairs at all sample rates. When Digital Format is set to ADAT or TDIF, SRC can only be enabled or disabled for all channel inputs. Sample Rate Conversion on Input is only available for Digital I/O cards, it is not available for the enclosed digital ports. For sample rates of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz, when Digital Format is set to ADAT, Sample Rate Conversion can be enabled or disabled for all inputs.
Using Input Trims Consider the following when connecting a mixer: Input Trims If your mixer cannot handle more than 1.5V (RMS) inputs at +4 dBu, then you should set the HD I/O to operate at –10 dBV line level. If your mixer can handle up to 15.5V (RMS) inputs, or has pads or attenuators on its inputs, then you can use the +4 dBu setting on the HD I/O. Input Trims The Input Trims below the two DB–25 connectors on the HD I/O AD Expansion card are used to store a calibration setting each channel.
appendix a Adding or Removing I/O Cards The HD I/O has four Expansion I/O bays on the back of the unit. Depending on which version of HD I/O you purchased, one, two, or none of these bays may be empty and available for additional I/O cards: • 8 x 8 x 8: three bays are used and the fourth bay is empty. • 16 x 16 Analog: all four bays are used. • 16 x 16 Digital: two bays are used and two are empty.
3 Remove all of the small Phillips-head screws around the edges of the top cover. Put the screws in a safe place. 6 Holding the 50-pin cable which connects the card to the HD I/O chassis firmly, gently pull the cable connector from the card’s connector. Removing the top cover screws Removing the 50-pin cable connector from an I/O card 4 Lift off the top panel of the HD I/O and set it aside. 7 Gently remove the card, pulling it straight out from the chassis.
8 Place the card in a static-free bag and keep it in a safe place (if you are not sending it to Avid for service). 9 Firmly grasp the 50-pin cable connector to the HD I/O chassis and gently pull to remove it (be sure to keep the cable in a safe place). 10 If you have a cover for the empty expansion bay, secure the cover over the empty bay with the screws you removed from the I/O card. 11 Replace the top cover on the HD I/O. 12 Replace the original screws.
8 Slide the edges of the card into the guide rails on each side of the bay. guide rails 10 Secure the I/O card to the back panel of the HD I/O chassis with the same screws you removed from the either the empty bay cover or from the I/O card you previously removed. Inserting the card into the guide rails for the empty bay 9 Gently push the card back into the bay, lifting slightly to keep components underneath the card from touching the back panel.
13 Locate the raised ridge in the middle of the connector on the other end of the 50-pin cable that connects the I/O card to the HD I/O chassis. This ridge is only on one side of the connector, and there is a matching groove on only one side of the 50-pin connector on the card. 14 Gently push the cable connector into the card’s connector. The ridge on the cable connector must line directly into the groove on the card connector. Be very careful not to bend any of the pins or to over-stress the card.
Troubleshooting If the power ring does not turn from orange to green when you boot the computer, make sure you reconnected the DigiLink cable to the Primary port on the back of the unit. If the DigiLink or DigiLink Mini cable is securely fastened and the other end is plugged into a Pro Tools|HD card, you may have inadvertently disconnected another 50-pin cable when installing the card.
appendix b Pinout Diagrams for the DB-25 Connectors Analog Output DB-25 Analog Input (+4 dBu) DB-25 +4" Analog Outputs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 CH1_HOT CH1_COLD CH1_GND CH2_HOT CH2_COLD CH2_GND CH3_HOT CH3_COLD CH3_GND CH4_HOT CH4_COLD CH4_GND CH5_HOT CH5_COLD CH5_GND CH6_HOT CH6_COLD CH6_GND CH7_HOT CH7_COLD CH7_GND CH8_HOT CH8_COLD CH8_GND NC_1 MH1 MH2 24 12 25 10 23 11 21 9 22 7 20 8 18 6 19 4 17 5 15 3 16 1 14 2 13 26 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 CH1_HOT CH1_COLD CH1_GND CH2_HOT CH2_COLD CH2_GND CH3_HOT CH3_COLD C
Analog Input (–10dBV) DB-25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 34 HD I/O Guide CH1_HOT CH1_COLD CH1_GND CH2_HOT CH2_COLD CH2_GND CH3_HOT CH3_COLD CH3_GND CH4_HOT CH4_COLD CH4_GND CH5_HOT CH5_COLD CH5_GND CH6_HOT CH6_COLD CH6_GND CH7_HOT CH7_COLD CH7_GND CH8_HOT CH8_COLD CH8_GND NC_1 MH1 MH2 24 12 25 10 23 11 21 9 22 7 20 8 18 6 19 4 17 5 15 3 16 1 14 2 13 26 27 AES/EBU DB-25 1-2 RCV 3-4 RCV 5-6 RCV 7-8 RCV 1-2 XMT 3-4 XMT 5-6 XMT 7-8 XMT CH12_RCV_HOT CH12_RCV_COLD CH12_RCV_GND CH34_RCV_HOT CH34_RCV_COLD CH34_RCV_GND C
XMT DATA RCV DATA TDIF DB-25 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 RCV CLK+CTRL XMT CLK+CTRL CH12_RCV_DATA GND1 CH34_RCV_DATA GND2 CH56_RCV_DATA GND3 CH78_RCV_DATA GND4 CH12_XMT_DATA GND5 CH34_XMT_DATA GND6 CH56_XMT_DATA GND7 CH78_XMT_DATA GND8 RCV_LRCK RCV_EMPHASIS RCV_FS1 RCV_FS0 XMT_LRCK XMT_EMPHASIS XMT_FS1 XMT_FS0 GND9 MH1 MH2 13 25 12 24 11 23 10 22 1 14 2 15 3 16 4 17 9 21 8 20 5 18 19 6 7 26 27 NC= NC= NC= DB25F_RA_TDIF FB30 FB31 22PF 22PF GND_C GND_C GND_A GND_C GND_A Appendix B: Pinout D
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appendix c HD I/O Calibration Mode Instructions Before you use HD I/O, you may want to calibrate its input and output levels to the level of your mixing console. The HD I/O has +4 dBu and –10 dBV inputs, and +4 dBu outputs, each with its own trim pot for proper calibration. The HD I/O is factory-calibrated so that its +4 dBu input operating level is set for 18 dB headroom above +4 dBu (maximum input/output +22 dBu).
