DIGIMAX D8 8 Channel Preamplifier with 24-bit/48 kHz ADAT out User’s Manual Version 1.0 © 2007, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
PRESONUS LIMITED WARRANTY PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc. warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty is enforceable only by the original retail purchaser. To be protected by this warranty, the purchaser must complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 OVERVIEW 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Features ................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 What is in the Box .................................................................................................................................
OVERVIEW 1.1 INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the PreSonus DigiMax D8. PreSonus Audio Electronics has designed the DigiMax D8 utilizing high-grade components to ensure optimum performance that will last a lifetime. The DigiMax D8 is an eight-channel microphone preamplifier, with 24-bit 48 kHz ADAT output, eight PreSonus X-MAX microphone preamplifiers, and BNC word clock in for digital sync.
OVERVIEW 1.2 FEATURES The DigiMax D8 is high quality and affordable eight-channel preamplifier with analog to digital conversion, perfect for expanding an audio interface or digital mixer with ADAT input or upgrading the preamps on an analog console. The DigiMax D8 comes complete with eight high-quality PreSonus X-MAX microphone preamps, ADAT output, BNC word clock input, as well as input metering, direct analog output and -20 dB pads on every channel.
OVERVIEW 1.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 2.1 FRONT PANEL LAYOUT • Instrument Inputs (Channels 1 and 2). The ¼” TS connector on channels 1 and 2 are for use with an instrument (guitar, bass, etc.). When an instrument is plugged into the instrument input, the microphone preamp is bypassed, and the DigiMax D8 becomes an active instrument preamplifier. NOTE: Active instruments are those that have an internal preamp or a line level output.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS • Clock. This button sets the DigiMax D8 to External digital sync or sets the Internal sample rate. o Press the Clock button once to set the clock to internal sync and your sample rate to 44.1 kHz. This will make the DigiMax D8 the Master clock of your system. It will be sending out word clock via the ADAT output. o Press the Clock button twice to set the clock to internal sync and your sample rate to 48 kHz.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 2.2 BACK PANEL LAYOUT • Microphone Pre-Amplifier. Your DigiMax D8 is equipped with eight custom designed PreSonus XMAX microphone preamplifiers for use with all types of microphones including Dynamics, Condensers and Ribbons as well as instruments and line level signals. The award winning PreSonus preamplifier design is a Class A input buffer followed by a dual servo gain stage.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS • BNC In. The BNC input allows the DigiMax D8 to be connected and slaved to an external word clock generator. • ADAT Output. This optical ADAT output sends eight channels of digital audio output. Word clock is also being sent through this output so you can use the DigiMax D8 as a clock master. • Power Adaptor Input. This is where you plug the provide IEC power cable into the DigiMax D8. • Power Switch. Push the top part of the switch to turn your DigiMax D8 on ( | ).
OPERATION 3.1 MICROPHONES The DigiMax D8 works with all standard microphones including dynamic, ribbon and condenser microphones. 3.1.1 Condenser Condenser microphones tend to generate a high-quality audio signal and are one of the most popular mic choices for today’s studio recording applications. Because of their design technology, condenser microphones require a power source, which can be provided from a small battery, external power supply or from microphone inputs as phantom power.
OPERATION 3.2 DIGITAL CONNECTIONS AND SYNCRONIZATION 3.2.1 ADAT Optical Lightpipe ADAT is an industry standard abbreviation for the ADAT Lightpipe protocol, which transfers eight tracks in a single fiber optic cable. Supported sample rates are 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz.
OPERATION 3.2.3 Master/Slave and Multiple Digital Devices Whether you are using the ADAT output of the DigiMax D8 to generate word clock or you are using the BNC word clock output of another device as your word clock generator, it is necessary to denote one device as the “master” word clock device to which all other digital devices are synced or “slaved”.
OPERATION 3.3 SAMPLE HOOK UP DIAGRAMS 3.3.1 Using the DigiMax D8 with ProTools The DigiMax D8 is the perfect solutions to expand your ADAT compatible Digidesign interface. For example: To set up a Digi 003 with ProTools LE software: 1. Plug in an ADAT cable from the optical output of the DigiMax D8 to the optical input of the Digi 003 2. Plug in a BNC word clock cable from the Digi 003 BNC word clock output to the BNC input of the DigiMax D8 3.
OPERATION 3.3.2 Using multiple DigiMax D8 with the FireStudio LightPipe The DigiMax D8 is a great low cost solution to expand your FireStudio LightPipe for live or mobile recordings where a large number of simultaneous inputs are needed and two track output is enough for monitoring. To clock more than one DigiMax D8 to the same external sync you will need a BNC T-Connector for each DigiMax D8 you are connecting to your system.
OPERATION 3.3.3 Using the DigiMax D8 to Add Preamps to a Multiple Line Level Input Device The inputs of many audio interfaces and mixers are blended between microphone preamps and line level inputs. Balanced ¼” inputs are a great way to conserve space. Because of its direct analog outputs, the DigiMax D8 can also be used to add preamps to devices of this nature. It is important to note that when connecting two digital devices with an analog connection it is not necessary to use word clock sync.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4.1 SPECIFICATIONS Microphone Preamp Type ............................................................................................................................. XLR Female Balanced Frequency Response (±0.5 dB) ............................................................................................... 20 Hz to 50 kHz Frequency Response (±3.0 dB) .............................................................................................
