User`s guide

User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME

23. Connections

23.1 MADI I/O

The BNC input is built according to AES10-1991. The input impedance is 75 Ohm. It will oper-

ate error-free from about 180 mVpp on.

The optical input and output uses a FDDI (ISO/IEC 9413-3) compatible optical module, accord-

ing to AES10-1991. More information can be found in chapter 30.1, MADI Basics.

HDSPe MADI FX includes automatic input selection (Redundancy Mode). In case the current

input signal fails, the unit switches to the other input immediately. This mode, called redundancy

operation, offers improved safety against errors on the transmission line. Switching the inputs is

done in less than a sample and - provided the input signal fails abruptly – click free.

The BNC output is built according to AES10-1991. The output's impedance is 75 Ohm. The

output voltage will be 600 mVpp when terminated with 75 Ohm. In MADI1 output mirror mode

output 2 and 3 hold the same signal as MADI port 1. This mode allows for distributing a signal

to three destinations, or redundant operation at the output of the card.

23.2 AES/EBU

The XLR AES/EBU input and output are transformer-balanced and ground-free. The incoming

channel status is ignored. Connection is accomplished using balanced cables with XLR plugs.

AES/EBU (and SPDIF) can contain Emphasis information. Audio signals with Emphasis have a

strong high frequency boost, requiring high frequency attenuation on playback.

An Emphasis indication gets lost as there exists no standardized interface on computers to

handle this information!

Input

Thanks to a highly sensitive input stage

SPDIF coaxial can be fed too by using a sim-

ple cable adapter phono/XLR. To achieve

this, pins 2 and 3 of a male XLR plug are

connected individually to the two pins of a

phono plug. The cable shielding is only con-

nected to pin 1 of the XLR - not to the phono

plug.

Output

Using the cable adapter XLR/phono described above, devices with coaxial SPDIF interface can

be connected to the AES output of the HDSPe MADI FX as well. Note that most consumer

equipment with phono (SPDIF) inputs will only accept signals having a Channel Status ‘Con-

sumer’ format. The Consumer status is activated in the Settings dialog. In Consumer mode the

output voltage is reduced as well, as SPDIF calls for a lower voltage than AES/EBU.

The output signal coding of the HDSPe MADI FX has been implemented according to AES3-

1992 Amendment 4:

• 32 / 44.1 / 48 kHz, 64 / 88.2 / 96 kHz, 176.4 / 192 kHz depending on the current sample rate

• Audio use

• No Copyright, Copy permitted

• Format Professional or Consumer

• Category General, Generation not indicated

• 2-Channel, No Emphasis

• Aux Bits Audio use, 24 Bit

• Origin: MAFX