User`s guide

User's Guide DIGI96/8 PST © RME
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8. Operation and Usage
8.1 Connections
The DIGI96/8 PST has 2 external and 1 internal (contact pins on the board) inputs and
outputs. The internal digital input can be connected to an internal CD-ROM drive when this is
supplied with a digital audio output (advantage: the built in CD-ROM drive is sufficient for digi-
tal recording and the need for external cabling does not arise). Or it can be connected with the
internal output of another DIGI96 series card (synchronizing multiple cards).
The current input is selected via the RME DIGI Settings dialog. The card accepts all commonly
used digital sources as well as SPDIF and AES/EBU. Channel status and copy protection are
ignored.
To receive signals in
AES/EBU format, an
adapter cable is requi-
red. Pins 2 and 3 of a
female XLR plug are
connected individually
to the two pins of a pho-
no plug. The cable
shielding is only con-
nected to pin 1 of the
XLR - not to the phono
plug. The ground-free design with transformers for digital inputs and outputs offers a trouble-
free connection of all devices along with perfect hum rejection.
All outputs are driven parallel, therefore carry identical signals. In the simplest situation, con-
nect 2 devices at the outputs and use the card as splitter (distribution 1 to 2).
Two ¼" TRS (stereo) jacks are fitted to provide a 2-channel unbalanced analogue input and
output. The analog output is directly driven from the digital output. A superior 24 bit DAC follo-
wed by a low impedance driver stage allows the connection of stereo headphones. The Set-
tings dialog allows to change the output level from 0 dB down to -78 dB. A special mute circuit
reduces noise when switching the computer on and off.
The sensitivity of the analog input can be set per channel to +4 dBu or -10 dBV by jumpers on
the board. A sensitivity control by driver or Settings dialog is not available.
The two connectors ST6 and ST7 provide a connection to the optional Word Clock Module
WCM.
8.2 Playback
Use the Sound control panel, Sound Out, to
activate DIGI96/8 PST as playback
device, and set up the desired sample fre-
quency for playback.
Note that in most cases it is not necessary
to set up the sample rate (and is not pos-
sible at all since OS9.x).
The Sound Manager will play back all data
unaltered as long as the sample rate is
supported by the DIGI96 series. Otherwise
a software sample rate converter is auto-
matically used.