User's Guide ® CDS Constant Double Speed Analog Processing Digital Processing Hi-Precision 24 Bit / 96 kHz Stereo DSP based Analog / Digital-Converter
Contents 1 2 3 4 Introduction............................................................ 3 Supplied Contents ................................................. 3 Brief Description and Characteristics................... 3 Technical Specifications 4.1 Analog Specs ...................................................... 4 4.2 Digital Specs ....................................................... 4 5 First Usage - Quick Start........................................ 5 6 Operation and DSP Functions................
1. Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of a ADI-96 PRO. This hi-quality analog to digital converter uses the unique Constant Double Speed technology to precisely convert analog audio data into different digital audio formats. Newest circuit technology combined with modern integrated circuits resulted in a unique and outstanding device, meeting highest quality standards. The ADI-96 PRO will excite you even after many years of operation. 2.
. Technical Specifications • Power supply: Internal, 110 / 230 V AC, 30 Watts • Dimensions 483 x 44 x 205 mm • Weight: 2 kg 4.1 Analog Specs • • • • • • • • • • • • Resolution AD: 24 bit Dynamic ratio: > 115 dBA THD+N: > 100 dB, < 0.001 % Maximum input level AD: +22 dBu Minimum Line input level for 0 dBFS: +2 dBu Minimum Mic input level for 0 dBFS: -50 dBu Frequency response AD, -0.1 dB: 10 Hz - 21 kHz (sf 44.1 kHz) Frequency response AD, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz – 44.
. First Usage - Quick Start Connect your analog signal source to the ADI-96 PRO's XLR or TRS input jacks. First adjust the knobs fully counterclockwise and try to achieve an optimum input level by adjusting the source itself. Fine adjusting the input level can easily be done by watching the Peak Level Meter while turning the knobs. The best input level is present when all LEDs except the Over LEDs are lit at the loudest parts of the signal.
. Operation and DSP Functions The ADI-96 PRO's user interface is easy to understand thanks to its clearly structured front panel design. The big and bright 2 x 20 character LC-display plus a simple and straight cursor controlled menu structure will probably make you never look into this manual. Because of the numerous functions found in the ADI and its software, we strongly encourage you to study this manual. Let's start with a short introduction into the ADI-96 PRO's user interface philosophy.
. General DSP Functions 7.1 Input Function Choice of input (Mic, Mic phantom powered, Line) per channel, invert phase (180°) per channel, activation of M/S processing. Application The setting Mic. Phantom Powered will apply 48 V DC to the XLR Mic jacks, so an operation with condenser microphones is possible without the need of an external supply. Inverting the phase allows to correct mics having a wrong polarity, or enables special effects in 'out of phase' technique.
7.2 Output Function Configuration of the signal at the digital output: Sample frequency, word length, Dither, word clock and Channel Status. Application Allows to set the parameters of the digitization, and allows to make the ADI-96 PRO fully compatible to all devices attached to its digital output. Settings Place the cursor in the Overview window on OUT and press Enter. Menu Options Adjustable are: • Sample rate 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, word clock < 64 kHz, 64 kHz, 88.
7.3 Setup Function Configuration of Peak Level Meter, LC-display and preset memory. Application Allows to change the display behaviour of all elements on the front panel, and to store and recall different configurations. Dependent on the used DSP software the ADI-96 PRO includes up to 16 user presets. All settings except the ones found in the Setup menu will be stored (the setting of contrast and Level Meter is global). Each preset can be stored under an individual name.
7.4 Boot other Function Function Starts the Bootloader. Application The Bootloader is nearly the same as the BIOS of a PC, it is the ADI's operating system at lowest level. Its main task is to load the DSP (audio) software after switching on the device.
7.5 Information Function Gives an overview on the current configuration. Shows the DSP software's version and name. Application The Information window gives a useful overview on which input is being used (Mic or Line), the active clock source (internal or word clock), the current sample frequency (shown in kHz) and word length. The ADI-96 PRO displays the Info window automatically after 100 seconds, in case no cursor key was pressed during this time.
