Specifications
Monitor
The AD-8000 incorporates a high-quality, 18-bit stereo digital to analog converter for monitoring purposes.
Briefly pressing the MONITOR SELECT button routes program from the selected pair of channels or the AES
input to three destinations: the S/PDIF output on the back of the unit, the D/A converter for the front panel
headphone output, and the optional 24-bit stereo D/A card (if installed). There is no facility for mixing tracks
together. The headphone output includes a toggle switch for raising and lowering the headphone level, with a
seven-segment numerical display to indicate relative headphone volume. This control affects the headphone
monitor socket output level only, and does not affect any of the other outputs, so you can make perfect digital
copies while independently controlling the headphone level. Although the indicator only displays 10 digits, the
volume control actually consists of 255 steps for smooth headphone volume control.
Pressing the MONITOR SELECT button steps through the input selections: 1/2, 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8. The LEDs
illuminate to indicate the channel pair selected. Pressing the button once more when 7/8 is displayed illiminates
all four LEDs. In this condition, the on-board AES input is fed directly to the headphone D/A and the optional
2-channel D/A card if installed.
Monitor/Destination
Holding the MONITOR button for at least one second activates the DESTINATION mode and indicator. This
mode is used during recording for monitoring through any recording device with inputs and outputs connect-
ed to an AMBus card. In this way, previously-recorded tracks can be monitored along with tracks being currently
recorded, utilizing the monitor switching/mixing functions of the connected recorder/workstation. While hold-
ing the MONITOR button, the headphone level display changes to display one of four letters A through D, des-
ignating the AMBus slot being monitored. The letters/slots are scrolled through by pressing the headphone vol-
ume switch up or down, while holding the MONITOR button depressed. In this mode all outputs (including AES,
S/PDIF, the headphone monitor DAC, the optional 2- or 8- channel DACs and all installed AMBus cards other
than the one selected by the DESTINATION function) receive audio from the output of the selected card.
Holding the MONITOR button for a second disengages DESTINATION mode. Once DESTINATION mode has
been entered, the last AMBus card used for monitoring is stored for use in case DESTINATION mode is exited
and then re-entered. This information is not saved on power-down.
AMBus Interface Cards
Installing AMBus Cards
To install an AMBus card, first make sure the power is turned off. You may wish to keep the unit
plugged into a grounded, but turned off, AC receptacle so as to minimize the chance of static dis-
charge. Avoid standing on carpeting while carrying out this procedure. Keep the new AMBus card in
its packaging until you are ready to install. Now turn the unit around so you’re facing the back panel. Remove
the plate covering one of the four AMBus slots. Ground yourself by touching the metal cover of the AD-8000
and unpack the card. Insert the card until you feel it mate with the connector at the back of the card bay. Fasten
the card in place with the screws. Turn the power on.
Note: You’ll find some cards take up two slots.
TDIF 8 AMBus Card
This card is used to interface the AD-8000 to a Tascam DA-88, DA-38 or any device that utilizes the Tascam
Digital Interface Format (TDIF). You will need a special TDIF cable that terminates with a DB-25 connector at
each end. These are available from Tascam and third-party suppliers. The card includes Apogee Bit-Splitting
technology to enable 24-bit channels to be recorded on multiple 16-bit tracks. For full details on cabling and on
how to use this card, see the TDIF AMBus card documentation.
ADAT 8 AMBus Card
This card is used to interface the AD-8000 to the Alesis ADAT or any device that utilizes the Alesis Digital
Interface Protocol. You will need special Toslink optical cables to utilize the card, one to send to the ADAT and
one to return from it to the AD-8000. The card includes Apogee Bit-Splitting technology to enable 20- and 24-
bit channels to be recorded on multiple 16-bit tracks. The more recent 20-bit ADAT-format machines are also
supported. For full details on cabling and on how to use this card, see the ADAT AMBus card documentation.
Page 15
AD-8000 Operating Manual