For example, to have 12 dB of headroom above 0 VU with the HD I/O, you must align the incoming 0 VU 1kHz tone to a level of –12 dBFS. For 18 dB of headroom, you would align it to –18 dBFS. (Since it is assumed that you are using the HD I/O with a +4 dBu device or console, a 0 VU signal level coming out of the device or console is actually equivalent to a nominal +4 dBu level signal.) Calibrating the HD IO Track > New. 6 Insert the Signal Generator plug-in on the track.
16 Adjust the I/O output level trim pot with a small, flat-head screwdriver to align the outputs to read “0 VU” on the external VU meter. We recommend using a tweaker tool with a recessed flat-head surrounded by a plastic tube to hold the trim pot. Tweakers can usually be found at electronic supply stores. To calibrate the HD I/O inputs: 1 Connect the HD I/O outputs to a bank of HD I/O inputs by doing either of the following: • Use a DB-25 to DB-25 straight through cable.
Switching Jumpers on the Analog Output Card Each Analog Output card for HD I/O provides a jumper for each of the eight channels of output on the card to switch between a Hi and Lo output setting. The default setting for each jumper is Hi. This is what you want for working with professional gear that operates at +4 dBu levels. However, if you are working with –10 dBV gear, you can switch the jumper on Analog Output card (on a channel-by-channel basis) from the default Hi position to Lo for a –6 dB pad.
appendix d Compliance Information Environmental Compliance Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European Union Proposition 65 Warning This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. Perchlorate Notice This product may contain a lithium coin battery.
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) Australian Compliance Avid declares that this product complies with the following standards regulating emissions and immunity: • FCC Part 15 Class A • EN55103-1 E4 • EN55103-2 E4 • AS/NZS 3548 Class A • CISPR 22 Class A Canadian Compliance FCC Compliance for United States This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 Radio and Television Interference This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursua
Safety Compliance Safety Statement This equipment has been tested to comply with USA and Canadian safety certification in accordance with the specifications of UL Standards: UL60065 7th /IEC 60065 7th and Canadian CAN/CSA C22.2 60065:03. Avid Inc., has been authorized to apply the appropriate UL & CUL mark on its compliant equipment. Warning 12) For products that are not rack-mountable: Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the equipment.
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index Symbols C +4 dBu 8, 26, 37 cables DigiLink 11 DigiLink Mini 11 calibrate 38 calibrating the 888/24 I/O 38 calibration 26 cards Analog In 7 Analog Out 7 Digital I/O 7 clipping 37 Clock Source 18 compatibility 2 connecting a mixer 26 Curv 22 Numerics –10 dBV 8, 26, 37 16 x 16 1 16 x 16 analog 1 8x8x81 A A/D converters 8 AC Power connector 12 Accessory Port 12 ADAT input 24 Adding I/O Cards 27 AES/EBU 9, 10 In/Out 10 AES/EBU 1–4 (Dual Wire) 24 AES/EBU DB-25 pinout diagram 34 AES/EBU input 24 Analog
E L Enclosure Optical (ADAT) 9 Connectors 9 Optical I/O 9 expansion bay 27 Expansion I/O card installing 29 removing 27 EXPANSION PORT 10 Ext. Clock Output 21 External Clock In 6 port 6 LED ring 5 legacy peripheral port limitations 12 Lightpipe Optical port 10 line level 26 Loop Master 6 Loop Master 6 mode 6 Loop Sync 6 connecting 14 sample rates 12 H M Hardware Setup 8, 11, 17 Analog In page 22 Clock Source 18 Digital page 23 Ext.
S S/PDIF In/Out 10 Sample Rate 5, 17 conversion 9 conversion, AES/EBU 25 conversion, Optical (ADAT) 25 conversion, TDIF and Optical (ADAT) 25 Session 6 Sample Rate Conversion 25 single-wire mode 9 Soft Clip 22 Sync Mode LEDs 6 Sync Mode LEDs 6 synchronization 11 external clock options 18 system requirements 2 system settings Clock Source 18 Sample Rate 17 T Tascam DA-30 21 Tascam option 21 TDIF 9 TDIF (Tascam Digital Input Format) 24 TDIF DB-25 Pinout Diagram 35 TDIF Input 24 TOS-Link Optical port and 10 T
Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA Visit the Online Support Center at www.avid.com/support For company and product information, visit us on the web at www.avid.