7.6 Correlator Function Shows the correlation between left and right channel. Simply said: measures the phase between left and right. Application Checking mono-compatibility, checking polarity of microphones, detecting sound problems due to delay and phase settings. Settings The Correlator has no settings, its behaviour depends on the release time set for the Peak Level Meter. Place the cursor in the Overview window on SET and press Enter. Menu Options Level Meter Release 1 dB/s up to 100 dB/s.
8. Serial Interface Function Enables connection to and data transfer to and from any Windows PC. Application Depending on the used software the ADI-96 PRO can be completely remote controlled, setups can be loaded/stored/edited, and new DSP software can be loaded into the device. Settings To load new DSP software: Place the cursor in the Overview window on SET and press Enter, then use the right arrow key to scroll to Boot other function, then press Enter, then scroll right to Load flash from PC.
9. DSP Software Dual Mono A/D 9.1 Brief Description and Characteristics The DSP software Dual Mono A/D adds some outstanding audio functions to the ADI-96 PRO, required for a hi-class and convenient analog to digital conversion. Combined with the general functions of the ADI-96 PRO result in a versatile, supersonic Microphone/Line Audio Processor, replacing several external devices.
9.2 Low Cut Function Hi-pass with adjustable corner frequency between 2 Hz and 250 Hz at 12 dB/oct. Application Removes low frequency noise in microphone recordings, rumble and flutter when converting older analog material, hum in speech recordings. Settings In the Overview window place the cursor on LOC and press Enter. Menu Options The begin of the bass suppression (corner frequency) is adjustable in each channel from 2 Hz to 250 Hz. Typical Settings In mixing desks values around 120 Hz are usual.
9.3 Delay Function Delay of the audio signal per channel from 0 ms up to 170 ms, activation of Look Ahead. Application Allows to correct the time alignment of left and right channel, for example when doing microphone recordings. Allows to correct the time alignment of PA systems. Allows to produce stereo effects by delaying one channel. Activates the Look Ahead mode for optimized sound quality with Expander and Auto Level Control. Settings Place the cursor in the Overview window on DLY and press Enter.
9.4 Expander Function Level dependent level reduction, each channel with adjustable threshold (-30 dB to -110 dB), release (0.1 s to 25.5 s), ratio (1.2 to 5.0) and attack time (Fast 1 ms or Slow 25 ms). Application Allows broadband suppression of noise, removal of noise and hum in low level parts or between tracks, and de-compression of highly compressed material. Settings Place the cursor in the Overview window on EXP and press Enter. Menu Options Adjustable are: • Threshold -30 dB to -110 dB.
9.5 De-esser Function Selective dynamic level limiter with automated relative level control. Removes disturbing sibilants on speech and vocal recordings, or other level peaks present in its operating range. Application In general there are several methods used to reduce sibilants: Fixed bandpass - an Equalizer with fixed cut in the sibilant frequency area. Results in a constant muffled sound. Not useable on masters.
9.6 Non Linear Compressor Function Non linear compressor. The input signal is processed with a special amplitude function which softly cuts the highest level peaks. The resulting third order harmonics are widely masked by the original signal, thus inaudible in most situations. Similar to the effect known as tape saturation. Application Allows to provide additional headroom of up to 5 dB without audible clipping (clipping: brickwall limiting leading to high distortion).
9.7 Auto Level Control Function Automatic level control with adjustable gain range and adjustable operating speed per channel. Application Serves as automatic level control for long term recordings, raises the volume to avoid low level recordings. Useable as Leveler or - at faster settings - digital Compressor. Settings Place the cursor in the Overview window on ALC and press Enter. Menu Options Adjustable are: • Maximum Gain 0 up to 24 dB. Defines the maximum gain in level. • Headroom 1 up to 12 dB.
