Specifications

Chapter 1: Overview 1
Chapter 1: Overview
Welcome to the VENUE MADI Option card for VENUE sys-
tems. With the MADI card you can connect your qualified
VENUE system to any MADI-compatible device, enabling you
to take advantage of the MADI format’s multi-channel audio
distribution capabilities.
MADI Card Capabilities and Features
• Allows up to 64 channels of 24 bit, 48 kHz digital audio to
be sent to and from a qualified VENUE system. (For more in-
formation, see “Qualified VENUE Systems” on page 1.)
• Provides optical and coaxial connections, with advanced
features such as:
• Automatic input signal detection, simplifying setup and
allowing for redundant connections.
• Simultaneous output to both the optical and coaxial out-
put connectors, facilitating redundant connections or
distribution to multiple destinations.
• Provides a one-for-one digital split of all Stage input chan-
nels 1-48 without needing to crosspatch or configure the
D-Show software Patchbay.
• Provides an additional 16 user-assignable input and 16
user-assignable output channels (configured in the D-Show
software Patchbay), which can be used for any combination
of recording and playback (including simultaneous play-
back and recording).
• Supports 64-channel and 56-channel MADI formats, pro-
viding automatic input format detection and user-selectable
output format.
• Provides Signal Present and Optical Source LEDs, giving vi-
sual feedback for verifying connection status and simplify-
ing troubleshooting.
MADI Card Components
The MADI Card package includes the following:
• MADI card (installs into a qualified VENUE system)
• Ribbon cable for connecting the MADI card to the DSP
Mix Engine card
• Registration Information Card
•This guide
Qualified VENUE Systems
Qualified VENUE systems include VENUE D-Show systems,
VENUE Profile systems, and VENUE Mix Rack systems.
On VENUE D-Show and VENUE Profile systems, up to two
MADI cards can be installed in a VENUE FOH Rack for a total
of 128 channels of digital I/O.
On VENUE Mix Rack systems, one MADI card can be installed
in a VENUE Mix Rack for a total of 64 channels of digital I/O.
System Requirements
The following elements are required to use the MADI card
with your qualified VENUE system:
• A qualified VENUE system
• An available expansion slot in your VENUE FOH Rack or
VENUE Mix Rack
• (FOH Rack only) A second Snake card if installing two MADI
cards or installing a MADI card and an HDx Option card
• A system running D-Show 2.8.5 or higher
• The following cables (purchased separately), depending on
the format of your external MADI devices:
• 75 Ohm coaxial (BNC) cable (Belden 1855 or 1694 type)
for an audio connection of 100 meters (328 feet) maxi-
mum
• SC FDDI fiber-optic cable for an audio connection of
2,000 meters (6,562 feet) maximum
• Depending on your system configuration, a 75 Ohm coaxial
(BNC) cable (Belden 1855 and 1694 type, purchased sepa-
rately) for synchronization. For more information on syn-
chronization, see “Synchronizing MADI Devices” on
page 10.
The MADI card cannot be used simultaneously with an
FWx card. If an FWx card is installed in your rack, the rib-
bon cable that connects it to the Mix Engine card needs to
be disconnected before installing the MADI card.