Specifications
DMC-842
8-Channel 192 kHz AES42 Controller & Interface for Digital Microphones
Connectivity
8 x AES42, AES3 Input (XLR)
8 x Analog Output (XLR)
4 x AES/EBU Out (25-pin D-sub - 8 channels @ 192 kHz)
1 x AES/EBU In (for Synchronization, 25-pin D-sub)
2 x ADAT Out (TOSLINK) 8 ch. @ 96 kHz (S/MUX), 4 ch. @ 192 kHz (S/MUX4)
optional: 1 x MADI I/O coaxial and optical with I64 MADI Card (DMC-842 M)
MIDI I/O (2 x 5-pin DIN socket)
Word Clock I/O (BNC)
T
he introduction of the digital microphone technology created a demand for pro audio interfaces
that can control and handle multiple digital microphones. The DMC-842 is both an 8-channel AES42
interface as well as a controller for digital microphones. When developing the DMC-842, RME worked
closely with the leading microphone manufacturers to secure maximum compatibility and best functionality.
As a result the DMC is the most flexible and most compatible AES42 interface available - a true milestone and
basis for the acceptance of the new digital microphone technology.
Innovation . The DMC-842 makes the use of digital microphones affordable, as its price is within the same
range as conventional microphone preamp/converter solutions. In addition to its role as an interface, the
DMC-842 also acts as a power supply and control device for digital microphones according to the official
AES42 standard. The device allows for connection and control of up to 8 digital microphones, and converting
their signals to ADAT, AES/EBU, analog and (optional) MADI. Eight individually switchable hi-end sample rate
converters offer a flexible clocking and further usage options, especially as the inputs are compatible to AES/
EBU too.
AES42 . The operating modes defined in AES42 (Mode 1 and Mode2) are supported individually per input.
Working with several Mode 1 microphones (asynchronous operation) requires the use of the DMC’s sample
rate converters. Mode 2 allows for a synchronized operation. In both modes control data can be sent to and
status data can be received from the microphone. These can be settings for gain, polar patterns, hi-pass filter
and compression. Further functions are already specified in the AES42 standard, but availability depends on
the individual microphone. All microphone parameters are directly accessible from the unit’s front panel.
Universal output device . In many respects, the DMC-842 is an ideal companion to RME’s Micstasy. Using
the same interface connections as the Micstasy (ADAT, AES/EBU, MADI) it ensures problem-free assembly of
combined systems for both analog and digital microphones.
The DMC-842 even includes analog line level outputs, so there are no problems including analog devices in
the signal chain, e. g. for monitoring purposes. The DMC-842 can handle standard AES/EBU signals at the same
time as the Digital Phantom Power can be switched on or off for individual channels and, thanks to the built-in
SRCs, can even be asynchronous. The signals passed through the DMC-842 are available at the analog outputs,
making an expensive splitter box on stage obsolete.
Technologies
AES42 Mode 1/2
AES3, AES10
MIDI Remote
Remote over MADI
MIDI over MADI
Intelligent Clock Control
ADAT S/MUX and S/MUX4
Multimode
I64 Option Slot
TM
SteadyClock
TM
SyncCheck®
SyncAlign®
TotalGain
TM
Cascadable
28 Preamps
PREMIUM LINE
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29DMC-842
Supports Digital
Microphones from
Sennheiser
Neumann
Schoeps
and others
Features
▪ 8 x XLR AES42 inputs (AES3 compatible)
▪ 24 bit sample rate conversion switchable per input
▪ Digital Phantom Power switchable per input
▪ Fully compatible to AES42
▪ Supports Mode 1 and Mode 2
▪ AES3 compatible
▪ 63 dB gain range per channel, even in asynchronous
Mode 1
▪ LED level display with 13 LEDs per channel and Peak
Hold function
▪ M/S de-/encoding
▪ MADI option offers serial cascading and additional
digital/analog return path
▪ SyncCheck tests and reports the synchronization status
of the clock signals
▪ SyncAlign guarantees sample aligned and never
swapping channels
▪ Fully remote controllable
▪ Future-proof via flash updates
Remote Control. The DMC-842 is fully remote controllable, via MIDI,
AES/EBU and MADI. The optional I64 MADI Card provides serial pass-
through capability from one DMC-842 to the next device (up to 8).
To adjust the various microphone parameters, RME includes a
Windows-based software application that communicates with the
DMC-842 via MIDI. The DMC-842 can be fully remote controlled and
configured via MIDI, and all status displays can be queried through
MIDI. Each DMC-842 can be given a separate ID, allowing separate
remote controllability of various devices with only one MIDI channel.
All the main microphone parameters are also directly accessible on the
unit itself.
MADI. The I64 MADI Card provides the DMC-842 (M) with a 64-Channel
MADI input and output. Coaxial and optical output operate in parallel
to the AES/EBU and ADAT output, therefore deliver the same data. Full
redundancy is ensured by the automatic input switching, immediately
changing to the other input in case of loss of the input signal.
The I64 MADI Card provides serial pass-through capability. Cascading
is also possible between DMC-842 and other RME MADI devices, like
Micstasy and ADI-8 QS.
Furthermore the I64 MADI Card provides the ability of 8 channels being
used as digital return path, sending audio via MADI to the ADAT, AES
and analog outputs. For example stage and studio monitors can be fed
digitally from the DMC-842, making an expensive splitter box on stage
obsolete. The MADI output continues to carry the analog input signals
and the fed-through input data.