9.8 Look Ahead 9.81 Expander When set to Fast the Expander has a very fast attack time of less than 1 ms. However such a low reaction time already leads to a smoother sound when processing percussive signals with strong attack noises (click). The smoothing depends on the actual Gain Reduction. With high Gain Reduction the Expander needs a longer time to open (between 0.1 and 1.5 ms). A faster reaction of the Expander is not possible, as it will cause clicks and pops.
9.82 ALC The ALC operates with two different attack times. Headroom 1 to 6 dB uses an attack time of 3 ms, Headroom 7 to 12 dB of 6 ms. The picture printed below shows the internal operation of the ALC. The left channel (top) is amplified by the defined Gain (in this case 10 dB), as the defined average level (0 dBFS minus Headroom) isn't reached. The right channel (bottom) shows the unprocessed signal.
9.9 Remote Control Function Complete remote control of the ADI-96 PRO through a Windows PC. Visualisation of all external/internal levels. Storing/loading/editing of setups. Application Connect the COM-port of your Windows PC and the RS-232 interface of the ADI-96 PRO using the supplied D-type 9-pin cable. Start the Windows software adipro.exe and choose the currently used port of the PC (COM1/COM2).
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Setup Name MAXIMIZER LP CASSETTE MIC BYPASS off USER USER off LINE BYPASS off Phase invert Left off off Phase invert right off off off off off off off off M/S-Processing off off off off off off off LOC off on on on off off off off EXP off on on off off off off Expander link off on on off off off off NLC on on off off off off off DLY off on on off off off off DES off off off off off off off De-esser Key listen off off off off
10. DSP-Software Stereo A/D 10.1 Brief Description and Characteristics The DSP software Stereo A/D is an easier to configure and to handle version of Dual Mono A/D. The single setting of each channel was - as far as possible - reduced to a common setting of both channels. This is sufficient for most applications. The available DSP functions are exactly the same as in Dual Mono A/D, and are explained in detail in chapter 9.
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11. DSP Software Audio Analyser 11.1 Brief Description and Characteristics The DSP software Audio Analyser transforms the ADI-96 PRO into a powerful Spectrum Analyser. As opposed to nearly all current PC based solutions no FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) is used. Although this method needs only little calculation (CPU) power, it offers no useable translation of sound in vision.
11.3 Software Audio Analyser Function Visualization of the audio signal according to level and frequency. Application Connect the COM-port of your Windows PC and the RS-232 interface of the ADI-96 PRO using the supplied D-type 9-pin cable. Use Boot other function at the ADI-96 PRO to boot the DSP software Audio Analyser. Another way is to start the Windows software adipro.exe and choose Boot other function/Audio Analyser in the Options menu of the software.
11.4 Settings Spectrum Analyser Type Number and Quality factor of displayed bands. Available are: • • • • 10 band (1/1 oct. steps), Quality factor 1.4 or 2.5 15 band (2/3 oct. steps), Quality factor 1.4 or 3 20 band (1/2 oct. steps), Quality factor 3 or 5 30 band (1/3 oct. steps), Quality factor 3 or 5 The width of the display window is automatically adjusted to the number of of bands. The values printed on the x-axis are rounded for better readability.
11.5 Notes on Operation The most important application using a Spectrum Analyser is the visualisation of frequencies and levels found in music or speech. What you see is what your hear! The Analyser shows levels and frequencies even at the edge of the human ear's abilities. The visual display helps to train your ears, and avoids serious mistakes when mixing to the master tape. Usual studio monitors won't let you hear frequencies below 100 Hz.
12. Controls and Connectors Front panel Pots for gain adjustment 0 to +20 dB LC-Display Keys and cursor control Peak Level Meter Correlator Rear panel Word clock In/Out Mains connector RS-232 interface Digital outputs Line inputs Microphone inputs 13. Warranty Before shipping each ADI-96 PRO is tested individual by RME in a complete test procedure. Using only the best hi-grade components allows us to offer full two years of warranty.
CE This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits of the European Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMVG) according to EN 55022 class B and EN50082-1.. FCC Compliance Statement Certified to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device according to subpart J or part 15 of FCC rules. See instructions if interference to radio reception is suspected.
