DIGIMAX 96K 8 Channel Preamplifier with Dual Domain Limiters and Digital Outputs User’s Manual Version 2.0 © 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 96K. PreSonus Audio Electronics has designed the DigiMax 96K utilizing high-grade components to ensure optimum performance that will last a lifetime. The DigiMax 96K is an eight-channel microphone preamplifier, with 24 bit ADAT lightpipe output, (4) stereo RCA SPDIF Digital Outputs (Unit ships in AES/EBU mode, breakout cable not included), and BNC word clock I/O for digital sync.
OVERVIEW 1.2 FEATURES The DigiMax 96K is high quality 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. Hand built in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the DigiMax 96K comes complete with eight high-quality PreSonus 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 96K becomes an active instrument preamplifier. NOTE: Active instruments are those that have an internal preamp or a line level output.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS -20 CLIP LIMIT LED Meters / Clip Indicator. Each channel features three LED level indicators. o -20. The green LEDs will light up when your input signal reaches -20 dBFS and serves to monitor whether or not signal is present on a channel output. o Clip. The red LEDs will light up when the channel’s input signal reaches a pre-limiter signal level of +24dB. Care should be taken to avoid using signal levels that cause this LED to activate.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 2.2 BACK PANEL LAYOUT CHANNEL 7 CHANNEL 8 OUTPUT MIC. IN +48V CHANNEL 6 OUTPUT MIC. IN +48V CHANNEL 5 OUTPUT MIC. IN +48V OUTPUT OUTPUT MIC. IN CHANNEL 3 CHANNEL 4 +48V MIC. IN +48V CHANNEL 2 OUTPUT MIC. IN +48V CHANNEL 1 OUTPUT MIC. IN +48V OUTPUT MIC. IN +48V Microphone Pre-Amplifier.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS Digital Output Connector. The DB9 connector on the rear panel of the DigiMax 96k provides 24 bit digital output at up to 96kHz. This connector comes configured from PreSonus for AES/EBU output (4 pair stereo) when used with the optional DMAX007 cable. An optional S/PDIF cable (DMAX006) is also available. The use of the S/PDIF breakout cable requires reconfiguring the jumpers on the output card of the DigiMax 96k.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 3.1 MICROPHONES The DigiMax 96K 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.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 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.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION BNC word clock cable from the output of your master device to the input of the device you are slaving. When working with multiple slaved devices, the job gets a bit more complicated. Series distribution requires that your digital devices have both a BNC word clock input and a BNC word clock output. Parallel distribution uses a BNC “T-connector” attached to the BNC word clock input of each slaved device.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 3.3 A BRIEF TUTORIAL ON DYANAMICS PROCESSING The DigiMax 96k features a dual domain limiter with a variable threshold on each of its eight channels. This section is an excerpt from brief tutorial on dynamics processing written by PreSonus President and Chief Technical Officer, Jim Odom. It is included to help you get the most out of your DigiMax 96k.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Why do you need noise gates? Consider the compressed vocal example above and you now have a 20dB dynamic range for the vocal channel. Problems arise when there is noise or instruments in the background of the vocal mic that became more audible after the lower end of the dynamic range was raised (air conditioner, loud drummer, etc.) You might attempt to mute the vocal between phrases in an attempt to remove the unwanted signals; however this would probably end disastrous.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Compressor / Limiters are commonly used for many audio applications. For example: A kick drum can get lost in a wall of electric guitars. No matter how much level is increased, the kick drum stays ‘lost in the mud’. Add a touch of compression and tighten up that kick drum sound allowing it to ‘punch’ through without having to crank the level way up. A vocal performance usually has a wide dynamic range.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 3.3.3 Vocabulary of Dynamics Processors In scientific research, it is widely accepted that if one needs to master a subject quickly, learn the associated vocabulary and industry terms. The same is true with audio recording and production. Most manuals and text books assume a prior level of knowledge. We hope this section will help you to get the most benefit from your independent study in the world of music production. Compressors Threshold.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Compressor Sidechain. The sidechain jack interrupts the signal that the compressor is using to determine the amount of gain reduction to apply. When no connector is inserted into this jack, the input signal goes directly to the compressor’s control circuitry. When a connector is inserted into this jack, the signal path is broken. This signal can then be processed by an equalizer for example to reduce sibilance (de-essing) in a vocal track.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 3.4 SAMPLE HOOK UP DIAGRAMS 3.4.1 Using the DigiMax 96K with ProTools The DigiMax 96K 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 96K 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 96K. 3.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 3.3.2 Using Multiple DigiMax 96K with the FireStudio Lightpipe The DigiMax 96K is a great high quality 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.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION 4.1 SPECIFICATIONS Channels ........................................................................................................................................................................................... Eight Microphone Preamp Type ....................................................................................................................................................................... XLR Female Balanced Input Impedance (Balanced) ..............................
